By Michael Kinney
MOORE— Yukon traveled to Moore Thursday night looking to pick up its first win of the season. After a bad loss to rival Mustang the week before, they had plenty of incentive to play a much cleaner game.
However, for the second week in a row, the Millers mistakes hurt their chances of pulling out a victory as they fell 49-35 to the Lions at Moore Stadium.
“It’s a little bit frustrating,” coach Jeremy Reed said. “I liked the effort in the second half. Gave up eight points in the second half. Kind of shot ourselves in the foot. A lot.”
With less than two minutes left in the game, Yukon was once again knocking on Moore’s door. Trailing by two touchdowns, they drove deep into MHS territory and were looking to make it a one score game.
From the six-yard line Caden Hernandez took a pitch from quarterback Levi Davis. Hernandez bullied his way down to the one-yard line giving the Millers a chance to score on the next play.
However, as the Lions were getting off Hernandez, he kicked at one of the MHS players, who fell over screaming as he held his groin. Yukon was assessed a personal foul and pushed back 15 yards.
“Until we decide to grow up and be mature, we’re going to continue to get beat because of our undisciplined,” Reed said. “I don’t know what to say other than that is a selfish act.
The next play, Davis just missed hitting Colton Phinny in the endzone for a touchdown. Two plays later, the Millers fumbled and the Lions recovered the loose ball before running out the clock.
Yukon finished the day with 498 total yards of offense. That included 463 yards on the ground.
Cameron Farmer led the charge with 128 yards on 14 carries. Hernandez added 101 yards while Landon Donoho rushed for 90.
However, the YHS defense gave up 575 total yards. MHS had a balanced attack of 267 yards on the ground and 297 through the air.
Moore quarterback Daniel Hishaw accounted for 297 yards on 10-of-15 passing. He also ran for another 91 yards. Wideout Brandon Girard caught 5 passes for 245 yards and two scores. Jayce Gardner tacked on 186 yards rushing on eight carries.
The start of the game was nearly a blur as both teams traded scores in the first quarter. Makari Slaughter who ran through a defender at the goalline to start the second quarter gave Yukon a 14-12 lead.
The Yukon defense couldn’t slow down the Moore offense in the first half. They picked up two more touchdowns and the Millers found themselves trailing 26-14 with six minutes left I the half.
It looked like the Lions were on the verge of going up by three touchdowns late in the half, but Nate Hahn came up with an interception in the endzone to end the threat.
Unfortunately for the Millers, that wasn’t the end of the scoring. Instead of just taking a knee and running out the clock, Yukon attempted to run its offense deep in their own territory. With under 10 seconds left Donoho fumbled for the second time. This time Moore was able to snag it out of the air and return it for a score. MHS held a 41-21 halftime advantage.
Yukon took the opening possession of the second half and drove 80 yards in 13 plays before Slaughter scored off the right side. The deficit was closed to 41-28.
After the Yukon defense forced Moore to punt, the Millers got the ball back on their own 3-yard line.
During the ensuing drive, Slaughter was gang tackled and laid motionless on the ground for more than 20 minutes. He was put on a stretcher then carted off the field to an awaiting ambulance.
Without Slaughter, the Millers had to find others to step up. That included Isaiah Butler who caught the Miller’s first pass of the night two plays later.
Donoho finished the drive off with a short TD run and cut the to 41-35 with 7:15 left in the game.
“We had a chance,” Reed said. “But we have a long way to go.”
Michael Kinney is a Freelance Content Provider