Alva Review-Courier -

The Alva Goldbugs kept fighting but took a hard loss against Oklahoma Christian School Thursday night in Edmond. The Goldbugs move to an 8-2 record for the season, and OCS is now 5-3.

Alva went into the game with a disadvantage due to the loss of senior quarterback Mitchell Meyer with an injury. The Goldbugs also missed junior Reece Martin who was out with a bad ankle. Then they lost the power running of Dalton Hess in the second half after he sat out with a possible injury.

OCS put the first score on the board in just four plays in a 68 yard scoring drive. Jaxon Canard ran the ball the final two yards, and the conversion was good for an 8-0 lead.

Alva split quarterback duties between freshman Kaden Slater and senior Kaden Hensley. After two first downs, Slater lost a snap and Alva suffered a big loss to stall out the drive.

OCS took over to drive 80 yards for another TD on a pass from Calyn Holverson to Blake Curtin. The conversion was good, and OCS led 16-0.

The Goldbugs answered with an 80 yard scoring drive culminating in a touchdown pass by Slater to Gavin Perez from the 12 yard line. Cameron Gordon's kick was good, and Alva moved within nine. The first quarter ended with the Saints leading 16-7.

In the second quarter, OCS started with a penalty. Then a hand-off from Holverson to Canard went awry, and OCS fell on it for a small loss.

After the OCS punt, Alva made a nice scoring drive from the 25, helped by a big 34 yard run by Hess and an offsides flag on OCS. Slater handed off to Hensley to run the ball in for the final six yards. Gordon's kick was good, and Alva pulled within two at 16-14.

The teams traded the ball back and forth the rest of the quarter, but neither scored, and the half ended with OCS up 16-14.

The Goldbugs were hurt by two turnovers in the third quarter. The first came on the kickoff when OCS made a deep onside kick. Alva wasn't able to retrieve the ball, and OCS grabbed it. Their possession didn't last long, and they made it only past the midfield stripe.

A pooch kick gave Alva possession on their 13 yard line. On the second play, Slater was sacked, forcing a fumble. OCS recovered.

The Saints needed only two plays to cover the six yards to the goal followed by another conversion. OCS led 24-14. That's where the score stayed the remainder of the third period.

In the fourth quarter, the tiring Goldbugs managed to move the ball from their 25 to the 41 where Slater was tackled for a five yard loss. A hand-off to Todd Ruwaldt resulted in a two yard loss. Then Slater was sacked once again, and Gordon had to punt the ball away.

OCS made some big runs ending in a nine yard TD run by quarterback Holverson. A false start was called on the conversion attempt. OCS elected to kick instead and tacked on one more point to lead 31-14.

The Goldbugs weren't done. Slater concentrated on passing, but had trouble connecting as he was heavily pressured. He was finally able to connect on a well-aimed pass to Gordon over three defenders, and Gordon ran the final yards to the goal. Alva tried for two points, but the run by Ruwaldt was just a little short. The score was now 31-20 in the Saints' favor.

Trey Lunn

Gavin Perez receives a touchdown pass from quarterback Kaden Slater to put the Goldbugs on the board.

OCS went for another TD but a throw to Braden Roberts popped out and rolled into the end zone where Alva retrieved it.

With a little over three minutes remaining, Alva started a drive, making a first down but stalling out on the second. With a 4th and 10 situation at the 40, Alva went for it. Slater was heavily pressured and sacked again.

OCS needed only three plays to move the ball from the 32 into the end zone on a Holverson quarterback keeper for a 29 yard run. The snap for the extra point kick was high, and OCS had to fall on the ball.

Alva had time for three more plays before time ran out. OCS won 37-20.

Up Next

The Goldbugs will combine Homecoming and Senior Night next Friday, Oct. 26, when they take on Oklahoma Centennial. The Bison are 1-5 on the season before facing Hennessey tonight.