BETHANY – Tuttle’s offensive firepower was too much for fifth-ranked Bethany to handle in a 42-19 loss Friday (Oct. 11) in 4A-2 play.

The second-ranked Tigers (6-0, 3-0) rolled up 375 yards of total offense as the Bethany offense struggled to finish drives, especially in the first half.

“(Tuttle is) probably a little better than I thought,” Bethany coach Jon Arthur said. “I think definitely the best team we’ve seen. I’ve never seen an offense like that in class 4A. They’re special on that side.”

Tuttle sprinted out to a 21-0 lead with six minutes left before halftime as Tuttle junior Cruz Campbell threw three touchdown passes to three different receivers.

After the third score, the next Bethany drive led to a Broncho score but it wasn’t by the offense.

That Bethany drive stalled near midfield, but senior punter Ruslan Calderon pinned the Tigers at their own one-yard line with a 52-yard punt. Two plays later, a Tiger fumbled snap in the end zone led to a safety, making it 21-2.

After the free kick to Bethany, the senior Jackie Payne launched a pass downfield to fellow senior Wyatt Geissler, who came back for the ball. Geissler broke two tackles and sprinted to the three-yard line.

Due to penalties, the Bronchos weren’t able to get in the end zone but junior Griffin Tarrant kicked a 27-yard field goal to make it 21-5 at halftime.

“We didn’t get off to a great start, missed some opportunities,” Arthur said. “We kind of moved the ball between the 20s and had trouble punching it in.”

On the first possession after the intermission, the Tigers gave Bethany a gift after Broncho junior Judson Gilliland knocked the ball loose from Tuttle senior Brady McAdoo. Sophomore Wyatt Keefer jumped on the ball the Tuttle 21-yard line.

This time, Bethany cashed in as Gilliland scored from 11 yards out. After Payne hit senior Garrett Johnson on the two-point conversion, Tuttle’s lead was 21-13.

On the ensuing possession, McAdoo took a direct snap and sprinted upfield. Senior Charlie Tolle got off his block and stripped the ball away. Tolle recovered and Bethany had a short field at the Tuttle 46 with 6:59 left in the third quarter.

This time, the Bronchos couldn’t do anything with it, going three-and-out.

Tuttle mounted a three-minute touchdown drive, capped off by Campbell finding McAdoo for a 38-yard score as he streaked past the secondary. Tuttle extended the lead to 28-13.

On the ensuing possession, Bethany’s first turnover of the night proved costly. Payne overthrew his receiver and Tuttle junior Jett McCoy intercepted it at midfield. He returned it to the Bethany 21-yard line.

The Broncho defense stiffened, forcing a fourth down conversion from the 15. Campbell delivered for Tuttle, hitting senior CJ Simon with nine seconds left in the third quarter to make it 35-13.

After another Bethany drive stalled, Tuttle capped its night with a 61-yard punt return for a score by McAdoo to extend the lead to 42-13 with 11:31 left.

Bethany responded with a Gilliland 27-yard touchdown run up the middle with a 8:44 left. The two-point conversion failed and Tuttle still held a 42-19 lead.

From that point, neither team could sustain a drive, sealing the win for the Tigers.

Bethany finished with 273 yards of total offense in the loss.

Gilliland rushed for 75 yards, scoring Bethany’s two touchdowns. Geissler added 25 yards.

Payne threw for 157 yards, completing 12-of-22 passing. Geissler was Payne’s biggest pass-catcher with three catches for 122 yards.

UP NEXT

Bethany (4-2, 1-2) hosts Harrah (4-2, 2-1) next Thursday (Oct. 17). The Panthers got past Chickasha at home, 24-19 on the road Friday (Oct. 10).

Photographs courtesy of Kristie Escoe of Life in Action Photography.

	1	2	3	4	F
Tuttle (6-0, 3-0)	13	8	14	7	42
Bethany (4-2, 1-2)	0	5	8	6	19