OKLAHOMA CITY – Western Heights overcame a shaky first half with two second-half scores to beat U.S. Grant, 12-0, Friday (Sept. 6).

“Overall, this win was what our district needed not just our school,” Western Heights coach Travis Burdine said via text. “It was great to see the support and give the students something to be proud of.”

The Jets returned to Class 5A football after playing last season as an independent, trying to revive the program. Last season, the team managed two wins over Class A schools after going winless from 2021-2022 and not playing football in 2020.

Against the Class 6A-II Generals, the Jets had five fumbles in the first half “mainly due to nerves,” Burdine said. Neither team could find the end zone.

“We played a well-coached U.S. Grant team,” Burdine said. “But once our offense settled down and we made changes at halftime, the light came on and we started making better decisions.”

It was the Jets’ special teams who broke the scoreless tie with 3:25 left in the third quarter.

U.S. Grant was forced to punt out of their own end zone. The punt was short and both teams outran the ball. DJ Lister came in and scooped up the punt and headed towards the Jet sideline, running it in for a 22-yard score with 3:25 left in the quarter.

“The defense was unstoppable based off what offense front they gave us. We were able to adjust quickly and react. But defense is always easy and gels faster than offense. “

After the Jet defense got a stop near midfield, Western Heights got its second score early in the fourth quarter.

Jet quarterback Elyn McGilbra started the drive by scrambling on two plays to get the ball to the Grant 25. A facemask penalty on Grant moved the football to the 12-yard-line.

Quarter Brandon Bogle rolled out to his left and was met by a General defender. Bogle was hit as he threw the ball, but found junior Keziah Howell open. Howell sprinted to the end zone for 12-yard score with 11:31 left in the game.

Burdine praised center and defensive tackle Reginald “Reggy”Wilson.

“He was the player who held the team together when times looked hard.”

The 6-6, 265 pound Wilson had four sacks, four solo tackles and five assists.

The win was Western Heights’ first in a season opener since 2019. That Jet squad started the season at 3-0 and finished at 4-6.

UP NEXT

The Jets travel to Harrah (1-0) next Friday (Sept. 13) to meet the Class 4A Panthers. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

TEAM	1	2	3	4	F
U.S. Grant (0-1)	0	0	0	0	0
Western Heights (1-0)	0	0	6	6	12