FMQ: Beware of Dog Defense, 47-7...

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

For a half, I was a genius. And then the Edmond Memorial defense told me to shut up and took care of business en route to a blowout win against Choctaw.

When the team could have folded, it’s exactly when it rallied around each other. After what could be a season-ending injury to Cale Olbert, Memorial played inspired.

Memorial 47, Choctaw 7

In talking to Jeff Balkenbush after the game, he said the hit on Olbert fired the team up. I’m not looking to spread any rumors, but Balkenbush said Choctaw was talking after putting Olbert on the shelf.

That, more than anything, inspired the Bulldogs in the final 24 minutes. And how quickly a 7-7 game became 47-7 in a big win for Justin Merideth’s boys.

Olbert was tackled on a swing pass and tore his MCL midway through the second quarter. Memorial was already without QB Kameron Doolittle, who was finally getting a chance to rest that ankle.

And in the second half, the defense came to play. Memorial picked off three passes, took one back for a touchdown and picked up a sack in turning this game around. Balkenbush came up huge on this night, scoring a receiving touchdown and returning an interception for a score.

After Choctaw scored first on a nice trick play via 39-yard TD pass to Taylor Gossett from Tyler Rapp, Memorial didn’t budge the rest of the way.

Ry Huff settled down big time in the second half in his first start. He rushed for more than 130 yards and threw three short touchdown passes.