HARRAH — Despite a fourth-quarter comeback, Bethany lost a 45-43 4A-2 contest to Harrah Thursday (Oct. 16) at Evans Field.

The Panthers (5-2, 3-1) built a 45-28 lead with a 2:03 left in the game.

Facing a third down at the Bethany 28-yard line, Broncho junior quarterback Brody McLaren threw the ball up for receiver Jagger Weaver. The senior leaped for the ball between two defenders and came down with it for a 45-yard catch to the Harrah 27-yard line.

On the next play, McLaren fielded a bad snap and scrambled to the Harrah 11.

McLaren then found sophomore Breck Brady in the back corner of the end zone for a score. Brady reached up above two Harrah defenders for the catch.

Weaver recovered the ensuing onside kickoff at midfield. The Bronchos drove to the Harrah 33 . However, McLaren was intercepted on a tipped pass by Harrah senior Cayden Cobb at Panther 1-yard line.

Two plays later, Broncho junior Eli Mars stepped in front of a pass in the Panther end zone from Harrah’s Cal Whitnah for a touchdown. After a penalty on the extra point, Bethany elected to go for two. McLaren converted and Bethany trailed 45-43 with 47 seconds left.

The second onside kick was recovered by Whitnah at midfield to seal the win for Harrah.

McLaren completed 14-of-27 passes for 326 yards. He had three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Greiner had six catches for 165 yards and two of the scores. Weaver had two catches for 72 yards. Sophomore Breck Brady snagged three catches for 40 yards and a score.

On the ground, sophomore Xzavier McGee rushed 14 times for 66 yards. McLaren added nine carries, 48 yards and a touchdown. Senior Baren Tehee returned to the field with six carries, 31 yards and a touchdown.

Whitnah completed 19 of 31 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns. The sophomore also rushed 29 times for 183 and four more scores.

Thursday’s game was the 21st meeting overall between the two schools. It was Harrah’s first win in 10 games since the series resumed in 2004.

The two schools also played in 1953, 1954 and from 1963 to 1971. Bethany was 3-8 in the 20th century.

UP NEXT

The Bronchos (3-4, 2-2) return home for Senior Night against Ardmore (4-3, 2-1) next Friday (Oct. 24). The Tigers beat Blanchard, 33-25, Thursday.

Ardmore has one fewer district game at this point of the season because its win over Madill doesn’t count as a district win.

Madill forfeited a district game this season. Because of that, the Wildcats aren’t eligible for the playoffs and any district game against them doesn’t count in the district standings.

Photographs courtesy of Kristie Escoe of Life in Action Photography.

	1	2	3	4	F
Bethany (3-4, 2-2)	14	7	14	8	43
Harrah (5-2, 3-1)	7	14	10	14	45