Owasso dominates Norman North in Class 6AI quarterfinal action

Rams now get set to take on defending 6AI champion Bixby in semifinals

OWASSO, OKLAHOMA - In a rematch of last year's quarterfinal game between Owasso and Norman North, Owasso proved to be the better team in all facets of the game.

The Rams beat Norman North, 50-21, Friday evening.

“We played as well as we have all season,” Owasso coach Bill Blakenship said. “We played really well on defense, which turned into our offense playing well and efficiently. The fast start was huge for us.

"When we got Norman North off the field, it was great, but to score points, even better. Defensively, it was great to see us play well, since we have struggled the last few weeks.”

It certainly was a fast start on defense for the Rams, as Norman North went three-and-out on its first three offensive series.

On the first drive, Owasso marched down the field and quarterback Knox Dyson threw for 60 yards on this drive. It was capped off with a 20-yard pass on a slip screen to Jayson Moll. Owasso went for two, but was stopped at the goal line.

Owasso (9-2) forced a three-and-out, but on the next possession when Owasso was driving, Norman North got a stop when Reece Crandall made an open-field tackle to force a turnover on downs.

In the second quarter, Owasso opened the game up, scoring three touchdowns and a field goal.

Jayden Hall scored a 22-yard rushing touchdown. Owasso went for two, but was stopped to make the score 12-0.

Norman North gambled on fourth down in Owasso territory, and Owen Eshelman found Zach Prater open for 44 yards for a first-and-goal. On the next play, Mason James scored a 1-yard touchdown, making the score 12-7 with 6:20 left in the second quarter.

James ended up scoring all three touchdowns for the Timberwolves.

Owasso answered right back with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Dyson to Noah Hill, making the score 19-7.

“Knox and I have great chemistry,” Hill said. “I ran my route well and he connected the ball well.”

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Owasso scored again when Dyson found Logan Francis for a 22-yard touchdown pass, making it 26-7 with 1:21 left in the second quarter.

“It was awesome seeing Logan score and make some big catches,” Blakenship said. “He is a role player and works really hard. He had a big night, since he was very deserving.”

Norman North tried to score, but on fourth-and-2, the Timberwolves had a decision to make in their own territory. They used all three time outs, along with Owasso using one.

But the Timberwolves punted the ball after a false start. Owasso made some plays, and Hill kicked a 39-yard field goal to end the first half, with the score 29-7.

Dyson found Mason Hendricks open for an 11-yard TD. Dyson threw four touchdown passes.

“I was happy to spread the ball around,” Dyson said. “Norman North has a good secondary, but our receivers can make plays. It is great throwing the ball up and knowing they can make a play.”

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Tariek Johnson recovered a fumble and took it to the Norman North 7-yard line with 2:44 left in the third quarter. Two plays later, Jayden Hall scored a 3-yard TD run.

Owasso scored early in the fourth quarter on a four-play, 69-yard drive. It was capped off by a Chris Zaferis run.

Norman North had some fight left in them when Eshelman found James open for a 24-yard touchdown.

“It is great seeing our players make plays,” Blakenship said. “They know the expectation of playing football for Owasso is to still be practicing for the semifinals on Thanksgiving, which is what we accomplished.”

Owasso improves to 9-2 on the season and will take on defending 6AI state champion Bixby. A time and date has not been set as of press time.

These two teams met on Aug. 24, where Bixby was victorious, 42-16. But Blakenship said Owasso has improved so much since that first loss and is looking forward to preparing for the semifinals.

“We must play well and do what we do best,” he said. "Bixby is the team to beat, but it is about what we do.

"If we have a great week of preparation and work hard, we can put up a great fight against a really good football team.”

Photo of Owasso quarterback Knox Dyson by Mike Simons, Tulsa World

-- Josh Jennings | @SBLiveOK