COLLINSVILLE—The unranked Skiatook Bulldogs (6-2, 3-2 District 5A-4) held their ground against the Class 5A No. 3 Collinsville Cardinals (8-0, 5-0 District 5A-4) on the road on Friday, October 26 but ultimately lost a hard-fought game.

The story of the game was the difference in ball security. Both teams moved the ball, both teams showed they could score, but Collinsville fumbled only once while Skiatook turned the ball over five times.

All the turnovers seemed to come at the worst times for Skiatook: either with the Bulldogs in striking distance or deep in their own territory. Apart from ball security issues, the No. 3 team and the unranked team looked nearly equally matched.

The Bulldogs defense played great, holding Collinsville to a season-low, but the scoring troubles prevented Skiatook from really threatening the Cardinals.

The only Skiatook score came on the opening drive, after the Bulldogs forced a punt, and a nice return from Jayden Garner and two long runs from Greydon Jackson put Skiatook in field goal range.

Derek Eckenfels put Skiatook’s only points on the board with a 39-yard field goal with 4:46 left in the first quarter.

Collinsville responded with a 19-yard field goal to tie the game, punctuating a 59-yard drive with 10:40 left in the second.

Skiatook was forced to a three-and-out on their next drive, and the Cardinals scored the game’s first touchdown on a 1-yard run with 6:35 left in the first half.

The Bulldogs had a chance to rally back and tie the game—and they nearly did—but they fumbled inside the Collinsville twenty and gave the Cardinals possession and the ability to run out the remaining time in the half.

The second half started with lots of excitement and little ball security. The teams combined to turn the ball over 4 times in the third quarter.

Skiatook received the kickoff and fumbled inside their own 20. Collinsville recovered, but failed to score, and the Cardinals’ field goal was blocked by Skiatook and returned to the opposite 30. Skiatook seemed to have momentum on their side before fumbling the ball once again.

Collinsville answered by marching down the field before fumbling the ball back to Skiatook on the Skiatook two-yard line—the first turnover for the Cardinals.

Skiatook, trapped deep, took two deep shots to avoid a safety, but a third-down pass was picked off by Collinsville and gave the Cardinals great field position. However, the Cardinals failed to score, backed up by two big penalties, and punted to end the third.

The fourth did not go much better for Skiatook. The Bulldogs punted, and Collinsville found the endzone again with 8:49 left in the game on a one-yard plunge to take a 17-3 lead.

The Cardinals, after grabbing last interception, managed to run out the clock and clinch the victory.

The Bulldogs will host East Central for the final game of the season next week.
