Junior high squads sweep McGuinness
JAIRO VELARDE (25) makes a tackle for Kingfisher’s eighth grade team in its win over Bishop McGuinness last week. [Photo by Chris Simon/www.simon-sports-photos.smugmug.com]
The junior high football teams last week picked up their first sweep of the season.
The seventh graders knocked of McGuinness 26-22 last Thursday while the eighth graders followed it up with a 41-0 blowout of the Irish, both at home.
Seventh grade After trailing 6-0, the Jackets seized control of the game with two quick scores in the second quarter.
Jackson Willbanks found Jhett Birdwell with a 42- yard touchdown pass to tie the game.
Kingfisher then surprised the Irish with an onside kick which was recovered by Braden Whipple.
They turned that into an 8-yard touchdown run by Jackson, who then followed it with a two-point run.
Birdwell also had a touchdown run and a 48-yard touchdown pass to Kason Blair as the Jackets upped their season mark to 2-3.
Coaches lauded the play of Andrew Hine, Luciano Orozco and Cale Reagan on defense.
They said Izak Oaks also stood out while filling in at center for Kevin Smith.
Eighth grade
The eighth graders dominated from the start as they moved to 3-2.
Kingfisher led 14-0 after a quarter and 27-0 at halftime and continued to add to it in the second half.
Luke Strickland ran for three touchdowns and his interception set up another.
Strickland had scoring runs of 8 yards in the first quarter and 4 and 34 yards in the second.
His pick in the third led to Santiago Ortega’s 35-yard touchdown scamper.
That was the second of three interceptions for the Jacket defense.
Lucas Conrady had one in the first half and Colton Burns added one in the second half.
Burns’ interception set up a 4-yard touchdown run by Paytun Burnham.
Santiago also scored on a 17-yard reverse in the first quarter.
“All the kids played well,” said Doug Jech, who coaches the junior high teams with Fay Barnett. “The offensive line blocked really well and tons of kids contributed.”
Among them were Will Neuman, Mason Alig, Ryan Sanders, Bode Williams and Maddox Jarvis, coach said.
“And Paytun was solid again at quarterback and provided really good leadership,” Jech added.