Alva Review-Courier -

With several key players on the injury list, the Alva Goldbugs lost a home game to Oklahoma Christian School of Edmond 59-26 Friday night. As halftime approached, the OCS Saints were leading 39-0. Then Alva's Kaden Slater, a sophomore, connected on a beautiful long pass to freshman Drew Glass. He ran across the goal line for a 42 yard scoring play. Although the extra point kick missed the uprights, the last minute score fired up the Goldbugs. After a halftime strategy session, the Alva team pushed hard in the second half but couldn't overcome the early deficit.

The loss means Alva won't make it to the district playoffs with a 1-4 record against 2A-1 teams. The Goldbugs are 3-6 overall for the season. Alva has next week off and will host Newkirk for the final game of the season on Nov. 8.

Domonick Covert was able to return to the field Friday night for Alva. Gavin Perez expected to play but he took a hit to his recovering knee in practice which put him back on the sidelines. Reece Martin is out for the remainder of the season with a broken collarbone. Dalton Hess, Kory Faulkner and David Carpenter are all on the injured list.

First Half

Alva won the toss and deferred ball possession. OCS wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. In three plays, they covered the 71 yards to the goal. Sophomore quarterback Grant Redwine threw the ball to Braden Roberts for the touchdown, a 42-yard pass play. The two point conversion was good, and OCS led 8-0.

The Goldbugs were helped by a couple of OCS penalties in their first possession. An immediate encroachment call put the Alva team on the 36 with five yards to go. Slater handed off to freshman Drake Wharton who was pushed back for a loss of two. Then Slater was tackled by Gage Gilchrist, but a facemask penalty gave the Goldbugs a first down. Alva lost a yard on the next try by Wharton. Two incomplete passes later, Samuel Houston punted the ball away.

This time it took OCS a little longer to score. They made steady progress despite drawing a holding penalty. From the Alva 34 Redwine passed to Mason Matteson in the red zone. From the seven, it was a short run for senior Jaxon Canard into the end zone. Ethan Hodson ran in the extra two points, and OCS was up 16-0.

Alva was very close to scoring on their next possession. From the 32 Slater passed to Austin Reed for a gain of six. As Wharton rushed on the second play, OCS was called for a 15-yard facemask penalty that put Alva on the OCS 47. Slater passed to Reed who was taken down for a five yard loss. Todd Ruwaldt carried the ball to gain back three yards. Slater threw a long one to Reed who caught it over Canard to put Alva on the ten. Wharton ran for one yard. Then Slater passed to a receiver in the end zone but Matteson picked it off and ran all the way for a touchdown. The conversion was good, and OCS led 24-0.

The Goldbugs made only two yards forward progress before punting the ball away as the quarter ended.

OCS moved the ball from their 34 to the Alva 17 where a bad snap on the second down went behind Redwine who fell on it for a loss of 19 yards. Redwine kept the ball for two runs, losing six more yards and turning possession over to Alva.

From the Alva 37, Slater handed the ball to Wharton who picked up two yards. A pass to Reed completed the first down. After a loss of two and a gain of three, Slater was sacked on the third try, and the Goldbugs had to punt.

Starting from the OCS 31, Canard ran for seven. Redwine threw the ball to Peyton McIntire for a good gain, but a holding penalty on OCS was counted back from where the foul was called. OCS was now on their 44. In two plays, OCS was in Alva territory at the 35. The Goldbugs were called for encroachment, setting the Saints at the 30. In two plays, they were at the Alva 16. From there Canard was able to weave his way to the goal line. John Michael Crooks kicked the extra point, and OCS led 39-0 with just over two minutes left in the half.

From the Alva 39, Slater handed the ball to Wharton who broke through for six yards. Passes to Glass and Reed were incomplete, and Alva had to punt.

OCS gained seven yards on a Matteson run, and then had an incomplete pass. On the next play the Saints drew a false start penalty, moving them back to their 46. After another incomplete pass, Redwine overshot his receiver on another pass, but OCS was flagged for ineligible receiver downfield which was declined by Alva.

The Goldbugs got the ball on the OCS 46. Slater handed off to Wharton who ran four yards. Then Salter unleashed the big pass to Glass over the middle resulting in a 42 yard touchdown. Setting up for the kick, Alva was called for delay of game. When Houston got the chance to kick, the ball missed to the right. The half ended with OCS leading 39-6.

Second Half

Alva started the second half with possession of the ball. From the Alva 13, Slater threw an incomplete pass. Then he handed off to Wharton who found some running room, carrying the ball 71 yards all the way to the OCS 34. Slater failed to connect on the next two passes. Flags signaled a foul for each team. Alva was called for a block below the waist, and OCS was flagged for roughing the passer.

With the penalties cancelling each other out, Alva set up on the 34 again. This time the Saints were called for movement, and the Goldbugs gained five yards. On the next play, Slater looked for a receiver but was under heavy pressure and was sacked. After another incomplete pass, Slater handed the ball to Wharton who couldn't make enough for the first down.

The Saints had the ball on their 31. OCS was immediately called for a false start, moving them back to the 26. After no gain on the first two plays, Redwine threw the ball to Canard who took off and was finally stopped on the 40. Canard carried the ball again, but couldn't complete that last yard.

Alva took over on the OCS 39. Wharton carried the ball four yards, but had no gain on a second carry. After an incomplete pass, Slater kept the ball, running it to the 25. Slater's pass was tipped but Glass hauled it in, setting the Goldbugs up on the OCS three. The snap was over Slater's head, but Alva was called for a false start and moved back to the eight. Slater handed the ball to Nathan Hunt who gained seven yards. On the next carry, Hunt gained one. From the five, Slater threw the ball to Garret Ritter for the touchdown. The conversion attempt failed, and the OCS led 39-12.

In the first two plays, OCS had no gain. Then Redwine passed to a wide open McIntire who made it to the Alva 46. From there Canard had a big 26 yard run. At the Alva 20, Redwine handed the ball to McIntire who ran in for the touchdown. The kick by Crooks was good, and OCS led 46-12.

As the third period clock wound down, Alva took over on their 37. Following an incomplete pass, Slater handed the ball to Wharton. A penalty was called on OCS for facemask, and the Goldbugs moved to their 48. Following an incomplete pass, Slater kept the ball gaining 11 yards and a first down before the quarter closed.

Slater opened the fourth quarter with a deep throw from the OCS 41. The pass was picked off by McIntire who went the distance for the TD. The kick was good, and OCS led 53-12.

On the next series for Alva, Slater lost a yard; Wharton ran for no gain and then gained five yards. Houston punted the ball away.

The Saints scored again on their next drive, moving from their 21 to the Alva 27 mainly on big runs by Canard. Redwine handed the ball to McIntire who ran the ball the 27 yards to pay dirt. Crooks kick hit the upright, and OCS led 59-12.

From their 34, Alva broke loose on a nice pass from Slater to Reed who made it to the OCS 33, a total of 62 yards. Ritter lost a yard on his carry, but Wharton took off on a perfectly blocked run to gain 24 yards. From the OCS 10, Slater handed the ball to Ruwaldt who couldn't make any progress. Then Slater handed the ball to Reed who scampered into the end zone. Setting up to kick the extra point, the Goldbugs fumbled the snap. Slater grabbed the ball and threw to Ritter for a two point conversion. The score was now 59-20.

On the kick off, McIntire was running the return when Goldbug Chris Johnson poked the ball loose causing a fumble. Wharton recovered, and Alva took possession on their 38.

Slater faked a hand-off to Wharton and kept the ball to gain four yards. Glass caught a pass but was run out of bounds to lose a yard. On another keeper, Slater gained six yards running right over a defender. From the 47, Slater passed to Reed who nearly made it to the goal line. He was stopped one yard short. Slater ran the ball from there for the touchdown. The conversion attempt was no good, and OCS led 59-26.

With seconds left in the game, Houston kicked the ball. Zayin Tiger grabbed the ball for Alva and ran it to the OCS 26. From there Slater attempted a pass to Reed in the end zone, but it was incomplete.

The game ended with OCS on top 59-26.

Wrap-Up

Slater completed 15 of 29 pass attempts for a total of 216 yards out of the 346 total yards for Alva. Reed had eight catches and Glass four. Wharton led the team in rushing with 98 yards followed by Slater with 39. Ruwaldt and Glass had nine tackles each.

Although the young Goldbug team lost, the game provided a lot of playing experience for younger team members. Slater and Reed are sophomores while Glass and Wharton are freshmen.

The Goldbugs are idle next week. Hopefully one or two injured players will be able to return when Alva hosts Newkirk on Nov. 8.

In district games Friday, Chisholm beat Newkirk 45-0; Luther topped Perry 28-20 and Hennessey lost to Frederick 49-20 in a non-district game. Both Newkirk and Hennessey are winless this season.

In the area, Cherokee shutout Kremlin-Hillsdale 54-0 while Waynoka lost to Pond Creek-Hunter 16-12.