Michael Pineda
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.
