Kingfisher, Bethany split JH contests

Kingfisher’s eighth graders improved to 2-1 and the seventh grade squad just missed out on an unlikely comeback win in junior high football action last Monday.

The eighth grade Jackets dominated Bethany 28-0 in the nightcap in Kingfisher.

Santiago Ortega scored rushing touchdowns to lead the way offensively.

He ran it in from 48 yards out in the second quarter, 42 yards in the third and 23 yards in the fourth.

The Jackets initially scored in the first quarter when Paytun Burnham hit Luke Strickland from 10 yards out.

Lucas Conrady kicked four extra-points.

Coaches praised the offensive line play of Bert Haag, Landon Rempe, Ryan Sanders, Mason Alig, Robert Barnett, Cale Leck and Austin Poarch.

On top of Burnham and Strickland, they said Maddox Jarvis had a strong game.

Jairo Velarde was lauded for his defensive play and Conrady also had an interception for the unit.

“It was a big win con-sidering we lost four key starters the previous week,” co-coach Doug Jech said. “We had others step up.”

Bronchos survive KMS comeback in OT

The seventh graders twice trailed by two touchdowns but managed to force overtime before falling 28-26 to the Bronchos.

Jhett Birdwell accounted for all four Kingfisher touchdowns, including two scoring runs in the fourth quarter.

Birdwell found Kason Blair for a 30-yard touchdown pass late in the fourth to bring the Jackets within 20-12.

Jackson Willbanks continued the momentum when he recovered an onside kick to keep KMS in the game.

The Jackets turned that into a 5-yard Birdwell touchdown run with just 10 seconds left in regulation. His ensuing two-point run tied the game at 20-20.

Bethany scored first in overtime and earned a two-point conversion to go up eight.

Birdwell answered with his own 1-yard plunge, but the Jackets couldn’t convert the conversion to give Bethany the win.

The Jackets fell behind 14-0, but got on the board in the second quarter.

Willbanks and a Bethany defender both leapt for a Birdwell pass. The ball was tipped into the air and Willbanks caught it in the end zone for a 28-yard score as the defender fell to the ground.

Bethany also led 20-6 in the fourth before Kingfisher made its comeback.

Birdwell, Willbanks, Blair and Andrew Hine were commended for their skill play.

Up front, standouts included Kevin Smith and Braden Whipple

The loss dropped the group to 1-2 on the season.