SPRINGDALE — Springdale High looked like it would cruise to its first 3-0 start since 2005 when it took a 31-7 lead midway through the second quarter Friday night.
But the second half was a different story.
Nic Roller’s 1-yard touchdown run with 48 seconds left completed Bixby, Okla.’s huge rally for a 45-38 comeback win over the Bulldogs at Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium.
Bixby quarterback Marshall Ray threw for 429 yards and four touchdowns as the Spartans overcame six turnovers to rally for the nonconference win. Springdale’s defense gave up 387 yards in the second half, while the Bulldogs offense failed to pick up a first down after halftime.
“We didn’t lose the game, we gave the game away,” Springdale coach Shane Patrick said. “That’s not trying to take anything away from Bixby. Because they’re a good football team and they have a lot of resilience for staying in it all the way to the end. We just didn’t execute.”
Springdale forced six turnovers, including intercepting Ray four times, but couldn’t hold off the Spartans. Latrell Richmond picked Ray to stop a Bixby drive inside the Springdale 20, but Bulldogs quarterback Fuller Chandler was picked three plays later to set up Roller’s run.
Springdale had a chance to tie when it took over at midfield with 48 seconds left, but the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs to finish the second half with negative-seven yards of offense.
“Can’t get off the field on defense and can’t get a first down in the second half on offense,” Patrick said. “We just can’t do that sort of thing and expect to beat a good football team. And they’re a good football team.”
EXTRA POINTS:
w Bixby overcame its turnovers to finish with 529 yards of offense. Ray completed just 27 of 57 passes, but led the comeback win. Receiver Kyle Rhine had five catches for 192 yards.
w Springdale committed 19 penalties for 146 yards, including 15 for 119 in the first half. One penalty wiped out safety Cua Rose’s interception return for a touchdown.
w Deandre Murray finished with 73 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries after rushing for 413 yards and seven touchdowns in Springdale’s first two wins.
UP NEXT: Springdale will open 7A/6A-West conference play at home against Rogers. Rogers won a 47-42 shootout in the opener a year ago, overcoming Murray’s 271 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
HOW THEY SCORED
BIXBY, OKLA.^45
SPRINDALE HIGH^38
Bixby^0^14^9^22^—^45
Springdale^10^21^7^0^—^38
First Quarter
Spring — FG Kennedy 27, 7:05
Spring — Mounce 7 pass from Chandler (Kennedy kick), 0:45
Second Quarter
Spring — Patton 33 pass from Chandler (Kennedy kick), 8:42
Bixby — Reynolds 32 pass from Ray (Ruth kick), 6:34
Spring — Murray 6 run (Kennedy kick), 3:11
Spring — Murray 27 run (Kennedy kick), 2:55
Bixby — Mulkey 32 pass from Ray (Ruth kick), 1:51
Third Quarter
Bixby — Ruth 31 FG, 8:43
Spring — Robinson 15 interception return (Kennedy kick), 6:19
Bixby — Rhine 46 pass from Ray (kick failed), 0:05
Fourth Quarter
Bixby — Roller 5 run (Ruth kick), 8:07
Bixby — Cooper 20 pass from Ray (Harbin pass from Ray), 5:15
Bixby — Roller 1 run (Ruth kick), 0:48