Heavener blanks Roland, Rangers entertain Bethel on Thursday
HEAVENER — Heavener had a historic night in Friday’s 45-0 district football win over Roland at Heavener High School’s Harvey Stadium.
Playing in their homecoming game and in front of numerous alumni in town for the alumni reunion, Heavener beat Roland in consecutive years for the first time in school history.
The Wolves (2-4 overall, 2-1 in District 2AI-3 play) also pitched their first shutout since Aug. 31, 2012, when Heavener won at Union Christian Academy 35-0, but the biggest record on this night came on the last play of the first half.
Heavener kicker Brandon Sanchez made a school-record 49-yard field goal that looked like it could have been good from some 10 yards further that made the score 31-0 at halftime.
Heavener also recorded three interceptions in a game for the first time in recent memories as Brayden Semore had two picks and Kason Free got the other one, stopping a drive for the Rangers (1-5, 1-2) in the first half. The Wolves also recovered a Roland fumble to make it four turnovers by the Rangers.
The Wolves also rushed for 290 yards on 34 carries as the line had its best game of the season. Semore also threw for 108 yards, giving Heavener almost 400 yards in total offense on a night when both teams were frequently penalized.
While Heavener’s offense had an exceptional night, Roland rushed for 23 yards as the Wolves never allowed the Rangers to consistently move the ball.
The Rangers did hit some passes as they had 76 yards passing, but Roland’s best offense was heaving up long passes that the officials ruled Heavener committed interference or holding. Roland quarterback Kayden Hartt did hit on eight passes for 69 yards but threw two picks. Caden Davidson led the receivers with 36 yards on four catches. Davidson led Roland in rushing with 14 yards, while Hartt added 11 yards rushing.
While Sanchez set the school’s longest field goal, that was not all of his heroics. He also took off on a fake punt from Heavener the Heavener 15-yard line, picking up 22 yards and a first down as the Wolves eventually scored on that drive to increase the lead to 21-0 in the second quarter.
Sanchez also was on the receiving end of a 50-yard touchdown pass and score from Seymore, which increased the advantage to 28-0 shortly before the record field goal.
Heavener running back Spencer Clubb scored twice, as did Semore. Clubb had his best game of the year, rushing for 96 yards on 17 carries.
In the series against the Rangers, Heavener now trails 17-6 with a tie.
The Rangers will return to action against the Bethel Wildcats at 7 p.m. Thursday at Ranger Stadium.
The ’Cats (5-1) saw their five-game winning streak to begin the season come to an end with a 73-44 home loss to district-leading Kingston. The Wildcats defeated the Rangers 62-0 in last year’s game in Shawnee.
Roland coach Greg Wise said the keys to winning will be the same each week.
“It’s the same story for us,” he said. “We have to be physical, play fast and swarm the football (on defense) — that is the standard. We have to be more physical. Those are the keys for us.”
