BIXBY DEFENSE CLAMPS DOWN TO TURN BACK MUSKOGEE, 38-23

Bixby coach Loren Montgomery didn’t have to wait long for his defense to rise to the occasion Friday in a big District 6AII-2 matchup with Muskogee. Following a 97-yard kickoff return by the Roughers’ Diante Crutchfield to the Bixby 2-yard line to open the game, Montgomery’s defense forced its first of three turnovers as the No. 7 Spartans celebrated homecoming with a 38-23 victory against the No. 6 Roughers at Spartan Stadium. Braden Roller rushed for 258 yards on 29 carries to lead a ball-control offense for Bixby (2-3, 1-0) and quarterback Staton King tossed two touchdown passes to Brennan Presley to help the Spartans snap a three-game losing streak. After a pair of wild finishes, highlighted by big plays, the last two years between the two district rivals, this year’s contest looked to be another after Crutchfield’s return on the opening kickoff. After a pair of rushes netted just 1 yard and a penalty pushed Muskogee (2-3, 1-1) back to the Spartans 6, defensive back Colton Tafoya came up with a Muskogee turnover at the Spartan 11 to thwart the Roughers. “I was really proud of our defense tonight,” Montgomery said. “Our game plan was to keep their guys in front of us and, for the most part, we did. They were able to get behind us a couple of times.” Added Montgomery: “Our defense holding Muskogee on that opening drive was a key.” The Spartans wasted little time converting on the turnover. On Bixby’s first play from scrimmage, King hit Presley down the middle for 69 yards. Three plays later, the duo hooked up again on a fade route for a 9-yard TD. That score ignited a 21-point first quarter for the Spartans. After a Muskogee field goal made it 7-3 with 4:49 to play in the first quarter, Roller raced 70 yards on first down to make it 14-3. After a bad snap on a punt forced the Roughers to give up the ball at its 45-yard line, King connected with Presley for their second TD pass — this one covering 19 yards. Roller added his second touchdown on an eight-yard run midway through the second quarter on his way to 117 yards rushing in the first half. Muskogee rallied to trail 31-17 at halftime with quarterback Jacob Medrano teaming up with Crutchfield on TD passes of 5 yards and 86 yards. The Roughers closed within 31-23 with 6:19 to play on a pair of second-half field goals from Manuel Espinosa. But Coby Tillman tallied from 3 yards out with 4:39 to play to increase Bixby’s advantage to 38-23. Any attempt at a Rougher comeback ended when Colyn Farley picked up a Muskogee fumble after a pass completion at the Spartan 29-yard line to give Bixby the ball with 2:54 remaining.

BIXBY DEFENSE CLAMPS DOWN TO TURN BACK MUSKOGEE, 38-23

Photo Credit: Bixby Athletics

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