9/13/22
Alma built a 22-0 so quickly on Friday that they almost forgot they still had nearly 35 minutes of football left to play.
The Airedales’ Carlos Gonzalez ran for two touchdowns and an even 100 yards as the Airedales coasted to a 36-27 victory over Pryor, Okla. at Citizens Bank Field at Airedale Stadium.
“We got up really quick and the kids, they’re probably upset because we gave up a few yards, but that’s what happens when you get a big lead like that,” Alma coach Rusty Bush said. “They (Pryor) opened up their playbook and we loosened up a little bit.
“But here’s the biggest thing — these kids believe they are winners, and we haven’t had that in a long time.”
Alma is 3-0 for the first time since 2014.
Alma took a 36-13 fourth-quarter lead on Joe Trusty’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Schlegel before the Tigers (0-2) scored a pair of late touchdowns to close to within nine with 2:25 left to play.
The Airedales recovered an onside kick and were at the Tigers’ 12-yard line when Trusty went into victory formation.
Trusty completed 11-of-13 passes for 126 yards. Israel Towns-Robinson ran for 69 yards and a touchdown. Trusty also ran for a score.
Junior Drake Stogsdill caught six passes for 96 yards in the victory.
“Getting out early, it gave us that confidence we needed,” Stogsdill said. “It gave us that upper hand.”
Sophomore Cash Farris had two interceptions, including an interception on the final play of the first half. Senior Dylan Flanagan had three more quarterback sacks to give him seven through the first three games of the season — matching Alma’s season total from a year ago.
Pryor quarterback Brunk Gray finished with 288 yards passing and a TD. He threw for 2,702 yards in 2021.
The Airedales open 5A-West play on Sept. 23 against Clarksville.