Published: October 12, 2008 12:26 am            

Blanchard on the right track

As rough as the season has been for Blanchard, it’s still in the thick of the playoff chase.

The Lions started the season 0-3 with losses to Bridge Creek, Lindsay and McLoud. All of those losses were less than 10 points.

The Lions always felt like they were right on the cusp of a breakthrough and so far the district season has been kind. Blanchard beat Cache 28-14 Friday and they feel like they are in position to get a playoff nod, depending on how they tackle the rest of the schedule.

The bottom line is, Blanchard controls its playoff destiny.

“It’s all shaking out the way we thought,” Blanchard coach Jeff Craig said. “We’ll know more after this week, but there are a bunch of teams that are just sort of bunched up. Newcastle and Tuttle will probably decide who wins the district this week. Those three and four spots seem to be up for grabs right now and we’re right there in the middle of it.”

In Friday’s game, Cache tied the game at 14-14 heading into the fourth quarter. But Blanchard scored with five minutes left to take the lead, then added a late score to seal the deal with less than two minutes left.

Looking at the district, Newcastle and Tuttle are both unbeaten this season. One of the biggest games of the season will take place Thursday when Newcastle hosts Tuttle. That game will decide who has a shot at the district title.

As far as Blanchard is concerned, a win over Cache was needed to keep the Lions from falling behind in the standings.

Blanchard is now 2-4 overall and 2-1 in district 3A-1. Newcastle and Tuttle are 3-0 in district play, while Blanchard, Clinton and Elgin are 2-1. The Lions host 0-3 Anadarko Thursday, then finishes up by playing at Clinton, then hosts Newcastle and Elgin.

“It’s a pretty interesting situation,” Craig said. “I think the district title will be decided by the end of this week. But there are still spots open. We just have to continue to play well and give ourselves a chance because we’re still right there.”

Purcell keeps rolling

Friday was like a day off for Purcell.

Lone Grove never had a chance as the Dragons rolled up a 42-0 lead at halftime. Purcell coach Mike Wilson rested his starters in the second half and Purcell won 42-12.

But the coach wasn’t all pleased. The defense was lacking at times.

“We played OK defensively,” Wilson said. “We gave up a little on defense. They hit us with a couple of big plays.”

Still, Wilson isn’t going to downplay a 5-1 start and a 3-0 record in District 3A-2. The Dragons scored on every possession in the first half.

“The offense executed really well and it was pleasant to see,” Wilson said. “I just would have liked to have seen us play better on defense. But overall, it was a good win.”

Quarterback Cole Swayze threw a touchdown pass and scored twice on runs of 25 and 55 yards. Running back J. R. Madden scored twice on runs of 20 and 65 yards.

Log jam in 2A-3

Washington beat Frederick 17-0 Friday, putting the Warriors in position to win district 2A-3. It’s crowded at the front, as Washington is joined by Bridge Creek, Frederick, Crooked Oak and Lindsay, all with 2-1 district records.

“It’s a big log jam right now,” Washington coach Dennis McCray said. “We’re right in the middle of it now. We have a big game coming up and we have to continue to play well.”

Washington will be at Crooked Oak Thursday. The Ruf-Nex are 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the district. They beat Riverside Friday 83-0.

“They have speed and they have athletes,” McCray said. “It’s definitely going to be a challenge.”

Friday against Frederick, Darren Madden hit Tyler Hewitt for a 27-yard touchdown pass and then connected with Chance Pistole for a 54-yard score. Eric Smith added a 40-yard field goal.

        

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