Durant had the first quarter momentum following a couple of fortunate bounces but the Lions’ bid for a district-opening upset virtually ended there Friday night in Tulsa.
Highly ranked Booker T. Washington rode a dominant defensive line and scored the game’s final 30 points in a 37-7 to begin quest to repeat as district champions in 2025. The Hornets are now 3-1 while the Lions slipped to 1-3.
Coach Todd Vargas’ troops return to Tulsa this week with a visit to Tulsa East Central for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Friday.
Although the Lions gave up a touchdown less than two minutes into the game after a blocked punt, they came right back with a 78yard scoring drive that culminated in a 53-yard pass and run from Cole Robbins to Aiden Polk that deflected off the hands of two defenders. Robbins ignited the possession with a 25-yard strike to Holdan Robinson.
That proved to be a major chunk of the Lions’ 139 yards through the air for the game. They also had difficulty sustaining much in the running game with 89 yards on 32 carries, including just seven yards on 10 carries by team leading rusher Stephen Manhard.
Following the Durant touchdown and extra point by Otto Baskin, the Lions had a golden opportunity when they fell on the ensuing kickoff muff at the Hornet 43.
The drive stalled just inside the Washington 30-yard line and the hosts picked off a Robbins pass for the first of three times on the night.
Washinton then sliced its way 85 yards in seven plays for a 19-yard touchdown pass with 2:12 left in the first quarter to take the lead for good at 14-7.
Major penalties hindered both teams throughout the second stanza and the hosts missed a short field goal to keep it a one-score game. Moments later the Hornets intercepted a long DHS pass and returned the ball 50 yards deep into Lion territory.
They punched it in the end zone three plays later for a twotouchdown edge going to intermission despite only a 160-143 advantage in total yardage.
Durant looked like it might have the Hornets stopped on the opening possession of the third frame but a 36-yard touchdown toss on fourth down seemed to set off an avalanche effect.
A third Booker T. Washington pick three plays later resulted in a 27-yard field goal that extended the margin to 30-7.
Two solid Durant drives into the Hornet red zone came away empty despite a couple of big plays from Kacin Mazey and the hosts wrapped up the scoring on a 12-yard touchdown run with 2:44 remaining.
Robbins finished with 29 yards on 11 carries to lead the sparse rushing attack and also notched 139 yards through the air. Mazey grabbed three passes for 33 yards and Joseph Flores also tallied three catches for 29 yards.
Both teams were charged with 13 penalties for the contest with the Lions losing 115 yards and Hornets dropping 135.
Much like Durant, East Central enters this week’s contest at 1-3 on the season and smarting from a 62-0 loss to Shawnee in the first league outing. The Cardinals’ one victory came in a 19-16 triumph over Tulsa Rogers.
