Del City has tough luck on the road

Eagles fall to Booker T. Washington 15-13 in season opener

By Jeff Harrison
Managing Editor

Del City’s season began with heartbreak in Tulsa.

Trailing Booker T. Washington by eight points late in the game, the Eagles needed a touchdown and a two-point conversion to force overtime.

They got the first part of the equation when LJ Brown burst for a 7-yard score with 50 seconds left but could not pull off the second. Jahkobie Smith scrambled in the pocket and tried to hit Sherrod Davis in the end zone but a defender broke it up and the Hornets held on for the 15-13 win.

The Eagles (0-1) had success moving the ball on the ground with 144 yards rushing. But they struggled in the passing game with just 69 yards. Smith threw for 69 yards and one interception but ran for 77 yards.

Brown finished the game with 63 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.

Del City grabbed the lead in the first quarter, scoring off a turnover. Jayson Smith recovered a fumble on the Washington 16. Three plays later, Brown scored from seven yards outs. Stanley Johnson’s extra point made it a 7-0 score with 4:12 in the first.

The Hornets (2-0) took control with a pair of scores in the second. They scored a safety when a snap sailed over Smith’s head and rolled through the end zone at the 8:19 mark. The Hornets put together a drive late in the second that was capped by a 17-yard run by Jaiden Carroll. A missed extra point made it an 8-7 score at halftime.

Del City rallied late in the fourth.  Rejhan Tatum made a big tackle for a loss to force the Hornets to punt with under 4 minutes to play. The Eagles offense took advantage with a scoring drive.

On the first play, Smith hit Davis for a 24-yard catch and run. On fourth down, Smith took it himself and broke off a brilliant 46-yard run. The senior appeared to be stopped at the line of scrimmage but broke free to pick up the first down and later spun out of another tackle before he was finally dragged down at the Hornet 11. On another fourth down, Smith ran the option and pitched to Brown who darted into the end zone with 50 seconds remaining.

But the night ended in disappointment for Del City as the two-point try and onside kick both failed.

The Eagles have another tough non-district game coming up as they host Carl Albert (1-0) on Friday night. It will be the first game at the newly renovated Robert Kalsu Stadium. The Titans are coming off a 41-26 win over Midwest City.