TULSA — Keys went into this season circling a crucial four-game stretch of games from Week 5 to Week 8. The Cougars knew, ultimately, how they fared during those four games would likely determine their postseason fate.
The first two games of that run weren’t pretty. Keys was outscored 105-9 by Sequoyah and Vian.
All of sudden, long-term goals looked in doubt.
Not so fast.
Keys reboudned from two blowout losses and posted a season-changing, 33-13 victory over Lincoln Christian at Dennis Byrd Stadium on Friday night.
“The guys had their heads down and we just got them back up,” Keys coach Gary Willis said. “When you get beat by programs like Sequoyah and Vian, it’s tough on the kids. But we just had to have a talk with the kids and get them on the right track.”
The Cougars (3-3, 2-1 District 3A-7) pounced on Lincoln Christian early on.
Cody Cole caught a 56-yard touchdown pass from Trevor Eubanks to get Keys a quick 7-0 lead. The Cougars would add a J.J. Ozturk field goal — one of four in the game — and a Eubanks 7-yard TD run to stake claim to a 17-0 edge in the first half.
“We were hoping they were down from last week and had to jump on them early,” Willis said of Lincoln Christian, which suffered a 48-6 setback in Week 6. “Once we got the lead, I didn’t feel like they could stop us from playing our game.”
Eubanks and Cole spearheaded a two-headed rushing attack. Eubanks carried the ball 21 times for 205 yards while Cole chipped in with 175 yards on 23 rushes.
On defense, Cole had 10 tackles, a forced fumble and a sack. Tyler Blankenship collected eight tackles.
Lincoln Christian (4-3, 1-2) cut Keys’ lead to 17-7 on Austin Grauer’s 15-yard pass to Andrew Wright. But in the second half, Keys got a TD run from Cole and three Ozturk field goals.
Keys will now return home to take on Hilldale in another important 3A-7 game.
“A win like that gives us a lot of confidence going to play against a good Hilldale team,” Willis said.
High School Sports
October 14, 2012
Cougars bounce back to beat Lincoln Christian
- High School Sports
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Helsley hauls in honors
Sequoyah’s Ryan Helsley caps off his athletic career with accolades in three sports, including an Indian All-State selection.
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New job for Jake
Former Keys standout Jake Fisher has excelled as a starter for Oklahoma after Dillon Overton suffered an arm injury earlier this season.
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Roster reboot
After losing more than a dozen players to graduation, Keys’ football team looks to find replacements during spring ball.
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A strict schedule
Sequoyah going through modified spring practice while adhering to sanctions.
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Dyson, Dotson hired as Tahlequah hoops coaches
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A spring thing
Tahlequah returned to the football field for the first week of spring football practice.
- AFTERNOON UPDATE: Dyson, Dotson hired as Tahlequah basketball coaches
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Hulbert sacks football coach
Mitchell Crittenden not retained as the Riders' head football coach.
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Ending on a high note
Tahlequah’s Brandon Conrad caps off track season with 2nd in the high jump.
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Tigers win 5A academic crown
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