SMQ: Mustang-Lawton

Here’s your Saturday Morning Quarterback view of Lawton’s big win.

Lawton 27, Mustang 14

Lawton is for real. They’re one of the teams with enough talent and speed on defense to keep themselves in every game against the stout 6A-1 competition. They gave a whole new meaning to the phrase “Pick 6,” intercepting Mustang’s Jacinto Biorato six times, returning one for a score.

Overall, it was just as exciting a game as I hoped, even if the offensive numbers weren’t what I expected.

Lawton breakdown: Looking back at my game story in Saturday’s paper, I probably undersold the defense a little. The offense deserved the attention, too, but the defense was the key to the game.

Without some big defensive plays, it’s probably a 14-0 or 21-0 Mustang lead at halftime, and the Lawton offense never gets the chance to establish the run like it did in the second half. I’ve seen Mustang several times this season, and their offense has never been out of sync like it was Friday night.

On offense, QB Cody Miller is a solid talent, and Charles Smith was hard to stop once he got rolling late in the game. The offensive line really took over the game in the fourth quarter, too.

Up next: Another top 10 team awaits and this time the Wolverines go on the road to face No. 8 Del City in what should be another 6A-1 thriller.

Mustang breakdown: Lost amid the six picks and a tough defeat was a pretty solid debut by Daniel Farrow. The senior, in his first action after sitting out four games for academic reasons, had 118 yards on 23 carries and four receptions for 29 yards. He’s a hard runner and stands to add a dangerous weapon to an already potent Mustang offense. It had to be a crazy week for Farrow, finding out on Thursday night that he wouldn’t be allowed to play, only to have the ruling reversed by the OSSAA on Friday. More on that whole whacky story when we know it.

Friday just wasn’t Jacinto Biorato’s night. Of the six picks, at least a couple were bad throws/decisions. And the offense never found its rhythm. Either he was being pressured in the pocket, or he was throwing into tight coverage much of the night. But with this kid’s calm demeanor, I don’t expect Friday night’s performance to linger on.

David Glidden had a rough one, too. The six offensive touches is a season low, and if it wasn’t for the 62-yarder in the fourth quarter, he was looking at less than 50 yards from scrimmage. His only rushing attempt came on a fake punt when he probably should have kicked it instead (he gained seven yards on fourth-and-11). He also had his hands on a couple passes in the end zone, but couldn’t hang on to them. Neither was extremely routine, but they’re the type of catches he usually makes.