Crosstown Clash thoughts

By Jason Kersey
jkersey@oklahoman.com

While I didn’t cover the annual Crosstown Clash between Norman and Norman North Thursday night at OU, I did attend the game as a spectator.

Norman North is absolutely loaded. Even without quarterback Tyler Tettleton, the Timberwolves look like they will be tough this season. Running back Beau Blankenship rushed for 137 yards, and it seemed like Norman just flat couldn’t stop him.

North replacement quarterback Jake Damrill threw three interceptions, which makes me think that had Tettleton played, this thing would have been even more lopsided than it wound up being.

Two of Damrill’s interceptions were just poor decisions, and both of those resulted in 10 Tiger points.

The first one was thrown deep in North territory and set Norman up for an easy touchdown drive, and the second was thrown into a well-covered area and Norman turned it into a field goal. The third was a Hail Mary at the end of the first half.

Blankenship was hurt during the game, and I still haven’t heard how serious the injury is. But it could be bad news for North if it is serious.

That said, even without Blankenship and Tettleton, I still think North is a playoff team. Some of Blankenship’s runs were the result of HUGE holes made by the North offensive line. And the Timberwolves’ defense looks tough.

Norman was just plan outmatched Thursday night. But I still believe with its district, it will be a playoff team.