By Ron Holt

Despite being one of the smallest schools in the state’s largest classification, Bixby’s Spartans made the leap to Class 6A in 2010.

The Spartans struggled but still managed to qualify for the state playoffs twice before the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association split Class 6A into two divisions. Bixby joined other schools its enrollment size in Class 6A-II, starting in 2014. It was the start of the Spartans’ steady progression into a state football power.

From 2014 to 2021, Bixby played in every Class 6A-II state championship game, winning seven championships while finishing as the state runner-up in 2017. The move to Class 6A-I in 2022 had many longtime prep football observers wondering if the Spartans could sustain success.

While seeing weekly challenges increase, Bixby continued its winning ways, rolling to the 2022 Class 6A-1 state championship and adding the 2023 Class 6A-1 championship trophy to its collection earlier in December. Bixby, winners of 74 of its last 75 games, has played in 10 consecutive state championship games, winning nine including five in a row.

I’ve attended every Bixby football game starting in 2014. It’s been an incredible, impressive, fun journey. I’ve seen the Spartans riddle opponents. I’ve seen Bixby thumped a time or two along the way and lose close, hard-fought battles. I’ve seen struggles and triumphs as the program methodically developed into a consistent title contender.

From a reporter’s perspective, the growth of the Spartan program is because of coaching – led by 14^th-year head coach Loren Montgomery and a veteran, creative, hard-working, cohesive staff. It’s because of a commitment to being the state’s finest strength training program, discipline, dedication, administrative and community support and core values.

It’s truly been a decade of dominance for the Spartan program. Here’s a look at each of the Spartan championship game appearances since joining Class 6A:

Bixby 35, Lawton 21

(Dec. 5, 2014)

Top-ranked Bixby capitalized on a stunning pass interception return for a touchdown to topple No. 3 Lawton, 35-21, in the first Class 6A-II State Championship game held at Moore Stadium. It was Bixby’s first state championship after finishing as state runner-up seven times in program history.

Tied at 14-all at halftime, Bixby snared the lead in the third quarter as running back Nic Roller ran 15 yards for a touchdown and Taylor Ruth kicked the conversion as Bixby led the speedy, athletic Wolverines, 21-14.

BHS seized the momentum for good later in the third quarter when linebacker Adrian Mica intercepted Lawton quarterback Jack Meservy, returning the interception 35 yards for a touchdown. Ruth’s conversion kick gave BHS a 28-14 lead.

Bixby capped off a 21-point third quarter eruption with a four-yard TD run by Roller and a point-after kick by Ruth increasing its lead to 35-14 with 2:49 left in the third period. Lawton scored its final TD with 4:20 left in the game.

Bixby (12-1) amassed 483 yards of total offense while limiting Lawton – led by a mammoth offensive line – to 256 total yards. The Spartans ended with 29 first downs and won time of possession 30:03 to 17:57. Bixby’s defense forced Lawton (11-2) to punt nine times.

LEADERS – Bixby: Nic Roller (43 carries, 233 yards, 2 TDs). Tanner Griffin (20-of-29 passing for 220 yards, one TD and 5 rushes for 29 yards and 1 TD), Kale Mulkey (five receptions, 49 yards, one TD), Cade Cabbiness (four receptions, 64 yards).

Seniors Austin Grotts and Casey Saied keyed an aggressive Spartan defense along with other senior defensive starters Justin Williams, JJ Cantrell, Zach Reynolds and Blake Cooper.

Lawton: Running back Darreyl Patterson (22 carries, 117 yards, 1 TD and six receptions for 47 yards), Jack Meservy (12-for-27 passing for 157 yards, 1 TD and six rushes and 1 TD)

NOTES – Bixby defeated Stillwater (61-28) and Sand Springs (41-14) in the playoffs to reach the finals. … This was Bixby’s third time to qualify for the state playoffs since moving up to Class 6A in 2010.

QUOTE – “I told the seniors just how proud we are of them. They had some bumps in the road … they’ve earned it all the way. It’s special and hopefully we can build some momentum for the program from this,” said Bixby head coach Loren Montgomery.

 

Bixby 38, Sand Springs 28

(Dec. 4, 2015)

After a four-loss regular season, No. 4 Bixby regrouped in the Class 6A-II state playoffs to capture back-to-back state championships after a hard-fought 38-28 victory over No. 3 Sand Springs at Union-Tuttle Stadium.

In finishing the season at 9-4, Bixby avenged a 20-0 loss at Sand Springs in the regular season finale. The Sandites also finished 9-4.

Touchdown runs of 11 and 2 yards by Nic Roller and a 25-yard field goal by Jason Campbell lifted Bixby to a 16-0 lead midway through the second quarter. Sand Springs then scored 21 straight points to lead 21-16 with 6:16 left in the third quarter before Roller scored on a one-yard plunge for a 24-21 Spartan lead.

Sand Springs regained the lead with 9:11 left in the fourth quarter on Payton Scott’s 33-yard TD run before the Spartans rallied behind a 17-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tanner Griffin to Cade Cabbiness for a 31-28 lead and sealed the win after Roller bolted 17 yards for a TD with 58 seconds remaining.

LEADERS – Bixby: Nic Roller (37 carries, 157 yards, four TDs), Tanner Griffin (14-of-17 passing for 176 yards, 1 TD), Cade Cabbiness (eight receptions, 97 yards, 1 TD). Bixby’s defense featured pass interceptions by defensive backs Breydon Daniel and Colton Tafoya. Linebacker Coby Tillman led BHS in tackles with 11 while Kress Woodward had nine.

Sand Springs: Hunter Greathouse (11-of-23 passing, 179 yards, 2 TD, 2 interceptions), Payton Scott (6 rushes, 39 yards, 1 TD), Kasey Bales (6 receptions, 100 yards), Jacob Taber (13 tackles).

NOTES – In the playoffs, Bixby won at Lawton (36-6) and defeated Bartlesville (67-21). The win over Bartlesville avenged a regular season loss to the Bruins. … A notable regular season victory was a 48-41 overtime win at Muskogee. Spartan Cabbiness blocked a Rougher extra point attempt which would have given MHS a 42-41 win to force overtime. Bixby won 48-41, keeping alive its hopes of qualifying for the playoffs.

QUOTE – “After all the adversity we’ve had this season and being one play from not even making the playoffs to now going 9-4 with no one picking us to win … that just makes it even better,” said senior running back Nic Roller. “We knew this was going to be our last game and we were going to battle until the last second.”

 

Bixby 39, Lawton 31

(Dec.2, 2016)

After trailing 25-14 at halftime, No. 2 Bixby erupted for 22 third quarter points in rallying for a 39-31 victory over No. 4 Lawton in the Class 6A-II State Championship game at rain-drenched Yukon High’s Stadium.

The athletic Wolverines scored on an 11-yard run and a 33-yard pass interception return to jump out a 13-0 lead midway through the first stanza. An eight-yard touchdown run by Bixby’s Tucker Pawley and conversion kick by Jason Campbell trimmed the gap to 13-7 before Lawton struck on a 30-yard TD pass play to lead 19-7 after one quarter.

A three-yard TD run by Pawley made it a 19-14 game before Lawton scored with a minute left to lead 25-14 at intermission.

Bixby’s third quarter rally featured a two-yard TD run by Pawley, a 35-yard TD pass from quarterback Tanner Griffin to tackle-breaking wide receiver Nic Swanson, a 7-yard TD burst by Pawley, a two-point conversion run by Coby Tillman and two conversion kicks by Campbell to lead 36-25 going into the fourth quarter.

Lawton made things interesting on a 75-yard scoring pass from Zack Hanna to Dominick Neal, narrowing the deficit to 36-31 with 11 minutes left. A 35-yard field goal by Campbell gave Bixby the final 39-31 cushion.

LEADERS – Bixby: Tucker Pawley (48 carries, 236 yards, 4 TDs), Tanner Griffin (10-of-20 passing, 105 yards, 1 TD), Nic Swanson (8 catches, 92 yards, 1 TD), Jason Campbell (4 extra point kicks, 1 field goal), Colby Tillman (15 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack), Ryan Matthews (6 tackles, one-half sack), Brendon Evers (3 tackles, 1.5 sacks).

Lawton: Zack Hanna (13-of-30 passing, 263 yards, 3 TDs); Dominick Neal (7 catches, 150 yards, 2 TDs), Dia Vonta Michael (24 tackles, 16 unassisted).

NOTES – During the state playoffs, Bixby defeated Putnam City West (49-7) and Sand Springs (35-21). … Bixby ended the title game with 368 total offensive yards, including 263 yards rushing. … BHS overcame three turnovers and 13 penalties for 145 yards. Lawton also had three turnovers and was penalized nine times for 100 yards. … Bixby’s ground attack contributed to the Spartans’ 36:00 to 12:00 time of possession advantage.

QUOTE – “We took them too lightly in the first half, in my opinion, and gave them some easy scores. We all sat down at halftime and said: ‘we have 24 minutes left and we’re not going to end like this.’ We’ve trained way too hard to let this get away,” said Spartan senior noseguard Brendon Evers.

 

Booker T. Washington 28, Bixby 21

(Dec. 1, 2017)

A 14-point fourth quarter scoring advantage lifted top-ranked Booker T. Washington to a 28-21 victory over short-handed Bixby in the Class 6A-II State Championship game at Jenks’ Allan Trimble Stadium.

Bixby converted a Hornet turnover into a two-yard touchdown run by Coby Tillman and Reis Vernon kicked the point-after as BHS led 7-0 in the second quarter. Washington tied the game with 3:35 left before halftime on a 49-yard TD pass from quarterback Phillip Wheatley to Javian Hester.

A one-yard TD plunge by Tillman and a 48-yard TD pass from quarterback Staton King to Cade Cavender gave the Spartans a 21-7 lead midway through the third quarter.

A 25-yard TD pass from Wheatley to Hester narrowed the deficit to 21-14 with 3:49 left in the third quarter. The Hornets tied the game on a 33-yard TD pass from Wheatley to Logan Jones with 10:54 left in the game and took the lead for good on a 1-yard run by Wheatley with 3:21 left.

Bixby drove into Hornet territory with time running out before Hester intercepted a last-second Spartan pass to preserve the win.

LEADERS – Bixby: Staton King (16-of-31 passing, 231 yards, 1 TD), Coby Tillman (6 rushes, 33 yards, 2 TDs and 10 tackles), Cade Cavender (7 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD, 1 pass interception), Colton Tafoya (3 tackles, 1 pass interception).

BTW: Phillip Wheatley (19-of-31 passing, 346 yards, 3 TD, 2 interceptions), Javian Hester (9 receptions, 168 yards, 2 TDs, 1 pass interception).

NOTES – In reaching the state finals, Bixby defeated Stillwater (41-14) and Midwest City 14-12). … BTW captured its ninth state championship. … Bixby compiled 300 yards of total offense, including 231 passing yards. Tulsa Washington ended with 476 total offensive yards, but the Hornets turned the ball over three times. …BTW defeated Bixby, 21-0, during the regular season.

QUOTE – “I’m very blessed with how our team played today. They left it all out on the field. I thought the defense played outstanding … there were just a few plays here and there that broke us down. It’s been a great experience in the good times and bad times … it teaches life lessons,” said senior linebacker Coby Tillman.

 

 

 

Bixby 34, Stillwater 14

(Nov. 30, 2018)

A 281-yard ground attack along with a turnover-free performance propelled No. 1 Bixby to a 34-14 victory over No. 2 Stillwater in the weather-delayed Class 6A-II State Championship game at Owasso High’s stadium. The game was delayed around two and one-half hours in the fourth quarter because of stormy weather.

A two-yard touchdown run by Stillwater’s Qwontrel Walker, a 12-yard TD run by Bixby’s Braden Roller and missed extra points by both teams led to a 6-6 tie after one quarter.

Bixby’s Cade Cavender, running out of the wildcat formation, bolted 60 yards for a touchdown and Reis Vernon kicked the conversion for a 13-6 BHS lead early in the second quarter. But Stillwater responded with a six-yard TD run by Walker to tie the game at 13-all at intermission.

After play was resumed the Spartans dominated. Bixby scored at 8:50 of the third quarter on a four-yard run by Cavender and pulled away for the win after a one-yard TD run by Cavender and seven-yard TD burst by Brennan Presley.

LEADERS – Bixby: Cade Cavender (17 rushes, 222 yards, 3 TDs), Mason Williams (13-for-20 passing, 85 yards), Brennan Presley (nine receptions, 48 yards), Noah West (2 solo tackles, two sacks), Clayton Barbour (1 pass interception).

Stillwater: Qwontrel Walker (31 carries, 145 yards, 2 TDs), Anthony Bland (six receptions, 44 yards).

NOTES – Bixby defeated Lawton (70-14) and Midwest City (24-21) in reaching the state finals. … This was the Spartans fourth state championship in the past five seasons. … Bixby ended with 366 yards of total offense. The Spartans’ defense limited Stillwater to 207 total yards.

QUOTE – “We didn’t want those delays to get in our heads, so we tried to stay focused during the lengthy delay. We figured out at the end of the first quarter what they were going to do, and we shut them down. We controlled the game in the second half,” said senior Cade Cavender.

 

Bixby 40, Stillwater 36

(Dec. 6, 2019)

Trailing early and late, Bixby’s unbeaten Spartans used a dramatic last minute offensive drive and a tenacious defensive effort late in salvaging a 40-36 victory over No. 2 Stillwater in the Class 6A-II State Championship game at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Wantland Stadium in Edmond.

No. 1 Bixby (13-0) finished as the program’s first undefeated team while Stillwater (12-1) fell to BHS for the second year in a row in the title game.

A 30-yard field goal by Reis Vernon gave Bixby an early 3-0 lead before Stillwater rallied with two touchdowns and a field goal to lead 17-3 late in the first quarter.

Bixby capitalized on a break to begin its rally to regain the lead after Stillwater’s center snap on a punt attempt sailed into the end zone for a safety with 7:41 left in the second quarter. A 19-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mason Williams to receiver Brennan Presley – who made a leaping catch – and a one-yard burst out of the wildcat formation by Carson Chambers lifted the Spartans to a 19-17 lead at halftime.

Chambers scored from six yards out midway through the third quarter, lifting BHS to a 26-17 lead before Stillwater rallied early in the fourth quarter with a touchdown run by Qwontrel Walker to narrow the deficit to 26-23 with 8:16 left.

Bixby quickly regained the momentum as Presley stunningly returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown while Vernon’s point-after kick gave the Spartans a 33-23 lead. Stillwater rallied behind a TD pass play and a 79-yard run by Walker to take a 36-33 lead with 3:05 left in the game.

With their backs to the wall, the Spartans went on a dramatic drive, featuring a gritty 37-yard pass reception from Williams to Luke Creeger taking the ball deep into Pioneer territory, and ending with a 12-yard TD pass from Williams to Braylin Presley with 1:04 left. Bixby’s defense sealed the win after forcing a Pioneer fumble.

LEADERS – Bixby: Brennan Presley (10 carries, 49 yards; 17 receptions, 117 yards, 1 TD; 2 kickoff returns, 127 yards, 1 TD), Braylin Presley (24 carries, 125 yards; 2 receptions, 14 yards, 1 TD), Carson Chambers (3 rushes, 10 yards, 2 TDs), Mason Williams (19-for-28 passing, 168 yards, 2 TDs); Brody Sartin (11 tackles, 1 sack), Trevon Holt (10 tackles, 1 pass interception), Reis Vernon (5-for-5 extra points, 1 field goal).

Stillwater: Qwontrel Walker (24 carries, 196 yards, 2 TDs), Gunnar Gundy (20-of-28 passing, 228 yards, 3 TDs, 1 pass interception).

NOTES – In reaching the finals, Bixby defeated Midwest City (42-10) and Del City (47-19). … The Spartans’ winning streak increased to 25 straight games while they won their fifth state title in the past six seasons. … Bixby ended with 347 total offensive yards while playing turnover-free.

QUOTE – “It was like God just split the Red Sea. I caught it and then got to the 30 and saw the hole and as soon as I saw it, I knew I had to hit it,” said Brennan Presley of his 97-yard kickoff return for a TD. “That’s the resiliency of our team. We came out here and didn’t get too low or too high. We just kept believing. There’s no better way to end the season.”

 

Bixby 17, Choctaw 14

(Dec. 5, 2020)

With all the scoring taking place in the first half, No. 1 Bixby relied on a stellar second half defensive performance in turning back No, 4 Choctaw, 17-14, in the Class 6A-II State Championship game at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Wantland Stadium in Edmond.

Bixby (11-0) capitalized on an early break as Choctaw fumbled a punt return which Bixby’s Zach Blankenship recovered at the Yellowjacket two-yard line. Spartan running back Jersey Robb scored from the two and Connor Nolan kicked the conversion for a 7-0 Bixby lead early in the first quarter.

Choctaw (9-3) pulled even at 7-7 with 4:57 left in the opening stanza after a 38-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Steele Wasel to Latrell Ray.

Bixby regained the lead on a 28-yard touchdown scamper by Braylin Presley and extra point kick by Nolan with 1:48 left in the first quarter. Nolan’s 29-yard field goal early in the second quarter gave the Spartans a 17-7 lead.

Choctaw carried momentum into the halftime locker room after the Yellowjackets exploded for an 85-yard TD pass from Steele to Wesley Zeigler, narrowing the deficit to 17-14 at intermission.

Choctaw threatened in the second half, moving to the Spartan seven-yard line before Bixby defensive back Jakeb Snyder intercepted Wasel and returned the interception 29 yards.

The Yellowjackets began their final possession with 5:55 left in the game at their own 14-yard-line. Led by Wasel, Choctaw moved to the Bixby 49 before the Spartan defense made a statement.

On first down, Wasel was sacked by Spartan linebacker Jack Puckett for a five-yard loss followed by another sack by Puckett for a three-yard loss. Facing third-and-18, Choctaw completed a 12-yard pass but on fourth-and-six, Wasel was sacked by Puckett and Robb with Bixby taking over with four seconds left.

LEADERS – Bixby: Braylin Presley (35 carries, 218 yards, 1 TD and 2 receptions, 11 yards), Jack Puckett (11 tackles, three sacks for 10 yards in losses), Tanner Doyle (11 tackles, eight unassisted), Dylan Hasz (5 tackles, 1 pass interception), Jakeb Snyder (3 tackles, 1 pass interception).

Choctaw: Steele Wasel (17-of-26 passing, 324 yards, 2 TDs, 2 interceptions), Wesley Ziegler (3 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD).

NOTES – In the state playoffs, Bixby defeated Del City (62-27) and Midwest City (49-20) to reach the finals. … Bixby won 24-13 at Choctaw during the regular season. … Choctaw ended with 394 total offensive yards while BHS ended with 309 total yards. Both teams turned the ball over twice. … Amazingly, Bixby recorded 10 sacks for 60 yards in losses. Bixby ended the season riding a 36-game winning streak.

QUOTE – “This defense is so tough not only physically but mentally. I don’t believe there’s any better defense,” said Jack Puckett. “I had a couple of plays late, but Jakeb Snyder’s interception completely shifted the momentum and allowed me to make some more plays. It feels awesome to be in a key role, there’s nothing like it.”

 

Bixby 63, Deer Creek-Edmond 14

(Dec. 2, 2021)

Senior running back Braylin Presley ended his record-setting career contributing to four touchdowns while Bixby’s defense also dominated as the Spartans romped past Deer Creek-Edmond, 63-14, in the Class 6A-II State Championship game at University of Central Oklahoma’s Chad Richison Stadium in Edmond.

The No. 1 Spartans ended the season at 13-0 while running the program’s winning streak to 49 straight games. Deer Creek finished 10-3.

Presley contributed as a passer to Bixby’s first touchdown. He took a handoff before firing a pass to Preston Solomon for a stunning 76-yard touchdown pass with 10:10 left in the opening quarter as Bixby led 14-0 after one quarter and 35-0 at halftime.

Presley later scored on runs of 3, 11 and 94 yards. Solomon also had his most productive game of his career, catching four passes for 141 yards and three touchdowns. He had other TD grabs of 23 and 35 yards.

Jersey Robb ran five yards for a touchdown, Jakeb Snyder returned a pass interceptions 39 yards for a TD and Zach Blankenship rambled 16 yards for the game’s final score. Deer Creek scored once in the third quarter and once in the fourth quarter.

LEADERS – Bixby: Braylin Presley (16 carries, 181 yards, 3 TDs, 1-for-1 passing for 76 yards, 1 TD, 5 receptions, 20 yards), Christian Burke (18-of-29 passing, 191 yards, 1 TD), Jakeb Snyder (5 receptions, 54 yards, 1 pass interception return 39 yards, TD).

Deer Creek: Deontaye Wilson (15 rushes, 81 yards), Bryson Rouse (1 rush TD, 3 kickoff returns for 34 yards, 1 pass interception return for TD).

NOTES – Bixby defeated Putnam City North (78-7) and Stillwater (48-6) en route to the championship. … Bixby amassed 620 yards of balanced total offense. … The Spartans defense limited Deer Creek to 149 total offensive yards while forcing four Antler turnovers and nine punts. … This was Bixby’s last season in Class 6A-II.

QUOTE – “We’re going to miss Braylin next year. He’s so electric and a great kid. He’s a great leader and a hard worker. Forty-nine wins, that’s a big deal for our community, our players and our coaches. A lot of hard work has gone into those wins and I’m super proud,” said Spartan head coach Loren Montgomery.

 

Bixby 69, Owasso 6

(Dec. 2, 2022)

For those wondering how Bixby would fare after making the move from Class 6A-II to Class 6A-I those questions were answered in the 2022 Class 6A-I State Championship game at University of Central Oklahoma’s Chad Richison Stadium in Edmond.

Bixby (11-1), smallest of the 16 teams in Class 6A-I, broke away from an early 7-6 lead, building up a 42-6 halftime lead and rolling to a 69-6 victory over Owasso (9-5) to win its eighth state championship and fifth state title in a row.

Connor Kirby’s one yard run with 11:12 showing in the first quarter and Levi Hoffman’s conversion kick gave Bixby an early 7-0 lead. Owasso wasted little time responding as Ram quarterback Mason Willingham broke free for a 54-yard touchdown run. OHS missed the point-after kick.

Bixby seized control of the game as Kirby threw touchdown passes of 11 yards to Jakeb Snyder and nine yards to tight end Luke Hasz for a 21-6 lead after one quarter. In the second stanza, Bixby tacked on 21 more points on a 65-yard pass from Kirby to Dylan Hasz, a one-yard sneak by Kirby and a 29-yard pass from Kirby to Cale Fugate for the large halftime advantage.

Cord Nolan caught a 49-yard pass from Cooper Parker and Jersey Robb ran two yards for a TD, expanding Bixby’s advantage to 55-6 entering the fourth quarter. BHS ended the onslaught with a 30-yard TD pass from Austin Havens to L. Hasz and a 24-yard TD pass from Havens to Christian Kaiser.

LEADERS – Bixby: Connor Kirby (19-of-28 passing, 225 yards, 4 TDs; 17 rushes, 90 yards, 2 TDs), Luke Hasz (3 receptions, 75 yards, 2 TDs), Jakeb Snyder (5 receptions, 44 yards, 1 TD), Jersey Robb (12 tackles; 6 rushes, 29 yards, 1 TD), Jett Turner (7 tackles, 1 sack), Levi Hoffman (8 extra-point kicks).

Owasso: Mason Willingham (17 rushes, 81 yards, 1 TD; 9-of-11 passing, 47 yards).

NOTES – Bixby knocked off Enid (63-0) and Jenks (28-14) to reach the championship game. … Bixby amassed 524 yards of total offense, averaged 7.7 yards per offensive play, had zero turnovers and didn’t punt in the game. The Spartans limited Owasso to 177 yards while intercepting two Ram passes.

QUOTE – “I thought the guys played really well … and we didn’t turn the ball over. We executed really well and when we had opportunities we capitalized,” Spartan head coach Loren Montgomery said. “There’s a lot of good seniors who’ve played a lot of snaps for us that will be leaving … a lot of them played great tonight.”

 

Bixby 49, Jenks 21   

(Dec. 1, 2023)

Firing on all cylinders from the start and receiving outstanding performances from several starters, Bixby’s top-ranked Spartans rolled to a dominating 49-21 victory over Jenks in the Class 6A-I State Championship game at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Chad Richison Stadium in Edmond.

Bixby (13-0) used a 12-yard TD pass from Chase Kirby to Cord Nolan, a 44-yard TD pass from Clay Peters to Kordell Gouldsby and two point-after kicks by Troy Nguyen to lead 14-0 after one quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Gouldsby ran two yards for a TD giving Bixby a 21-0 lead before Jenks capitalized on a deflected pass interception and return of 80 yards for a TD by Sam Stone to make it 21-7.

The Trojans’ celebration was short-lived as Gouldsby impressively returned the ensuing kickoff 96 yards for a TD as Bixby led 28-7 at halftime. The lead grew to 42-7 in the third quarter as Bixby scored on a one-yard run by Parker and a 20-yard sprint by Gouldsby.

Jenks Kaydin Jones scored on a six-yard run and a 46-yard pass from Owen Jones, sandwiched around Bixby’s seven-yard TD pass play from Peters to Gouldsby, to end the scoring.

LEADERS – Kordell Gouldsby (8 rushes, 63 yards, 2 TDs; 1-for-1 passing, 29 yards; five receptions, 87 yards, 2 TDs, 2 kickoff returns, 116 yards, 1 TD), Jett Turner (25 rushes, 252 yards), Chase Kirby (10-of-16 passing, 108 yards, 1 TD), Cooper Parker (8 tackles, two tackles for loss; 3 rushes, 26 yards, 1 TD), Cody Crull (8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss), Hank Puckett (7 tackles, 1 sack, 3 tackles for loss),

Jenks: Kaydin Jones (14 rushes, 120 yards, 1 TD; 3 receptions, 49 yards, 1 TD), Owen Jones (15-of-26, 139 yards, 1 TD), Jett Calmus (9 tackles).

NOTES – In the state playoffs, Bixby beat Norman (59-20) and Owasso (56-14) to reach the Class 6A-I state title game for the second straight year. … Seniors Clay Peters and Sam McCormick had clutch first half pass interceptions. … Bixby, which defeated Jenks 31-14 in the regular season finale, ended with 523 yards of total offense, went 7-for-13 on third down efficiency and only had one penalty for 10 yards. … BHS’s defense held Jenks to 282 total offensive yards while the Spartans were credited with eight sacks for 54 yards in losses.

QUOTE – “We came out and played really well from the get-go. It was just a good night … the coaches and kids prepared well and were ready to play,” said Bixby head coach Loren Montgomery. “The defense was crazy tough tonight … I was super proud of all three phases.”