The Ardmore Tigers will challenge the Blanchard Lions at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. The two teams are strolling into their games after big wins in their previous games.
Ardmore is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They simply couldn't be stopped on Friday as they easily beat Madill 54-14. The matchup was pretty much decided by the half, when the score had already reached 41-6.
Ardmore's success was the result of a balanced attack that saw several players step up, but K'DRIEN MILLER led the charge by throwing for 92 yards and two TDs. JAYSHON PAYNE made the highlight reel by snagging an interception and taking it all the way to the house.
Ardmore didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. PAYNE picked up that interception and then proceeded to rub salt in the wound by taking it back the other way for a touchdown. He got in on the action too, converting a pick into a touchdown.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Blanchard, who bounced back after a loss on the road last Friday. They blew past Tecumseh 56-21 on Friday. The win continues a trend for the Lions in their matchups with the Savages: they've now won seven in a row.
Blanchard found their leader in freshman Caysen Garcia, who rushed for 156 yards and four scores while picking up 8.2 yards per carry. Those 156 rushing yards set a new season-high mark for Garcia. Another player making a difference was Brody Sherman, who rushed for 55 yards and three touchdowns.
Blanchard was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 327 rushing yards. That's a new trend for them: they were averaging 67.7 rushing yards per game earlier this season, but in their last five contests they've averaged 231.3.
The victory got Ardmore back to even at 3-3. As for Blanchard, the win also got them back to even at 3-3.
Thursday's game might be decided on the ground. Ardmore has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 240.8 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Blanchard struggles in that department as they've been averaging an even more impressive 149.5 rushing yards. There's a good chance Thursday's matchup turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Ardmore was dealt a bruising 56-20 defeat at the hands of Blanchard in their previous meeting back in October of 2024. That contest was all but decided by halftime, at which point the Tigers were down 28-6.
