The 2021 football season came to an end for the Elmore City-Pernell Badgers Friday at the hands of a talented Pawhuska Huskies team in the OSSAA quarterfinal playoffs.
The game began with strong defense from both teams. Neither team’s offense could gain any yards to complete a first down. Then in the second series the Badgers derailed themselves with a turnover. The Huskies picked a Tyler Martin pass which led to a touchdown and a two-point conversion, making the score 8-0.
The Badgers offense needed to get something going after the turnover and score, but simply could not. The Badgers punted the ball, and the Huskies proceed to strike again with a touchdown pass and failed extra point to make the score 15-0.
The Huskies had all the momentum in the game, but in the second quarter the Badger defense stood strong and forced the Huskies to punt the ball. The Badger offense turned the ball over again on a pass interception that was returned for a touchdown. The Huskies increased the lead to 23-0. The game was pretty much over at that point.
The Huskies keyed in on the Badger run game and forced them to try and throw the ball to gain any momentum. The Badger offense continued struggling to move the ball and gifted the Huskies with short fields to work with.
The Badger defensive aggression was held in check, and the Huskies continued to move the ball at will. The Huskies added another 17 points before halftime and the Badgers could not gain a first down.
In the second half the Badgers turned the ball over two more times and the Huskies added another seven points to the score making the final 47-0.
The Badgers will have a strong team coming back next year that can make another run at a division title. The Huskies move on to the semi-final round of playoffs against Cashion.
