Timberwolves

Timberwolves during the game against Southmoore on Oct. 12.

 Sutton Spinner/OU Daily

Norman North (5-2, 2-2 District) soundly defeated Southmoore (0-7, 0-4) 43-14 in a home game Thursday evening.

Junior quarterback Owen Eshelman recorded four total touchdowns, including three passing scores. Two were caught by senior wide receiver Zain Prater and the other by sophomore wide receiver Mason James.

Additionally, Eshelman, and senior running backs Duante Moses and Latrell Williams scored rushing touchdowns for the Timberwolves. On defense, senior defensive lineman Finn Smith recorded a sack.

Norman North remains in fourth place in the 6A-I District 1 standings, behind Bixby, Westmoore and Jenks.

Here are highlights are takeaways from Norman North's win:

Takeaways

Timberwolves lethal through air

Of Eshelman's three passing touchdowns, two of them were above 30 yards including his 45-yard strike to James with 11:53 in the second quarter. It was Norman North's longest play of the game.

The other was a 39-yard pass to Prater, the Timberwolves' first score of the game with 7:37 in the first quarter. He later caught his second score from four yards out with 3:22 in the second quarter.

"The first one, I had a post and I knew I was going to beat him," Prater said. "The ball was a little short, and I knew I couldn't let (Eshelman) throw a pick. I had to go up and get it."

"The second one was a slant, and the coaches told me to run it differently than I was before just to see what would happen. That's what I did, and it worked."

For Eshelman, he credits his touchdowns to the trust he and his receivers have with each other.

"It's just a mutual trust," Eshelman said. "I trust them to be in the right spot for me to put the ball where it needs to go, and it worked out."

In addition to his three touchdown passes, Eshelman completed 12 of 25 passes for 222 yards and one interception and rushed for 54 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries. James and Prater have combined for 11 touchdowns this season. 

"Easy" scheme drives Timberwolves defense

Against the Sabercats, Norman North allowed 14 or fewer points for the third time this season. The Timberwolves also pitched a first half shutout. 

Smith believes Norman North's defense went went "back to basics", believing they play better when the gameplan isn't too complicated. 

"I think it being basic worked for us," Smith said. "After a play, we'd go back and we'd already knew what we were gonna do. We were able to play free because of that."

Smith's defensive teammates agreed.

"The coaches made it really easy for us this week," said junior defensive lineman Garrison Utley. "We had a base defense this week, so we were used to everything and that made us fire off the ball hard. We didn't have to think, we just played."

Before Thursday's game, Norman North ranked third amongst its district with 172 points allowed behind Bixby and Jenks.

Finn Smith

Senior defensive lineman Finn Smith during the game against Southmoore on Oct. 12.

Jones proud of response after Jenks defeat

After last Thursday's 42-14 defeat against Jenks, Norman North coach Justin Jones was hoping for a response similar to the Timberwolves' 28-14 win over Broken Arrow after a 60-2 loss to Bixby. 

Specifically, he wanted his offense to play "more as a unit" against the Sabercats. With zero turnovers and six touchdowns, Jones believes the Timberwolves did just that. 

"I thought last week, we just had a bunch of people on different pages," Jones said. "We got in our own way a bunch. I was just looking for an operational offense this week and making sure we stayed on schedule, and we did that."

Jones was also impressed with Norman North's secondary after emphasizing improvements during practice.

"For the most part, I thought our secondary played well," Jones said. "Our linebackers played well and kept things in front of them, which allowed our defensive line to go to work and do a good job."

Next, Norman North goes on the road to face Moore (4-2, 1-2) in its third straight Thursday game at 7 p.m.

Zain Prater and Luke Freeland

Zain Prater (left) and Luke Freeland (right) celebrate after a touchdown in the game against Southmoore.

Scoring plays

Norman North 43, Southmoore 14 (0:10 3rd)

Southmoore's Anthony Johnson scores the Sabercats' second touchdown with a one-yard rush.

Norman North 43, Southmoore 7 (2:31 3rd)

Junior quarterback Owen Eshelman calls his own number for a nine-yard rushing touchdown.

Norman North 36, Southmoore 7 (5:28 3rd)

After an interception from Skyler Mayer, Southmoore's Cruz Campbell rushes into the end zone from seven yards out.

Norman North 36, Southmoore 0 (0:20 2nd)

Junior running back Latrell Williams scores an 8-yard rushing touchdown for the Timberwolves' fifth score of the game.

Norman North 29, Southmoore 0 (3:22 2nd)

Senior wide receiver Zain Prater catches his second touchdown after a four-yard pass from junior quarterback Owen Eshelman. Senior defensive back Camden Pratcher ran in a two-point conversion.

Norman North 21, Southmoore 0 (11:53 2nd)

Eshelman and sophomore wide receiver Mason James connect on a 45-yard touchdown pass.

Norman North 14, Southmoore 0 (5:59 1st)

Senior Y-back Duante Moses punches in a touchdown from two yards out to extend Norman North's lead.

Norman North 7, Southmoore 0 (7:37 1st)

Eshelman finds Prater downfield for a 39-yard touchdown pass.

Further Reading

This story was edited by Colton Sulley.

OU Daily standards

See an error? Earning trust is our duty. We correct errors atop stories. Identify an error, request a takedown or get in touch.

Independent and free since 1916: OU is committed to our editorial independence. You can help ensure our reporting remains strong and accessible to all invested in OU and Norman.

Want to comment? We value dialogue on issues we cover. On our social media accounts, we moderate disparagements, arguments and attacks, including those directed at our staff — and ban those repeatedly failing civility. The editor considers guest column submissions.