By Buck Ringgold | Photos/Video by Michael Kinney
EDMOND – Before the season, many questioned if Bixby was in for a impolite awakening transferring up from Class 6AII to 6AI.
In reality, it could have been akin to a school soccer group becoming a member of the massive, unhealthy Southeastern Conference.
Save for a hiccup within the common season finale, the Spartans continued their dynasty on the proverbial subsequent degree. And as soon as once more, all of it culminated in yet one more gold ball for them.
It took solely 48 seconds for Bixby to lead from begin to end, and senior quarterback Connor Kirby accounted for six first-half touchdowns because the Spartans claimed their fifth straight title – and first in 6AI – with a powerful 69-6 win towards Owasso Friday evening at Chad Richison Stadium.
“We had a lot of new starters. … Four of our five offensive linemen were new starters, and on the defensive side of the ball, really the entire front seven were first-year starters,” Bixby coach Loren Montgomery mentioned. “Obviously, those guys are going to grow a lot as they get a lot of snaps under their belt and play, and I thought they did a really good job of that.
“I thought our coaching staff did a good job of putting our players in positions to be successful. The growth from Week Zero to now is tremendous.”
Bixby (12-1) went into this season having received the final 4 6AII championships earlier than transferring up a category. The Spartans saved rolling, profitable their first 9 video games whereas extending a state 11-man file to 58 straight video games.
That streak got here to an finish on Nov. 3 in a nationally televised 38-35 loss at dwelling to rival Jenks. But it didn’t deter the Spartans from extending their streak of gold balls, and so they have additionally received eight state titles over the previous 9 seasons.
After drawing an opening-round bye within the playoffs, the Spartans crushed Enid after which paid again Jenks with a 28-14 semifinal win final week.
“I’m proud, because you never want to limp into the playoffs by losing a game in Week 10 and these guys were able to overcome a little bit of adversity there, get everything back on track and end up winning the championship, so super proud of them,” Montgomery mentioned.
Bixby amassed 518 yards of whole offense in Friday’s win – 315 of these coming via the air – whereas holding the Rams to 175.
Kirby accomplished 16-of-25 passes for 205 yards and 4 TDs – which went to 4 totally different receivers. He was additionally the Spartans’ prime rusher, gaining 86 yards on 16 carries with two TDs.
“I worked really hard this summer doing QB lessons,” Kirby mentioned. “(Offensive coordinator Tyler) Schneider really helped me out, too, with my mechanics and stuff. I just really tried to become more of a dual-threat kind of guy and do what I could do for the team.
“We just really tried to come out and play our best game and continue being the team we were all year, physical and disciplined, and that just what happens.”
The Spartans instantly went to city on the opening collection of Friday’s title sport, marching 80 yards in simply six performs, taking 48 seconds off the clock. Kirby capped it off with a 1-yard keeper, and Levi Hoffman’s PAT gave Bixby a fast 7-0 lead.
Owasso did reply on its first collection, as senior quarterback Mason Willingham took a keeper 54 yards to the home. But the PAT kick was no good, holding Bixby in entrance, 7-6.
It turned out to be the closest the Rams obtained all evening.
Kirby proceeded to throw three consecutive TD passes – to three totally different receivers. He discovered Jakeb Snyder from 11 yards out after which Luke Hasz from 9 yards out, as Bixby constructed a 21-6 benefit with 3:40 left within the first quarter.
The Spartans’ third TD was arrange by a successful onside kick, which was recovered by Dylan Hasz.
Dylan Hasz then was the recipient of Kirby’s third TD go, as Hasz caught a deep ball for a 65-yard TD, extending the lead to 28-6 with 9:57 remaining till halftime.
But the Spartans nonetheless weren’t achieved placing up factors.
Kirby capped a 13-play 55-yard drive with a 1-yard keeper on fourth down. He had efficiently transformed two different fourth-down performs on that collection, as Bixby ended up going 6-of-7 on fourth down.
Then with 32 seconds to go within the half, Kirby rolled to his left and launched a TD go to his fourth totally different receiver, as Cale Fugate hauled in a 29-yard catch. Hoffman’s PAT made it 42-6.
Bixby was compelled to punt after going three-and-out on its opening second-half collection. But the Spartans nonetheless didn’t punt it away, as they referred to as a faux, with Cooper Parker throwing a 49-yard go to Cord Nolan.
Then, the Spartans made it 55-6 with 2:08 left within the third as senior tailback Jersey Robb discovered the top zone from 2 yards out.
Bixby added two extra TDs within the fourth. Backup quarterback Austin Havens, who transferred to Bixby from Owasso within the offseason, linked with Luke Hasz from 30 yards out; then Havens threw a 24-yard strike to Christian Kaiser.
The Spartans scored TDs on every of their first seven drives, and 10 of their 12 possessions. On the 2 drives they didn’t rating, the Spartans missed a area objective after which turned it over on downs within the sport’s ultimate moments.
Senior operating again/receiver Kordell Gouldsby added 51 yards speeding on seven carries and caught 5 passes for 23 yards. Snyder had 5 catches for 38 yards, and Luke Hasz three catches for 75 yards.
Robb was the group’s prime tackler on protection with 12 whole. Bixby additionally compelled two turnovers, each interceptions by Dylan Hasz.
Willingham was 9-of-11 passing for 47 yards and rushed for 81 yards on 17 carries.
Friday’s loss for the Rams ended what had been a outstanding drive to Edmond. Owasso (9-5) misplaced to Bixby within the season opener and began out 1-4, although the opposite losses have been to Jenks, Tulsa Union and Mustang.
But the Rams rebounded to win eight straight ballgames, capped by a dramatic six-overtime win towards Union in final week’s semifinals.
Owasso, although, was no match once more for Bixby, which now seeks to proceed its streak of state titles subsequent season. Another streak the Spartans will probably be engaged on for 2023 is making it to their tenth consecutive title sport.
“It feels great; that loss against Jenks definitely stung a little bit, but I’m glad the way the guys came together and just really came together as a team and got the job done. … That one loss is going to hurt, but we’re state champions so it really doesn’t matter,” Kirby mentioned.
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