NORMAN — The offense got much of the accolades for Norman High’s big win over Yukon on Thursday, and rightly so, but there was another story that was just as key to the Tigers’ 38-13 victory.
That story came on the defensive side of the ball, where a virtuoso performance from cornerback Boston Lewis. Lewis was tasked with the responsibility of defending Yukon receiver Codey Sanchez, who ended the regular season with more than 1,000 yards receiving.
Entering the game, coaches felt that as Sanchez went, so went the Yukon offense. The Millers were prolific when Sanchez had a big game, and Lewis knew that going in.
“I knew he was a great receiver,” Lewis said. “I’ve seen what he can do on film and knew it would be a challenge.”
But the coaches showed faith in Lewis, who has consistently matched up against the opposing team’s best wideout all season. And Lewis paid off that trust, shadowing Sanchez on every snap and frustrating him throughout the game. Sanchez finished with just one reception for eight yards, essentially a non-factor in what had been an explosive Yukon offense.
“We faced some adversity when they were able to drive it down the field on us,” linebacker Blake Dean said. “But we were able to stop them when it counted.”
And Lewis’ defense was a big part of that. The Millers several times looked for Sanchez when they needed a big completion, but were unable to find their star wideout.
Lewis credited his defense and coaching staff for his success.
“It was intense,” Lewis admitted after the game, while being congratulated by a coach for his shutdown performance. “I think of myself as a technique corner, and that’s what I focused on tonight. I just went out and did my one-eleventh.”
Lewis will likely draw another tough assignment next week against Owasso’s Cole Neph. Neph had seven catches for 105 yards and one score in Owasso’s 49-3 dismantling of Sapulpa in the opening round of the playoffs.
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