Homecoming heartbreaker
Posted on Sep 28, 2009 by Micah Choquette in Athletics
Originally published in the Sapulpa Herald
KELLYVILLE — The Ponies bid to upset the Bristow Pirates on homecoming Friday night fell just short as Bristow scored a touchdown in the final minute of the game to post a 27-24 win over Kellyville. The Ponies overcame a 13-point halftime deficit to take a 24-19 lead and looked to snap a 13-game losing streak before the Pirates pulled out the late touchdown.
Bristow got on the scoreboard first on a 25 yard run to grab the early 7-0 lead. Kellyville answered with a drive capped by a 13 yard TD pass from Brian Marts to Johnathan Buckley to close the gap to 7-6.
The Pirates dominated the second quarter scoring a pair of touchdowns. The Ponies appeared to have the Pirates stopped late in the half on the second scoring drive before a pass interference call gave Bristow a new set of downs inside the redzone. The Pirates capitalized on the opportunity and scored on the next play to extend the lead to 19-6 with 2:08 remaining in the half.
Levi Stephens recovered the short kickoff for the Ponies. Brian Marts completion to Ryan Marts was negated by a penalty and stalled the drive. The short punt gave the Pirates another scoring opportunity with the short field. Dylan O’Dell and Kenny Anderson each made tackles for the Ponies defense. Bristow went to the air and Corey Wheeler came up with an interception in the endzone with :02 left on the clock as Kellyville trailed 19-6 at the half.
The Ponies received the second half kickoff and engineered a scoring drive. Justin Thompson and Marts each caught passes before Anderson’s catch moved the ball into Pirate territory. Two plays later Logan Thornbury caught a 35 yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 19-12.
Tanner Holley kicked off for the Ponies as Jared Williams made the tackle. The Ponies “D” came up with a stop to force the punting situation.
A few plays later Kellyville fumbled the ball back to the Pirates. The Ponies defense responded again as Dylan O’Dell recovered a fumble at the 40 yard line. Marts and Anderson combined for 10 yards on the ground to move the chains. Zach Bryan’s 13 yard reception moved the chains again. A penalty nullified Anderson’s 15 yard catch as Kellyville faced a fourth down and 14. The Ponies pulled off the hook and lateral as Thompson caught the ball in the flats and pitched it to Ryan Marts for the 14 yard TD. Kellyville was unable to convert the 2-point play to trail 19-18 late in the third quarter.
The Ponies maintained momentum as John Neal recovered a fumble two plays later at the Bristow 16. Ryan Marts ran for 13 yards up the middle to set up first and goal before Anderson found paydirt for the go ahead TD. The Ponies led 24-19 with 11:21 left in the game.
Zach Tiger hustled down the field to make the tackle on the kickoff. Bristow began marching the ball down the field on the ground. Holley stepped up to make a big stick at the Ponies 25. On fourth and long, the Pirates attempted the halfback pass only to have Bryan and Wheeler stay home and deflect the ball as the Ponies took over on downs.
With time becoming a factor, Bristow forced Kellyville into a three and out and punted the ball back to Bristow. The Ponies defense forced another turnover as Thompson recovered near midfield. Once again, Kellyville couldn’t pick up a first down to run out the clock and punted to the Pirates with just over two minutes to play in the game.
Bristow drove the length of the field and scored the game winning touchdown on a 37 yard pass. The Pirates added the 2-point play for the 27-24 victory.