Alva Review-Courier -

The Alva High School football season came to an end Friday night in Newkirk as the Tigers defeated the Goldbugs 30-22. The injury-plagued Alva players fought to the final minutes but couldn't pull off a win.

Though Alva has a better overall record of 7-3 than the Tigers, all three losses were in district games. The Goldbugs dropped from third to fifth place in District 2A-1 rankings ending their season. The top four teams of Perry, Oklahoma Christian School, Chisholm and Newkirk, will continue into the playoffs.

Alva was still without the services of junior receivers and leading rushers Reece Martin and Dalton Hess along with senior linebacker Arturo Cisneros. Senior quarterback Mitchell Meyer was out for two games but came back as a receiver for the Newkirk game and stepped in briefly at the quarterback slot. Several players were shifted from their accustomed spots to new positions.

With about three minutes left in the first quarter, Newkirk put the first score on the board with a 35 yard pass and a conversion to lead 8-0. In the second quarter, Alva answered with a 12 yard pass and point after, narrowing the Tiger lead to 8-7. On the next series Newkirk added a rushing TD but was kept out of the end zone on the conversion. Newkirk led 14-7.

Alva couldn't make headway, and Newkirk took over to score again, adding the conversion for a 22-7 lead. The Goldbugs quickly scored on a 63 yard touchdown pass, narrowing the score to 22-14 in Newkirk's favor at the half.

With about five minutes left in the third quarter, Alva scored on a 24-yard pass into the end zone and made good on the conversion to tie at 22-22 with stood until the end of the period. In the fourth quarter, the Tigers scored on a five yard pass and added a conversion to lead 30-22. Neither team scored again.

First Quarter

Newkirk won the coin toss and deferred to Alva who started on the 13 yard line. Freshman quarterback Kaden Slater unleashed a long pass to Cameron Gordon near midfield to reach the 46. Then as Slater fake a handoff, the ball came out and Newkirk recovered.

After a rushing first down by Laike Wilhelm, the Tigers had their own fumble as the ball came loose on the snap. Quarterback Cameron Barnes was able to fall on it, but they lost three yards. Wilhelm was tackled for another loss, and an incomplete pass turned the ball back to Alva.

A handoff to Kaden Hensley lost a couple of yards. After two incomplete passes, Samuel Houston came on to punt.

Newkirk was stuck at the 37 yard mark for two plays until Barnes connected with Colby Case for a 14 yard pass. In three more plays they were at the Alva 44 when a receiver fumbled the ball and Alva picked it up. A holding flag on the Tigers was declined.

A three-yard loss on the first play followed by a couple of penalties left the Goldbugs with 23 yards to a first down. A couple of passes missed their mark, and the ball was punted away.

Barnes and Wilhelm carried the ball from the Newkirk 32 to the Alva 35. From there Barnes threw to Case in the end zone and the first touchdown of the game. The conversion pass from Barnes to Case was good, and Newkirk led 8-0.

Newkirk tried an onside kick, and Alva recovered at the 48 yard mark. Slater first two pass attempts were incomplete, then he connected with Gordon to make the first down at Newkirk's 40. Another incomplete pass and a short throw to Kaden Hensley for no gain were capped off by a great catch by Dalton Rose for the first down. Three more plays, including a nine yard pass to Gordon earned another first down and Alva was at the 15 with seconds to go. Slater tried a pass into the end zone, but it fell incomplete and the quarter ended.

Second Quarter

Meyer stepped in as quarterback and moved the ball to the 12 on a keeper. From there he passed to Gordon for the TD. It was Meyer's 68th touchdown pass. Gordon kicked the extra point, and Alva was within one at 8-7.

Newkirk fumbled the ball on the first snap but Barnes recovered in for a loss of four. A false start set the Tigers back five more yards at the 34. Barnes passed to Case to make the first down. Then Wilhelm made a big 22 yard run. Another four yard carry by Wilhelm put Newkirk within 17 yards of the goal line. Wilhelm rushed his way into the end zone. However Alva kept Wilhelm out on the conversion attempt. Newkirk led 14-7.

Another onside kick by Newkirk didn't go the required 10 yards so they had to do it over. This time it was deep, and Alva started at the 24. After a six yard pass to Gordon, Slater was sacked on the next play for a loss of two followed by an incomplete pass. Houston kicked the ball away.

Newkirk started at the 49 and made it to the 30 on a big run by Wilhelm. Another Wilhelm carry took the Tigers within five yards of the goal. It was an easy distance for Wilhelm who ran in for the score. The conversion was good, and the Tigers were ahead 22-7.

Alva started on their 29 yard line and advanced to the 37 where Slater connected on a pass to Rose for a 63 yard touchdown. Gordon's kick was good, and the Tiger lead was cut to 22-14.

Newkirk worked the ball up to midfield where they drew a flag for holding. Then a pass by Barnes was picked off by Hensley to give Alva possession.

With 1:39 left in the half, Slater was sacked for a seven yard loss. An incomplete pass was followed by one to Gordon who caught it after it was tipped, gaining back 11 yards. With six yards to go, Alva chose to punt.

Newkirk had time for two plays. Wilhelm was tackled by Todd Ruwaldt for a loss, then Meyer tipped the ball for an incomplete pass to Case.

Third Quarter

Newkirk had the ball to start the second half. After making two first downs, they dropped the ball and fell on it. The drive stalled out and they had to punt.

The Goldbugs started at their 5 yard line, and moved five yards on a pass to Meyer. That gain was called back on a false start flag. Then Slater threw a bullet to near the 40 yard line that Meyer managed to catch over his shoulder. At the 46, Alva was penalized for a false start. Hensley ran to make up two yards. A nice screen pass to Meyer earned the first down. Hensley ran the ball for seven, then Slater threw under pressure and the pass was incomplete. A pass to Rose earned the first down. Hensley ran for four yards, then Slater threw the ball to Meyer in the end zone for a 24 yard touchdown pass. Meyer caught the ball for the two-point conversion, and the score was tied at 22-22.

Newkirk held the ball three plays with no gain before punting it away.

Slater connected with Meyer twice to make the first down Dawson Manning ran for two, and a pass to Perez gained four. Then Alva drew a flag for a false start. With fourth and nine to go, Slater's pass was incomplete.

Newkirk took over on their 30 yard line. They moved the ball one yard before the quarter ended with a quarterback sack by Darian Malone and a loss of six.

Fourth Quarter

The Tigers started the third down with a false start, moving them back to a third and 20 situation. Barnes handed off to Wilhelm who was wide open and ran for 25 yards. A run by Wilhelm and a keeper by Barnes moved them to the Alva 40. Barnes and Wilhelm continued the running game to the Alva 28. Barnes threw to Colby Case who caught the ball just shy of the goal line. The Tigers were within five yards of scoring. Barnes handed to Wilhelm who gained one yard. Another hand to Wilhelm lost three yards as Gordon made a nice tackle.

With seven to go, the Tigers were called for movement and set back to the 12. Wilhelm ran for seven, and the Tigers were back to the five. From there Barnes threw to Case in the end zone and the score. Wilhelm ran the ball in for the conversion, and the Tigers led 30-22.

Meyer took the kickoff and ran it back to the 31. After a couple of incompletes, Slater connected with Gordon who caught the pass around two defenders for the first down. In the next series, Alva had three incomplete passes and the fourth didn't quite make the first down.

Newkirk kept the ball for three first downs. A delay of game moved them back five, but an 18 yard pass to Wilhelm put them within two yards of the goal. On the snap, the ball got away from Barnes and Manning came up with it.

Alva had one more chance with about a minute and a half remaining. On the first play, Slater threw to Perez who had the ball stripped from him at the 25 and Newkirk gained possession.

Newkirk was content to run out the clock, making one first down and taking a knee for the final play.

Up Next

Alva finishes the season with a 7-3 record and fifth place in the district. Newkirk moves up to fourth place and the playoffs.