The Oklahoma City Patriots turned their season around with a big win at home against the Oklahoma City Public Schools Douglass Trojans. It marked the second win of the season for the homeschool football team.
The Patriots were playing on their home field, which is located at Santa Fe Charter School. Both the Patriots and the Trojans came off big losses from last week. The Patriots were 1-1 after losing 35 to nothing against Christian Heritage while the Trojans 0-2 were routed 81 to zero against Millwood High School.
Last year the Trojans beat the Patriots 28-9, so along with their energetic band they marched confidently onto the field thinking they would come away with a win.
The game started rough for the Patriots with a penalty-laden offense. But a strong Patriots defense led by linebacker Christian Barnett set the tone, squashing the confidence of the Trojans very quickly.
The Patriots defense started the game much stronger, but the offense struggled to gain any momentum until running back Blaise Ihrig burst free from the backfield for a 37-yard run to set the Patriots up in scoring position late in the half.
Two plays later quarterback Blake Smith capped off the drive with a quarterback sneak, awakening a previously dormant unit and carrying the Patriots into half with a 7-0 lead.
The late first half surge seemed to build the confidence of the Patriots coming right out the gate, with playmaker Joseph Hopper recovering a fumble at the Trojans 15-yard line then scoring quick off of two runs from Blaise Ihrig, starting his scoring for the night.
Two more scores from the Patriots would follow, one each from Ihrig and Smith capping off their nights with two rushing touchdowns each and Ihrig compiling 116 yards on the ground. The team finished the third quarter with a 27-0 lead.
The fourth quarter was much of the same with the Patriots defense still dominating despite bringing in a majority of their reserve players. Backup quarterback, freshman Houston Bynum would connect with receiver Paterson Meyer for a quick strike slant that would go for 68 yards, solidifying their win with one final statement and stamping this one to the win column with a dominating 34-0 performance.
The Patriots defense was the early deciding factor in the game. They had a combined nine tackles for loss with two sacks, one forced fumble with a matching fumble recovery and an interception late in the game by Jacob Dudleson.
The Patriots, 2-1, will play host to the Dallas HSAA Angels, 2-2, Saturday September 23 at 2 p.m. at Sante Fe Charter School stadium.
