Norman rivals clash
Norman High took on rival Norman North in a season-opening game Thursday night at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
NORMAN — Norman North almost got more than it could handle, but it somehow survived.
The third-ranked Timberwolves survived an inspired effort from rival Norman for a 49-43 victory late Thursday at Oklahoma’s Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
In a game that totaled more than 1,000 yards, Norman North found a way to get it done in the final quarter.
The Timberwolves struggled to have an answer for Norman sophomore quarterback Cade Horton. But ultimately it was Horton’s lone mistake that cost the Tigers.
With less than eight minutes remaining, Horton scrambled and then threw an ill-advised pass. North’s Brooks Smith, a 6-foot, 273-pound defensive tackle, made the interception. The Timberwolves then chewed up the clock with a three-minute drive that quarterback Ryan Peoples capped with a 1-yard keeper.
Peoples, in his first action since 2015 when he started for the Tigers, was far from perfect, completing 20 of 30 passes for 333 yards.
But he had senior Drake Stoops. One half of the twin brothers put on a show. He caught 14 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns, including a 97-yard score in the first half.
Horton completed 19 of 31 passes for 313 yards and four touchdowns.
It was the first half that proved the most entertaining — even if it lasted longer than 90 minutes.
Each time Norman North appeared to take control, Norman answered.
Norman North took a 29-20 lead with 6:42 left in the first half on a 97-yard touchdown reception by Stoops.
In the past, that would have demoralized Norman. This time, it responded with a strong, 10-play drive that covered 51 yards and ended with a 1-yard score by Jordan Ford.
The Tigers then stripped the ball from Norman North running back Dalyn Alexander. They then marched 34 yards on 12 plays, and Grady Wade kicked a 25-yard field goal with 12 seconds left in the half to tie the game.
And to top that off, Peoples was intercepted to end the half when a pass bounced off the chest of Stoops.
Peoples was shaky at times. He completed five straight passes at one point, but then missed on his next four. Then he went on a streak of four completions.
In that half, he completed 9 of 16 passes for 214 yards, two TDs and an interception. Stoops was his go-to guy, catching seven passes for 197 yards and two scores.
But that duo was overshadowed in that half by the inspired play of Horton.
Norman’s baseball star, who is committed to Ole Miss, was nearly unstoppable.
He completed 12 of 21 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns. He had big runs with 46 yards on 10 carries, often extending drives.
It was a stellar debut for Horton, who beat out junior Ryan Haley in the preseason to win the job under first-year Norman coach Rocky Martin.