By Ty Loftis | Photographs by Michael Kinney
EDMOND – Bixby has formally launched an empire in highschool soccer with Friday’s 69-6 win in opposition to Owasso for the Class 6AI title.
Sure, this was the Spartans’ fifth consecutive state championship, nevertheless it was their first one in Class 6AI. Much more, it was the primary time since 1995 that both a Jenks or Tulsa Union workforce – two groups that had constantly been on the prime over time like Bixby is lately – didn’t seem in a 6A state championship recreation.
Quarterback Connor Kirby, who handed for 205 yards and ran for 86 extra on Friday evening whereas scoring six touchdowns, mentioned he felt as if his workforce was in a groove from the opening kickoff.
“There was positively plenty of emotion in that recreation,” Kirby mentioned. “We got here out and executed, and it felt nice.”
Bixby coach Loren Montgomery mentioned the spectacular evening Kirby had.
“I’m tremendous pleased with Connor and the best way he has grown as a competitor and a frontrunner,” Montgomery mentioned. “He is an effective child.”
Kirby remarked he had been working for that second ever since summer time practices started.
“I took throwing classes over the summer time, coaches helped me work on my mechanics, and I actually tried to change into extra of a dual-threat type of man to do what I might for the workforce,” Kirby mentioned.
Other than a Thursday evening loss to Jenks in Week 10, a recreation during which the Spartans virtually rallied late to win, Bixby outscored its opponents 880-94 on the yr. Kirby mentioned that recreation was a wake-up name for his workforce.
“That loss in opposition to Jenks on nationwide tv actually stung, however I’m actually pleased with the means our guys rallied and got here collectively after that,” Kirby mentioned.
The Spartans opened the season in opposition to Owasso. Montgomery says watching his workforce develop from Week Zero to now has been an important feeling.
“We had plenty of new starters, particularly up entrance,” Montgomery mentioned. “4 of our 5 offensive lineman have been new starters and actually the whole entrance seven have been first-year starters. Our teaching workers did an important job and so they grew a ton because the yr went alongside.”
Montgomery did say that after this class grew up, they have been particular and the seniors will depart an enduring mark on this system.
“A whole lot of these guys received to play in 2020 as sophomores,” Montgomery mentioned. “They’ve performed plenty of soccer and for them to exit on this notice, I’m simply tremendous pleased with them.”
This was the primary state championship the Spartans have been capable of declare as a 6AI contender, as this was the primary yr they moved up into that classification.
When requested if this championship felt any completely different, Montgomery mentioned it might be up for the general public to resolve.
Subsequent yr, Bixby will look to win a sixth consecutive championship.