Owasso Rams Know Bartlesville is No Ordinary No. 3 Seed

Originally Published: Nov 11, 2009 9:58 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Reporter

OWASSO, Oklahoma – The 2009 season started off pretty rocky for the Owasso Rams. OHS dropped three of its first five games and looked like it was headed for a subpar season, but the Rams turned it on in district play, finishing 5-2.

“I felt like our kids made progress all year,” said Owasso head coach Bill Patterson, whose Rams played Muskogee, Broken Arrow, and Jenks the first three weeks. “At this point in time, the competition takes a step up. Everybody’s intensity is amped up a bit more, so we are going to have to play better.”

The offensive side of the ball played a big part of the turnaround. The Rams got two starters back from injury against Ponca City in week seven and the offense took off. Quarterback Joe Lindsey and lineman Trent Spurgeon returned to the lineup against the Wildcats and Owasso exploded for 48 points. Since the duo returned, the Rams are averaging over ten more points per game.

“Me and him bring back a lot from last year, with leadership and stuff,” said Lindsey. “I think it’s more leadership, being able to show someone something that they don’t know.”

The Rams will need big games from both of them if they want to move on to round two of this year’s playoffs. The Bartlesville Bruins stumbled into the third seed towards the end of the regular season with losses to Jenks and Broken Arrow. The Bruins can score, and Owasso knows it. A week after scoring just three total points, the Rams are focused on trying to outscore the Bruins.

“The key for us is we’re going to have to score points,” said Patterson. “Coming off last week’s performance, we’ve got to get it done this week.”

“Their offense scores a lot, but I think our offense can score on their defense too,” said Lindsey. “I think it will be high scoring, but I think our defense will man-up like they did earlier in the season.”

Kickoff is set for 7:30 Friday night in Owasso. The winner will take on the winner of Southmoore and Eisenhower.