A birthday wish came true for Wynnewood quarterback Phoenix Delaplain as the Savages beat Sayre 34-14 on Nov. 14, and advanced to Round 2 of the playoffs.
“The best present you can ask for is being able to extend your season on your birthday,” Delaplain said. “I told the boys that all I wanted was to get it done.”
The Savages wasted no time against the Eagles, taking the lead on the opening kickoff.
“The gameplan was to show them we’re the most physical team,” Delaplain said. “I feel we got it done on all three phases of the game - offense, defense and special teams.”
On the kickoff, Wynnewood kicked the ball, only for the Eagles to drop it. Brylan Williams recovered the fumble and returned it for a 74-yard touchdown.
“It’s my first touchdown, so it didn’t feel real,” Williams said. “I fell to my knees, and my whole team was on my back. That’s what we needed to kick off the playoffs.”
Aydrian Knighten scored three touchdowns in the win.
“I just thank my whole line because they make those blocks,” Knighten said. “I thank my team that puts me in a position to deliver. We work hard to be in a position for Round 2.”
In the third quarter, the Savage defense forced Sayre to turn the ball over on downs at the Wynnewood 4-yard line. On the offense’s second down, Briar Davenport ran 95 yards for a touchdown.
Kicker Jeremiah Martinez made four of five points after touchdowns and felt the pressure of the miss.
“There was a bad hold on the tee, but then it slipped off of it. It’s one of those mistakes we got to get fixed,” Jeremiah Martinez said.
Wynnewood is the only undefeated team left in Class A-I, a feat that is a total community effort.
“We have a good crowd,” Williams said. “When we’re on the field, that crowd energy hits us when we have good plays and bad plays. On bad plays, it’s easy to get back in it when we have the whole town supporting us.”
Next, Wynnewood (11-0) will play Pawhuska (10-1) at home tonight (Nov. 21) at 7 p.m.
“We’re here, and we’re ready. We did the work, and now it’s time to cash the check,” Delaplain said.
The Huskies beat Panama 48-6 in Round 1. Pawhuska’s sole defeat this season was a 32-8 loss at Tonkawa (10-1).
“It’s going to be another battle, but we got it,” Martinez said.
The winner will play the winner of Hooker (9-2) at Rejoice Christian (10-1).
The other quarterfinal games are Pocola (9-2) at Fairview (10-1) and Minco (10-1) at Tonkawa.
