KHS storms through Anadarko

How would Kingfisher respond to its worst loss of the season?

With, perhaps, its best performance of the season.

Kingfisher secured a pair of home playoff games Friday by out-gunning Anadarko 42-22 on the road to wrap up it regular season.

The Jackets were coining off a 47-21 loss to Heritage Hall and the game with Anadarko effectively was to decide the District 3A-1 runner-up.

They led 21-0 in the first half and never let the Warriors get closer than two scores to win handily.

“There was a lot on the line,” head coach Jeff Myers said. “And if that wasn’t our best overall game of the year, it certainly was right up there.”

Cade Stephenson accounted for all six touchdowns, whether running, receiving or even throwing.

That included a 43-yard scoring jaunt on Kingfisher’s first possession, an 18-yard TD pass to Harrison Evans on a play the Jackets had originally lined up to kick a field, and an electrifying 63-yard catch-and-run late in the third quarter.

Often the most dynamic player on the field, Stephenson left no doubt.

On top of his touchdown pass, he ran 20 times for 89 yards and three touchdowns, caught four passes for 100 yards and two more scores and also had six tackles with a sack.

“You almost run out of things to say about him,” Myers said. “We ask him to do a lot every week and he always delivers.”

He delivered early when KHS used him at quarterback to start the game, giving Anadarko some looks it hadn’t seen all season.

His 21-yard run on Kingfisher’s second possession - with Jax Sternberger back at QB - set up his own 3-yard scoring run to give the Jackets a 14-0 lead with 46 seconds left in the quarter.

The Jacket defense denied the Warriors for much of the second quarter as well and the offense responded with yet another scoring drive.

Facing third-and-long the Jackets converted when Sternberger found Tate Taylor for a 37-yard gain to set up a 9-yard touchdown pass to Stephenson.

With 1:06 to play in the half, the Jackets led 21-0.

That preceded one of the few lapses by the defense, which softened up in an effort to not give up the big play.

Instead, Anadarko was able to piece together some smaller chunks and eventually scored on the final play when Karsen Williams found Raheim Givens from 15 yards out.

A two-point pass pulled with Warriors within 21-8 at halftime.

On top of halftime momentum, Andarko was also going to receive the second-half kickoff.

“We talked a lot about making sure we didn’t let them come out and get back into it,” Myers said.

His team followed up.

Kingfisher forced a fumble that Slade Snodgrass recovered on the Warriors’ first possession of the half.

That set up Stephenson’s TD pass to Evans. The Jackets initially lined up for a 35-yard field goal attempt, but motioned out of it.

Evans was wide open down the middle for the score and a 28-8 lead.

The Warriors started to find some offensive success in the second half, but each time KHS had an answer.

After Anadarko pulled within 28-16, Stephenson caught a short pass from Sternberger, made two cuts to make defenders miss and then outran everyone to the end zone.

“That’s one of those plays where he sets himself apart from the people trying to bring him down and catch him,” Myers said.

That came with 1:06 left in the third and gave the Jackets a 35-16 lead.

Andarko got within 35-22 with 6:371eft and forced Kingfisher to punt on its next possession.

However, Alan Munoz dashed the Warriors’ hopes when he broke on a Williams pass, picked it off and returned it to the Anadarko 8.

Stephenson needed just one play to score and ice the game.

“Every time they tried to get in it, we came up with a way to deny them,” Myers said. “Whether it was offense or defense or even special teams, we would make a play.”

The Warriors also hurt themselves with mistakes. They were flagged 17 times for 126 yards.

The Jackets didn’t fare much better as they drew 10 penalties for 120 yards.

However, they were almost mistake-free beyond that.

Sternberger bounced back from his toughest outing of the season to go 11 of 17 for 180 and two scores. He did throw an interception, but it was one that went through his receiver’s hands.

He spread the wealth as Taylor caught two passes for 40 yards, Caleb Dick two for 22 yards and Jarret Birdwell two more for 20.

Meanwhile, Anadarko had three turnovers, including a Birdwell interception on the Warriors’ first drive.

“The turnover battle determines a lot in games like this,” Myers said. “We lost it big last week and the score showed it. We won it 3-1 this week and won by 20.”

Although it didn’t count as a turnover, Slade Snodgrass picked off a late twopoint pass by the Warriors.

He had his best game of the season with a team-high 13 tackles, five of them solo.

Birdwell, Mason Mecklenburg and Evans added six tackles while Munoz was in on five.

The Jackets end their regular season 6-3. They were 4-1 in the district.

By virtue of being runner-up, they host Dickson at 7 p.m. Friday in the first round. (Ed. note: Myers has said if rain continues to be in Friday’s forecast, the game could be moved to Thursday; watch the Times & Free Press Facebook page for updates.)

The Comets were just 1-9 this season and placed seventh in 3A-2.

If the Jackets prevail, they’ll host the Lone Grove-Bridge Creek winner in the second round.