The snap went over Jaime Myers head, off his hands, and spun on the turf at Harve Collins Field about eight yards behind the line of scrimmage.
Myers rushed over, and instead of falling on it, like someone who didn't have great speed, he picked it up and started running. The busted play turned into a Norman High first down and a 19-yard gain.
It was just that kind of night for Myers and the Tigers.
Everything went right for NHS in its 38-7 drumming of Putnam City West Friday night.
Myers had maybe the biggest game of his prep career. The junior receiver/defensive back rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown on three carries, caught two passes for 38 yards and a score, returned a kickoff 53 yards down to the Patriots' 9 yard line, and picked off his Class 6A-leading fourth interception of the season.
Oh, and he was even part of the NHS homecoming court before the game.
"Jaime's a big playmaker for us offensively, and he's a big playmaker for us defensively," NHS coach Greg Nation said. "Good things happen when the ball gets in his hands. He's shown that picking off passes and returning kicks and punts.
"He runs well, and when he gets to runnin', he's got some mojo."
Donovan Roberts and Chad Anderson played their parts in the Tiger victory, too.
Roberts ran for 98 of his team-high 114 yards in the first half and added touchdown runs of 9 and 2 yards.
Anderson, meanwhile, had his best night under center, completing 11-of-14 passes for 121 yards and two scores.
"This was the game we were waiting for," Myers said. "Chad did his job, the line was blocking good ... Today, our team came together. It gives us a lot of confidence."
NHS (2-2, 1-0 District 6A-2) started off with a defensive stop, then moved the ball down to the Patriots' 16 yard line thanks to strong runs by Roberts. After a 2-yard loss, Anderson dropped back on third down and found Myers on a middle screen for the 18-yard touchdown that put the Tigers up 7-0.
Myers scored again in the first quarter on a 54-yard run.
In the second quarter, Myers intercepted P.C. West quarterback Ray Young and brought it back to the Patriots' 42. He even caught a 20-yard pass on fourth down that set up Roberts' 9-yard TD run.
Logan Hammons added a 28-yard field goal and NHS took a 24-0 lead into the half.
The third quarter was more of the same.
Roberts ran in his second score from 2 yards away after Myers returned the opening kick of the half down to the Patriots' (0-4, 0-1) 9 yard line.
The next time they got the ball, the Tigers scored on a 5-yard pass from Anderson to Seth Zimmer. The touchdown was set up by two big catches of 15 and 25 yards by Roger Kelley.
The score was 38-0, and the Tigers had sealed the game. PC West running back Johnny Smith had the Patriots' only fireworks thanks to an 80-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against NHS' second-team defense.
"When we're playing in a game like this, it's just about getting extra experience for when we play better teams," Roberts said. "I can never get too satisfied. We're always hungry and always trying to get more yardage. We love challenges."
The win got the Tigers to .500, but more importantly, it got NHS its 15 district points, which could come in handy come playoff time.
But while there was plenty to celebrate, the Tigers were already aware there was much more work to do.
"It means a lot for our program and our kids," Nation said. "What we need to do now is understand that we're like the rest of the guys now. We're leading the district, got our 15 district points and we're working for bigger and better things to happen. It's a start."
Jeff Johncox 366-3535 jjohncox@normantranscript.com
Local Sports
September 26, 2009
Homecoming heroes
- Local Sports
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Shambaugh proves he is one to watch
It was hot, humid and the bugs were flocking to the lighted field at Tiger Stadium on Wednesday night. No one seemed to notice any of it by the sixth inning, though. Everyone was watching Jay pitcher Cale Shambaugh pitch a gem....
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This one's for Papa
Wednesday was big for Nathan Thornhill for a couple of reasons. He led Team Texas to a convincing 9-1 victory over Team Arizona in the Heartland Baseball Classic. His 11 strikeouts in seven innings have been one of the highlights of the ...
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Heart on the Diamond
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Soccer teams brave weather
Under gale-force wind conditions, the Norman High girls continued their soccer resurgence Thursday night at the NHS Soccer Complex, taking care of Yukon 1-0.
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T-Wolves take third at invitational
Norman North coach Dennis Etter likes his team this season. Tuesday, he got his first real look at just how good it can be.
- SaberCats come out in force Julian Wilson was the first Southmoore player to commit last summer. And he was pleased at everything that has happened since then.
- Clash seating arrangements
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Cats tame Tigers
MOORE — Coach Wes Clark didn’t want the game to turn into a track meet. He believed Norman High had a shot to knock off Southmoore if he could slow the game down to a crawl.
The strategy worked … for a quarter. But after Southmoore’s athletes were unleashed, they cruised past the Tigers 59-36 Tuesday. -
Bombers too much for North girls
MIDWEST CITY — Do the Norman North girls belong near the top of the Class 6A rankings?
Tuesday night, at least until the last six minutes, the Timberwolves certainly made their case.
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NHS battles, but North rules mat
Norman North, as expected, claimed Tuesday night’s mat edition of the Crosstown Clash.
Yet, getting past the Tigers by the slim margin of 42-31, it might have been Norman High coach Bo Maynes who exited the NHS Gym with the bigger bounce in his step. - More Local Sports Headlines
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