Man I hate that long trip to Pioneer. The Drumright Tornadoes had their opener at Pioneer.
We lost some very good players from last year, especially on the offensive and defensive lines. Then the first offensive play of the game, Jagger Willing gets hurt.
Coach Chris Elerick said “Jagger is a great player and it really hurt to lose him” It is uncertain when he will be back.
People may have looked at Pioneer’s record the last two years and thought “They’re not much” but when you play Seiling, Laverne, Timberlake, Garber, and Turpin... All three are powerhouses and Pioneer plays them all every year.
Now Pioneer is hungry and physical. They have a very powerful ground game. They also have a lot of experience that we don’t have.
Coach Elerick said “Out of 16 Drumright players, only five have experience.”
A lot of our players started in their first ever varsity game.
Pioneer’s first starting drive went 99 yards in 11 plays, this happened after Garrett Wright’s wicked punt went to the Pioneer one yard line, they drove it down our defenses throats.
Soon after, Pioneer was up 8-0.
Wright scored on a 42 yard run to make it 8-6 Pioneer.
Then Pioneer scored on an 8 play, 85 yard drive. Almost all their yardage was on the ground.
“Several of our defensive players were out of position trying to overcompensate for other defensive players,” said Coach Elerick.
You can’t play two positions at once.
Garrett Wright had 141 yards rushing on 14 carries and was 7/18 passing for 68 yards.
Elerick said “Garrett competed hard and played hard.”
Cordae McCormick had a 20 yard run, Aiden Lumpkins had a 13 yard run, Conrad Reed caught two passes for 17 yards.
Several defensive players had their moments too.
Amari Louis and Lumpkins made some great tackles, along with Carson Mattox, Reed, Keagan Ward, Howdy Right, Max grey, Anthony Fisher, Chase Creekmore, Luke Allen, Gavin Howell, and Sammy Blackburn.
Creekmore recovered a fumble, Mattox recovered an onside kick, and Lumpkins recovered a fumble.
The Tornadoes trailed 38-6 when they made it to Pioneers five yard line, but penalties ruined the drive. The Tornadoes also made it to the Pioneer 12 and the Pioneer 10 as time ran out.
Missed opportunities.
Garrett had a fantastic night punting the football.
“We will practice and get better, we will play and get better,” said Elerick. “Garber is a real good team.”
We will play Garber Friday night at Drumright. Please be there to give the players your support.
Coach Elerick said “We want to improved every week, especially by playoff time.”
Assistant coaches for Drumright are Scott Hollabaugh and Moses Williams.
“We will work on Drumright this week,” said Elerick.