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Putnam City West

Patriots

FOOTBALL

Patriots stop Jared Jackson, but not the Lions

Moore finally had their star running back in the lineup. Jared Jackson only managed to better the Patriots' defense on one play, but the Lions still managed a 37-14 win over Putnam City West.

Early on it appeared as though the Lions would run away with this contest as they scored a touchdown on the opening kickoff with an 82-yard run by Blake Heintzelman.

Midway through the first period the Lion scored again on a 34-yard pass from Billy Balak to Taylor Gardner.

The Patriots' offense did not gain a first down until late in the first quarter. They used that drive to score a touchdown on a nice 22-yard run up the middle by Sean Shattuck.

Moore added a third touchdown in the opening period on a 9-yard pass from Balak to Phillip Hershel in the corner of the end zone.

After 12 minutes, Moore led 21-7.

The Lions scored once more on a 40-yard pass on a third and eight situation. Balak connected with Taylor Gardner for the score.

With 2:27 left in the half, PC West faced fourth-and goal from the seven. Trailing by 21, the Patriots went for the touchdown. Quarterback Bryce Stout ran a naked bootleg to the left side of the field and scored the touchdown.

While the Patriots' defense held Jackson in check nearly all game, he did have one big run - a 30-yard stutter-step touchdown run to give the Lions a 35-14 halftime lead.

The second half was all dense and little offense for both teams. The lone score of the half came on a bad snap to West's punter, who wisely fell on the ball in the end zone.

The victory was the first of the season for the Lions, who have faced some tough competition in Westmoore, Norman and Midwest City.

West have several opportunities to quit in the second half, but never did.

Credit was given to the Patriots' defense by their coaches following the game.

Head coach John Jensen told his team that "We took a step forward tonight, but we are not satisfied." He cautioned the team to not be discouraged by saying "Winning doesn't happen over night."

Jensen later said, "The defense really turned it on in the second half. We played together tonight - and we haven't done that a lot this year. We can build on that."