WARR ACRES — Putnam City turned the ball over five times in the first half to turn a promising start against 6A-1 Yukon into a 37-7 rout by the Millers Friday (Aug. 28) in the season opener for both teams.

“You cannot turn the ball over five times and expect to beat anybody,” Putnam City coach Willis Alexander said with frustration. “When you have self-inflicted wounds, this what happens to you.”

Yukon’s first offensive series stalled and. PC junior Khadence Cockrun blocked the punt which gave Original the ball at the Yukon 21-yard line. Putnam City drove to the 10.

Then, the first disaster struck.

Pirate senior quarterback Daeveon Simmons’ throw over the middle was picked off by Miller defensive back Daniel Yebit. The senior sprinted 78 yards to the PC 12.

The Original defense repelled the attack, sending the Millers backward. Yukon had to settle for a 40-yard field goal by senior Jonathan Haxton.

PC took the ball to near midfield and then Simmons fumbled. The Pirates’ fortunes were still good because on the next play, Yukon junior quarterback Zealand Danielson couldn’t handle a bad snap and it rolled to PC senior Jairus Polly.

Putnam City went on a 10-play drive to the Miller 19. Facing a fourth down, senior Edgar Yanez lined up for a field goal but the play clock ran out.

After the delay of game, the Pirates failed to convert on fourth down.

The Pirate defense kept Original in the game. The Millers went nowhere and PC took advantage, driving to the Yukon 23.

Then, Simmons overthrew his receiver over the middle and Yebit made him pay with a 93-yard interception return for a score.

Luck had run out for Putnam City.

On the next drive, junior running back Marcico Petties fumbled. That led to a long drive capped off by a Miller score.

Three plays later, Simmons fumbled again. That led to a Danielson touchdown pass to make it 24-0.

The Millers were confident going into halftime. They scored two more times in the third quarter.

Original avoided the shutout late in the fourth quarter. The Pirates mounted a 21-play drive with the game well in hand.

Petties scored on a 1-yard run with 1:39 left.

The turnovers short-circuited a Pirate offense that was able to move the ball but couldn’t finish drives.

“What can you do? 
You can’t get into a rhythm (because of the turnovers),” Alexander said.

Despite the point total, Alexander put the responsibility of at least 17 points on the offense due to the turnovers. The PC defense tried to keep the Pirates in the game.

“We can’t put our defense in that situation. Our defense gave us every opportunity,” Alexander said.

UP NEXT

The Pirates travel to Ponca City next Friday (Sept. 4) to take on the Wildcats at 7 p.m.

Ponca City thumped rival Enid 38-0 on Friday.

The Wildcats went 6-5 last year, falling to Southmoore in the first round of the 6A-II playoffs, 21-14.

Photographs courtesy of Danielle Johnson.

YUKON – Haxton 40 yar field goal, 7:06, 1Q
YUKON – Yebit 94 yard interception return (Haxton kick), 7:50, 2Q
YUKON – Danielson 1 yard run (Haxton kick), 4:04, 2Q
YUKON – Yebit 20 yard pass from Danielson (Haxton kick), 1:35, 2Q
YUKON – Khalil 49 yard pass from Danielson (pass fails), 5:58, 3Q
YUKON – Shelburn 37 yard pass from Danielson (Haxton kick), 3:04, 3Q
PUTNAM CITY – Petties 1 yard run, 1:39, 4Q