By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
Norman North, last year at this time, was 0-10 all-time against Norman. In November of the same year, the Timberwolves shocked the Sooner State with an upset of the Tigers in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs, and followed that up with their first win over their bitter rivals in the regular season on Thursday with a 42-23 victory at Owen Field.
Despite the loss of junior quarterback Tyler Tettleton, Norman North will be fine. Senior Jake Damrill calmly tossed two touchdown passes in his first career start, while junior running back Beau Blakenship fought cramping to produce two second quarter touchdowns.
Clinging to a slim 21-17 halftime lead, Norman transfer Chika Madu scored on a 2-yard run to give Norman North a 28-17 third quarter lead against his old teammates. Damrill put more distance between the two teams when he hit Josh Norton on a 21-yard pass for six.
Jon Ballard iced the game in the fourth quarter when he picked off Norman quarterback Greg Perkins and raced the other way for an 83-yard touchdown.
Norman North's defense, led by K.J. Williams, junior linebacker Beau Traber, and Ballard allowed just 136 total yards on the evening.
Grasmick, Bethany Off to Winning Start
Bethany's J.P. Grasmick has been widely considered one of the top quarterbacks in Class 2A. He might not as highly-recruited as Sequoyah-Tahlequah's Nathan Stanley or Adair's Kenny Davis, but maybe he should be. Grasmick threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns to give the Broncos a 23-14 victory over Washington to open the 2007 season.
Grasmick threw for 200 yards in the first half as Bethany raced out to a 23-12 lead. Bethany's defense took it from there, shutting out Washington in the second half.
Washington quarterback Tyler Hancock, another stellar signal-caller, threw for 234 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort.
Locust Grove Defense Stellar in Victory
After suffering the loss of its head coach and quarterback to Blackwell, the new regime in Locust Grove might be predicated on defense. In a 25-0 victory over Salina to open the 2007 season, the Pirates defense posted two safeties and returned two interceptions for scores.
The Pirates led 11-0 at halftime and did manage a third-quarter touchdown on offense, an 18-yard run by Lucas Rarith.
Scott Hansen: maxprepsok@sbcglobal.net