Level Up: Bixby concludes successful transition to 6AI with fifth consecutive Oklahoma state title

By Buck Ringgold | Images/Video by Michael Kinney 

EDMOND – Earlier than the season, many puzzled if Bixby was in for a impolite awakening shifting up from Class 6AII to 6AI.

In truth, it could have been akin to a school soccer group becoming a member of the massive, dangerous Southeastern Convention. 

Save for a hiccup within the common season finale, the Spartans continued their dynasty on the proverbial subsequent stage. And as soon as once more, all of it culminated in yet one more gold ball for them.

It took solely 48 seconds for Bixby to guide from begin to end, and senior quarterback Connor Kirby accounted for six first-half touchdowns because the Spartans claimed their fifth straight title – and first in 6AI – with a powerful 69-6 win in opposition to Owasso Friday evening at Chad Richison Stadium.

“We had lots of new starters. … 4 of our 5 offensive linemen had been new starters, and on the defensive aspect of the ball, actually your entire entrance seven had been first-year starters,” Bixby coach Loren Montgomery mentioned. “Clearly, these guys are going to develop rather a lot as they get lots of snaps beneath their belt and play, and I believed they did a very good job of that.

“I believed our teaching employees did a great job of placing our gamers in positions to achieve success. The expansion from Week Zero to now’s great.”

Bixby (12-1) went into this season having gained the final 4 6AII championships earlier than shifting up a category. The Spartans saved rolling, successful their first 9 video games whereas extending a state 11-man report to 58 straight video games.

That streak got here to an finish on Nov. 3 in a nationally televised 38-35 loss at residence to rival Jenks. However it didn’t deter the Spartans from extending their streak of gold balls, they usually have additionally gained eight state titles over the previous 9 seasons.

After drawing an opening-round bye within the playoffs, the Spartans crushed Enid after which paid again Jenks with a 28-14 semifinal win final week.

“I’m proud, since you by no means wish to limp into the playoffs by shedding a sport in Week 10 and these guys had been in a position to overcome just a little little bit of adversity there, get the whole lot again on observe and find yourself successful the championship, so tremendous pleased with them,” Montgomery mentioned.

Bixby amassed 518 yards of complete offense in Friday’s win – 315 of these coming by way of the air – whereas holding the Rams to 175.

Kirby accomplished 16-of-25 passes for 205 yards and 4 TDs – which went to 4 completely different receivers. He was additionally the Spartans’ high rusher, gaining 86 yards on 16 carries with two TDs.

“I labored actually onerous this summer time doing QB classes,” Kirby mentioned. “(Offensive coordinator Tyler) Schneider actually helped me out, too, with my mechanics and stuff. I simply actually tried to develop into extra of a dual-threat sort of man and do what I might do for the group.

“We simply actually tried to return out and play our greatest sport and proceed being the group we had been all 12 months, bodily and disciplined, and that simply what occurs.”

The Spartans instantly went to city on the opening sequence of Friday’s title sport, marching 80 yards in simply six performs, taking 48 seconds off the clock. Kirby capped it off with a 1-yard keeper, and Levi Hoffman’s PAT gave Bixby a fast 7-0 lead.

Owasso did reply on its first sequence, as senior quarterback Mason Willingham took a keeper 54 yards to the home. However the PAT kick was no good, preserving Bixby in entrance, 7-6.

It turned out to be the closest the Rams acquired all evening.

Kirby proceeded to throw three consecutive TD passes – to 3 completely different receivers. He discovered Jakeb Snyder from 11 yards out after which Luke Hasz from 9 yards out, as Bixby constructed a 21-6 benefit with 3:40 left within the first quarter.

The Spartans’ third TD was arrange by a profitable onside kick, which was recovered by Dylan Hasz.

Dylan Hasz then was the recipient of Kirby’s third TD move, as Hasz caught a deep ball for a 65-yard TD, extending the result in 28-6 with 9:57 remaining till halftime.

However the Spartans nonetheless weren’t carried out placing up factors.

Kirby capped a 13-play 55-yard drive with a 1-yard keeper on fourth down. He had efficiently transformed two different fourth-down performs on that sequence, as Bixby ended up going 6-of-7 on fourth down.

Then with 32 seconds to go within the half, Kirby rolled to his left and launched a TD move to his fourth completely different receiver, as Cale Fugate hauled in a 29-yard catch. Hoffman’s PAT made it 42-6.

Bixby was compelled to punt after going three-and-out on its opening second-half sequence. However the Spartans nonetheless didn’t punt it away, as they referred to as a faux, with Cooper Parker throwing a 49-yard move to Twine Nolan.

Then, the Spartans made it 55-6 with 2:08 left within the third as senior tailback Jersey Robb discovered the top zone from 2 yards out.

Bixby added two extra TDs within the fourth. Backup quarterback Austin Havens, who transferred to Bixby from Owasso within the offseason, linked with Luke Hasz from 30 yards out; then Havens threw a 24-yard strike to Christian Kaiser.

The Spartans scored TDs on every of their first seven drives, and 10 of their 12 possessions. On the 2 drives they didn’t rating, the Spartans missed a discipline aim after which turned it over on downs within the sport’s last moments.

Senior operating again/receiver Kordell Gouldsby added 51 yards dashing on seven carries and caught 5 passes for 23 yards. Snyder had 5 catches for 38 yards, and Luke Hasz three catches for 75 yards.

Robb was the group’s high tackler on protection with 12 complete. Bixby additionally compelled two turnovers, each interceptions by Dylan Hasz.

Willingham was 9-of-11 passing for 47 yards and rushed for 81 yards on 17 carries.

Friday’s loss for the Rams ended what had been a outstanding drive to Edmond. Owasso (9-5) misplaced to Bixby within the season opener and began out 1-4, although the opposite losses had been to Jenks, Tulsa Union and Mustang.

However the Rams rebounded to win eight straight ballgames, capped by a dramatic six-overtime win in opposition to Union in final week’s semifinals.

Owasso, although, was no match once more for Bixby, which now seeks to proceed its streak of state titles subsequent season. One other streak the Spartans can be engaged on for 2023 is making it to their tenth consecutive title sport.

“It feels nice; that loss in opposition to Jenks positively stung just a little bit, however I’m glad the best way the fellows got here collectively and simply actually got here collectively as a group and acquired the job carried out. … That one loss goes to harm, however we’re state champions so it actually doesn’t matter,” Kirby mentioned.