It doesn’t matter how pretty it is, it only matters that it finds a proper place in the win-loss column.
That was the case for Duncan Friday night as it escaped with a 13-10 win over Deer Creek. The Antlers, playing without the services of tailback Colten Sander, made things a little too interesting as they rallied from a 13-3 deficit and had the opportunity to send the game into overtime.
A missed field goal put the Deer Creek stands in silent mode and Duncan was able to walk off the field with a 3-0 record in District 5A-1.
What does it all mean?
For one thing, the Demons have their foot in the door in regard to the playoffs. Barring meltdowns against Northwest Classen and Western Heights, Duncan will play meaningful football in November.
Heading into Week 7, El Reno and Duncan are tied for first in the district with upcoming opponent Lawton MacArthur sitting at 2-1, along with Deer Creek.
A win over the Highlanders would give Duncan another foot in the door, for a home playoff game. To do that, the Demons will have to pick it up a notch on offense.
Over the last two weeks, the Demons have scored 27 total points and still managed to pick up two wins. Gold star for the defense.
In both wins, the running game has been neutralized save for the work of Brandon Wilson, who has gained over 100 yards in each game. In the win over the Antlers, the passing game didn’t fare much better as Wilson was 5-of-12. The numbers are somewhat skewed because of dropped passes but one thing remains clear, the offense has to pick it up a notch this week.
“It was a really ugly win but it was a win,” Offensive coordinator Todd Hudson said. “This time of year, you take them when you get them. I just felt like we could’ve scored more.
“We just couldn’t capitalize, it’s hard to tell what happened without looking at the film.”
Defensively, Duncan held Deer Creek at bay throughout most of the game but was unable to get off the field in the second half. Antler quarterback Alex Christensen finished with a solid night, but got away with too much as Duncan defenders were slow to break on moon balls sailing through the secondary.
Christensen did deserve credit for making plays with his feet as well as a fourth-and-16 completion to Jacob Romig, but in truth, it should have never come to that.
“Their kids made some plays at crucial times,” defensive coordinator Kim Longest said. “You have to guard against that and make plays. We made mistakes that kept them on the field. We have to get off the field on third and fourth down.”
The Demon pass rush was better than it had been in several weeks, finishing with four sacks and the Demons were plus-two in the turnover department a week after turning the ball over four times.
The Antlers were unable to generate much of a running game and went about business with a tailback by committee policy.
Deer Creek was just able to create enough breaks to stay in the game, whether it be first down by penalty or putting in some extra effort at the right time.
While it is easy to find areas where the Demons should’ve played better, it is even easier sum it up, bottom line.
At this point last year, the Demons were 2-4 entering the Lawton MacArthur game, playing for their season. This year, Duncan is 5-1 playing for a potential home playoff game.
Not to shabby.
Sports
Related Photos
Demons have one foot in the door
3-0 district start has Duncan in good shape for playoff berth
- Sports
-
-
Playoff hoops start tonight
Tonight the real season begins for area Class A basketball teams.
-
Demons going after dual state title
For many years, Duncan High School has been known for its proud wrestling tradition. On Saturday the Demons will have a chance to add to that growing tradition as they take part in the Class 5A Dual State Championships, which will be held at Yukon High School starting on Saturday at noon.
-
Area teams set for big week
A few thoughts on area sports while trying to make sense of Oklahoma’s high school basketball playoffs, the most confusing postseason in all of sports.
-
Senior night for Duncan
There will be a sense of pride plus plenty of emotion Friday night at Duncan Gymnasium.
At 6:30 p.m. the No. 13 Duncan Lady Demons (15-7) will take to the floor against Ardmore (1-18) on Senior Night. Seniors Ashley Gonzalez, Hannah Allen, Dani Jo St. Clair, Britton and Brooklyn Scott along with D’Shala Culberson and Jamesia Milton will be honored during the contest. -
Indians prepare for dual state
With the second weekend in February comes the first part of the busiest three weeks on the high school wrestling schedule, Dual State.
The Comanche Indians will be making the three hour drive to Cushing, looking to advance past the semi-finals, something which has eluded them the past two years thanks to Perry. -
Carletti-Silva inks with Army
Though his feelings were strong, Jim Holloway tried not to have too much influence on the decision.
Duncan’s head football coach didn’t want to push his senior quarterback into leaning one way or another. -
Demons rout Altus
After a tough loss on the road last Friday night against Lawton MacArthur, it seemed the Duncan Demons needed a boost to get themselves going for the last week of the season. DHS had its sights set on using the Altus Bulldogs as the tool for their motivation Tuesday night at Duncan Gymnasium.
-
Lady Outlaws smother Rush Springs, 38-28
It wasn’t one of Marlow’s best offensive performances of the season. Luckily it was one of the Lady Outlaws best defensive showings.
For only the third time this season, Marlow held an opponent to fewer than 30 points and the Lady Outlaws topped the visiting Rush Springs Lady Redskins, 38-28. -
Culberson, DHS hold off Lady Bulldogs
There is a saying, “Revenge is a dish best served cold.” For the Duncan Lady Demons, a rematch against Altus at Duncan Gymnasium on a chilly evening seemed like the perfect motivation to help DHS avoid a two-game losing streak Tuesday night.
-
Duncan hosts Altus tonight
ometimes it’s not how hard you fall, it’s how fast you get back up.
After a tough overtime loss Friday night at Lawton MacArthur, the No. 14 Duncan Lady Demons (14-7) will look to rebound this evening against the No. 11 Altus Lady Bulldogs (12-6) with tip-off set for 6:30 p.m. from Duncan Gymnasium. - More Sports Headlines
-
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
