Lawton High Wolverines – Week 2 – LHS vs. MacArthur Highlanders

Week 2 LHS vs. MHS

By:  Glenn Brennan

Was this the night the Wolverines could set all of the naysayers wrong. Both local and across the state the Wolverines were picked to lose to the mighty Highlander machine. What went wrong what went right? Sit back and read the story as it unfolds before your eyes.

Call me superstitious but, the opening coin toss has been a tell-tell sign for the Wolverines for as long as I can remember. Lose the coin toss and bad things happen, tonight was no different.

The captains met at mid-field and the Highlanders deferred to the second half, so the Wolverines take the opening kick-off at their own twenty-yard line.  Brandon Bartlett was dynamic last week could he repeat that performance again. He brings the Wolverine offense out on to the field for the opening possession, and they begin their attack. JT Pratt hits to the outside for a couple of quick gains, then blasts up the middle for twenty. Bartlett drops back from the LHS forty-eight and finds Demarious Littles wide open on the far sideline fifty-two yards later and a Will Height PAT the Wolverines at 10:32 of the first quarter are up on the Highlanders 7-0.

The next offensive series for the Highlanders came to an abrupt end when Littles picked Chasteen at the LHS nineteen-yard line. The Wolverines could not capitalize on the turnover and punt the ball back to Mac. Mac goes fifty yards and at 3:41 to go in the first we are all tied up LHS 7 MHS 7.

The Wolverines offense is again forced to start at the twenty-yard line after a touch back on the kick off. Again, the Highlanders defense is all over the Wolverine offense forcing the second punt by Pyfer of the first quarter. Mac goes sixty-eight yards to end the first and start the second to take the lead for the first time in the game LHS 7 MHS 14.

LHS finding themselves behind for the first time this season one lesson you will learn is that a Wolverine never quits. Ivan Thomas “the bus” is called on to carry the ball and on two consecutive carries gains ten yards. Bartlett drops back in the pocket and finds his favorite target running the post, seventy yards later and jersey hanging out Littles is in the end zone for the second time. At 10:20 to go in the half, Will Height adds the PAT LHS 14 MHS 14.

After that Mac punts the ball three times and LHS punts twice only due to time expiring in the first half. LHS 14 MHS 14

The second half began with Mac receiving the opening kick-off, and the Wolverine D came up with a stop and Curtez Zachary blocked the Mac punt. The Wolverines are set up with great field position at the Highlander forty-two. The drive stalls out at the Mac twenty-three and Will Height attempts a forty-yard field goal, which sails wide right and low. The Highlanders take over on their own twenty; again, the Wolverine defense comes with a big stop forcing the Highlanders to punt the ball back to LHS.

Bartlett and company are methodically moving the ball down the field using a balanced attack of Thomas on the ground and a host of receivers in the air. Then disaster a fumbled snap and Bartlett cannot get back on it and the Highlanders recover at their own seventeen. The Wolverine defense is once again called on to stop Chasteen and Graham. However, this time the Highlanders proved too much for the LHS defenders as the Mac offense moved the ball down the field the eighty-three yards to pay dirt and take the lead again at the end of the third quarter LHS 14 MHS 21.

The fourth quarter proved to be a defensive standoff neither side was giving an inch. Each team possessed the ball three times and none resulted in points. It was pretty much a chess match between coach Breeze and coach Manning. Coach Breeze on the final play of the game had one final move to make, it started from the Wolverine 13, Bartlett throws the screen to the wide out as the Mac defenders were in the prevent defense, the wide out for LHS take off down field to the LHS thirty and pitches the ball up in the air, the battle for the ball begins, Wojo comes out of the pile and takes off toward the Mac goal line, finally drug down at the ten.  Final Score LHS 14 MHS 21

I know that the Wolverines came out on the bottom of this one but it was not due to lack of effort. They played every down with 100% LHS spirit. When you lose a tough battle like this one you have to give credit where credit is due, and that is to the Macarthur Highlanders. They came into this game well prepared and executed when they needed too. The sportsman ship and class that they showed after the game was well done congratulations is due them on a hard fought victory.

The Wolverines will be back, “we never say die” and “we never quit fighting.” We face off Thursday September 15^th 2011 at 7:00 P.M. against the Altus Bulldogs at Cameron stadium. They are 1-1 on the season coming off a loss to the Eisenhower Eagles. Come on out and show your support to your Wolverines as they continue their quest for that coveted GOLD BALL.

Total Team Stats for 2 weeks: