OKLAHOMA CITY — Putnam City West earned its first win of the season with a 32-6 win over Capitol Hill Thursday (Oct. 23) in a 6A-II-2 contest at C.B. Speegle Stadium.

“It was good to see the kids smile for the first time after a game,” Putnam City West coach Rickey Lewis said via phone.

The win was Lewis’ first at the school after taking over at West this season. It also snapped a 9-game losing streak dating back to Oct. 24, 2024 when the Patriots beat Capitol Hill, 34-14.

Lewis was pleased with the West offense.

“We had a pretty decent night on the on the ground and did some things offensively that we haven’t been able to do so far this year,” Lewis said. “We moved the ball, but it wasn’t anything that we did so much special as to play hard and like we played hard before.”

Sophomore James Janzen threw for two scores in the win. He connected with junior Obama Bell on a 75-yard strike and with junior Aizjon Robinson on an 11-yard score.

On the ground, senior Qomarj Threatt rushed for a score. Junior Immanuel Adkins also ran the ball well.

Patriot special teams got into the act as junior Braylen Anderson returned a punt for a touchdown. Senior Xavier Farrar returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a score.

“It always bodes well when you can get get the game going that way.”

Lewis said his skill position players were ahead of the offensive line play (but that has improved). Kickoffs typically feature only players who catch and run with the ball.

“That’s when our guys get to shine. Our track team, as I like to call it, gets to go out there and do what we do.”

West had three touchdowns called back due to penalties in the win.

“There were some good things and then we squandered some other opportunities,” Lewis said.

Capitol Hill’s only score came after a West turnover in Patriot territory led to a short field for the Redwolves.

“Our defense actually played great, overall. They didn’t give up anything. Our defense was very, very sound. We tackled well and we got after the ball.”

Junior Anthony Dupree had nine tackles and a sack. Fellow junior Jalen Barrientez added eight tackles as did Farrar.

Bell had a sack and an interception. Anderson had a sack and a fumble recovery.

Lewis said the win and avoiding a winless season will make a big impact on the West football program.

“Confidence is everything. We know that playing with confidence and believing in the system you’re in and what you’re doing, but you can believe in it all you want. When you get actual results, that changes everything.”

UP NEXT

The Patriots host Bartlesville (1-7, 1-4) next Friday (Oct. 31) for Senior Night at 7 p.m.

The Bruins fell to Ponca City, 24-23, Thursday.

Lewis said Bartlesville is a better team that their record and mentioned his next opponent’s high-power offense.

“I think the biggest thing that’s going to be able to help our defense is us as offense is to maintain the ball, kind of like play a little keep away. and see if we can possess the ball some.”

Lewis pointed out the Patriots could still get a playoff spot with a win against Bartlesville or the final game of the regular season at Ponca City.

	1	2	3	4	F
Putnam City West (1-7, 1-4)	14	6	6	6	32
Capitol Hill (0-8, 0-5)	0	6	0	0	6