Thursday night lights
Several high school football teams were in action in the Oklahoma City area on Thursday night, including Choctaw at Putnam North.
WARR ACRES — It was a perfect night for Putnam City North receiver Angelo Bell.
The junior only caught four passes, but he made the most out of each of them.
Bell finished with four catches for 170 yards and four touchdowns as Class 6A-I Putnam City North took care of Class 6A-II Choctaw 46-21 on Thursday night at Putnam City Stadium.
"It felt real good," Bell said. "These are my brothers. I made my way to receiver last year and I love it."
Less than a year since joining the football team, Bell found his stride on Thursday night.
The 6-foot-2 wideout consistently blew past the defensive back guarding him, and Panther quarterback Aaron Norment was on the money every time.
Norment finished 13 of 16 for 251 yards and the four touchdowns to Bell.
"He was open when I needed him to be open," Norment said. "I feel like he's an elite receiver already."
Choctaw (2-1) looked like it was going to take a quick lead against the Panthers.
The Yellowjackets returned the opening kickoff to midfield, and running back Blake Muse busted off a 50-yard run all the way to the Putnam North 1-yard line.
But the Panther's defense persevered. Defensive back DK Stevenson intercepted Choctaw quarterback Thad Williams in the end zone.
Putnam North would score the first of its five first-half touchdowns six plays later when running back Keilan Scott carried it into the end zone from 5 yards out. Linebacker Zach Dortch then stepped in front of another Choctaw pass, returning it 51 yards for a touchdown. Dortch also rushed for a touchdown.
Big plays fueled the Panthers all night as Norment connected with Bell from 81, 22, 30 and 37 yards.
"Angelo has kind of been our secret weapon," Putnam North coach Ryan Laverty said. "He really committed in the weight room over the summer and has gained a lot of muscle and I can't express how excited I am for him."
Laverty said he was impressed with his team's physicality against Choctaw and how his defense controlled the line of scrimmage.
"I did not expect this score," Laverty said. "We came into this one thinking it would be a slugfest because of how great Choctaw's kids are."
The combination of Norment to Bell was perfect for Putnam North as it moved to 3-0 for the first time since 2014.
"We've put in so much work and so much effort to turn this around," Norment said. "I feel like things are really starting to pay off. It feels incredible."
Choctaw was lead by Muse, who finished with 85 yards rushing and a touchdown.
For Bell, who now has six touchdown catches in three games, he said it's hard to believe the game his team put together on Thursday.
"I don't know what to say," he said. "It was perfect. Just perfect."