Weatherford edges Douglass
Weatherford 14, Douglass 7

By Ryan Aber, Staff Writer Comments 0
Published: October 24, 2009

Douglass coach Willis Alexander could stand for his Trojans not to have another close game all season.

Weatherford quarterback Jake Barrios scrambles during Friday’s game at Douglass. Barrios rushed for 55 yards and threw for 144.Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman

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"I’m sick of losing, ‘Heck of a ballgames,’” Alexander said Friday, after Douglass lost 14-7 to Weatherford at home.

And this was a heck of a ballgame, just as last week’s 14-7 Bishop McGuinness win over Douglass. And the Trojans’ six-point loss to Millwood earlier this season. And close losses to Star Spencer and McGuinness a season ago.

Just as turnovers hurt Douglass last week against McGuinness, they killed the Trojans again Friday against Weatherford.

Turnovers led to both Weatherford touchdown drives, including Jake Barrios’ 24-yard touchdown run with 20 seconds left that all but clinched the District 4A-1 title for the Eagles (8-0 overall, 5-0 district). Douglass (5-3, 3-2) will likely finish third and head on the road to start the playoffs.

Yards on the ground were tough to come by for Weatherford, which finished with just 82 yards rushing — 60 on three plays.

Douglass pretty well stuffed the run, until the Eagles called for a quarterback draw in the final moments after Antyoun Smith’s fumble gave Weatherford the ball back at the Douglass 25 with about a minute remaining.

"We saw that they were overloading one side, and I’d only have two to beat,” Barrios said. "Once I got past the Mike (middle) linebacker, I was gone.”

Barrios had 55 of Weatherford’s rushing yards and threw for 144.

Weatherford had scored 31 or more points in six of its seven games going into Friday’s game.

"I’ve never played a defense as tough as theirs,” Barrios said. "This is so amazing. What a win.”

Douglass fumbled the ball seven times, losing two.

The game was scoreless until the fourth quarter.

It looked like the Trojans were going to take the lead on the quarter’s first play, when Smith broke away for an apparent 64-yard touchdown run. But officials ruled he fumbled the ball just outside the end zone, knocked loose by Ian Brennfoerder, giving Weatherford the ball at the 20.

The Eagles then went on a 12-play, 80-yard drive, capped by Kale Sawatzky’s 1-yard touchdown run.

But Douglass answered right back, going 80 yards for a touchdown to tie the game with just more than four minutes remaining.

The teams traded turnovers before Weatherford scored to keep its undefeated season alive.

"We’ve just got to forget about this one,” Smith said. "They’re a really good team. Hopefully, we’ll see them in the playoffs.”