What’s an intangible? This past weekend it was those unmeasurable factors that played the biggest role in the Patriot’s second loss of the season.
The Oklahoma City Homeschool Patriots were hosted by the Casady Cyclones this past weekend. The Cyclones churned their way to an early lead while controlling the clock and setting up the flow of the game, leading 7-0 just three-and-a-half minutes into the game.
The Patriots offense has been dependent on their defense to set the tone of the game for much of the season. The same was true at Casady as they came out sluggish and seemingly unable to garner much momentum. This lack of offensive plays kept the Patriots’ defense on the field against a very quick Cyclones offense most of the first quarter.
At the start of the second quarter, the game seemed out of reach for the Patriots, but the defense dug deep.
Neither team would score until early in the third quarter. The Cyclones took advantage of a fumble from Blake Smith, leading to an immediate touchdown from the scoop and score by their speedy defense.
Before the Cyclones could kick their extra point, the Patriots coach entered the field of play to question the previous call, doing so is a penalty which was assessed to him. The coach still didn’t leave the field and the referees responded by ejecting him from the game and added another penalty to the Patriots in the process.
The penalties allowed the Cyclones to kickoff from their own 40-yard line. The Cyclones surprised the Patriots with an onside kick, which allowed them to recover the ball and score a field goal increasing their lead to 27-0.
The Patriots would close the gap to 27-21, and seemed poised to give them a chance for a comeback victory. That effort wouldn’t be enough because of excellent special teams and offensive play from the Casady football team.
The Cyclones would score right after the Patriots touchdown making it 34-21. That was followed by another onside kick which would then do another surprise onside kick making the Patriots comeback effort incomplete.
The Patriots would score one final touchdown but came up short against the Cyclones 41-28 win.
Blake Smith would lead the Patriots in passing yards with 194 and completing 15 of 35 passes. Smith also threw an interception but had 2 touchdowns.
Blaise Ihrig had the most rushing yards at 56 with a big chunk of it coming off a 32 yard run. Ihrigh would also end up blocking one of the Cyclones punts.
For the wide receivers Joseph Hopper would lead the group with 68 yards and a touchdown.
Ethan Susud and Houston Bynum would lead the team in tackles each at four. Bynum had one tackle for loss and three assists while also forcing a fumble and sharing a sack. Susud would only have two assist tackles.
The Patriots fall to 3-2 on the season hoping to make a resurgence against the DasCHE Spartans who currently hold an 0-6 record. The game will be played at the Spartans in Cedar Hill,Texas on Friday October 6th.
