BIXBY COMEBACK COMES UP SHORT AT PUTNAM CITY

PUTNAM CITY — A five-turnover night, with numerous other miscues, was nearly nullified by a single play. A matter of inches separated Bixby from a wild comeback as the Spartans fell 37-35 to Putnam City on Thursday in a Class 6AII clash at Putnam City Stadium. Trailing by 16 late in the fourth quarter, Bixby’s rally came up short in the final minute, with a two-point conversion falling out of the hands of Brennan Presley. Bixby fell to 1-2, and Putnam City improved to 3-0. Bixby quarterback Staton King hit Ryan Kerr with a 6-yard touchdown pass with 59 seconds left to nearly cap a two-TD rally. King overcame four interceptions to finish with 240 passing yards and two TDs. His first TD to Cody Lavender made it a one-score game late in the game. Bixby didn’t do itself any favors, having trouble defending a slew of Putnam City screens and deep passes. The Spartans dug themselves an early 16-0 hole. Bixby threw four interceptions, fumbled once and allowed a blocked punt that resulted in a safety. Putnam City quarterback AJ Newsome lit up Bixby’s defense for 418 yards and five touchdowns, leading scoring drives of 80, 59, 84 and 84 yards. Newsome completed 12 of 13 passes at one point in the first half. Keaire Wilkins was Newsome’s main benefactor, hauling in eight passes for 244 yards and four TDs. Things turned ugly in the third quarter with a combined eight penalties. In an 11-play span, Bixby threw two interceptions, turned it over on downs, then got the ball back following another interception. Presley intercepted Newsome twice. Bixby surrendered more than 100 yards in penalties, including two in the second half that wiped out big passes. On consecutive plays, Bixby had pass plays to Presley nullified by personal fouls. Bixby running back Tucker Pawley exited with an apparent injury with 10:20 left in the second quarter, and the offense struggled to gain traction until the second half. He had 13 carries for 58 yards and a TD prior to the injury. Coby Tillman scored two short TDs in Pawley’s place.

BIXBY COMEBACK COMES UP SHORT AT PUTNAM CITY

Photo Credit: Tulsa World

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