KHS overwhelms Goldbugs

With a small senior class and a mass exodus of production from the graduating group of last season, Jeff Myers knew there were questions to be answered when Alva visited for the 2021 football season opener.

Those answers were mostly favorable in a 46-8 runaway win for the Yellowjackets.

“We had guys do some good things all over the field,” said Myers as he begins his 18th season as head coach of the program.

“But what I really liked was we had some young kids who came in and showed me they can give us some snaps and give some of our other guys a break.”

The Jackets - young and old - held Alva to negative rushing yardage, didn’t commit a turnover and were able to produce on the ground and through the air.

“We executed our game plan well,” said co-offensive coordinator Stuart Purintun. “Our guys up front blocked well for the run and our receivers held onto the ball.”

Receivers were among the bigger question marks coming in as nearly 90 percent of the production from 2020 graduated.

But quarterback Jax Sternberger looked comfortable spreading the wealth.

The junior, starting for the second season, threw four touchdown passes to four different players.

Tight end Harrison Evans caught one from five yards out to cap Kingfisher’s first drive of the season.

Newcomer Marcus Lemon hauled in a 15-yard strike three minutes into the second quarter and Slade Snodgrass had another of the 5-yard variety with just over two minutes to play in the half.

Kingfisher’s lead at the break was 27-0 after a very short Alva punt set up the Jackets at the Goldbugs 15.

Sternberger eventually snuck it in from a yard out for the score.

The offense showed running sparks in the first half, but it truly began to pay off in the second.

Yards came in bigger chunks, including a 14-yard scoring scamper by junior tailback Cade Cooper in the third quarter.

That was set up by a fumble recovery by Snodgrass, who also ended the first half with an interception.

After yet another empty Alva possession, Alan Munoz broke loose for a 61-yard touchdown run for a 40-0 KHS lead at 5:19 of the third quarter.

Munoz ended his night with 132 yards on just eight carries.

Overall, KHS had 140 net yards on the ground and averaged 4.2 yards an attempt.

Alva had no such production. Whether it be a bad snap leading to a negative play, a sack or a tackle for a loss, the Goldbugs never found their legs in the ground game.

The Goldbugs ended the night with minus-19 yards rushing.

Quarterback Kaden Slater countered with 265 yards through the air, but was picked off twice and Alva never capitalized in the red zone.

The Goldbugs quickly drove to the Kingfisher 15 on their first drive, but ultimately turned it over on downs.

The Goldbugs had one other turnover on downs, one lost fumble and Slater was picked off twice.

That’s on top of seven punts.

Myers praised the safety play, which included the likes of Sternberger, Kyle Borelli and sophomore Cade Covalt, who, combined, had very little varsity experience at the position.

“I also thought the guys we expected big things from delivered,” Myers said.

That’s Snodgrass, Munoz and Evans.

Snodgrass led the team with nine tackles to go with his two takeaways.

Munoz, who also punted, kicked off and kicked extra-points, had four tackles.

Evans delivered five tackles, including multiple behind the line of scrimmage.

Meanwhile, Sternberger - though under pressure several times - guided the offense to a turnover-free night.

He completed 19 of 29 passes for 265 yards.

Seven different players caught passes, five of them at least two.

Snodgrass caught five for 78 yards.

Borelli added five of his own for 70 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

The offensive line wasn’t flagged for a holding call all night.

“It’s usually a good night when you can claim that,” Purintun said.

“We saw a lot of good,” Myers concluded. “But we saw a lot we’ve got to correct. Weatherford (this week’s opponent) will offer more challenges and we’ve got to continue improving if we want to give ourselves a chance to win.”