'Just keep going': Wagoner survives Tuttle to advance to Class 4A football semifinals

TUTTLE — It is starting to become a bit of a tradition.

For the third year in a row, Tuttle and Wagoner faced off in the quarterfinal round of the Class 4A state playoffs. Two years ago, the Bulldogs prevailed in a tight shootout but last year, Tuttle flipped the script with a 28-0 whitewash.

Friday night's third act was a defensive struggle where a couple of isolated moments determined the victor.

Those moments belonged to Wagoner.

"It was a team effort," Wagoner coach Dale Condict said after the fourth-ranked Bulldogs edged No. 2 Tuttle, 13-10, Friday night at Tuttle High School. "There are a lot of guys that had to make plays. A lot of guys that had to play great defense. Offensive line had to block well at times.

"That is what I told them, 'You know, you're going to get beat at times. You are going to lose some battles, but you have to line up that next play and win that next battle.' And everybody on the field at halftime, that is what I told them. 'Every play you have is an opportunity that could be the difference in the game.' I think if this game is played 10 times, it is probably five and five."

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With the win, Wagoner (9-3) advanced to play a Class 4A state semifinal next week against No. 7 Poteau (10-2) at a neutral site to be announced Saturday. Two years ago, the quarterfinal win over Tuttle propelled the Bulldogs to the 4A title.

"Just keep going," Wagoner sophomore quarterback Kale Charboneau said. "Keep working."

Charboneau threw for 187 yards and ran for 41, with none more important than his 3-yard sneak on fourth-and-inches from his own 34-yard line with just 4:02 to go and his team clinging to its 13-10 lead.

"Our center Jacob Barney said, 'Put it behind me,'" Charboneau said. "We just put it behind him and he got it for us."

One play after the gutsy call, Charboneau raced 29 yards on another keeper, which helped Wagoner pin Tuttle at its own seven-yard line with just 1:53 left on the clock.

"There was no one on the sideline that second-guessed that at all," Condict said. "I asked my main guys that I trust and all the coordinators, everybody was like, 'No doubt. We can go get it.'"

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Three plays into Tuttle's attempted rally, an interception by Wagoner sophomore free safety Tres Thornton effectively clinched the game and sent the Bulldogs' sideline into a joyous celebration.

"I wasn't letting anyone behind me," Thornton said. "Just let the ball fall into my hands."

Wagoner senior tailback Braylon Roberson ran for a 35-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Tuttle responded with 10 second-quarter points, highlighted by a 33-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Mason Dennis to junior receiver junior Major Sharp.

It appeared that the Tigers had reclaimed the momentum, but they managed just 31 total yards and two first downs after halftime.

"We came back, we just picked each other up," Wagoner senior strong safety Gabe Rodriguez said. "We had a couple bad downs, a couple penalties here and there, but as long as we have got each other's backs and this brotherhood, it is just great to play."

Rodriguez collected one of three Wagoner interceptions off a brilliant tip from teammate Trenton Edward, while senior Brayden Skeen posted a pick on the game's first possession.

Wagoner senior Ethan Muehlenweg booted a pair of second-half field goals for the only points after halftime.

Tuttle sophomore defensive lineman Adrian Avelar recorded an interception for the Tigers, which ends their season at 9-3.

"Their effort was good," Tuttle coach Brad Ballard said. "They have nothing to put their heads down about."

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma HS football: Wagoner beats Tuttle in Class 4A playoffs