JH squads earn split at Perkins

Two fourth-quarter touchdowns helped the Kingfisher seventh grade football team knock off Perkins-Tryon 23-16 on the road last Tuesday.

With the game tied at 8-8 since the first quarter, KMS made its move in the fourth.

Kason Blair caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Jhett Birdwell and Julian Orozco kicked the extra-point for the decisive score.

The touchdown was set up by a 25-yard throwback from Birdwell to Andrew Hine on fourth down to extend the drive.

Birdwell had earlier scored on a 4-yard run and the two-point run in the quarter.

Kingfisher got its first TD in the first quarter when Jackson Willbanks hauled in an 8-yard pass from Birdwell.

Birdwell and Blair connected on the two-point pass.“It was a battle the whole game,” said Doug Jech, who coaches the junior high teams along with Fay Barnett.

Jech said Izak Oaks played well at center, which was a new position for him.

Defensive standouts included Cale Reagan, Hine, Willbanks, Blair, Braden Whipple and Luciano Orozco, coaches said.

The team was 3-3 after the win.

8th graders drop 24-12 contest

Perkins got some payback in the eighth grade game with a 24-12 victory over the Jackets.

Perkins led 16-0 after a quarter.

Kingfisher got its initial touchdown in the second quarter when Maddox Jarvis scored on a 4-yard run.

After trailing 24-6, the team cut it to 24-12 in the third quarter.

Luke Strickland had what coaches called an “excellent” 40-yard touchdown run.

However, that’s as close as the Jackets got.

Coaches said Jarvis and Strickland ran hard behind good line play from Robert Barnett, Bert Haag, Landon Rempe, Cale Leck, Mason Alig and Ryan Sanders.

Lucas Conrady also provided some offensive highlights, they said.

The loss dropped the eighth graders to 3-3.

The junior high teams host Newcastle on Tuesday.