Good evening from Bill Hinkle Field in Tuttle, site of tonight's 3A quarterfinal pitting the hometown Tigers against the Sequoyah-Claremore Eagles.
Both teams are quite familiar with this setting as they are perennial contenders in 3A. Tuttle was a semifinalist a year ago and was crowned champion most recently in 2005.
The Eagles knocked off Clinton in last year's semifinal game before falling prey to Cascia Hall in the championship. They won it all in 2006.
This matchup figures to be one of the quicker ones in the state. Neither team is expected to throw the ball much, so look for the clock to keep moving.
Yours truly will be providing updates throughout, so be sure to check back.
Much thanks to Tuttle boys' basketball coach Jeff Mahoney for securing me a last-minute spot in the press box and also for his food recommendation.
Unfortunately for the rest of the press box, he recommended a Mexican restaurant here in town. More unfortunately for the press box, I had fajitas.
I realize I just implicated myself if it starts smelling up here, but nobody up here will know just exactly who the guilty party is until later.
Sorry, guys. It was Mahoney's fault.
1st quarter
Well that was quick. Sequoyah-Claremore took the opening kickoff (a touchback) and on the first play from scrimmage, Michael Wangsgard raced 80 yards up the middle for a TD. The extra-point was low and hit the crossbar.
It's 6-0 Eagles just 13 seconds into the game.
Well that was quick, Part 2.
Tuttle answers back. After two first downs (one by penalty), the Tigers get an impressive 44-yard TD run by Ethan Biddy, who showed power, vision and speed all in one run.
Stonebreaker's quick was good. It's 7-6 Tuttle at 8:36 of the first.
WELL THAT WAS EVEN QUICKER, PART 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you kidding me?
After Stonebreaker put yet another kickoff through the uprights (2 for 2), the Eagles took over at their own 20.
AND AGAIN, on the first play from scrimmage they get an 80-yard TD run, this time from Cody Richardson. The two-point run failed (sure, you can run it in from 80, but can you run it in from 3?) and it's 12-7 Seq.-Claremore at 8:24 of the first.
Maybe this won't be such a quick game.
For the record, I wonder when was the last time the Tuttle defense gave up back-to-back 80-yard runs. Bet it's been a long, long time.
Tigers drive down the field methodically, then settle for 35-yard field goal attempt on a 4th-and-2 with about a minute to play. Stonebreaker's kick would have been good from about 60 yards....if it had been good. It was wide right.
Eagles take over at own 20 and run a play to end the quarter, up 12-7 after 1.
2nd quarter
Which is where we'll pick up next...
Wow. Wow. Wow.
This time S-C takes its time, taking just over 3:00 to score from 80 yards away. This time it was RichardsonDakota Green from 38 yards out. Two-point run failed, making it 18-7 at 9:20.
AND EVEN MORE WOWS!!!!
On its ensuing possesion, Tuttle got a bad snap in the shotgun that sailed over Koons' head. He jumped on it in the end zone for a S-C safety at 9:09.
It's now 20-7 and the Eagles are about to get the ball back.
THIS IS A HUGE POSSESSION FOR THE TUTTLE DEFENSE.
Eagles have 3rd-and-goal at Tiger 6 with 5:01 to play and call a timeout. Huge (potential) couple of plays coming up.
Wangsgard gets five yards on third down and, after another timeout, Richardson sneaks it in from the 1. The two-point pass failed (about the only thing S-C can't get right tonight) and it's 26-7 Eagles with 4:08 left in the half.
Sure didn't see this coming.
Tuttle takes over at its own 20.
And Koons throws a pick to Wangsgard...Eagles get ball at Tuttle 26 with 3:01 to play in the half.
Eagles take advantage (of course) as Green runs it in from 5 yards out. This time kick is good and it's 33-7 with 1:44 left in the half.
Yes, 33-7, Sequoyah-Claremore.
Not necessarily surprised the Eagles are winning. Surprised they're winning by, basically, four touchdowns.
Best line of the night:
A Tuttle fan has been yelling "FIRST DOWN!" every time the Tigers achieve a...you guessed it...first down.
Well after the Eagles forced a punt and received the ball at their own 39 with 9.1 seconds left in the half, they chose to take a knee.
That same Tuttle fan yelled: "THANK YOU!!!!"
Classic.
3rd quarter
Tuttle needed to make a statement to start the second half if it stood a chance.
The Tigers looked poised to do so as they drove the length of the field before facing a 4th-and-goal from the 1.
However, an illegal substitution penalty pushed the Tigers back to the 6. It proved to be crucial as Koons' run was stopped just short of the goal line on fourth down at 4:37 of the third (it was a possession that chewed up a ton of clock).
The Eagles took over at their own 1 at that point and currently face a 3rd and 5 from their 34.
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