The Apache Warriors opened up the 2024 football season facing the Wilson Eagles in Class A-II. The Eagles and Warriors battled it out in Week 0 of the Oklahoma high school football season with an unbelievable performance from both squads. The game was extremely physical and demanded the upmost mental focus and discipline.
Apache received the opening kickoff and took the opening drive down for a touchdown. The Warriors running back , #4 Dayton Scott, took a hand off and made as sweet move to get into the end zone and give Apache the early 6-0 lead.
Wilson would open their drive with a masssive 48 yard run and get into Apache territory. Wilson would continue to press the issue and get inside the ten yard line and punch it in with a two yard run and score with just seven minutes to go in the first quarter. They would attempt the PAT but it was blocked by the big man #58, Brandon Lindsey, of Apache and made the score 6-6.
Apache would get the ball back and would have a drive that had an impressive 14 yard pitch and catch from quarterback, #7 Houston Herrin, to reciever #21, Jake Ferrel, but would turn the ball over on a 3rd and forever and give Wilson decent field position with just over 4 minutes to go in the first quarter. The Warrior defense would stand tall and force a punt from Wilson and the first quarter ended with a tie.
The second half saw a lot of the same as the game was a battle all night long. Back and forth and neither team being able to gain one advantage over the other. Both teams would throw shots, and both teams would counter. You could tell and feel how excited the players were to be playing another opponent other than themselves. Late in the quarter, with 3:44 remaining in the half, Herrin would find Jared Maguire for 12 yards and a touchdown as Apache took the 12-6 lead.
Both Wilson and Apache punted to end the half with the Warriors up 12-6 and half a ball game remaining. Wilson came out fired up for the second half.
The Eagles started their first possession of the half with 11:52 on the clock. They ended the possession after a 7:48 drive. It was run after run after run and the Warriors had no answer, no counter, for the Wilson rushing attack. Several hard hits, players on both sides cramping and needing substitutes, the intensity was all there. The drive finsihed as Wilson scored with a run up the middle and the Eagles went for 2 and converted taking the 14-12 lead with 4:04 remaining in the third quarter.
Apache's first and only possession of the third quarter ended just as quickly as it started. Warriors then went three and out and was forced to punt the ball back to Wilson as the quarter came to an end. 14-12 Wilson.
Wilson started the 4th quarter drive with the intention on scoring, running the same play multiple times in row as it kept working. Hard, physical runs and it took a toll on the defense who played a long time last night.
I spoke to Apache Defensive Coordinator Brandon Langford about what he learned about his defense from Friday night...
"We had some key guys go out with injuries or cramps on big downs and our backups stepped up for us. They played with a bend don’t break attitude..." - Coach Brandon Langford
The Eagles would end up scoring another time and take a 10 point lead with just under 10 minutes left in the game. The Warriors needed huge plays from Herrin and other playmakers and that is exactly what they got.
One of the massive plays occurred when Herrin found one of his receivers for 42 yards and was downed inside the Eagles 25 yard line. A few plays later and after Coach White had a discussion with the officials, the Warriors found themselves with a 4th and 9. Herrin makes an unreal play, breaking tackles and making people miss, gets all of that and more to gain a first down and goal to go.
Two plays later, Dayton Scott would score from 2 yards out and cut the deficit to 4 at 22-18. The Warriors would go for two and convert and trail by 2 points, 22-20 with 7:50 to go in the game.
Wilson would have a decent drive but eventually stall out and be forced to punt and Apache would almost give it back after dropping the punt, but the Warriors recovered and take the ball with 5:43 remaining in the game. Apache 20, Wilson 22.
Herrin took a 3rd down run and keep the possession alive by gaining the first down. Two plays later, one of the craziest things occurs. Herrin throws a short throw to his left, it bonces off not one, but two, Warriors hands, and lands in the hands of another Warrior who takes it for another first down. Apache would eventually score with 4:46 remaining in the game and retake the lead at 26-22. The atmosphere was electric and the entire town of Apache was there to witness the comeback.
But, there was still some ball game left and the Warrior defense needed to find one more stop in them. There were several cramps and minor injuries that began occuring as the players were leaving everything on the field for their teammates and coaches.
Wilson would have another drive stall out and have to give the ball back to the Warriors with under 4 minutes remaining. Apache would have a few penalties, a few mental mistakes, and eventually turn the ball over on 3rd and 21 and give the ball back to Wilson with 1:48 remaining in the game. Wilson needed a touchdown to win it.
After 2 incomplete passes and 2 holding calls, the Eagles found themselves backed up with 3rd and 52. Yes, you read that right. The Eagles would heave one up in hopes of completing the miracle, but the Warrior defense stood tall again and intercepted the pass and took over with 18 seconds left on the clock. They would take a knee and start the 2024 season off with a massive come from behind victory!
The Warriors host the Minco Bulldogs in two weeks on Sept. 13th at 7:00 PM.
Comments