Norman Upsets Rival Norman North to Start Season

The Tigers beat the Timberwolves for the first time since 2005.

Thursday, July 28th 2011, 5:45 pm

By: News On 6

Norman Upsets Rival Norman North to Start Season

Originally Published: Sep 4, 2010 12:18 AM CDT

Steve McGehee
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

NORMAN, Oklahoma – In one of Week 1’s biggest surprises, the Norman Tigers upset rival Norman North 24-7 Friday.

Norman’s win ended a four-game losing streak to the Timberwolves, which included a 30-9 beating to begin last season. Running back Donovan Roberts was a workhorse for the Tigers, carrying the ball 31 times for 199 yards and two touchdowns.

Norman struck the scoreboard first, capitalizing on a Norman North turnover on its first possession. Logan Hammonds connected on a 32-yard field goal to give the Tigers a 3-0 advantage with 9:10 left in the first quarter.

The Timberwolves quickly answered back, when Brad Valentino and Daniel Davis hooked up for a 71-yard touchdown strike. Norman North entered the second quarter with a 7-3 lead.

The Tigers took the lead for good in the second quarter when Roberts found the end zone from two yards out. Norman led 10-7 going into halftime. The score stayed that way going into the fourth quarter.

Norman extended its lead to 10 points thanks to a 50-yard touchdown pass from sophomore Zach Long to Jaimie Myers.

After the touchdown, Norman pooched the kickoff and recovered the ball, preventing Norman North from starting a comeback. On the ensuing possession, Roberts delivered his second touchdown of the night, a 32-yard scamper to finish the scoring.