High school football: Phillip Sumpter shines on offense as Edmond Santa Fe beats Mustang in OT

Sumpter scored three touchdowns — including the game-winning 1-yard run in overtime — and the Wolves beat Mustang 41-35, surviving a furious comeback from the Broncos.

“We’ve known there were certain situations where we need him in the game,” coach Lance Manning said of Sumpter. “He’s a strong kid, he’s explosive. When he has a hot hand like that, when we’re getting big positive plays from him, we’re gonna go with him.”

Sumpter was the Wolves’ starting running back a year ago, when Santa Fe went 10-2 and won its district championship. He accounted for more than 1,000 total yards as a junior and scored 12 touchdowns.

But this season, his playing time has been primarily at linebacker for Class 6A’s seventh-ranked Wolves, and he has excelled. He entered Friday’s game with 50 tackles through four games.

“I always had a love for defense,” Sumpter said. “That was always my main love. I’m happy to go both ways a little bit.”

Friday, he was a two-way star.

Near the end of the third quarter, Sumpter the linebacker recovered a Mustang fumble and ran it back to the Broncos’ 3-yard line.