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Featured

Highlights and takeaways: Norman North falls to Owasso 50-21 in quarterfinals of playoffs

Norman North

Norman North during the game against Edmond North on Nov. 10. 

 Sutton Spinner/OU Daily

Norman North (9-3) fell to Owasso (9-2) 50-21 on the road in the quarterfinals of the Oklahoma 6A-I playoffs on Friday evening, marking consecutive losses to the Rams in the playoffs.

Junior quarterback Owen Eshelman threw two touchdown passes, both to sophomore wide receiver Mason James in the fourth quarter. James also rushed for a touchdown in the second quarter, ending the game with three scores.

On defense, the Timberwolves allowed the most points since giving up 60 to Bixby on Sept. 22. Senior defensive end Finn Smith recorded a sack.

Here are the highlights and takeaways from the game:

Takeaways

Timberwolves defense falters throughout

During the game, Owasso had little trouble putting points on the board.

The Rams scored just six points in the first quarter with a 20-yard touchdown pass from quatrterback Knox Dyson to running back Jayson Moll.

However, a 6-0 lead turned into a 29-7 halftime lead following two additional touchdown passes from Dyson and a 22-yard rushing touchdown from running back Jayden Hall.

The Rams poured it on in the second half, tallying 31 more points. Dyson threw his third touchdown pass in the third quarter, while Hall scored his second rushing touchdown on Owasso's next drive.

Having witnessed one of his team's worst defensive performances of the season, Norman North head coach Justin Jones had much criticism.

"There is a litany of things I can go through," Jones said. "There are a lot of fundamental things that we didn't do great. If you violate those fundamentals, then you get beat, and that's one of the things that happened."

James becomes bright spot in defeat

Despite the blowout loss, Norman North saw yet another productive outing from James.

The sophomore ended his season with 17 total touchdowns. All of Norman North's points were scored by James, with both of his receiving scores being from over 20 yards out. 

However, James' scores ended up being a non-factor with Jones calling his team's offense "one-dimensional."

"We couldn't uphold the pressure on offense," Jones said. "We had a lot of negative yard plays early in the game and got behind the sticks, and it was tough for us to push the ball down the field. When you can't establish a run game, you get one-dimensional.

"When you get in those situations, your playbook really gets constricted. You got to hope for a big play. We were trying different things, and they had an answer every time."

Jones pencils 2023 as "success," shows gratitude toward seniors

After the game, Jones shared his appreciation for Norman North's senior class.

Many of them played key roles for the Timberwolves this season. Senior defensive backs Camden Pratcher and Curtis Miller combined for 10 interceptions, while senior defensive end Finn Smith and senior outside linebacker Carver Rogers played pivotal roles on the front seven.

On the offensive side, senior wide receiver Zain Prater recorded seven touchdown catches.

Jones "can't say enough good things" about Norman North's seniors, believing they've set an important foundation for the future.

"I always ask them to leave things better than they found them, and I thought this senior class did a great job with that," Jones said. "We're losing some great leaders. But as one chapter closes, another one opens.

"We talked about building on the foundation, I think this senior class really bought into what we're doing here and I can't thank them enough."

Jones also said 2023 was a success for Norman North.

"Anytime you go 9-3, you have a great season," Jones said. "We wanted to win that first (playoff) game. We did that. We wanted to win nine this year. We were able to accomplish that.

"Only one team gets to be happy at the end of the year and unfortunately it's not us, but there's a lot to look back on. One game is not gonna define us and who we are."

Carver Rogers and Finn Smith

Carver Rogers and Finn Smith during the game against Edmond North on Nov. 10. 

Scoring Plays

Owasso 50, Norman North 21 (0:52 4th)

Eshleman went deep to James on the left side for a 31-yard touchdown.

Owasso 50, Norman North 14 (7:51 4th)

Eshelman found James for a 24-yard touchdown catch.

Owasso 50, Norman North 7 (9:33 4th)

Owasso's Chris Tavares scores a 10-yard rushing touchdown.

Owasso 43, Norman North 7 (1:58 3rd)

Owasso's Jayden Hall scored his second rushing touchdown of the game from three yards out.

Owasso 36, Norman North 7 (3:30 3rd)

Owasso's Mason Hendricks caught a 13-yard touchdown pass from Knox Dyson.

Owasso 29, Norman North 7 (0:00 2nd)

Owasso kicked a 38-yard field goal to close out the 1st half.

Owasso 26, Norman North 7 (1:21 2nd)

Owasso's Logan Francis caught a 22-yard touchdown from Knox Dyson.

Owasso 19, Norman North 7 (5:51 2nd)

Owasso's Noah Hill caught a 35-yard touchdown to restore the Rams' two-score lead.

Owasso 12, Norman North 7 (6:20 2nd)

James scored a one-yard rushing touchdown after a 45-yard catch from Prater on the previous play.

Owasso 12, Norman North 0 (11:11 2nd)

Hall goes right up the middle for a 22-yard rushing touchdown. The two-point conversion was no good.

Owasso 6, Norman North 0 (8:20 1st)

Moll caught a 20-yard screen pass from Dyson for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was no good. 

Further Reading

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