Norman High School (6-1) prepares to face Deer Creek High School (2-5) after a 25-20 comeback win over Moore High School (3-4).
With little to no hope remaining, Norman pinned back on their own 1-yard line late in the fourth, Tigers senior running back Anthony Johnson willed his team 99 yards down the field and scored to win the game with only a few seconds left.
“I just knew that I had to step up. … I had to keep my mentality going,” Johnson said.“I got a little gassed, took a little breather (and) then I realized I couldn’t stop (because) I love my guys.”
Johnson ended the game with 15 carries for 182 yards and two touchdowns, but it was not the first time he stepped up for the Tigers. Through seven games, he’s been carrying the load on offense. With 107 carries, he’s tallied 725 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 103.6 per game.
“He’s getting it now,” Norman head coach Rocky Martin said. “He understands where the holes are, and he’s running downhill. … He’s physical and hard to bring down.”
Johnson and the Tigers are set to face a vulnerable Deer Creek defense that has allowed 96 points in their last two matchups, a 40-24 loss to Moore and a 56-21 loss to Jenks High School (6-1).
However, the Tigers defense could have their hands full, as the Antlers have had several explosive performances, including a 62-0 win against the Enid Plainsmen (0-7). Martin feels that the Tigers’ defense needs to improve in the next game.
“We got to clean up the penalties,” Martin said. “That’s the biggest thing. … These games each week get bigger and bigger, and those are the things that’ll get you beat.”
Norman will kick off against Deer Creek at 7 p.m. Friday at Tyler Tidwell Stadium.
This story was edited by Joshua McDaniel.