OUTLAWS DOWN GUNNERS, MOVE INTO FIRST PLACE

The Stillwater Outlaws beat the Oklahoma City Gunners 27-19 last Saturday to move into first place in the Oklahoma Metro Football League with a 2-0 record. The Gunners were 2-0 going into the game and had scored 62 points while only giving up 6. On March 8th, the Stillwater Outlaws defeated the Oklahoma Force 16-9.

The Outlaws very powerful double-wing running game took an early hit when they lost their starting quarterback before the game. Back-up QB Chuck Furgerson (Stillwater) stepped in and ran a very efficient version of the old-school single-wing and the offense did not miss a beat. Also missing were three starting linebackers on the Defense.

“This was a very big game for our offense and defense, guys had to step in and cover for starters that were missing and everyone did an outstanding job. We plan to run the ball on anyone… that's what we do," said offensive coordinator Karey Jones.

Stillwater received the opening kickoff and started their drive at their own 43 yard line. An 8 play drive that lasted over five minutes resulted an 11 yard touchdown pass from Terrance Burris (Broken Bow) to Robert Earl Johnson (Stillwater). It was the fifth consecutive game in which the Outlaws had scored a touchdown on their opening procession.  Ryan Henderson made the PAT to give Stillwater the lead 7-0.

The Outlaw defense came up big as they forced the formidable Gunner offense into a 3-and-out situation, but a few miscues put Stillwater in the same situation. A punt by Henderson set the Gunners up at the 45 yard line. The defense put the Gunners in a 4th and 3 situation, but the elusive quarterback was able to scamper for 33 yards before being pushed out of bounds by Damon Thomas and Matt Taylor at the 5 yard line and avoid the touchdown. It took the Gunners more 3 plays before they were able to punch it into the endzone and with a missed PAT, cut the lead 7-6.

Stillwater returned the kickoff to their own 48 and then began an eleven play drive that was capped with a 4-yard touchdown run by Jerwin Johnson (Glenpool). Henderson again added the PAT to extend the lead 14-6. The Gunners were able to score on their second play with a 58 yard pass down the sideline. This time their extra point was successful and the score at half time was 14-13.

Stillwater came out in the second half determined to play better. The defense came up big in the third quarter as Langston Moore (Broken Bow) made an interception on the Gunners 3rd play of the second half. Matt Taylor made his second interception of the day later in the 3rd quarter.  The Outlaw defense held the Gunners to -17 yards total in the 3rd quarter. Following Matt Taylor’s interception, the offense took over and marched 47 yards and scored on a 15 yard run by Jerwin Johnson. Another Henderson PAT made the score 21-13.

After exchanging punts, the Outlaws were back on the score board as Clay Taylor intercepted a Gunner pass and returned it 23 yards for the first defensive touchdown of the season. Clay had been sidelined since mid January with an ankle injury and this game was his first return to the football field. A missed extra point made the score 27-13.

The Gunners were able to stage a 10 play, 75 yard drive that resulted in a touchdown for the final score of the game and cut the lead 27-19. Stillwater got the ball back with 6:50 left in the game. Stillwater’s efficient offense moved the ball 40 yards and ran out the clock to give them their second victory of the season.

The Gunners, a fifth year team, were the only unbeaten team in the league and had been ranked 34th in the nation by Minor League Football News. All teams in the OMFL are off for the Easter weekend, but the Stillwater Outlaws will play the Shawnee Millers at 7:00pm on March 29th at Crooked Oak Stadium in Oklahoma City. Visit www.StillwaterOutlaws.com for more information and to see highlight video from the game.