BARTLESVILLE – Putnam City North got a big district win over Bartlesville in defensive struggle, 23-0, Thursday (Oct. 17) in 6A-II-2 action.
“I think it was a hard fight match,” Putnam City North coach Derek Lane said via phone. “I knew Bartlesville was gonna be a tough opponent regardless of their record.”
North scored on its first play from scrimmage as senior Milton Alford ran 43 yards for touchdown. The Panthers led, 7-0, with 10:34 left in the first quarter.
Bartlesville (0-6, 0-3) had three drives start in North territory in the first half but were unable to score.
In the second quarter, the North defense stiffened after Bartlesville got the ball at the North at the North 12-yard line due to a blocked punt by Bruin freshman Daeton Stevens with 7:22 left in the second quarter.
It appeared that Panther senior Tyrie Caldwell ended the threat by intercepting a Bartlesville pass but officials ruled the pass incomplete. Bruin junior Dillon Burson missed a 30-yard field goal.
Neither team could get any traction until North junior Mason Jones connected with fellow junior Bravion Stubbs over the middle for a 35-yard pass with 2:47 before halftime.
That play and a facemask penalty put North in the red zone. Senior Colin Patton hit a 38-yard field goal to make it 10-0 just before halftime.
In the third quarter, neither offense could find the end zone.
Panther defensive lineman Craig Gooden stepped in front of a screen pass from Bruin freshman Michael Kent and returned it 41 yards to extend North’s lead to 16-0 with 9:38 left in the game.
On the ensuing possession, Bartlesville’s drive stalled and the Panthers sealed the win with a 21-yard Alford touchdown run with 4:22 left.
Alford finished with 145 yards on 21 carries. The Panthers had 167 yards of total offense and held the Bruins to 89 yards of offense.
“We challenged the kids during halftime to just make sure that if they don’t score, we’re gonna win this game,” Lane said. “We had a lot of guys swarming to the ball.”
UP NEXT
Putnam City North (6-1, 4-0) heads back on the road to Sapulpa (3-3, 3-0) next Friday (Oct. 25). The Chieftains play at Ponca City Friday (Oct. 18).
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Putnam CIty North (6-1, 4-0) | 7 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 23 |
| Bartlesville (0-6, 0-3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
PUTNAM CITY NORTH – Colin Patton 38 yard field goal, :44, 2Q
PUTNAM CITY NORTH – Craig Gooden 41 yard interception return (pass fail), 9:38, 4Q
PUTNAM CITY NORTH – Milton Alford 21 yard run (Colin Patton kick), 4:22. 4Q
West Metro Sports 
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[…] from Putnam City North senior Milton Alford and takeaways from the North defense were key in the Panthers’ 23-0 win over Bartlesville Thursday (Oct. […]
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