— CATOOSA –  Fort Gibson played cardiac cats Friday night as the Tigers held on to oust the Catoosa Indians 35-32 at Frank McNabb Stadium behind a bend but not break defense that forced three interceptions in the second half of the game.

The Tigers held a 28-12 with 7:41 to go in the third quarter but allowed the Indians to make a mad push with three late touchdowns.

“These were two high octane teams going at it tonight,” said Fort Gibson coach James Singleton.

J.R. Singleton, the coach’s son, dove in from two yards out with 5:03 left in the game to give the Tigers a 35-25 lead. The touchdown run was set up by a Singleton to Ned Adair 55 yard pass to the Indian three yard line.

 Austin Potter tried to make things interesting for the home crowd when he tossed his third touchdown pass of the night for the Indians and pull within three at 35-32. But the Tiger offense ground out the remaining 2:28 for the win, the first over the Indians.

“This is definitely a feather in our cap tonight,” said the coach. “This was two great football teams on a great stage, other than the weather, these kids played one great game.”

Its was a 16 yard Daniel Meilnick to Ned Adair pass on a fake punt on a fourth and four midway through the second quarter gave the Tigers the momentum heading into halftime.

Jake Gandara busted off a 53 yard run three plays after the fake punt to the Indians three yard line. Two plays later Gandara drove over for the score and a 21-12 lead entering halftime.

Entering the game the Tigers boasted a No. 9 ranking in Class 4A, with the Indians just one spot behind them.

Singleton got the Tigers started with a one yard quarterback sneak for a quick 7-0 lead with 10:56 left in the first quarter. The drive was set up by Gandara’s 60 yard return of the opening kickoff to the Indian 21.

The Indians countered with twin brothers Hunter and Hagen Harrison running the ball with Hunter scoring from two yards out and then Potter tossing his first score for a 12-7 lead heading into the second quarter.

“They caught us off guard with some things,” said the elder Singleton. “Potter found some open receivers but our kids found a way to win and made some plays.,”

Gandara put the Tigers back on top with a pair of his own scores, both from short yardage.

Linebacker Brian Cerveny stepped in front of a Potter pass at the Tigers 35 yard line, then sprinted in for the score via a convoy of Tigers for a 28-12 lead in the third stanza.

The Indians made a late charge with a onside kick and Potter’s three scores in the second half.

Singleton finished the night with 107 yards rushing with Gandara with 98 yards. Ned Adair pulled in 98 yards receiving.



FORT GIBSON 35, CATOOSA 32

FGHS    7    14    7    7–35

CHS    12    0    7    13–32

 

SCORING

First Quarter

FGHS – J.R. Singleton 1 run (Daniel Mielnik kick) 10:56

CHS – Hunter Harrison 2 run (kick fail) 5:39

CHS – Tre Harvey 21 pass from Austin Potter (kick fail) 1:40

Second Quarter

FGHS – Jake Gandara 3 run (Meilnik kick) 7:56

FGHS – Gandara 2 run (Meilnik kick) 1:51

Third Quarter

FGHS – Brian Cerveny 65 interception return (Meilnik kick) 7:41

CHS – Caleb Wilsey 11 pass from Potter (Cory Barnett kick) 3:59

Fourth Quarter

CHS – Potter 33 run (kick fail) 10:29

FGHS – Singleton 2 run (Meilnik kick) 5:03

CHS – Wilsey 36 pass from Potter (Barnett kick) 2:28

 

TEAM STATS

    FGHS    CHS

First Downs    16    19

Rushes –Yards    36-21    39-204

Passing A-C-I    9-4-1    21-10-3

Passing Yards    102    92

Punts – Avg.    2-30    3-42

Penalties Yards    6-4    6-60

Fum – Lost    1-1    1-0