Alva Review-Courier -

Injuries have plagued the Goldbug football team this season, causing the players to take new positions and unfamiliar responsibilities. After Cambell Gaisford was hurt in last week's game at Millwood, Daylon Malone took over quarterback responsibilities. It's unknown when Gaisford will be able to return to the field. Lantz Mathers was still on the injured list, and Hunter Miller is still waiting for a broken collarbone to heal.

Traveling to Newkirk Friday, the Goldbugs hoped to bring home their first district win, but they couldn't pull it off despite a strong effort. Newkirk took the win 38-28.

The Newkirk Tigers were also missing their starting senior quarterback Clayton Bergman. He was replaced by junior Shaden Pankey in the lineup.

First Quarter

Newkirk won the coin toss and elected to give Alva first possession of the football. The Goldbugs started on their 25-yard-line and made two first downs to reach the Newkirk 49. The Tigers caused the Alva team to lose yards on the first couple of plays. When Malone's pass didn't connect, Phillip Randall had to punt.

Newkirk didn't fare any better, starting at the 35 and failing to make the first down. The Tigers also had to punt.

At the Alva 22, Malone found Weston Tucker on a pass. Tucker took a route down the right sideline and went all the way for a touchdown. The conversion attempt failed, but Alva was first on the scoreboard at 6-0.

Starting at their 46, the Tigers gained made several one-play first downs. Arriving at the Alva 8-yard line, Pankey tried a pass into the end zone, but the Goldbugs knocked it away. On the next play, the snap was fumbled. Although Newkirk recovered the ball, they lost four yards back to the 12. The Tigers had one more chance, and Pankey tried to run for the TD. Randall and Malone combined forces to push him out of bounds before he reached the goal.

After preventing the score, the Goldbugs had terrible field position at their six yard line. Following an incomplete, Malone passed to Tucker. A flag for pass interference on the Tigers gave the Goldbugs a first down. At the Alva 22, the Goldbugs drew a flag for a blind side block. That set them back to the 10 yard line. The Goldbugs were set back with another penalty. Then Malone passed to Drake Wharton who made it within a yard of the end zone. Malone tried another pass to score, but Landen Vap picked it off and ran. He was 15 yards from the end zone when Malone tackled him.

A blind side block penalty was called on Newkirk during the play, but it was assessed on their field position. They started off on the Alva 31. The Tigers made a first down, courtesy of a personal foul committed by Alva. From the 15, Pankey threw a pass into the end zone, but Malone knocked it away. Pankey tried running, but he was tackled for a loss of five yards.

The quarter ended with Alva leading 6-0.

Second Quarter

The Tigers began the second period with a 21 yard touchdown pass from Pankey to Landon Hay in the end zone. The two-point conversion attempt was stopped by Goldbug Hagan Wiersig, and the teams were tied at 6-6.

Again the Goldbugs ended up deep in their own territory at the ten. They managed to gain only six yards before punting.

Starting at the Alva 30, Newkirk was penalized for an illegal block in back. On the next play, Tiger protection broke down and Pankey threw the ball up for grabs. Daniel Harrelson and Randall both tried for it, but Harrelson won possession and took it to the end zone for a Newkirk score. This time, Pankey was successful in running for the extra two points. Newkirk now led 14-6.

Again, the kickoff left Alva near their own goal at the 15. Two short passes to Drake Wharton made the first down. However the Goldbugs stalled out and had to punt.

Randall's high punt put Newkirk on their 41. They advanced to the Alva 30 in four plays. Pankey ran the ball for another first down and almost made it to the goal line before being brought down. Two yards from the goal, Pankey ran in for the score. The two-point conversion failed, but Newkirk increased their lead to 20-6.

Newkirk put on the pressure, and Alva had to fight for a first down. After two incomplete passes, Malone was sacked. Then a low snap was recovered by Alva, but they lost possession on downs.

The Goldbugs held Newkirk to a four yard gain from the 40. After an incomplete pass, Pankey was sacked for a loss by Aiden Faison and Reichen Kraft. With 17 yards to go, Newkirk decided to punt.

Alva had time for two plays before the clock ran down. At halftime, the score was Newkirk 20, Alva 6.

Third Quarter

Newkirk had possession to start the second half. In a gang tackle that sacked the Newkirk quarterback, Alva was called for a facemask penalty. With that help, the Tigers were able to make the first down. On the next play Pankey's throw was deflected and Randall picked it off, running to the Newkirk 35.

The Goldbugs gained three yards on a Drake Wharton run. Malone's pass to Tucker was bobbled but he grabbed it anyway, running the ball across the goal line. In just two plays, Alva covered 35 yards for the TD. Drake Wharton ran in the extra two points, and Alva was behind by a TD. Newkirk led 20-14.

The teams traded possession of the ball several times. After a punt, the Tigers were on the Alva 23. They lost a yard on the first play. Then Pankey threw to Vap for a first down at the Alva two yard line. Pankey handed the ball to Colton Stone who ran in for the touchdown. Pankey ran for the extra two points, and Newkirk widened their lead to 28-14.

That's when Tucker pulled out a big play for the Goldbugs. On the kickoff return, Tucker ran the ball 70 yards for the score. The extra points attempt failed. As the quarter ended, Newkirk led 28-20.

Fourth Quarter

The Tigers made a big push to score as the final period began. They advanced to the Alva six yard line, where Pankey's handoff to Harrelson was fumbled and Alva won possession.

Unfortunately, the line of scrimmage was on Alva's 6 yard mark. Malone pitched the ball out to Faison, but he was taken down inside the end zone for a Newkirk two point safety. That gave the Tigers a ten point lead of 30-20.

Alva had to kickoff, and Harrelson ran a big return to set Newkirk up on the Alva 39. The Goldbugs held the line. With six yards to go on the fourth play, Pankey broke away and ran to the Alva 10. However, the play was negated by a blocking penalty on the Tigers. This time they chose to punt.

The Goldbugs were making good progress until they were called for holding. After two incomplete passes, the ball came loose on the snap. Although Alva retained possession, they lost the ball on downs.

Newkirk had the ball for one play. Pankey's handoff was fumbled, and Alva's Wiersig fell on it.

At the Alva 48, Malone's pass was incomplete. On the next try he connected with Drake Wharton who ran all the way to the end zone for the 52 yard touchdown play. Malone ran in for the two-point conversion, and Newkirk's lead was cut to two points at 30-28.

Desiree Morehead

Goldbug Daylon Malone keeps the Tiger defense at arm's length.

Newkirk took over on the Alva 49. It took them nine plays, but the Tigers steadily made progress and scored on a two yard run by Pankey. Osborn ran for the two-point conversion, and Newkirk now led 38-28.

With time running out, Alva took over at their 34. After a gain of a yard, Malone's pass to Tucker went past him and was picked off by Vap. Newkirk made two first downs, and then took a knee to let time run out. The Tigers won 38-28.

Wrap-Up

The Goldbugs are now 1-4 for the season and 0-2 in district play. They will be at home in Alva Friday as they host the Blackwell Maroons at 7 p.m.

Blackwell was scoreless in a loss to Oklahoma Christian School 57-0 Friday. Millwood overpowered Chisholm 56-6, and Hennessey defeated Perry 21-14.

In other area scores, Timberlake blanked Tyrone 52-0, Waynoka beat Buffalo 50-14 and Balko topped Cherokee 46-0.