5th Grade White Team Loses in Overtime at Sallisaw:

By:  Tim Van Brunt

Head Coach Shawn Shaffer took his team into battle that came down to extra point kicks in overtime. 

The Greenwood 5th grade White Team lost 14-16 in overtime late Saturday night.  After what seemed like an eternal delay due to an injury during the 3rd grade game, the game began 1 ½ hours late and soon developed into a defensive battle for the Pittbulls. 

The Sallisaw Black Diamonds won the toss and opted to receive first.  After the opening kickoff, the tempo of the game was set when #27 Gabe Van Brunt opened up with a big hit on the Diamond Back ball carrier.  Gabe was assisted on the tackle by #68 Jacob Burch.  The Pittbulls brought the crushing and dominating defense they are known for.  On Sallisaw’s opening drive, #28 Alex Elmore penetrated the front line and tackled the Black Diamonds in the backfield for a loss. 

The game quickly setup as a true defensive battle by the volley of drives ending in punts for both teams.  But the Pittbulls had glimmers of hope as late in the 2nd quarter, #25 Ryan Padilla hooked up with #14 Noah Basham for a big 12 yard gain.  However, the half ended before the Pittbulls could inflict any damage. 

The Pittbulls got the ball to start the second half and the ball was fielded by #64 Brian Pullen.  He gave the Pittbulls good field position at midfield to start the drive.  The Pittbulls drove the ball down the field and on 2nd and short, #14 Noah Basham took the ball from center and rolled out to the right.  #25 Ryan Padilla started right and what looked like a screen pass setup, turned into an option play.  As Basham rushed for the end zone, Padilla turned, squared up to a Sallisaw defender and delivered a hit that was heard round the world. 

In a surprising change, the Pittbulls opted to kick the 2 point conversion and #28 Alex Elmore kicked his first career points.  In true smash-mouth style, Sallisaw scored on their next drive and also kicked the 2 point conversion tying the game. 

In the 4th quarter, on 1st and 10, the Pittbulls fumbled the ball to which, Sallisaw recovered.  The ball was in Pittbull territory.  Again the Pittbull defense stepped up and a huge 2nd down stop was made by #21 Quinton Marrone, with a succeeding 3rd down stop made by #25 Ryan Padilla.  These stops resulted in a Sallisaw punt.  So after four quarters of a defensive gridiron battle, the game ends in an 8 – 8 tie.  Due to league rules, Overtime is played. 

The ball is placed on the 10 yard line with each team getting 4 downs to score.  Greenwood got the ball first and #14 Noah Basham scored for the Pittbulls in their O.T. possession, however, the 2 point conversion failed, leaving the score 8 – 14 Pittbulls.  Sallisaw also scored in their O.T. possession, and they was also able to kick the 2 point conversion, leaving the score 16 – 14 Black Diamonds. 

 The Pittbulls, again out sized, left it all on the field Saturday night and lost the game on a procedural element.  Emotions were high, and a mistake was made.  The Pittbulls have a lot of promise and continue to improve as the season wears on.  Sallisaw was able to only get two first downs the entire game compared to the Pittbulls ten.

As mentioned previously, the Pittbulls recognize individual effort above and beyond, in the form of naming an offensive and defensive player each week.  This week’s defensive player is Quinton Marrone.  This week’s offensive player is Sheldon Vargas.  As the Pittbulls play each week, they get better and better.  It’s not the fall that matters, everyone falls.  What is really important is not that you’ve fallen, but how fast you get back up.  Keep it up Pittbulls, you are appropriately named.

5th Grade White Pictures

( Below says John is the author, only because John Posted the story.  Our thanks to Tim Van Brunt for the great write up. )