By Jeff Johncox
Last week, Norman High went up to Edmond North hoping to cool off one of the hottest teams in the state.
Well, the Huskies came out fighting, blasting off to a 21-0 lead at the half before the Tigers came fighting back. NHS still lost 42-28, but coach Greg Nation saw something good: The Tigers fought to the end.
"That was the main thing that our kids showed," Nation said. "That's the first time I've seen our guys fight back from adversity. We didn't win the football game, and I stressed that to the kids, but it's steps.
"It's steps in the right direction for us. It showed our kids that we have the opportunity to be a good football team."
NHS battled back to within 28-21 against Edmond North, but a blocked punt and a fumble ended up sealing the game for the Huskies.
However, the Tigers proved their offense continues to improve and evolve. Their goal of a playoff spot isn't out of reach, either, with games against Putnam City and Westmoore coming. But that just means tonight's meeting with Edmond Memorial is a big one.
The Bulldogs boast one of the best defenses in Class 6A. Before the Edmond North game, NHS could say the same thing. But the Tigers still believe they're a strong defensive team, and tonight's game could come down to which team capitalizes on mistakes created by its defense.
"They're very big, very physical," Nation said. "Their offensive line is big, their defensive line is huge. Their linebackers play very physical and very well."
Game of the week
This week's biggest area game is undoubtedly Lexington's trip to Millwood.
The Falcons were held in check a bit by Jones last week, and the Longhorns came away with a big upset that left Lexington (4-0, 2-0 District 2A-2) and Jones (3-1, 2-0 District 2A-2) atop their district.
If Millwood wins at home tonight, and Jones beats Little Axe, then Jones would be the lone undefeated team in the district.
That's why Lexington coach Brad Beller has been preaching the importance of every district game, not just the trip to Millwood. Right now, Lexington controls its own destiny, but stopping the Falcons' quick-strike offense won't be easy.
"The biggest thing for us, we need to attack their speed before it gets going," Beller said. "That's what Jones did a good job of (last week)."
Both schools put up a ton of yards.
Lexington averages over 390 yards a game, with around 300 coming on the ground.
Millwood averages over 400 yards a game.
Both teams play good defense, too. The Bulldogs have held opponents to 117 yards a game, the Falcons 94.
Familiar name
Washington fans may have noticed a familiar name carrying the ball during last week's 44-6 loss to Bridge Creek.
Freshman Zeke Zimmer rushed three times for 33 yards in the loss, but coach Dennis McCray said the youngster will likely see more action the rest of the season.
Zimmer is the younger brother of Josh Zimmer, who graduated last spring and rushed for over 3,900 yards and 68 touchdowns in three years of varsity for the Warriors.
Josh is a linebacker at Southwestern Oklahoma State in Weatherford. McCray said he sees a lot of similarities in the brothers, but Zeke might have the edge in one area.
"Zeke Zimmer is a lot faster than Josh was as a freshman," McCray said. "We hope he'll grow to be as big as Josh and maintain that speed. He has a chance to be really special."
Penalties a problem
In its best win of the season, a 38-17 road thumping of previously undefeated Putnam City North, Norman North controlled what's been its Achilles' heel: Penalties.
But last week, the flags were flying again against Moore, and it cost the Timberwolves plenty of yards and probably some points.
It didn't get in the way of victory but North coach Lance Manning wasn't pleased.
"I didn't want to take the edge off of us, especially defensively, the aggressiveness, but we have to fix this," Manning said after the T-Wolves were penalized 12 times for 148 yards. "Obviously, we're going to get beat in games like this one (against Mustang tonight) if we keep doing that."
Manning doesn't think the late hits, holds or blocks in the back are being done on purpose (that would raise the coach's ire far more), but he wants his players to be more self aware.
So, Manning has had the team come to the field early in the morning, before school, to run some sprints.
"We're going to get it taken care of," Manning said.
Jeff Johncox 366-3535 jjohncox@normantranscript.com
