Alva Review-Courier -

The Alva Goldbugs gave homecoming fans a satisfying victory over Thomas-Fay-Custer Friday night. With the 44-20 win, Alva is 1-1 in the young season while Thomas drops to 0-2.

The Class 1A Terriers were coming off a 50-16 loss to Watonga while the Goldbugs had a 40-34 loss to Purcell. Both teams have young quarterbacks with Thomas starting a freshman while Alva's sophomore QB Cambell Gaisford had his first varsity start against Purcell last week.

The Goldbugs trailed after the first quarter but near the end of the second period, the Alva team turned things around to lead 20-12 at the half. Thomas managed one more touchdown in the second half while the Goldbugs kept their momentum going. The home team put a lid on penalties during the first half, but racked up several in the second.

Hunter Miller wasout of the Alva lineup due to a broken collarbone. Weston Tucker had a hand injury but was suited up and saw some action.

Senior running back Drake Wharton accounted for five of the Alva touchdowns with sophomore Lantz Mathers making the sixth.

First Quarter

Thomas had possession of the ball to begin the game. Starting at their 33 yard line, the Terriers advanced to the 45. Then freshman quarterback Tye Littlebird had the ball poked out of his hands. Thomas recovered, but the Terriers lost a yard. They lost another yard on the next play. However, Littlebird found wide-open receiver Owen Baldwin, and the 56 yard pass play took the ball into the end zone. Lining up for the conversion, Thomas had a false start and moved back five yards. The pass attempt was incomplete, and the Terriers led 6-0.

Jantz Heaton called for a fair catch on the kickoff, setting Alva up on their 39 yard line. Aiden Faison ran for four yards then Drake Wharton broke loose for a 23 yard gain into Thomas territory. From the Terrier 31, Mathers had a one yard gain. Then Gaisford connected with Drew Glass for the first down and more. Now on the 18, Gaisford passed to Tucker who made it to within 2 yards of the goal.

Mathers took the ball the final yard for the 6-6 tie. Gaisford ran the ball into the end zone for the extra two points, and Alva led 8-6.

Starting at their 30 yard line, Thomas advanced 23 yards in one play as Baldwin took the handoff. Now at the Alva 47, the Terriers moved steadily to the Alva 12 where they suffered a setback as Mathers tackled Wiley Heintzmann for a six yard loss. Littlebird tried a pass to Baldwin in the end zone, but it sailed over his head. The second pass attempt connected with Zach Clancy for the touchdown. The two-point conversion failed when Reichen Kraft hit Littlebird as he threw the ball, and it fell incomplete. The score stood at Thomas 12, Alva 8.

Alva had time for two plays before the quarter ended, advancing four yards on a Gaisford run and three more on a Mathers carry.

Second Quarter

Beginning the second quarter, the Goldbugs made the first down on a Mathers carry to the 40. Protection broke down as Gaisford looked for a receiver and he was tackled for a loss of seven. However, Drake Wharton covered 18 yards in three plays to put the Alva team at the 29. Four incomplete passes gave ball possession to Thomas.

From their 29, the Terriers advanced to the Alva 44 where a holding call set them back to their 47. A pass from Littlebird was knocked out of the hands of Clancy by Phillip Randall. Thomas had to punt, but Baldwin's kick was blocked by Alva, and Jordan Lohmann came up with the ball.

Now at the Thomas 36, Gaisford threw to Drake Wharton but Clancy picked off the throw for a turnover.

From the Thomas 35, the Terriers advanced to the Alva 45 where the Goldbug defense held strong. Baldwin's punt hit the back of a Goldbug, turning it into a live ball. Thomas recovered possession.

At the Alva 37, Littlebird threw an incomplete and then connected with Jacobe Edwards for a gain of four. Littlebird tried for another pass, but it was picked off by Alva's Glass.

At the Alva 38, Gaisford handed the ball to Drake Wharton who broke a tackle and took off. He ran the 62 yards to score, and Alva regained the lead 14-12. The two-point conversion was halted by an Alva false start, and the lineup was moved back to the 8 yard line. Then the Terriers moved, and Alva advanced to the four. After all the delays, Gaisford pitched the ball to Wharton, but he was tackled by Treylon Pool for no score.

The excitement wasn't over as Thomas moved from their 25 to their 43 where they had to punt. Faison blocked the kick; Drake Wharton recovered it and hit the road, going 35 yards for another Alva TD. The extra points attempt failed, and Alva led 20-12.

Thomas had time for three plays before time ran out.

Third Quarter

Beginning the second half, the Goldbugs had possession of the ball. Malone fell on the onside kick by Isaac Miller, putting Alva at the Thomas 49. Numerous runs by Mathers, two by Gaisford and one by Wharton took the ball to the 20. From there Drake Wharton ran across the goal line. It took eight plays to cover the 49 yards. Faison ran for the two-point conversion. Alva now led 28-12.

Mathers kicked off, and Baldwin ran the ball back to the 28 before Demarkus Wharton stopped him. From the Thomas 28, Edwards ran the ball nine yards, but a Goldbug personal foul moved the football to the 44. The Terriers barely made it into Alva territory when their drive ended with inches to go.

Alva took over at their 46. Mathers ran for five yards and then four yards. Pulling a pile of Terriers along, Mathers made a 10 yard run to reach the Thomas 35. Gaisford's pass connected with Wharton inside the 15, but a holding call on Alva sent the Goldbugs back to the Thomas 46.

Could Alva make 21 yards in four plays? They almost made it. Despite another setback when the Goldbugs were called for illegal procedure Mathers ran for 13 yards and caught a Gaisford pass to advance to the Thomas 27. That was two yards short, and the Terriers took over.

Thomas advanced from their 27 to the 48 yard line. Littlebird threw the ball under pressure, and Alva's Malone picked it off.

From the Thomas 48, Alva made three plays before the end of the third quarter. Gaisford ran for 11 yards, Mathers carried a pile of Terrier along with the ball for 16 yards, and Gaisford handed off to Mathers for another 17. The Goldbugs were knocking on the door as the quarter ended with Alva up 28-12.

Fourth Quarter

Gaisford handed the ball to Mathers who was tackled for a loss of three yards. On the third down with nine yards to go, Gaisford gave the ball to Wharton who advanced eight yards. With the line of scrimmage at the Thomas 12, the Terriers drew an offside call. That put Alva at the seven. Gaisford pitched the ball to Drake Wharton then Gaisford moved ahead to provide blocking coverage. Wharton made it across the line, but a flag on the field stopped the celebration. It was a facemask call on Thomas which was assessed later on the kickoff. Faison ran in the extra two-point conversion, and the Goldbugs now led 36-12.

Thomas bobbled the kickoff return and ended up on their 11 yard line. They advanced to the 16 before having to punt.

At the Thomas 39, Gaisford threw the ball behind his intended receiver. It was picked off by Baldwin for a turnover.

Now at the Thomas 32, Littlebird threw an incomplete pass. On the next play he was sacked by Xander Miller and Kraft. Still at the 32, Littlebird's pass was incomplete. However, Alva was penalized for roughing the passer, giving Thomas the first down.

At the Terrier 45, Littlebird ran with the ball for four yards. He dropped back to throw but couldn't find a receiver so started to run. Wharton tackled the quarterback but Alva was assessed a personal foul for a horse collar. That moved Thomas to the Alva 32. Six more plays put Thomas at the Alva seven. On the fourth down with two yards to go, Littlebird wanted to throw but was sacked by Randall for a loss of 15 and the turnover.

From the Alva 22, Gaisford tried a run but lost two yards. He tried to handoff the ball but was stopped for a one yard loss. Then Alva was called for delay of game, moving the ball back to the 14. Gaisford threw the ball to Demarkus Wharton for a gain of four yards. On the fourth down with 14 yards to go, the Goldbugs elected to punt.

Starting at the Thomas 48, Littlebird's pass was high and incomplete. On the next try he connected with Baldwin who was pushed out of bounds around the 40. However, Alva was called for another personal foul. This put Thomas at the Alva 25. Littlebird passed to a wide-open Clancy for the touchdown. On the conversion attempt, Alva was flagged for a facemask violation. The do-over was successful with Edwards having to cover less than a yard. The Goldbugs still led 36-20.

Alva began substituting along their line. At the 44 Gaisford handed off to Demarkus Wharton who gained two yards. Gaisford gave the ball to Drake Wharton who took it 54 yards to pay-dirt. Malone ran the ball in for the extra two points, and Alva led 44-20.

Desiree Morehead

Friday evening, Homecoming Royalty was crowned. Alaina Pierce (left) and Drew Glass (right) were crowned Homecoming Queen and King. In front are their flower girls and crown bearer (from left) Camila Samaniego, Koa Buckhaults and Regina Samaniego.

With seconds left, Thomas didn't give up. They moved from their 33 to the Alva 22. A throw into the end zone was incomplete, and time ran out. The final was Alva 44, Thomas 20.

Wrap-Up

Thomas made a lot more pass attempts during the game, connecting on 19 of 32. Alva was successful on three of ten attempts. The teams were fairly even on total yards gained with Thomas having the edge.

Next week the Goldbugs will have their first road game of the season as they travel to Fairview to take on the Yellowjackets. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. On Friday night, Fairview soundly defeated Chisholm 68-15 at Chisholm.

In other games involving District 2A-1 teams, Community Christian topped Oklahoma Christian 32-17, Crossings Christian beat Hennessey 38-13, Luther shutout Perry 28-0 and Tonkawa topped Newkirk 28-6. In a Thursday night game, Heritage Hall beat Millwood 35-28.

Looking at other nearby teams, the Waynoka Railroaders beat Okeene 48-6 while Cherokee fell to Dewar 48-0.