Alva Review-Courier -

Sometimes the best that can be said about a football game between Alva and Millwood is that the Goldbugs had no incapacitating injuries. This time, the Goldbugs not only emerged uninjured, but they also managed a couple of breakaway touchdowns. The first district game of the season was grueling, but it should prepare Alva for what's to come. Millwood came away with a 36-13 victory.

First Half

The Goldbugs opened the game with a huge 62 yard touchdown. Taking the snap at the Alva 38 yard line, quarterback Cambell Gaisford sent a little flare pass to Aiden Kimberlin who found running room to shock the Millwood Falcons with an opening play TD. The conversion attempt failed, but Alva led 6-0

On their second possession of quarter, Millwood used a combination of rushing and passing to get to Alva's eight yard line. A Falcon false start set them back but quarterback C.J. Turnbull passed to Xazvier Thompson in the end zone for the touchdown. Lemar Davis scored the two-point conversion, and Millwood took the lead 8-6.

The Falcons scored one more time in the first period when Davis ran the ball for seven yards into the end zone. Goldbug Trace Hamilton foiled the conversion attempt. At the end of first quarter, Millwood led 14-6.

As the second quarter opened, Millwood was already in the red zone. They proved to be their own worst enemy as two penalties set them back from the one yard line to the 16. A facemask penalty on Alva moved the the Falcons up to the 11. On the fourth attempt to play the first down, Turnbull's pass into the end zone was incomplete. Turnbull tried to run, but Kimberlin's tackle set the Falcon's back three yards. After another incomplete pass, Millwood was flagged for delay of game and went back again, this time to the 19. From there Turnbull connected on a pass to Jaden Nickens who ran the final 10 yards for the touchdown. The conversion failed, and Millwood led 20-6.

The Goldbugs took the ball at their 45 yard line. After Daylon Malone carried the ball for a yard, Gaisford passed over the middle to Kimberlin who ran 54 yards for the touchdown. Kash Shipley's kick was good, and Millwood's lead was cut to 20-13.

Millwood scored once more before halftime. At seven yards out, Turnbull handed the ball to Davis who ran for his second touchdown of the night. Davis also carried the football for the extra two points. Millwood led 28-13 at halftime.

Second Half

The third quarter was a defensive battle as neither team managed to cross the line. When the quarter ended, Milllwood had substituted Josiah Woods at the quarterback spot. The Falcons were on the Alva nine yard line. As Woods attempted a handoff, the ball popped out and Davis grabbed it, diving forward to the five.

At the beginning of the final quarter, the Goldbugs were able to hold off the Falcons who were set back on a delay of game penalty.

Desiree Morehead

Aiden Kimberlin (14) catches the ball and runs it all the way to the end zone to score and put Alva on the board first.

With around four minutes left in the game, Millwood advanced to the Alva four yard line on a big 23 yard run by Davis. Turnbull handed the ball to Anthony Keyes who ran up the middle for the touchdown. Davis scored the two points after, and Millwood led 36-13.

Alva retained possession of the ball for the remaining minutes of the game. The Goldbugs advanced from their 40 to the Millwood 21 when time ran out.

Wrap-Up

Gaisford connected on 13 of 27 pass attempts during the game. Lantz Mathers managed to sack the Millwood quarterback three times. The Goldbugs now have a 0-1 district record and 1-3 for the season.

Next Friday, Alva will host Newkirk for a homecoming game at 7 p.m. Newkirk lost to Chisholm 34-14 Friday night. In other Class 2A-1 scores Perry defeated Blackwell 42-16 and Oklahoma Christian School beat Hennessey 49-7. Around the area, Waynoka won 34-8 over Boise City, Seiling shutout Cherokee 56-0 and Timberlake defeated Deer Creek-Lamont 56-8.