by Jayce Osmus (@jayce_osmus)10/19/2021 11:29:40 AM
posted in: Articles | 1,044 views
The Okeene Whippets downed the Cherokee Chiefs Thursday night to jump back District B-2 mix.
A close game throughout the first three quarters saw Okeene surge forward to take the 28-12 victory.
The Whippets got a big game from their workhorse running back WIlliam Karbs. He finished with 205 yards on 26 carries.
Quarterback Brody Jinkens also piled on 118 yards on the ground after carrying the ball 14 times.
Cherokee’s quarterback Kai McHenry carried the ball 19 times for 84 yards and a touchdown.
The game was highlighted by Karbs and Jinkens.
Karbs touched the ball on over 50 percent of the Whippet offensive snaps. He also was a crucial part of the defense, where he made big fourth down stops from his middle linebacker position.
Karbs ran in two scores with his last being the final points of the game to seal the win.
In the first half, Cherokee gave up an opening drive touchdown.
Karbs ran it in from 8 yards away, but Cherokee dominated the rest of the half.
McHenry drove the Chiefs down the field, capping the drive with a 14-yard scamper to the end zone.
Chiefs running back Kolby Roberts got in on the action and delivered an 18-yard run to the end zone during the second period.
Cherokee led 12-6 at the half after failed two-point conversions on both sides.
Late in the third quarter is when Okeene began to take over.
Jinkens gave a great pump fake and delivered a strike over the safety to Bryer Roberts. Roberts walked into the end zone and after a successful conversion, the Whippets led 14-12.
The fourth quarter was dominated by the Whippets on both sides of the ball.
Continuously running through Karbs and Jinkens, they were able to salt the clock away.
Jinkens broke free on a fantastic 78-yard touchdown run to open the quarter. Karbs also added his own long touchdown, this one being 67 yards away.
Okeene shut out the visiting Chiefs in the second half.
The Chiefs had to try and execute through the air in the fourth quarter and McHenry was under pressure quickly on mostly every drop back.
The Whippet defense also came up with two crucial fumble recoveries.
Okeene forced the last one late in the fourth quarter deep in its own red zone.
Okeene moved on to be 2-5 overall and 1-1 in district play, with a game at Pond Creek-Hunter in Week 8.
The Panthers will also enter the game with a 1-1 district mark.
Cherokee falls to 2-5 and 1-1 and will take on Kremlin-Hillsdale in Friday. Kremlin-Hillsdale also is 1-1 in the district making that game pivotal as well.