Last week the 9th grade Zebras traveled to Tahlequah looking for their 4th revenge win in a row. The way things started, we were not even sure we were going to get to play the game. It started and the Tigers ran 4 offensive plays and the field was cleared for a lightening. As we went into a shelter Coach Weber and Coach Willard were standing outside talking. Coach Weber says "I know its only been 4 plays, but it seems like every year they are bigger, faster, and tougher than us." Coach Willard agreed with him as they stood in the parking lot hoping to get to the call to head back to the field.
Well 28 minutes later that call came and the Zebras returned to action. A few plays later the Zebras forced a turnover on downs, and then went on a 10 play drive to take the lead 7-0. The next play resulted in a 70 yard kickoff return and a two point conversion to put the Zebras behind for the first time this season. Both defenses were playing well as and late in 2nd quarter Furious Poole gets a huge interception in Tiger territory. Four plays later the Zebras took the lead back scoring with 3 seconds on the clock and getting their own two point conversion. The offense has scored in every game this season with less than 50 second in the half. That is a great way to get the momentum going into halftime.
Coming out at the half the defenses once again took over the game, exchanging punts. With 7 minutes to go in the 4th quarter the Zebras offensive line decided to put the game away. They lead the way on 8 consecutive run plays all the way to the end zone. The time then ran out on the Tigers and moved the Zebras to 4-0 on the season.
Before I congratulate the POW's, I need to refer back to the first paragraph. The part specifically is the conversation between the coaches in the parking lot. It did seem during the first 4 plays they were bigger, faster, and tougher, but the next 60 plays they were only bigger and faster. They were not tougher than the Zebras. That toughness was shown by all the boys, especially the two boys standing in the middle of the defense. Both middle linebackers, Clarence Fontana and Ryker Drake, were named the 9th grade POW's for how they played. Clarence had 12 tackles and 1 TFL, and Ryker had 16 tackles and a fumble recovery. These two are a problem, and when they hit you at the same time they make you feel it.
Congrats to the team for being 4-0, the defense for getting the shutout, and to Clarence and Ryker for being player's of the week.