Stroud’s defense dominated Commerce Friday night, leading the Tigers to a 39-20 win in the second round of the Class A playoffs.
The victory was the tenth in a row for the Tigers, who will face unbeaten Fairview in the quarterfinald at 7 p.m. Friday in Kingfisher.
“I was ecstatic, happy for the win” said coach Josh Presley. “Any time you get a 19-point win in the second round, it’s exciting.
“Defensively, we played really well, held them to 151 yards, three yards per play.”
Stroud scored first, getting a six-yard scoring run from Kason Presley, but Commerce took a brief 7-6 lead late in the first period.
Stroud erased that with a 38-yard touchdown run from Jacob Beck late in the second period and never trailed again.
The Tigers also got a four-yard scoring run from Beck, a 36-yard run by Jessen Leathers, a one-yard scoring run from Dylan Baker and a 12-yard interception return for a touchdown by Brady Nichols.
Stroud ran for 285 yards on the ground and tried just eight passes.
“We wanted to keep it on the ground and keep control and run the clock,” Presley said.
Up next is Fairview, who has been unbeaten and rarely tested this season. The Yellowjackets are 12-0 and have won all their games by at least three touchdowns.
Their smallest margin of victory was a 30-6 win over Mooreland.
“They have a really talented team. tall athletic kids that can run,” Presley said. “They have great team speed on offense and defense.
“They throw the ball really well, better than anyone we’ve seen all year. We’ll have to run the ball effectively and mix up the looks we give them.
“Any time we get to practice on Thanksgiving it’s a big deal. There’s nothing like a morning walk-through and then having a meal with family.” Commerce 7 6 7 0 - 20 Stroud 14 6 12 7 - 39
Stroud Commerce
First Downs 14 13 Rushing (Att-Yds) 47-285 34-37 Passing (Comp-Att-Yds) 1-8-4 10-25-121 Total Offense (Plays-Yds) 55-289 59-158 Interceptions by 2 1 Fumbles-Lost 2-1 5-2 Penalties-Yards 9-90 9-58 Punts-Average 2-27.0 1-39.0
Scoring Qtr Time Play
1 9:33 Stroud Presley 6 yd run (attempt failed)
1 :23 Stroud Beck 38 yd run (Beck run)
2 :42 Stroud Beck 4 yd run (kick failed)
3 9:38 Stroud Leathers 36 yd run (kick failed)
3 4:01 Stroud D.Baker 1 yd run (pass failed)
4 1:00 Stroud Nichols 12 yd interception return (Stewart kick)
Rushing (Att-Yds-TD) Stroud Leathers 3-68-1, Collins 4-52-1, Presley 14--
58-1, Beck 17-107-2, D.Baker 8-1-1, team 1-(1), Cropp
1-1, T.Baker 5-1
Passing (Comp-Att-Yds-TD-Int) Stroud D.Baker 1-8-4-0-1
Receiving (Rec-Yds-TD) Stroud Collins 1-4