Soul Bowl - Millwood 36, Douglass 31, in game for the ages...
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
When it comes to Oklahoma high school football history, it’s safe to say I really don’t have much to look back on.
But in my three years of covering high school sports, and football in particular, nothing has matched the quality of play and drama witnessed Saturday at Moses F. Miller Stadium
For those that weren’t there, Millwood won 36-31. Star receiver Brandon Swindall knocked Douglass QB Shon Bridges out of bounds at the 1 or 2 yard line as time expired.
Wow.
Take a breath.
Wow.
I am humbled by the efforts of both of these teams. Millwood was clearly sucking wind from the second quarter on.
Taking a much bigger team with more kids on a Saturday afternoon, left those kids with nothing in the gas tank.
Swindall and Texas commit Josh Turner (among several others) could barely stand when it was all over. Most of the Falcons’ stars play both ways. And you don’t think about heat problems Friday nights. But man, you could feel the heat Saturday afternoon.
Turner scored the game-winning touchdown with 1:27 left, beating the Douglass secondary one final time.
I am humbled by a team that had every reason to pack it in when trailing 18-6 at halftime. But didn’t. Willis Alexander’s team never said die and took its first lead of the game on Aliston Cobb’s third touchdown of the game.
I will continue to harp about how great Cobb is. I really think he’s going to end up being one of the best backs in the state.
Bridges got off to a slow start but came on strong in the second half. It would have been the stuff of legends had he not been stopped by Swindall.
You want stars? You got ‘em. Millwood’s Kevonte Richardson threw for five touchdowns and rushed for another. Swindall, to go with the game-saving tackle, had three receiving touchdowns. Douglass’ Marcus Caddell had a kickoff return for a score. A little bit of everything in this instant classic.
My biggest question is what will these teams have left on a short week? It doesn’t get any easier for the Falcons as they welcome 4A No. 2 Bishop McGuinness. Douglass has one last rivalry battle with Star Spencer on its docket.
