Run game is carrying Putnam City
When Putnam City lost running back Devin Colbert to a broken leg in the preseason, it seemed the Pirates’ run game might have taken a hit, but not so far.
Putnam City (2-1) is one of Class 6A’s top rushing teams through three games. The Pirates average 359.7 yards per game after a 46-21 win Friday at Choctaw. Leading the charge is senior quarterback Devin White and junior running back Javone Knox, the younger brother of last year’s Pirate star Casey Curtis.
Behind an offensive line that has been on point recently, White and Knox are averaging better than 10 yards per carry. Knox has 433 yards and nine touchdowns on 47 carries. White has added 354 yards and four touchdowns on 30 attempts.
White hasn’t needed to throw much in the Pirates’ last two blowout wins, but for the year, he’s 15-of-34 for 192 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Placed in an east-side district for the first time in recent history, the Pirates head into district play Friday at Sapulpa.
NOONE HOPING TO RETURN FRIDAY
Carl Albert’s Chevin Noone was expected to be one of the keys to the Titans defense from the linebacker spot.
But during Carl Albert’s 1-2 start, Noone has been watching from the sideline, kept out after suffering a broken hand in a scrimmage.
Noone hopes for good news Tuesday when he goes to the doctor for an evaluation with the hopes of returning to the field this Friday.
“I’ve been the biggest cheerleader I could be during the first three games,” Noone said. “It’s a big game for us this week. We won last week, and people want to see that we’re better than we showed early.”
The No. 8 Titans play at No. 4 Deer Creek (3-0) to open district play.
DEFENSE POWERS BETHANY WIN
Bethany coach Reagan Roof admitted even he was a little surprised by the Bronchos’ 40-7 win at Washington on Friday night.
“I thought it would be a game we’d have to play extremely well to win,” Roof said. “It was one of those nights when everything went our way. Washington is better than the score indicates.”
Roof was particularly happy with the defense against Washington’s option offense.
“Against the option, you’ve got to be disciplined and stay on your assignment,” he said. “I was really proud of the way they played — definitely much better than the last couple weeks. And we tackled better, too. ”
Sophomore quarterback Kyle Duke rushed for 101 yards and completed seven of 11 passes for 150 yards. Junior running back Dorien Jackson stepped in after starter Tino Vann rolled his ankle early in the game.
“Dorien jumped right in there,” Roof said. “I was really proud of the way he stepped up.”
MUSTANG 3-0 FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2008
With Friday’s 36-14 win over Stillwater, Mustang improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2008, when the Broncos finished 12-1.
“It means a lot,” said junior receiver Colton Hadlock. “We were actually talking about it last week. We were thinking about the last time Mustang was 3-0. We’re gonna continue to feed on it and get bet- ter.”
The perfect non-district mark also means Mustang has already matched last season’s win total. The Broncos were 3-7 in 2011, the only season without a playoff berth since Ty Prestidge became head coach in 2006.
“Each week, we’re learning from our mistakes and getting better as we go,” said junior quarterback Frankie Edwards, who has thrown for nearly 900 yards of total offense. He has thrown for nine touchdowns so far without an interception.
MEMORIAL LOOKING FOR BALANCE
Sophomore sensation Warren Wand started at quarterback for Edmond Memorial against Deer Creek on Thursday night, but he likely will return to running back for the Bulldogs’ contest Friday night at Lawton.
Wand started the season opener against Edmond North at quarterback but didn’t complete a pass. He was moved to running back for week two’s game against Enid as Stillwater transfer Tyler Holcomb, the better passer, took over the signalcalling duties.
Holcomb, however, sprained his ankle against Enid, and Wand had to finish the game at quarterback.
Wand rushed for 207 yards on 21 carries against Deer Creek but only was 2 of 8 passing for 19 yards and two interceptions. Edmond Memorial coach Justin Merideth said Holcomb should be healthy enough to return at quarterback against Lawton so Wand can move back to running back.
“Any offense that is more balanced is a lot harder to stop,” Merideth said. “Tyler helps us to be more balanced.”