Apache advances, beating Stratford, 48-13

In Class A, Apache came up with another big offensive effort, whipping Stratford, 48-13, at Chandler Field in Apache. The Warriors will battle Hominy which beat Wyandotte, 49-7, Friday at 7 p.m. at Hominy since it and Apache have both played two games at home. When that happens the pre-drawn bracket has the team on the odd side of the bracket hosting on odd years, which gives the edge to Hominy since this is the 2023 season.

Walters saw its Class A title hopes dashed after the Blue Devils lost to Dibble, 40-26, at Dibble in a game that featured some big plays on both sides.

Once again Tipton is on the verge of playing for another state title as the Tigers whipped Graham, 56-6, in another playoff mercy-rule win for Travis White’s club that has now won 26 straight games dating back to last season when the Tigers went 14-0 while getting the Class C title. The Tigers will face Waynoka Friday at 1 p.m. at Alex High School.

The Warriors actually gave up a long TD pass in the first quarter but Apache didn’t stay behind for long as Reese Sylvester returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown and after the PAT it was 7-7.

Apache broke that tie when quarterback Houston Herrin fired a 15-yard completion to Dom Scott for a 14-7 lead.

Stratford put together another good drive and paid it off on a 4th-and-goal from the 2-yard-line but the visitors missed the PAT and Apache was ahead for good.

On Stratford’s next possession, Scott stepped in front of a Bulldogs’ pass to give the Warriors a short field. Scott was given the chance to score and he converted a 7-yard run for the touchdown and a 21-13 halftime lead for the Warriors.

After that Coach Tanner Koons saw his defense put together a great effort in holding the Bulldogs off the board in the second half.

Herrin tossed a key third-down pass to Scott to the Stratford 11 and Herrin ran the outside zone for the touchdown and a 28-13 lead.

Scott followed with another interception and for good measure he scored on a 53-yard run on the next play as the Warriors gave their huge crowd plenty to cheer about.

Scott then proceeded to put on a great show, scoring on runs of 26 and 42 yards to arrange the final score. The senior back wound up with 241 yards rushing on 16 carries, four of which went for touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 50 yards and another TD.

Herrin had a strong outing as well, rushing for 137 yards on 22 carries, one that went for a TD. He hit 7-of-8 passes for 97 yards and another TD.