Savages shut out

By Mike Moguin
Sports Writer

TECUMSEH — Wayland Moore threw for five touchdowns and the defense pitched a shutout as McLoud rolled to a 34-0 victory over Tecumseh Friday night.
The Redskins (5-1 overall, 2-1 in District 4A-2) also limited the Savages to 94 yards, including minus-16 on the ground.
In addition to his five TDs, Moore threw for 199 yards on 11 completions out of 20 attempts.
Cody Phipps was a force in the rushing department. He ran for 110 yards on 21 carries.
Cody Ferrell had high production in receiving with six catches for 115 yards and two TDs.
“They came up with a pretty good defensive scheme on our run game,” McLoud coach Eric Cardin said. “They did a pretty good job and it opened up our passing game. Wayland threw the ball well tonight. When people shut down our run game, we can throw it and that’s good.”
Phipps led the defense from his linebacker spot with seven tackles and one interception. The Redskins also forced six sacks. “Our defense was trying to play a little more aggressive,” Cardin said. “I was proud of them tonight for getting a shutout. Our backups came in the second half and did a good job as well.”
Tecumseh (2-4, 1-2) has now lost two straight since winning its district opener two weeks ago.
Besides facing pressure from defenders, the Savage offense also lost yardage on errant snaps and fumbles for loss.
“McLoud is a great football team,” Tecumseh coach Greg George said. “They’ve got one of the best teams they have had in my five years at Tecumseh. They have athletes all over the field and they make plays. They run and hit. There were times we looked a lot slower than McLoud did.
“We missed way too many tackles. Some of it is they’re just a lot faster than us.”
Tecumseh also struggled with its punting, allowing McLoud to start a few drives with a short field.
After going three-and-out on its first series, Moore led the Redskins with his air attack and hit Phipps in the end zone from 20 yards to make it 7-0.
Starting at midfield after a 30-yard Tecumseh punt, McLoud got a 40-yard gain on second down from Phipps, who dragged a few Savages along the way.
That set up a 5-yard TD from Moore to Von Kendrick for a 14-0 game with 2:53 remaining in the first quarter.
McLoud punted on its next series, but scored on two straight before the half.
Miles Bacon caught a 33-yard scoring strike with 6:17 left. The extra point was missed after that TD.
Five minutes later, on second down at the Redskin 40-yard line, Moore connected with Ferrell at the Tecumseh 15, who completed the 60-yard TD and a 27-0 halftime advantage.
McLoud added its last TD on its first second-half possession on a six-yarder to Ferrell.
Tecumseh had a few opportunities to score but could not capitalize.
On the last possession of the first half, signal caller Kyle Fowler connected with Daniel Ramey and Ryan Morrison, respectively, for receptions covering 38 and 31 yards. Morrison finished with five catches for 105 yards.
That put the Savages in business at the McLoud 2. But they lost seven yards on the next three plays.
The Savages were also intercepted twice when starting a drive in Redskin territory.
Cardin is pleased with where his team stands at this point, but acknowledges the tough task they have next week.
“I still think we could get a little better,” Cardin said. “The better teams get better as the season goes along. We have the opportunity to play the No. 1 team in the state next week. Glenpool is a tough team and we’ll have our hands full, but I feel good with where we are at right now.”