Zebras shut down Chieftains

By BEN JOHNSON World Correspondent - 11/7/2009


CLAREMORE — After finding out they were destined for the Class 6A playoffs, the Claremore Zebras wanted to enter the postseason with momentum.

Mission accomplished.

The Zebras' rushed for 267 yards and two touchdowns, and Claremore's defense shut out Sapulpa en route to a 21-0 victory Friday night at Lantow Field.

"We wanted to go into the playoffs with some momentum," Claremore coach Rob Gilbreath said. " This is a good club, I'm proud of them and I'm glad we're going to the playoffs."

Claremore (6-4, 4-3 District 6A-3) scored its first TD in the second quarter on Gavin Little's 23-yard pass to Jordan Basks on fourth-and-19 from Sapulpa's 23-yard line.

Claremore, who entered the game allowing 19.7 points per conte

st, limited Sapulpa (1-9, 1-6) to only 15 rushing yards, 81 passing yards and nine first downs.

"This year the defense has been good," Claremore senior linebacker Tyler Butcher said. "We love shutting down people with all-out defense."

For Butcher, however, the highlight of the night came on a 59-yard touchdown run which gave the Zebras a 21-0 lead late in the third quarter.

"I saw a wide-open hole, I took aim and I ran as fast as I could," said a smiling Butcher, who finished the game with 81 yards on two carri

es. He entered the final game of the reg

ular season with four carries for minus-4 yards.

Sophomore running back Chase Talbert paved the way for the Zebras' rushing attack with 148 yards and a TD on 24 carries. His TD came on a 1-yard plunge in the third.

Claremore had already earned a postseason berth by virtue of Sand Springs' forfeiture of the Week 8 game between the two schools.

The Zebras travel to 6A No. 2 Union for the first round.

"They're No. 2 for a reason," Gilbreath said of the Redskins. "We'll have to watch film and prepare and hope we get some breaks."

CLAREMORE 21, SAPULPA 0

Sapulpa 0 0 0 0 — 0
Claremore 0 7 14 0 — 21

C: J. Basks 23 pass from Little (Litterell kick)

C: Talbert 1 run (Litterell kick)

C: Butcher 59 run (Litterell kick)

SapulpaClaremore First Downs917 Rushes-Yards17-1540-267 Comp-Att-Int10-26-09-16-1 Passing Yards81106 Total Yards96373 Punts-Avg9-36.03-34.3 Fumbles-lost0-02-1 Penalties-Yards7-5110-102


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Tulsa World Reader Comments
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DavidM F, (11/8/2009 12:16:53 AM)
This group of coaches have great character, and it is shown by its players. We should be very pround of this group... More power to doing it the right way, & not having to cheat... great programs come from the top down, and that begins with the coaches staff. These guys are a great bunch, with charater...

buzzboy, (11/7/2009 11:30:42 AM)
oldnorthroad, you are what is wrong with society. the no snitch attitude. How about standing up for whats right. It is not snitching. Besides, schools are required to turn that info in if they are made aware of violations. It is the right thing to do. Stop the cheating. DO WHATS RIGHT.

oldnorthroad, (11/7/2009 1:22:25 AM)
OSSAA informants

Steff M, Claremore (11/7/2009 7:32:20 AM)
whining boob

Steff M, Claremore (11/7/2009 7:33:11 AM)
Congrats to the Zeebs. Good luck next week.

CL. 69, Claremore (11/7/2009 9:04:04 AM)
Kick some UNION butt next week. GOOD LUCK ZEB'S!!



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