By Matt Hubbard for the Tulsa World
OWASSO – The Owasso Rams shut out Edmond Memorial’s offense all night Friday, helping them get to .500 on the season with a 37-14 win and give Owasso (4-4, 3-2) a three-game winning streak.
The Bulldogs (4-4, 3-2) gave the Rams a first down on the 11-yard line. Senior quarterback Mason Willingham paced the Rams on an eight-yard catch.
Edmond Memorial sophomore quarterback David McComb responded with a 19-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Tanner Wolfe with 4:35 left in the first quarter to tie the game at 7-7.
On 2nd and 7, the Bulldogs’ defense stuffed Willingham for a two-yard loss at the 11-yard line, which ultimately resulted in a conversion on downs.
But Owasso sophomore corner Ryker Ogg picked off McComb at the four-yard line to give Owasso the ball, killing any momentum the stand might have given Edmonds Memorial. Willingham scored on a rush by the quarterback to give the Rams back a 14-7 lead.
Rams head coach Bill Blankenship praised the quarterback’s dual-threat skills after the game.
“I think Mason is incredible. It keeps us going,” Blankenship said. “I don’t see if there’s a better dual-threat guy around, but I’m glad he’s our guy.”
After the teams traded possessions, the Bulldogs got on the board again when McComb senior wide receiver Markel Johnson hit a three-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 14.
On the next series, Willingham senior wide receiver Anthony Hills hit a 29-yard touchdown pass for a 21-14 lead with 42 left in the second quarter.
Willingham celebrated the Rams’ streak.
“The start of the year hasn’t gone as planned, but we feel good now to win all these games back-to-back. We’re celebrating as a team, and we’re getting better every week,” Willingham said.
The Bulldogs threatened to close the deficit before halftime when running back Kiefer Mullins broke off a 27-yard run and the Rams were called for a pass interference penalty. That set up a 46-yard field goal attempt, but it was blocked, and the Rams led 21-14 at halftime.
The momentum never came back for the Bulldogs. Three penalties halted Edmond Memorial’s offense on the opening possession of the second half, eventually punting it from their own 41-yard line.
After an Owasso punt, the Bulldogs took over at their own 25-yard line but were blocked. Owasso’s blocked punt resulted in a safety and made it 23-14 for the Rams with 2:47 left in the third quarter.
They added to that lead when running back Tarik Johnson ran for a 19-yard touchdown in the final minute of the third quarter to push the margin to 30-14.
Edmonds lost McComb for the rest of the game when he went down after a six-yard gain. He was helped off the field and medical staff checked him for signs of concussion. Johnson and Ciaran Pedulla shared quarterback duties for the Bulldogs to close out the game.
As the Rams tried to chew up the clock, Willingham extended the lead to 37-14 with 2:42 left in the game on a 32-yard touchdown run.
Hills talked about the Rams’ winning streak after a rough start to the season.
“It was very difficult for us, but we continued to be coached by Coach B,” Hills said. “We’re warming up, it’s great from those tough games. So if we keep improving, I think we can win everything.
Owasa 37, Memory of Edmund 14
Edmond North;7;7;0;0;—;14
OWA — Willingham 8 run (Everett kick)
EM – Wolfe 19 pass from McComb (Ackerman kick).
OWA — Willingham 4 run (Everett kick)
EM – Johnson 3 pass from McComb (Ackerman kick).
OWA – Hills 29 pass from Willingham (Everett kick).
OWA – Hills 29 pass from Willingham (Everett kick).
OWA – Johnson 19 run (Everett kick)
OWA – Willingham 32 run (Cavinies kick)
First Downs – EM 12, OWA 17; Rushes-Yards – EM 17-36; Comp-Att-Int – EM 17-34-1; Passing Yards – EM 221, OWA 103. Fumbles-Lost – EM 4-1, OWA 0-0. Penalty Yards – EM 9-79; Total yards – EM 259, OWA 325. Punts-avg. – M 1-25, OWA 2-33
