Stigler struggles to stop Sallisaw duo

Stigler’s football team lost 54-28 at Sallisaw on Sept. 9 as the Black Diamonds’ duo of Brad Bell and Hunter Capehart combined for eight touchdowns and more than 500 yards.

“Sallisaw is really improved as a football team. Bell handled the ball and did a great job. They’re a top 10 team in Class 4A if they keep it up. We struggled tackling. We’re a little light on the second level [on defense],” said Stigler coach Chris Risenhoover.

Capehart ran 40 yards deep into Stigler’s end, but Bryce Turrentine intercepted a pass in the end zone. Sallisaw (1-1) struck first as Bell faked a handoff and ran 28 yards for a score.

Garret Brooks ran 14 yards and then 10 yards to put Stigler (2-1) in position to score, but a fourth down pass from T.J. Spearman to Kelby Self was tipped at the goal line. Midway through the second quarter, Sallisaw led 21-0.

Dawson Barger caught a short pass from Spearman and went 52 yards with help from Self, who gave a block downfield. That set up a one-yard touchdown run by Spearman.

An 11-yard touchdown catch by Garon Mayhall cut the deficit to 21-16. Mayhall compiled four catches for 139 yards.

“Garon is a very good athlete. He has good speed. It was good to see him get big yardage,” Risenhoover said. Sallisaw (1-1) led 27-16 at halftime.

Mayhall made two big third quarter catches from which Stigler could not build, a leaping catch at Sallisaw’s 13-yard line and later a 47-yard catch and dash to the 15-yard line.

Early in the fourth quarter, the junior scored for the second time with a 58-yard reception, making the score 47-22. A 42-yard catch by Turrentine led to Spearman’s second touchdown run, trimming the deficit to 47-28.

Spearman collected 337 yards passing and 27 yards rushing. Brooks ran for 110 yards. Barger had four catches for 99 yards. Defensively, Barger had 12 tackles and Turrentine had 11.

On Sept. 16, Stigler visits Spiro (2-0), which dropped to Class 2A this year. After going winless in 2015, the Bulldogs have started strong. They beat Muldrow 49-34 on Sept. 9.

“They handled Muldrow, the third-best team in our district. The way they did it was impressive. Spiro’s got speed to burn,” Risenhoover said.