OFFENSIVE FIREWORKS GIVE SKIATOOK 38-21 WIN OVER TAHLEQUAH

With Cody Evans, Jayden Garner, and TK Wilkerson firing on all cylinders, the Skiatook Bulldogs (3-1) built a big first half lead and defeated the Tahlequah Tigers 38-21 (Class 5A #7, 3-1) on Friday, September 22 at NSU’s Doc Wadley Stadium in Tahlequah. The Tiger came into the 5A (#1 in District 5A-4) having only allowed 44 points this season, one of the best defenses in 5A. This was also the Tigers’ chance to start 4-0 for the first time since 1991. Skiatook made sure that didn’t happen. The Bulldogs offense dominated the Tigers most of the night, scoring four touchdowns in the first half. The defense did its part as well. Tough People Win is the team motto that Skiatook’s Vance Miller has been preaching to his team this year. It might have never been more apparent than in Tahlequah. Skiatook looked more physical and determined than the Tigers from out the gate. But there was a moment of doubt. On Skiatook’s first drive, the Tigers defense did something that the Bulldogs had not seen so far this year: stop the run. After TK Wilkerson was stuffed at the line on a 4th and one, the run-heavy team seemed to be in trouble. Sophomore receiver Jayden Garner and quarterback Cody Evans proved this was not the case. At the end of the first quarter, Evans hooked up with Garner on a deep bomb down the middle. Garner laid out and made an unbelievable one-handed catch, which set up his 20-yard touchdown reception that came seconds later. After converting two crucial 3rd-and-longs, Tahlequah managed to score at 9:24 in the second quarter on a 2-yard keeper from the dual-threat quarterback Cayden Aldridge. This knotted the score at 7-7. This is when Skiatook’s offense seemed to click. Evans rushed for a 56-yard quarterback keeper before connecting with Garner once again, this time on an 18-yard lob into the corner of the endzone— extending the lead to 14-7. With the aerial attack established, the Tigers could no longer stack eight defenders in the box. This opened up the run game. Wilkerson began mowing through Tigers on the way to Skiatook’s third and fourth scores, an 11-yard and 1-yard run from Wilkerson, respectively. The fourth was set up by an interception by Korey Miller late in the first half. The second half started out a bit shaky. Tahlequah came up with a big interception and scored with 7:52 left on the clock, narrowing the lead to 28-14. Skiatook responded with a short touchdown run from Evans on a quarterback keeper that was set up by a 24-yard completion from Evans to senior Dylan Davis, who was finally dragged down at the one. Tahlequah scored again on a 37-yard run with 8:44 left in the game, bringing the score to 35-21. On the play, Skiatook’s Tyler Burch sustained an injury and was eventually carted off the field to an ambulance. During the time he was down, fans, players, and cheerleaders united in prayer for the injured Bulldog. After a long, Wilkerson-geared drive, Skiatook’s Eckenfels made a short field goal to close out the game 38-21. The Tigers perfect season ended as the Bulldogs made a statement win. The Journal sends prayers and a wishes a speedy recovery to Tyler.

OFFENSIVE FIREWORKS GIVE SKIATOOK 38-21 WIN OVER TAHLEQUAH

Photo Credit: Amy Garner

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