Sims’ three touchdown passes propel Deer Creek
DEER CREEK 31, STILLWATER 7
EDMOND — Deer Creek, playing in its final season opener as a Class 5A team, wanted to make a statement Friday night against visiting Stillwater High.
The Antlers did just that, getting three touchdown passes from quarterback Clayton Sims and a 63-yard fumble return for a score from linebacker Blake Landon in a 31-7 rout of the Pioneers at Heflin Field.
No. 2 Deer Creek will make the jump to Class 6A-II next season, and coach Grant Gower has made it be known that he’s looking to go out with a state championship.
“That’s the first one of many to come. That’s the first step,” Gower told his players after the win. “One down, 13 more to go.”
Receiver Zach Kerstetter, who caught scoring passes of 19 and 39 yards from Sims, shared his coach’s sentiment.
“We looked at this game tonight as the first step in what we’re really going for, which is a state championship,” he said.
Deer Creek, behind the pinpoint passing of Sims, scored on two of its first three possessions to grab a 14-0 lead. The defense forced Stillwater, ranked No. 5 in 6A-II, to punt on three of its first four possessions.
The Pioneers played the game without nine players, including six starters, who were suspended for violating team rules. Coach Tucker Barnard declined to disclose their identities or the circumstances surrounding the suspensions. He would not say if they would be suspended for more than one game.
“We had a few guys who just weren’t able to go tonight,” Barnard said. “We had an issue. Some guys broke a rule and we’re handling it and moving on.”
Sims set the tone early for Deer Creek, throwing TD passes on two of the team’s first three possessions, the first to Kyle Sander covering 31 yards. Sims finished 22 of 33 for 256 yards and one interception.
“Clayton was on fire tonight,” Kerstetter said. “I’m really glad that he’s our quarterback. He’s got one heck of an arm, and he’s got the smarts.”
Running back Josiah Castleberry carried the load for Stillwater, gaining 164 yards on 22 carries and scoring his team’s only touchdown on a 28-yard run with 2:51 left in the game to make it 24-7. On Stillwater’s next possession, Landon knocked the football out of quarterback Jade McCune’s hands and returned it to close the scoring.