OKCPrepSports

Putnam City

Pirates

FOOTBALL

Pirates fight and win

Mustang and Putnam City have been powers on the west side of the state in recent years, but on Thursday night they were both searching for respectability.

Mustang was trying to overcome an embarrassing loss with nine turnovers to Yukon, while Putnam City, a victor over Putnam City West, was searching for consistency.

PC began the game on their 20-yard line and moved to the Broncos’ 36 with the help of a 31-yard gain by Chris Cormier on a quarterback keeper. The Pirates punted and the ball was downed at Mustang’s 4-yard line.

Certainly the Pirates were aware that Mustang threw six interceptions the week before and it didn’t take long for PC to get their chance at an aerial turnover.

Facing second-and-13 on the Mustang's 33, Niko Germany nearly picked off a pass from Josh West.

After another PC punt, Mustang was back to putting the ball into the air. This time Nico Watson snagged one of West’s passes for an interception at the Mustang 34-yard line.

The Pirates moved the ball to the 16 and tried a fourth-and-eight field goal, which was blocked.

Mustang went back to their air attack and on third down West threw the ball to Putnam City's Watson again.

On the second play of the second quarter, a Tyler Wegner to T. J. Coulter pass moved the ball to the 9-yard line. On the next snap Cormier ran the ball into the end zone.

With Wegner’s extra point kick, PC led 7-0.

Mustang once more started throwing the football and moved to the Pirates’ 20-yard line before Keishawn Richardson fought of a Mustang player to intercept a Bronco’s pass.

Putnam City benefited from a nice run by Greg Cortes and on a pass from Cormier to Coulter to move to Mustang’s 21-yard line.

Wegner connected on a 38-yard field goal to widen Putnam City’s lead to 10 points.

After the kickoff, Mustang went back to the aerial assault on their second play – and it was intercepted by Richardson again.

Putnam City needed only four plays to move 17 yards for a touchdown. The final yard was gained by Cortes.

Wegner kicked the PAT and PC led by 17.

Putnam City, unable to intercept another pass, forced Mustang into a punt, which the Pirates mishandled.

Mustang was on the Putnam City 11 with just 12 seconds remaining in the half.

After an incomplete pass, West threw to Braden Wiseley for a touchdown with two seconds remaining in the half.

Putnam City looked to have a 17-0 lead at halftime, but it was now 17-7.

Mustang came out the second half and used a no-huddle offense, which prevented Putnam City from making defensive substitutions as easily as they had in the first half.

Mustang started on their 20 and moved to PC’s 22-yard line.

Brian DiDonato kicked a 40-yard field goal.

PC’s lead was cut to seven now.

The Pirates’ answered with a huge play by Coulter. Taking a handoff from Cormier, Coulter ran 56 yards to Mustang’s 24-yard line.

But the offense was halted and PC attempted a 34-yard field goal, which was slightly wide to the left side of the goal posts.

Mustang, still in the no-huddle offense, moved the ball 54 yards to Putnam City’s 26 yard line.

DiDonato kicked a 44-yard field goal to cut PC’s lead to four points, 17-13.

Late in the third quarter, the Pirates put together a 62-yard drive that featured runs by Wegner and passes from Cormier to Coulter.

The Pirates faced fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line, but were unable to score.

The teams traded punts and Mustang began a memorable drive.

Starting on their 48-yard line, West gained a first down and then benefited from a horrible call by the officials.

West threw the ball downfield, but at least eight yards out-of-bounds. There was late contact between the receiver and the defensive back – and the yellow flag flew. PC was penalized 15 yards.

The penalty kept the Mustang drive alive. The Broncos capitalized on the call to score on a DiDonato 44-yard field goal.

After the Mustang kickoff, Putnam City could not gain a first down and punted.

With 2:28 remaining the game and PC’s 17-point lead down to one, the Pirates had their back to the wall. It was time to either stand up and fight or fold.

Being Pirates, they fought.

Passing on nearly every down, Mustang moved from their 21-yard line to Putnam City’s 40.

Finally the Pirates stopped Mustang’s drive.

With no timeouts remaining, Mustang was unable to stop the clock.

Putnam City took a pair of snaps in the victory formation and claimed a hard fought 17-16 win over a good team.

After the game Putnam City Coach Mark Little said, “What you saw was two good high school programs. They are used to winning. We are used to winning. Nobody was going to give up and you are going to battle. There were some great efforts out here tonight. We are not where we want to be. We are still breaking in a new quarterback. I am awful proud of the kids for them to hang on.”

The Pirates will host Putnam City North next Friday. The Pirates have won four of the last five contests between the schools.

The stars of the game were Mustang’s DiDonato and Putnam City’s Wegner, who put on a kicking show for the fans. And PC’s defensive backs Watson and Richardson each snagged a pair of interceptions.

Putnam City is a perfect 2-0 so far this season, while Mustang slips to 0-2.

It was a great contest to watch.