Alva Review-Courier -

The Alva Goldbugs delighted the crowd with a victory over Oklahoma Centennial 34-14 Friday night. The first half of the game didn't look so promising with the teams tied 6-6 at halftime. That score might indicate the underdog Bisons were evenly matched with the Goldbugs, but it was deceiving.

Alva has been struggling with injuries to key players. Senior quarterback Mitchell Meyer suited up Friday but did not play. Injuries have sidelined other players like Reece Martin, Dalton Hess and Cole Wiersig. And Arturo Cisneros was injured Friday night.

The injuries have forced Coach Mike Shklar to make continuing changes in player assignments. These shifts in player responsibility and even in positions require some adjustment time.

Freshman quarterback Kaden Slater stepped in again and showed he was capable of leading. He completed 18 of 22 pass attempts. Senior Cameron Gordon had a great game with four touchdowns for Alva. Several other players stepped up their game, especially in the second half, to put another win on the scoreboard.

It was a big night in other ways with the seniors being recognized before the game and homecoming royalty being crowned at halftime. Hallie Durkee was crowned queen and Darian Malone king.

First Half

The Goldbugs won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball. Starting on the 34 yard line, Alva drove 66 yards to score. A holding penalty set back the drive at one point, but Centennial was lured into an offside jump to help the Goldbugs to a first down. Alva made it to the 49 yard line, moving to the 20 on a pass from Slater to Gordon. Todd Ruwaldt ran the ball a couple of times putting the Goldbugs within 7 yards of the goal. Slater threw a slant pass to Gordon in the end zone for the TD. Gordon's extra point kick missed the uprights to the left, and Alva led 6-0.

Karim Raines made a nice return of the kickoff, putting Centennial on the 47. Bison quarterback Jesus Morey relied heavily on the running of Argeneal Wooden but managed to connect on a couple of passes including one to Keavontae Broome for the touchdown. The Bisons were on the board with 12 plays covering 53 yards. The conversion attempt was set back by a false start on the Bisons. They moved back to the 8 yard line and tried again but failed. The score was tied at 6-6.

Alva took over and made it from their 26 to the Bison 44 in three plays: two carries by Willyard and a nice long pass play by Gordon. A holding penalty on Alva set back the next series but Slater connected with Gavin Perez to complete the first down. Two carries by Ruwaldt moved Alva to the 21. Kaden Hensley came in at quarterback and passed to Jonathan Heinsen to reach the 16.

From there it was tough. Ruwaldt gained one yard, Manning added a couple more, and Ruwaldt ran for six. At the seven yard line, with one yard to go for the first down, Hensley tried a quarterback keep but was quickly tripped up. The chains were carried out to measure, and Alva was just inches short.

Centennial started near their goal. William Mitchell carried the ball for a first down. At the 16, Morey connected on a pass for five yards, but it went no further as Bentley Tomberlin tackled the receiver. A throw to Lavuntea Wright put the Bison at the 48, but on the next play two flags were thrown. The lesser holding penalty on Centennial was declined, but they were penalized for a personal foul, setting them back to the 36. The first two plays stalled out with 26 yards to go, but Morey threw to Broome for the first down and a position in Alva territory.

The Bisons advanced from the 35 to the 24 when a holding penalty set them back to the 35. Mitchell caught a pass but lost the ball, putting the Bison back 11. This set up a 4th and 18. Morey tried a pass but it was tipped by an Alva player.

The Goldbugs took over at their 32 and advanced to the 47 yard line with a couple of Stephen Willyard carries and a pass to Dalton Rose. On a 3rd and 8, Slater completed a pass to Gordon but Alva drew a flag for offensive pass interference. Now the Goldbugs were at 3rd and 24. Gordon caught a pass between two Bison defenders to move the ball to the Centennial 34. On the next play, Slater was sacked back at the 45 for an 11 yard loss. A pitch out to Hensley made up four yards but the next pass was incomplete. Samuel Houston came in to punt for Alva, kicking it way back to the 4.

The Bison managed a couple of plays before the time ran out.

Second Half

Centennial started the second half with the ball. On the first play, Mitchell was tackled for a three yard loss. After a two incomplete passes and a Bison holding penalty, the ball was punted.

Alva took over at their 45, and Hensley made 12 yards in one run to move into Bison country. The next series took a little longer with runs by Hensley and Willyard plus a three yard pass to Heinsen. From the 32 Willyard ran for five but lost two on the next play. Slater threw to Cisneros for a gain of six, but an offsides call on Alva set the ball back five. A pass to Gordon completed the first down. Then Slater threw to Gordon over two defenders for a second touchdown. Gordon's kick was good, and Alva led 13-6.

Alva tried an onside kick, but a Goldbug touched the ball before it reached the required ten yards and it went to Centennial.

Starting at their 44, the Bison took only seven plays to score on a long pass from Moyer to Broome. The conversion attempt was good, and Centennial was on top 14-13.

Alva had time for five plays before the quarter ended but moved the ball only five yards against a tough Centennial defensive stand.

After being stalled, the Goldbugs needed only one play to score. Slater threw to Hensley who ran the ball 65 yards for the touchdown. Gordon's kick was good, and Alva regained the lead at 20-14.

Starting on their 20, the Bison were set back to the 12 on a holding penalty. Wright was tackled for a loss of two, and the Bison had to punt.

Slater connected on passes to Perez and Gordon, making progress despite a flag. At the 30, Hensley ran the ball until stepping out of bounds at the 12. Slater threw to Gordon in the end zone for the TD. Gordon's kick was good, and Alva led 27-14.

Trey Lunn

Top: Goldbugs senior wide receiver Cameron Gordon catches a perfectly placed pass for a touchdown from freshman quarterback Kaden Slater in Friday's game versus the Centennial Bison. Bottom: Senior wide receiver Kaden Hensley of the Goldbugs out-runs two Bison defenders and is finally knocked out of bounds near the goal line.

Centennial drew a flag on their first play, setting them back seven yards. Mitchell ran for five, but a pass attempt was incomplete. At 3rd and 12, Moyer threw the ball but Gordon picked it off and went in for the touchdown. Cisneros leaped up in celebration, came down wrong, and had to be carried off the field. Word is he likely has a broken arm. After the injury timeout, Gordon's kick was good, and Alva led by 34-14.

On their second play, Centennial tried a pass but Gordon picked it off again giving control back to Alva.

The Goldbugs started at the Bison 23 but were set back to the 28 on an illegal motion call. Runs by Hensley took the Goldbugs to the eight. Willyard was tackled for a loss of one. Then Slater fumbled a snap, and the ball was picked up by Centennial.

The Bison started on their 12, and Alva made them work hard for yardage. They progressed to the 40 but lost three yards on a pass. Then Alva was called for pass interference to give the Bison a boost. Morey's next pass was caught by Wright, but he was hit for a loss of three. Then Austin Ferguson bypassed the Bison line and sacked Morey. Centennial had time for one more play before the game ended.

Up Next

Alva heads to Newkirk Friday for the final game of the regular season. Start time is 7 p.m. Alva will be trying to hang onto their third place ranking in District 2A-1. Newkirk is ranked fifth.