In seesaw game for Class A gold ball, Fairview rallies past Gore, 32-28

Yellowjackets come up big on fourth-down plays to claim first state title since 1999

By Patrick Kays | Photos/Video by Michael Kinney 

EDMOND - It was a game that hinged on fourth down.

Throughout the contest, the game was riddled with fourth-down moments - teetering the gold ball green and then orange all game long.

When Fairview running back Blake Perez took a 1-yard carry on fourth down past the chains with under a minute left, that ball tilted orange for good as the Fairview Yellowjackets defeated the Gore Pirates, 32-28, in the Class A Championship game at Chad Richison Stadium.

“It is just so awesome to see these guys celebrate,” said Fairview coach Robert Bernard. “To see them celebrate and smile, it is awesome.”

Fairview converted on 4-of-5 fourth-down situations. Which was a huge swing against a Gore defense that had dominated all season long, allowing just 6 points a game.

Perez credits their physicality for succeeding in those pivotal moments.

“To me, we were just more physical,” said Perez. “That is all that really matters.”

That physicality was also met with some mistakes.

Gore, unfortunately, with more.

Seconds before the halftime break, Gore quarterback Noah Cooper fumbled away possession at the Fairview 7-yard line, to be recovered by Perez.

That kept the Yellowjackets ahead, 17-14, at the break.

The teams traded blows coming out of halftime as Cooper hit Wyatt Marrel for a 16-yard score for the Pirates, Perez then scored from 2 yards for Fairview, and Cooper followed by finding Dayne Perryman for a 4-yard touchdown.

With a 28-24 lead, Gore had an opportunity to take firm control of the contest with Fairview facing a fourth down with 5 yards to go at the Gore 28-yard line.

Fairview's sophomore quarterback, Jax Bernard, fired the ball down the right sideline and a falling receiver drew a pass interference penalty flag that caught a large amount of criticism.

On the next play, Perez scored to give Fairview the 32-28 lead with seven minutes to go.

Gore coach Brandon Tyler, frustrated with the pass interference call, settled his mind on key Pirates' mistakes.

“It is what it is. We should have made some plays,” said Tyler. “We had a chance down here to score before halftime and didn’t do it. We had a chance to go score down there and didn’t do it.”

Gore had several opportunities to shut down Fairview’s first offensive possession.

After Gore gave up two fourth-and-1 conversions on the drive, Fairview’s Bernard found Reed Martens on a pass on fourth-and-12 for 18 yards, which lit up the Yellowjacket sideline.

That momentum carried them into the end zone on a 14-yard Bernard keeper to give Fairview the early 7-0 lead with 6:22 remaining in the opening quarter.

On Gore’s second offensive possession, Pirate running back Gunner Dozier introduced himself to the Fairview faithful. On a simple run towards the edge, Dozier broke free for a 54-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-all with 5:32 left in the first.

Gore forced a Yellowjacket three-and-out, and then Cooper showed off his legs with a 17-yard touchdown run to give the Pirates the 14-7 lead with 2:16 left, still in the first quarter.

Even with momentum, the Pirates could not free themselves from mistakes.

Fairview’s Kaleb Outhier recovered a mishandled punt. On the following play, Bernard connected with Austin Houk for a 16-yard touchdown, tying the game to start the second quarter.

That's when injury was added to insult for the Pirates.

Dozier, one of the state's best running backs, re-injured an arm that had moderately healed from a fracture suffered late in the regular season.

Even though he had returned after halftime, it was clear Dozier's workload was limited significantly - unable to help an offense that struggled with turning the ball over.

Three of those being fumbles.

“We turned the ball over way too much,” said Tyler. “I don’t care what level it is. You can’t beat good ball clubs doing that.”

Gore will continue its search for the first gold ball in school history without 22 seniors that paved a new way in Gore, Oklahoma.

“I am proud of these kids. I am proud of this senior class,” said Tyler. “They have brought Gore football where it is supposed to be.”

Cooper was 12-of-18 passing for 160 yards and two touchdowns, partnered with 90 yards on 21 carries and one score.

Gore kicker Christian O’Connor surpassed the state single-season PAT record with his 100th during the contest.

Dozier carried nine times for 65 yards and a score.

Pirate lineman Garrett Douthit tied for the game's leading tackler with 11. Fairview’s Micah Winans also had 11 tackles.

Perez finished with 36 carries for 166 yards and two touchdowns, three tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery.

Bernard, who is the son of coach Bernard, was 13-of-25 passing for 128 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

The sophomore was speechless after the game.

“It is the best feeling ever,” said Jax Bernard. “I don’t know what to say. It’s just amazing.”

He doesn’t have to say much else carrying the gold ball back to Fairview for the first time since 1999.