Week 2: Booker T. vs Broken Arrow

A great first quarter by Broken Arrow was just enough to steal a win from the Hornets. The Tigers ranked #3 in class 6A came into this game looking to beat Booker T. #1 in 5A for the third year in a row and what a game it was at S.E. Williams stadium. The tigers got on the board twice in the first quarter to take a 12-0 lead thanks to runs by Richie Fruechting. It looked to be another easy win for BA but great 2nd quarter adjustments made by Coach Hall lead to big plays for the Hornets. Led by Isaac Bennett who played in his first game this season who had a big night and scored the first BTW touchdown on a 59 yard pass play. BA however answered right back with another twelve yard run. To end the half senior QB Dominique Sells led Booker T. to two scoring drives and went in at the half with all of the momentum. Tiger coach Steve Spavital made several key decisions including to go with power football, running the ball and playing hardcore defense, shutting out the Hornets in the 2nd half. Meanwhile Fruechting would end the night with over 250 yards rushing and 5 td's leading BA to a 32-17 win improving to 2-0 on the season.
This game was very winnable for BTW as this would have been their biggest win of the season. The inability to stop the run, and make tackles at the line of scrimmage allowed big runs and points. On most of Fruechting's runs he broke at least one tackle, but BA did a great job of opening up holes. Their draw play was worked well as not enough inside blitzes were called to stop this play, if the D cannot stop it then why not continue to run it. Going into half BTW had all of the momentum everything was going there way but not capitalizing on it going into the 3rd set the tone for the rest of the game. Cramps kept several payers out for a while including CB Terrence Taylor and RB Isaac Bennett. Backup Daylshawn McFaydden though continued to show his potential having two or three big runs but we seemed to go away from the run and pass more. But the offense never got going or into a solid rhythm as BA's defense played very solid. Long offensive drives led by QB Archie Bradley wore down the defense by pounding it inside and converting on 3rd down plays. Special teams played well not letting any blocks take place or returns, but penalties were still present having an impact, mostly illegal motions penalties.

Player of the Week: Running back Isaac Bennett returning back in the line up was very productive on offense. Scoring on a lateral play, and setting up the only other touchdown with powerful runs up the middle and nifty moves on the outside. He was limited in the 3rd quarter due to cramps but was still a major factor.

This game i think will help Booker T. to serve as a building block and as a motivator. Senior captain Dillon O'Carroll agreed saying "We didn't play bad as individuals, we just played bad as a team. We have to come together and improve in all facets. We're taking this as an opportunity to see what we did wrong and move forward, our final goals are still attainable and we're still gonna show up everyday and work to get them." The hornets our now 1-1 with a game against East Central on Thursday night hoping to regain confidence as the season rolls forward. When asked about the teams mentality was moving forward into the next few weeks O'Caroll said, ''win.''