The Durant Lions raced to a 34-0 lead and cruised past Tulsa East Central by a count of 41-19 for their first win of the 2024 season.
Now 1-1 in district play, Durant looks poised for its second straight win Friday night at Tulsa Edison, which has been on the short end of 49-6 and 60-6 pastings from Bishop Kelley and McAlester the past two weeks.
In its opening victory, the Lion offense scored touchdowns on five of its first six possessions, mixing several key passes in with a sound running game that included a season-best performance from quarterback Cole Robbins on the ground. The junior signal-caller carried 10 times for 87 yards and found the end zone three times.
It also saw the emergence of Jayden Rangel in the offensive backfield as he scored the game’s first touchdown and tallied 38 yards on six totes.
“It was a good win,” head coach Todd Vargas stated. “Our kids responded well. We had one bust defensively in the first half but other than that we had our way with them. We finally got Cole going and have been working with Rangel in the backfield as well for a different look. I thought we ran it really well and the offensive line did a good job. Adam Haney had a great night for us defensively.
“We stalled out a few times on offense in the second half but got that last touchdown that put us up comfortably. I am excited and tickled for the younger kids that got a chance to play. The kids wanted to prove tonight we’re a lot better than an 0-4 football team. We just want to get on a roll now and see where it can take us.”
Taking the opening kickoff, Durant marched 65 yards in nine methodical plays with Rangel snagging a 23-yard pass from Robbins to set up his four-yard plunge on the very next play from scrimmage.
The Lions turned it on in the second period, tacking on a Stephen Manhard four-yard touchdown run before a Haney interception set up Robbin’s eightyard scoring toss to Ryder Jones.
Robbins hit three more short passes on the next DHS series and Rangel carried twice for 18 yards ahead of a Robbins’ 17-yard touchdown bolt.
Haney was in the middle of things again on the ensuing kickoff, covering a Cardinal fumble at the East Central 34. Robbins immediately hit Jones for 29 yards and three plays later Robbins plunged to paydirt from a yard out.
The Cardinals notched a touchdown on the final play of the half to trim the deficit to 34-7 at intermission.
Durant was unable to mount much offensively in the third stanza until East Central scored to cut into the lead on the first play of the fourth. Daltry Barker blocked the extra point to leave it 34-13.
Robbins capped the next possession with his longest run of the season – 29 yards as he split Cardinal defenders down the middle of the field.
Jones snagged six passes for 73 yards as Robbins completed 10 of 14 passes in the game for 119 yards.
