Earlier this week, we said that Sapulpa’s road game to Collinsville was going to be “one to watch,” as it might be a good indicator how the rest of the Chieftain season would go. After a tough 42-17 loss, we’re all hoping it’s not the case.
The game started as a battle between teams that had a great defense to back them up as they worked to find the weakness in each other’s offense. The Chieftains won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. The Cardinals drew first blood, with 7 in the first quarter, but the Chieftains answered back and tied it up with 3:13 remaining in the first. Things seemed to be staying in the Chieftain favor as they forced a punt and began making small gains on their next drive. Three yards, then three more, then a first down. Their fortune suddenly turned as back to back flags set them back more than twenty yards, forcing a punt of their own.
The Cards made good use of the next possession with a short pass and a run, and then the Quarterback found a hole and ran the ball down the field before he was taken out at the 20. Two more plays and the Cardinals added their second touchdown of the night, bringing the score to 14-7 with just over 8 minutes left in the half. Again, the Chieftains answered back and after a short gain and a short loss, threw a 35-yard pass to Te’Zhon Taft that he carried into the endzone, tying it up again.
Collinsville scored on their next possession, bringing the score to 21-14, and this is where the Chieftains began to falter. Despite a solid run by Taft that took them to the twelve-yard line, a flag forced them back and they were only able to kick a field goal, bringing the score to 21-17, Collinsville. The Cardinals failed to make good use of their next possession and had to punt, and the Chieftains tried but failed to connect with the little amount of time remaining. All they could do was hit the locker room and try to hit the ground running in the second half.
Hit the ground running, they did. Returning the kickoff to the Cardinal’s 40 yard line, they made it all the way to the 5-yard line before a double whammy hit them: Taft got temporarily injured and had to leave the field, and a bad snap caused a panic toss that was intercepted by the Cardinals.
Sapulpa continued to apply the pressure, but the cracks began to show. The Cardinals began to figure out how to get around them, and started doing it regularly, though the Chieftains still forced a punt the first time. Collinsville went on to score 14 points in the third quarter and another 7 in the fourth. Sapulpa couldn’t cross the goal line the rest of the game.
The biggest weapon Collinsville had in their game against Sapulpa was junior Andrew Carney, who scored all six touchdowns for the Cardinals tonight.
Collinsville remains undefeated at 5-0, and Sapulpa takes on their second loss of the season and the first since their season opener against Sand Springs. They play Talequah for their homecoming next week. Sapulpa Public Schools will remain in Orange Level 1.
