SKIATOOK — Check the date on this issue. This is a new article, but the same story. When Pryor visited Skiatook in the first round of the Class 5A Playoffs, Shae Garner was the ultimate utility man for the Bulldogs, who won 33-13.
Whether he was receiving, rushing, or playing on the other side of the ball, Garner’s impact was tremendous.
But Garner didn’t do it alone. In fact, the bulk of his touches came in the first half while the game was close. Mikey Watson had a tremendous game and rushed for four touchdowns. The Bulldogs defense was solid all night, and Skiatook managed to get through the game with only two penalties whistled against them. Brendon Babb played well at quarterback and although his yardage total was not overly impressive, numbers cannot reflect the stellar leadership and game management he showed. Stephen Upton, who missed the majority of the season due to a torn ACL, left his impact all over the game too, changing the dynamics of the offense while lined up at receiver.
It is easy to say the entire team had an impressive game. It seems that after a lopsided loss in the state championship game last season to Lawton MacArthur, Skiatook has been up to the challenge of regrouping. The first round playoff victory puts them at 11-0 on the year, after winning Class 5A-3, and ending the season with a No. 2 state ranking. Garner’s high-leaping interception, touchdown, and constant hustle might have made him the most versatile star of the night, but his supporting cast was tremendous, especially Watson.
The game was as lopsided as the scored implies. Pryor took the opening kickoff and ran the ball on 11 consecutive plays, picking up three first downs. When the Tigers finally elected to pass, the first throw was tipped at the line by the Bulldogs defense and intercepted. On Skiatook’s very first offensive play, Shae Garner set to work. He took a handoff, danced around a defender at midfield, and scored on a 65-yard run.
The evening never looked any better for the Tigers. They looked stagnant on offense, and simply had no answer on defense. They missed tackles all game long, allowing four rushing touchdowns to Mikey Watson, and the only positive for Pryor was a touchdown late in the 4th.
After the game, Garner weighed in on the victory. “It felt good to get the win. No matter who we play next week, we will be up for the challenge. We were solid on offense tonight, and the defense did well too, so it was a very balanced game.”