Tahlequah Tigers trounce Tulsa-McLain Titans
TAHLEQUAH, Okla. — The Tahlequah Tigers traveled to Tulsa to take on the Tulsa McLain Titans on Friday, Sept. 3. After an electrical issue, the team took the field at Booker T. Washington High School鈥檚 S. E. Williams Stadium.
The Tigers came out ready to play. The Titans had a definite size advantage over the Tigers, but the Tigers were faster and able to outmaneuver their opponent with Tyler Joice as the starting quarterback. Coach Brad Gilbert鈥檚 decision to lead with the junior quarterback proved to be a wise one. The Tigers lit up the scoreboard with Joice at the helm. The 49-0 shutout was a showcase of the offense鈥檚 abilities, and it was an outstanding display of the defense鈥檚 talent for holding strong at the line of scrimmage.
The offense racked up 329 total yards. Malik McMurtrey made it into the end zone three times, putting 18 points on the board for Tahlequah. He rushed for 98 total yards.
Cale Matlock was a favored receiver. He caught five passes for 70 yards. On a 3rd down and 20 play, Matlock picked up a short pass and used nice footwork to make it to the 20-yard line. That particular drive became a successful scoring drive with a pass from Tyler Joice to Parker Lane to extend the lead in the third quarter to 36-0.聽 Brody Younger, the No. 2 quarterback, scampered into the end zone for two touchdowns in the second half.
The Tigers鈥� defense swarmed the McLain offense. In the first half, the Tigers defense forced an intentional grounding by putting pressure on the McLain quarterback, Jeremy Crooms. The Titans were only able to accumulate 75 total offensive yards. The Tiger Taskforce forced five turnovers and a safety. Dylan Leep snagged two interceptions
To the credit of the defensive coordinator Coach Keith Wilson, it was a streak of Tigers that pounced on the ball carrier and put a stop to the forward progression of the Titans. Sophomore Mason Watkins was one of the first to make contact.
The goal line stand was another of the highlights of the game. The Tigers defense denied entry to the endzone on 4th and goal. The Tigers鈥� defensive line will be a force to be reckoned with as the season progresses.
This first game of the season was riddled with penalties and kept the referees busy. The inexperience and youth of the players combined with it being the first game of the season caused the miscues for both teams. It was a hard-fought battle for the McLain Titans, but the Tahlequah Tigers were able to dominate.
The Tahlequah Tigers host the Wagoner Bulldogs on Sept. 10. Wagoner was defeated by Coweta with a final score of 37-13.
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