NORMAN — Norman High did all the right things against Jenks on Friday night. They forced turnovers and stopped Jenks on the goal line. They made big plays on offense and slowed the Trojans’ running game.
But it wasn’t enough for the Tigers, who fell to Jenks 31-20 and finished third in District 6A-3. They will start the playoffs next week with a trip to Owasso in a repeat of last year’s classic first-round opener.
Coach Greg Nation was complimentary of Jenks after the game.
“They’re a really good football team,” he said. “We played hard and I thought we had a good game plan, but sometimes the other team makes really good plays too. I know some people have said they’re down this year, but that team is a freaking dynasty.”
The Tiger defense made big plays for the team, particularly in the first half, when they forced three fumbles and recovered all three, including two at the goal line. NHS forced four turnovers total on the night but was unable to turn any of them into points, highlighting the offensive struggles the team faced all night.
A worrying development for the Tigers heading into the playoffs next week is injuries to a few of their playmakers. Donovan Roberts went out after taking a cleat to the calf after just four carries in the first half. He returned for one play in the second half and was tackled in the end zone for a safety. He then spent the rest of the game in a walking boot. George Kittle, who has been battling a foot and ankle injury, was also held off the field on defense for most of the night, though he played on offense and appeared to be near 100 percent.
Feeling the effect of the injuries and a stifling Jenks defense, NHS was unable to move the ball consistently despite earning 312 yards and 14 first downs, gathered mainly on a handful of big plays.
“We lost our star running back early and that changes what you can do,” Nation said. “I was proud of the way our team responded to [losing Roberts]. We had some other guys come in and play really well.”
While the offense converted a number of highlight plays, they had trouble moving the ball consistently. After going three-and-out twice to start the game, Rico Hogan went 74 yards in the first quarter to put NHS on the board and pull within a point, at 8-7. In the second quarter Matt Hockett completed an 11-yard pass on a fake punt to put the Tigers deep into Trojan territory, but they were held off the scoreboard after a snap sailed over quarterback Zach Long’s head.
The Tigers playoff fate was sealed when Muskogee came back late to beat Sapulpa 38-28, creating a three-way tie for third place in the district. NHS had the best tiebreakers, so they earned the third seed while Southmoore fell into the fourth seed.
