(NOTE: This is a new column on West Metro Sports. Unlike most of the articles you find on this site, there will be some opinion mixed in. With this column taking the “West Metro Weekly” name, the weekly schedule is now called “West Metro Schedule.” – Joel)

It’s almost cliche to identify a key drive in a playoff football game as “The Drive.”

It started with John Elway’s Denver Broncos beating Cleveland in the 1987 playoffs. The “Drive” moniker has been used numerous times since then to mark a game-winning drive.

Unlike Denver’s drive, Bethany led Ada Friday (Nov. 22) in the third quarter when it embarked on an 11-minute drive which culminated in a score that put the game out of reach, 30-6, with 2:55 left in the game.

I’ve only seen one other drive like it.

In 2014, I was covering high school sports as a side job in Hamilton County, Indiana (Indianapolis suburbs) for the The Times of Noblesville.

Lawrence North ran the ball almost exclusively against 6A power Carmel and amassed 373 yards. The Wildcats ran 73 plays to Carmel’s 27.

Lawrence North LOST that game, 42-20, thanks to quick strikes from the Greyhounds and turnovers.

Trailing 42-13 in the third quarter, Lawrence North stayed true to form, milking 13 minutes off the clock. Carmel only got the ball once in the fourth quarter.

I’m sure you enjoyed that Indiana high school football history lesson. Why am I telling you this?

The Bronchos’ drive Friday was unique. It literally sucked the life out of Ada, which had just turned the ball over at the Bethany 5-yard line.

Bethany coach Jon Arthur said he didn’t even know how the long the drive was until later.

It won’t be easy for the Bronchos to dominate the line of scrimmage and impose their will on Tuttle next Friday (Dec. 6) in the 4A semifinals, but keeping Tuttle’s offense off the field could be a key to victory.

LADY PANTHERS SWEEP TEXAS FESTIVAL

We knew Logan Martin’s Putnam City North Lady Panthers would be good.

North returned a number of players from last season’s state qualifier and added Millwood transfer Brandie Harrod (an Auburn commit) and Putnam City West transfer Kiana Gray.

The Lady Panthers didn’t disappoint last weekend, winning both games in the “The Matchup” in Prosper Rock Hill High School in Frisco, Texas. On Friday, North upset Texas 6A power Duncanville, 57-51, in overtime.

Duncanville is the defending state champion and has 12 state titles to its credit.

That’s quite a warmup for North, who opens 6A-2 action Dec. 3 at home against Piedmont.