Tigers outlast Heavener Wolves in 2 OT
Central and Heavener playing close football games is nothing new. Since the series renewed in 2020, the Tigers won the first game by a large margin, but the others were all competitive contests.
However, the two teams took the series to a new level in both teams’ season opener Friday night at Harvey Stadium in Heavener.
Central defeated Heavener 27-24 in double overtime in one of the wilder games fans have experienced at Harvey Stadium as both teams made mistakes, but also made big plays.
Central standout Braxin Goodson scored on a 10-yard play on the first play of the second overtime to give the Tigers (1-0) the win in the only time all game Central had the lead.
Heavener’s Brandon Sanchez kicked a 24-yard field goal to give the Wolves (0-1) a 24-21 advantage.
The Wolves had a golden advantage to win in the first overtime. Heavener’s Julian Sanchez intercepted a pass on Central’s first play to give Heavener the ball and a chance to clinch the win. The Wolves drove to the Central 1-yard line to set up fourth and goal.
Heavener coach Jeff Broyles decided to attempt a field goal, which was shorter than an extra point. Sanchez had been perfect on three extra points and would kick a field goal on Heavener’s second drive. This time, Central’s Braxton Prewett blocked the field goal, keeping the game tied at 21-all and setting the stage for Goodson’s heroics.
Heavener started the game looking like the Wolves would cruise to an easy win. Heavener quarterback Brandon Seymour scored on a 1-yard run on the Wolves’ opening drive of the game for a 7-0 lead after Sanchez’s extra point.
Heavener added another score with 8:29 remaining in the second quarter on a 67-yard touchdown pass from Seymore to Saul Silva, who had gotten behind Central’s defense and outran the secondary for a 14-0 lead.
Central’s offense woke up and scored on a 10-yard run by sophomore Kiefer Bailey and a successful PAT by Paitton Merrill as the Tigers pulled to a 14-7 deficit at halftime.
The Tigers had to punt on their first drive of the third quarter. The Wolves capped the drive as Kason Free hauled in a 25-yard scoring pass from Seymour to give Heavener a 21-7 advantage.
Central answered right back with a 67-yard pass from as Bailey hit Goodson on the sideline, where he outran Heavener’s defense for a 2115 score after the Tigers completed a two-point conversion as Bailey hit Aiden Cawhorn.
With 4:07 remaining, Central used a 6-yard run by Goodson to tie the score at 21-all. The Tigers’ twopoint conversion failed, leaving the score tied. Heavener drove down the field and got close to scoring, but never could get the big play to allow Sanchez the chance for a winning field goal.
The Tigers will play their home opener Friday when they welcome the Warner Eagles for a 7 p.m. game at Tiger Stadium. Last year in Warner, the Eagles flew past the Tigers 41-2.
