CHOCTAW SCORES LATE TO BEAT SAND SPRINGS, 21-20

Sand Springs got away from what they do best, and it cost them the game. Payton Scott rushed for over 200 yard with two touchdowns in a 21-20 loss to Choctaw, Friday, Sept. 8 at Memorial Stadium. The Sand Springs Sandites led from their opening drive for most of the game, but Choctaw took the lead with 5:37 in the fourth quarter on a quarterback keeper from the Yellowjackets’ Hudson Woods. The 6-foot, 180-pound quarterback got several chances inside the three yard line, but finally crossed the goal line for the 21-20 lead. Sand Springs (0-2) had a chance to win the game, and Scott almost got them there. On four-straight runs, the senior running back got down to the Choctaw 27-yard line, but a trick play caused a turnover, and Choctaw stopped the Sandites and eventually sealed the win. The flea flicker from junior quarterback Caden Pennington was intercepted near the goal line, and Choctaw’s Zjontavien “Tae” Gibbs took the ball from three yards deep in the end zone to the deep into Sand Springs territory. A penalty flag brought the ball back to their-own 9 yard line, but Choctaw able to get several first downs, running out the clock. Pennington had his best game as a Sandite, passing for 37 yards with his first varsity touchdown to Dash Fleischman. With a 7-0 lead, Fleischman caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Pennington, but Jaden Wiser’s extra point was blocked, and it would be the difference in the game. Trailing 13-0, Choctaw’s Zane Coleman caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from Woods, and the Yellowjackets pulled within six at halftime, 13-7. Scott scored his second touchdown at the 2:51 mark of the third quarter when he jumped up and over the defense at the 1-yard line for the 20-7 Sand Springs advantage. However, Choctaw answered when Woods hit Ethan Crews for a 21-yard TD pass, pulling his team within six points again, 20-14. Scott was also the team’s leading receiver with 13 yard on one catch. Defensively, Gage Fain, Kris Edwards, Zac Blake, Jerry Lyons and Joel Mackey stood out, making some big hits throughout the game. Early in the second quarter, linebacker Hayden Cramer picked off a pass from Woods, and it led to Pennington's touchdown pass. Choctaw is now 2-0 on the season.