BLANCHARD – Bethany overcame first half turnovers and Blanchard big plays for a chance at a fourth quarter comeback but the fourth-ranked Lions prevailed, 48-44, in a 4A-2 matchup Friday (Oct. 4).
“The kids fought and overcame a lot of miscues, kicking game and those kinds of things,” Bethany coach Jon Arthur said via phone. “That kind of set us behind, but proud of how they, how they battled, for sure.”
The fifth-ranked Bronchos (4-1, 1-1) fell behind 28-7 with 5:54 before halftime thanks to a blocked punt that was returned for a touchdown by the Lions and a fumbled kickoff return which led to Blanchard senior Hudson Periman’s third touchdown pass.
It was Periman’s season debut after dealing with an injury.
Bethany answered with a 30-yard score from senior Jackie Payne to fellow senior Brock Cross with 3:21 before half. Cross made a diving completion on a ball tipped earlier to keep the drive going.
Blanchard threatened to score again in the final minute before the intermission. Penalties and the Bethany defense kept the Lions out of the end zone. Senior Garrett Johnson intercepted Periman to end the threat and keep the deficit at 28-14.
The Bronchos took the opening kickoff of the second half scored on a five-yard touchdown run from junior Judson Gilliland to make it 28-21, Blanchard.
Periman and the Lions answered at the 8:01 in the mark in the third quarter with a seven-yard run to make it 34-21. The Bethany offense stalled and the ensuing punt was returned by senior Brayson Carter to the Bethany 30-yard line. The Lions cashed in with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Periman to senior Reston Vickrey to make it 41-21 with 5:02 left in the third.
Bethany answered just before the end of the quarter. Payne connected with junior Seth Greiner for 36-yard completion. The Bronchos drove to Blanchard goal line and Gilliland ran up the middle for his third score of the night, a one-yard run to make it 41-28 with 1:37 in the third quarter.
With Blanchard driving to midfield, the Bethany defense made a big play.
Senior Wyatt Geissler stepped in front of a Periman pass and sprinted down the Broncho sideline for a 60-yard score to make it 41-34 with 11:43 left in the game.
On the ensuing kickoff, Carter struck again with an 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown for a 48-35 score.
After neither team could move the ball, Bethany drove in to make it a one-score game.
Payne connected with freshman Breck Brady who elevated for a 13-yard touchdown catch with 5:36 left.
The Bethany defense forced a punt on the next possession. A short punt gave the Bronchos a short field.
Bethany drove to the Blanchard 2-yard line but then started going backwards due to penalties.
Then, Payne was intercepted by Carter at the goal line. The Lions were backed up at the 2-yard line.
On the first play, Gilliland sacked Periman in the end zone for the safety to make it 48-44 and to give Bethany the ball back.
After the free kick, Bethany got the football near midfield with less than 20 seconds left.
Carter intercepted Payne’s long pass up the middle to seal the win for Blanchard.
“I think our guys, just offensively, we executed extremely well in the night,” Arthur said. “We ran the ball well, which is something we didn’t do real well against Jones. Blanchard is kind of similar caliber defensively to so, so to be able to put up points like we did, I think is encouraging offensively.”
UP NEXT
Bethany (4-1, 1-1) returns home next Friday (Oct. 11) for homecoming against 4A-2 opponent, Tuttle (5-0, 2-0). The Tigers shut out Madill, 61-0, Friday (Oct. 4).
Tuttle is tied with Blanchard for first in the district. Bethany, Harrah, Ardmore and Tecumseh are all tied for second in the district with a 1-1 record.
The home game is Bethany’s first since the season opener on Aug. 29.
“This has been the first time in 18 years, I’ve never had this long away from home” Arthur said. “So, we can get four of the next five there. So that’ll be nice.”
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethany (4-1, 1-1) | 7 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 44 |
| Blanchard (5-0, 2-0) | 7 | 21 | 13 | 7 | 48 |
BETHANY – Judson Gilliland 1 yard run (Griffin Tarrant kick), 5:58, 1Q
BLANCHARD – Coric Pierce 3 yard pass from Hudsen Periman (Alex Price kick), 8:47, 2Q
BLANCHARD – Gunnar Fugett 29 yard blocked punt return (Alex Price kick), 6:09, 2Q
BLANCHARD – Cole Watkins 32 yard pass from Hudsen Periman (Alex Price kick), 5:54, 2Q
BETHANY – Brock Cross 30 yard pass from Jackie Payne (Griffin Tarrant kick), 3:21, 2Q
BETHANY – Judson Gilliland 5 yard run (Griffin Tarrant kick), 9:42, 3Q
BLANCHARD – Hudeen Periman 7 yard run (kick failed), 8:01, 3Q
BLANCHARD – Reston Vickrey 10 yard pass from Hudsen Periman (Alex Price kick), 5:02, 3Q
BETHANY – Judson Gilliland 1 yard run (Griffin Tarrant kick), 1:37, 3Q
BETHANY – Wyatt Geissler 60 yard interception return (Griffin Tarrant kick), 11:43, 4Q
BLANCHARD – Braysen Carter 84 yard kickoff return (Alex Price kick), 11:31, 4Q
BETHANY – Breck Brady 13 yard pass from Jackie Payne (Griffin Tarrant kick), 5:36, 4Q
BETHANY – Safety, 0:24, 4Q
Photographs courtesy of Kristie Escoe of Life in Action Photography.
West Metro Sports 
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[…] first big 4A-2 test turned into a slugfest as fourth-ranked Blanchard turned back the Broncho comeback, 48-44, Friday (Oct. […]
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