Choctaw remains undefeated in district

October 22, 2024 |

Yellowjackets sting Stillwater in hard-hitting rivalry game

By Ryan Horton
Choctaw Times

Braven McConnell (12) blocks as Landon Gatson (10) runs on Stillwater (PHOTO BY BOB WHITAKER)

Choctaw High School fought for a 35-28 win over rival Stillwater Thursday night that put the Yellowjackets atop the district standings.

The past three meetings between the Yellowjackets and Stillwater have been decided by seven or fewer points, and the trend continued Thursday night as the clash lived up to its rivalry reputation at Bill Jensen Field.

Those last three meetings were all in the playoffs colliding twice in semifinal action, and once for the state title. This year the Class 6A-II powers realigned in district play, and resulted in Stillwater’s first district loss since Sept. 30, 2021.

“We haven’t beat them since 2020. We lost to them in the semifinal (2023), and lost to them in the state championship (2022) so we felt like it was our turn,” said Choctaw head coach Jake Corbin.

This year’s matchup proved to be a hard-fought rivalry game as big offensive plays, turnovers, and penalties turned into repeated momentum swings in a back-and-forth contest.

Choctaw scored first going 80 yards in five plays with Juju Smith taking a screen pass 46 yards for six points.

Late in the first quarter Stillwater’s freshman running back Jaedan Adams scored the first of his two touchdowns on the night to make it 7-7 with less than a minute left in the opening quarter.

On the following kick Smith answered in a big way returning the kick down to the 12 -yard line on a 78-yard return.

However, Stillwater’s Peyton Campbell snagged what would have been a touchdown pass just short of the end zone killing what should have been a quick drive for Choctaw.

Several key turnovers would follow as the defensive battle remained fierce to the end.

Stillwater quarterback Mason Schubert fumbled at the Choctaw 30-yard line, and later the Pioneers dropped a CHS punt and turned it over inside their own 20. However, Choctaw would suffer their own fumble before punching in that score.

Stillwater took a 14-7 lead, but the Jackets would answer on the next drive capped by a 25-yard dash by Mayor Morgan. Choctaw would end up commanding most of the night keeping constant pressure on the Pioneer offense, and delivering big offensive plays of their own.

Nathan Keiffer makes a catch against Stillwater (PHOTO BY BOB WHITAKER)

It was tied 28-28 with 5:39 left in the third quarter, and Stillwater wouldn’t score again.

Choctaw senior quarterback Cash Williams connected on 10 of his 16 passes good for 185 yards and two touchdowns. He had a nine-yard reception from Smith.

Landon Gatson connected on both of his pass attempts, and ran for 56 yards.

Smith added a nine-yard pass in addition to his 85 yards receiving and 38 yards rushing.

Morgan finished with 129 yards rushing including two TDs, and 42 yards receiving.

Nathan Keiffer caught a 47-yard pass.

Hayden Mounce had a 13-yard reception.

Choctaw came out on top of a 35-28 decision to all likely claim the District 6A-II-1 Championship.

“A lot of respect for the teams left on our schedule. Everyone presents their own problems, but we knew we’d have our hands full with Stillwater,” said Corbin. “Those guys are really tough and well coached. I’m proud of our kids for finding a way to win.”

The Yellowjackets are the only team undefeated in District 6A-II-1 and will face U.S. Grant (0-7), Eisenhower (2-5) and Northwest Classen (1-6) to conclude district play.

If the Jackets avoid an unexpected upset over the next three weeks, they’ll claim the school’s second ever Class 6A district title.

“We’re in the driver’s seat now, and that’s really tough to do,” said Corbin.

Stillwater is 3-1 in district play and still has three challenging games remaining in the regular season. Next week they face Putnam City, then host Piedmont and finish with a trip to Southmoore. All three teams are looking to secure a district runner-up finish with a win over the Pioneers.

The other 6A-II district seems to be saving the best for last with four teams recording 4-0 district records and four others sitting at 0-4. The top four will faceoff in coming weeks to see who sits atop District 6A-II-2.

Choctaw’s only losses on the season were non-district early tests against the top-ranked and defending 6A state champions of Oklahoma and Kansas.

The Jackets are 5-2 overall and 4-0 in district.

Choctaw travels to U.S. Grant Oct. 25, and the last home game Is vs. Eisenhower Nov. 1.