Bethany Takes Down Blanchard to Tie for the District Lead
.JPG)
Launch the media gallery 1 playerBethany, OK - Rain started to fall about an hour before kickoff in what was a monumental game in Class 4A between Blanchard (4A-#6) and Bethany (4A-#4). The light rain didn't dampen the game's atmosphere though and Bethany took advantage of the opportunity with a dominating performance on the line of scrimmage to defeat the Lions, 21-12 and pull themselves into a tie for the lead in District 4A-2. The Bronchos fumbled the opening kickoff, which allowed Blanchard to take a 6-0 lead on the short field, but after this, the Bethany defense allowed just six points the rest of the night against one of the most vaunted offenses in Class 4A. Blanchard's QB, Carson Cooksey, came into the game with over 2,000 passing yards through 8 games. Over 900 of those yards were to standout wide receiver Jaxon Laminack and over 700 yards to the other excellent receiver Brayson Carter. But the Broncho defense was excellent, allowing no big plays on the night, which was a great improvement from the other big game earlier this season against Tuttle.
The Broncho defense was very good throughout the game, but the highlight was two different red zone stands, one in the 2nd quarter and one in the 4th quarter to preserve the lead. In addition to the great defensive play the Bronchos forced three turnovers on the night. Taylor Heim was excellent in his safety position with two interceptions, one of which he took back over 90 yards and nearly scored. The Bronchos would score after that interception on a Cale Wetwiska to Woods Harrell touchdown pass. Jordan Strotter and Woods Harrell also played outstanding from their outside linebacker positions. Strotter had seven tackles, two for a loss, one sack, and a spectacular diving interception. Harrell added five tackles of his own, two of which were for a loss. Jack Gilliland was also great on the evening from his middle linebacker spot, garnering nine tackles, two of which were for a loss. The great play by Bethany was also spurred by disciplined play against Blanchard's run-pass option offensive strategy. Bethany held the Lions to just 58 rushing yards on the night as they dominated the line of scrimmage on the defensive side of the ball.
In addition to the 14 yard touchdown from Wetwiska to Harrell the Bronchos dominated the line of scrimmage on the offensive side of the ball as well in this one. Bethany's offensive line played their best game of the season against the best defense the Bronchos have faced all year. Ball carriers Jaden Gilliland, Taylor Heim, and others were consistently gaining five yards or more running the ball which helped keep the ball out of the hands of Blanchard's talented offense. Those offensive lineman deserve much of the credit for Bethany's success on this night. That unit is made up of Christian Sigler, Abel Salcedo, Ben Sailer, Nich Pickens, Parker Daniels, and Will Strawn. Heim finished with 101 yards rushing and a touchdown, while Jaden Gilliland finished with 74 yards and a touchdown. The Bronchos averaged over five yards per play on the night and that methodical approach, in the rainy conditions, no doubt was a huge factor in the outcome of the contest.
The Bronchos head to Newcastle (4A-#7) for another huge matchup this week in the final week of the regular season. With such a competitive district of four highly ranked teams, the Bronchos could still finish in any one of the four top spots going into the playoffs. The game at Newcastle has also been changed to Thursday night, November 3 due to a high severe weather threat for Friday night.