Log in Subscribe
Wayne Football

Just short

Wayne loses late lead at Healdton

John Denny Montgomery
Posted 10/3/24

The Wayne Bulldogs lost a heartbreaker Friday night, 32-26, in the final minutes at Healdton.

Wayne had the ball inside the Healdton 10 yard line late in the fourth quarter and up by four …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in
Wayne Football

Just short

Wayne loses late lead at Healdton

Posted

The Wayne Bulldogs lost a heartbreaker Friday night, 32-26, in the final minutes at Healdton.

Wayne had the ball inside the Healdton 10 yard line late in the fourth quarter and up by four points.

But after a series of unfortunate events, including a couple of penalties, Wayne ended up in third and long from the 45 yard line.

Wayne was unable to score, and after punting, Healdton connected on a 76-yard pass to score the go-ahead TD with a minute and change to go in the game.

Wayne wasn’t able to answer on their ensuing possession and the game ended in disappointment.   

“I told the guys we shouldn’t have been that position to begin with,” head coach Brandon Sharp said. “When you’re on the road guys have to step up and make a play. We had other chances to score but had dropped passes and missed assignments.”

Wayne had seemingly taken control of the game early on.

Jaxon Dill opened the scoring with a two-yard run in the first quarter. The point after attempt was no good.

Sloan Jackson added to the Wayne lead in the same quarter on a six-yard run but Wayne failed to convert the two-point conversion. Wayne led 12-0.

The Bulldogs gave up 12 unanswered points and the game was tied in the second quarter  until Dill found Jackson on a 47-yard pass reception.

The PAT failed again but Wayne led 18-12 at halftime.

Healdton tied the game at 18 in the third quarter but Wayne regained the lead on a four-yard scamper by Dill. Dill then found Eli Stottlemyre open for the two-point conversion.

Healdton scored again in the fourth quarter before their go-ahead touchdown in the last two minutes of the game.

“It hurt but we’ll have to  bounce back,” Sharp said.

Offensively, Dill was responsible for 61 yards rushing on 11 carries with two scores. He was 9-17 for 156 yards through the air with another score there.

“This was by far his best game of the season,” Sharp said. “A lot of his passes were on the money and he did a good job reading the veer.”

Jackson had 11 carries for 90 yards rushing and he hauled in five catches for 73 yards. He had touchdowns both on the ground and via the pass.

Max McGlory also had a strong game for the Bulldogs. He had three catches for 78 yards. He was also tasked with covering Healdton’s Roo Franklin the whole game.

“Max did a good job on both sides of the ball,” Sharp said. “He had to cover their best player.”

Defensively, Logan Simpson led the team with 10 tackles. He also had a fumble recovery.

Adolfo Vazquez had eight stops and Kody Kern had four.

Dill had seven tackles and forced a fumble. Jeremiah Peterson also forced a fumble and had six tackles.

Brandon Logston had three tackles and a fumble recovery.

Wilson

Wayne will try to right the ship Friday when they host Wilson at 7 p.m. at D.S. Zack Powell Stadium.

Wilson’s 0-4 record is a little deceiving, according to Sharp.

“They haven’t won a game but they’ve played some major competition and are battle-tested for sure,” he said.

They’ve played the like of Apache, a talented Mangum team and top ten ranked Walters. They also lost to a talented Konawa team.

Sharp said they’ve shown a 40 front on defense so far this year with multiple looks out of it.

“They have really good inside linebackers who will blitz,” he said. “We’ll have to stay glued up and sustain blocks.”

Offensively Wilson wants to open the field up and air out the pigskin.

“They throw it all over the yard,” Sharp said. “Their receivers can get it done and their tailback is strong and can get it.”

Notes

Wayne head coach Brandon Sharp nominated Jaxon Dill and Sloan Jackson for Heart of Oklahoma Offensive Players of the Week.

He nominated Logan Simpson for Defensive Player of the Week.

His nominee for Defensive Lineman of the Week was Adolfo Vazquez.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here