COLCORD, Okla. -- The Colcord (Okla.) Hornets started and finished last Friday's Oklahoma Class 2A playoff game at Nowata, Okla., in similar fashion -- by scoring touchdowns.
The in-between left a little to be desired, but nevertheless the Hornets' season is still alive after a 14-12 win against the Ironmen.
"I felt like we were clearly the better team," said Colcord head coach Terrill Denny. "We didn't put the points on the board like we should have."
Colcord (8-3) punched in a touchdown on the game's opening drive when J.J. Potter scored from two yards out to go up 8-0.
The Hornets continued to move the football on ensuing drives, but penalties and mistakes kept Colcord from putting the ball in the end zone.
"We were in the red zone a lot," Denny said. "We just could not punch it in."
Nowata scored a pair of touchdowns off Colcord mistakes in the second and third quarters to take a 12-8 lead going into the fourth. The first came on an intercepted pass and the second on a short punt, both of which set up good field position.
In the fourth quarter the Hornets mounted a touchdown drive, which was scored on a two-yard run by Matthew Farris, who played at quarterback in place of the injured Cash Hayes.
The Hornets got a Potter interception to get the ball back and later converted on fourth-down inside their own territory to help close out the victory.
"We couldn't be more proud of our guys," Denny said.
Colcord outgained Nowata 285-140 in total offense for the game and had 67 plays compared to Nowata's 33.
Potter rushed for 124 yards on 31 carries, while Farris ran for 94 yards on 21 carries. Farris also completed 3 of 9 passes for 48 yards.
"Matthew played unbelievable for a first start," Denny said.
Now the Hornets turn their attention to this week's game at Vian (9-2), which beat Henryetta 45-6 last week. One of the Wolverines' losses came earlier this season 6-0 at Nowata in a sloppy game by both teams.
Denny said a key to this week's game will be stopping the Vian rushing attack, which has rushed for more than 3,600 yards this season.
"We've got to be able to stop the run," Denny said. "They do a great job of running the football. We have to tackle well. We need to be able to run the football. It's playoff time. You never know what the weather is going to be like. It's probably going to be cold.. Whoever can run the football is going to be successful."
Denny said because of injuries and other things, Colcord only dressed 23 players in its last game at Nowata. The Hornets may have a couple more available for this week's game.
If the Hornets can win this week's game, they'll have a home game on Nov. 27 against the winner of Chisolm and Lindsay.
Sports on 11/18/2015