Putnam City North enters the 6A-II playoffs Friday (Nov. 14) with a 2-8 record, which is not what first-year head coach Brian Lockart envisioned for the Panthers.

North routed Putnam City West and shut out Capitol Hill for two wins in 6A-II-1, which was enough to slide into the sixth spot in the district standings and good enough for a playoff berth.

“It’s been a struggle with depth issues,” Lockart said via phone.

Injuries, eligibility issues and transfers have hurt the Panthers, who dressed only 32 players in the regular season finale, a 57-26 loss to Muskogee.

“We’ve not really shown the exact team that we thought we would have on the field.

“However, the kids have not quit fighting, which then a testament to them buying into the culture and the foundation we’re trying to set. So, I’m proud of them for that,” Lockart said.

North was outmatched against the Roughers, who have become a 6A-II power. Lockart tried to avoid a running clock as long as he could to try and gain some momentum headed into the playoffs.

He also wanted to change his players’ perspective.

“Maybe just kind of focus more on not the scoreboard and the outcome, but like each rep and how we’re looking, going forward,” Lockart said.

North’s offense tried to keep pace with Muskogee in the first half. Senior Mason Jones connected with fellow senior Josh Lombard for a touchdown and Jones added a rushing touchdown.

However, the Roughers scored on all of their possessions in the contest and built a 41-13 halftime lead.

Lombard and junior Charlie Bowie scored on a double-pass and catch to open the second half and the Panthers trailed 41-20.

Again, Muskogee’s offense couldn’t be stopped. The Roughers scored two more touchdowns, one on an 82-yard drive.

North did have 275 yards against Muskogee in the loss and added another touchdown late.

Despite the loss, Lockart liked the effort from his team.

“As long as the kids are in it, it still makes it an awesome experience to coach them.”

Lockart had three freshmen start last Friday against Muskogee. He thinks the playoff game against Choctaw will be beneficial to his young squad

“To get them experience to see what a, a playoff game looks like not only, not only a first round game, but a playoff game on the road in a hostile environment against the defending state champions.

“There’s not more you can ask to put them in a pretty big environment,” Lockart said. “I think the future looks bright because those kids are going to be around for a while.”

PANTHER STAT LEADERS

For the season, Jones has completed 74 of 114 passes for 673 yards this season. Jones dealt with a hand injury from the opener against Shawnee and it limited his playing time and effectiveness. Jones has thrown five touchdown passes along with five interceptions.

Lombard saw time at QB when Jones was out and in different packages. Lombard completed 20-of-45 for 262 yards, four scores and three picks.

Where Lockart likes to use Lombard in other spots in the offense, lining up to run the ball (35 carries, 252 yards and four touchdowns) and as a receiver (23 catches, 207 yards and another touchdown).

Senior Terry Wilson, Jr. has shouldered the load in the backfield. Wilson has 113 rushes for 765 yards and a touchdown. North also has 103 yards rushing from sophomore Amari Garner on 18 carries.

Bowie has emerged as the Panthers’ biggest pass-catching threat. Bowie has 48 catches, 494 yards and four touchdowns. Wilson added 15 receptions for 117 yards and a score. Senior Marshall Bennett has pulled in nine passes for 116 yards and a score. Junior Gavin Davis follows with eight catches, 77 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior Isiah Southern has just four catches but for 61 yards (a 15.3 yards-per-catch average). Southern has scored once. North has six different receivers with touchdown catches.

Junior Stephen Brown leads the team in tackles with 77 and 9.5 tackles for loss.

“(Brown) is a kid who has stepped up,” Lockart said.

Southern has 50 tackles, including four for a loss and a sack.

Lockart praised Southern, who made the transition from an undersized defensive end to an outside linebacker.

“He has just done a phenomenal job,” Lockart said of Southern.

Davis follows with 44 tackles. Sophomore Dominic Spotwood has 40 tackles, three for a loss and sack.

Wilson leads the team with two sacks.

UP NEXT

North will meet defending state champion and fourth-ranked Choctaw (6-4, 5-2). The Yellowjackets aren’t quite at the level they were last season, when they went 11-2 and earned the school’s first football title.

Lockart praised Choctaw coach Jake Corbin, who took Choctaw from an also-ran to contender.

“I have a lot of a lot of respect for him. He’s been a good mentor to me since I took over.”

Lockart said Corbin has help keep his perspective as Lockart tries to build North like Corbin built Choctaw.

North will try and slow down senior Mayor Morgan, an Air Force commit. He rushed for 1,216 yards a season ago.

“They do a lot of different things that you’ve got to look out for on film,” Lockart said.

Photographs courtesy of Richard T. Clifton.