Hornets Escape East Central with a Win

The Booker T. Washington Hornets got a clutch performance from its defense late against East Central.

Thursday, July 28th 2011, 5:47 pm

By: News On 6

Originally Published: Sep 17, 2010 12:15 AM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

TULSA, Oklahoma – The Booker T Washington Hornets had beaten the East Central Cardinals in 3-out-of-4 tries coming into the cross-town rivals’ Week 3 matchup. A clutch performance from running back Isaac Bennett ensured them of making it 4-out-of-5.

The Hornets downed East Central 27-24 Thursday night in front of a rowdy crowd at Tulsa’s East Side Sports Complex. Booker T. Washington’s star led his team to the road win with an impressive fourth quarter display. Trailing 24-20, Bennett picked up runs of 19 and 24 yards, and the go-ahead 19-yard touchdown reception in the team's winning drive.

Darrell Hall’s Hornets bounced back from a rough 32-17 loss to Broken Arrow a week ago. Booker T. Washington scored 27 points against the Cardinals after only notching 29 in the first two games.

The 2009 regular season meeting between the Hornets and Cardinals was called in the second half when police showed up to quell a budding riot. No fans were involved in any altercations on Thursday.

The Cardinals looked strong a week after beating Bartlesville by one in overtime. East Central played well in the second half after going into the locker room down 13-10. Head coach Travis Hill elected to take the chip-shot field goal at the end of the second quarter on 4th-and-2 inside the Hornets’ five yard line instead of trying for the go-ahead touchdown.

East Central has scored 102 points in three games so far this season. The defense has played pretty well, too, giving up just over 18 points through three games.

East Central controlled the ball in the third quarter. Despite only having the ball for 8:30 in the second half, Booker T. Washington tied the Cardinals 14-14 on the scoreboard in the final two quarters.

Hall’s Hornets intercepted John McDavid three times in the game. Tyler Lockett, Tre Jones and Dante Barnett all tallied interceptions.

Cardinal speedster Cody Colbert returned a punt for a third quarter score. The loss denied East Central its first 3-0 start since 2007. That year the team finished 12-1.

Next week, the Hornets will travel to face the Skiatook Bulldogs. East Central will host the Edison Eagles.