Stigler rallies to beat Eufaula, control district
Stigler’s football team used a 20-6 fourth quarter comeback to beat Eufaula 38-34 on Thursday, Oct. 20, gaining the sole lead in the district.
“We came out and played hard and played with 10 times more heart in the second half because we knew what was really on the line. It was make it or break it and we made it,” Stigler wide receiver/defensive back Bryce Turrentine said.
At halftime, the Ironheads (6-2), which entered tied with the Panthers (7-1) atop the district standings, led 14-6. Eufaula stretched the lead to 21-6 with an 81-yard touchdown catch by Dylan Anderson.
T.J. Spearman, who had recovered from a shoulder injury, threw a 40-yard touchdown pass to Dawson Barger, making the score 21-12.
“He threw tonight for the first time in two weeks a ball over 10 yards,” Risenhoover said. “I was really happy with what he did.”
Barger ran five yards for a score, bringing Stigler within 28-26 with 6:09 left.
At the 4:07 mark, Eufaula’s Dylan Anderson caught a 64-yard touchdown pass, but the extra point was deflected by Andrew Moore and went wide right. That kept the margin manageable at 34-26.
While getting hit by Eufaula lineman Dakota Adams, Spearman dumped a pass to Garret Brooks, who dashed for a 70-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 34-32 with 2:47 left.
Draven Johnson popped up the following kickoff. Two Eufaula players bobbled it before Moore caught it at the Ironheads’ 40-yard line. With 2:07 left, Spearman threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Garon Mayhall, giving Stigler a 38-34 lead.
“I was focusing on the ball and watching my hands and making sure I get the end zone,” Mayhall said. “I knew my team had my back and I had theirs and everyone was going to play their hearts out.”
Shortly thereafter, Turrentine caught an interception.
Spearman threw for 320 yards and five touchdowns. Brooks ran for 84 yards on 10 carries. Turrentine led the team with 15 tackles. Barger had 12 tackles. Tommy Huggins collected 11 tackles.
Stigler finishes the regular season against the bottom two teams in its district, Heavener and Muldrow.
“[Our players] have played at a better pace. They know that. Muldrow’s played right with Eufaula. We know they’ve got some extremely good athletes and a good quarterback. Heavener had Muldrow to a 7-0 game in the fourth, so they’re coming along. We’ve got to finish and stay healthy. The kids keep getting stronger. They have to understand that they need to be physical and execute our plays at a faster pace. We’ll just keep working,” Risenhoover said.