By By Jim Luke / special to the Star
Oct. 12, 2002
PHILADELPHIA The Heidelberg Oilers road behind a solid offensive front line to a 12-7 victory over the Philadelphia Tornadoes here Friday night in a key Division 5-3A battle.
Neither team was able to get going in the first quarter with turnovers caused by hard-hitting defenses thwarting drives by both teams but the Oilers used the big play to break the ice on the scoreboard in the first drive of the second quarter.
Facing a fourth-and-one at the Tornado 46-yard line, Oiler quarterback Michael Johnson broke through the line for the long run and a touchdown with 9:01 left in the second quarter. The two-point conversion run came up short for a 6-0 Heidelberg advantage.
The Tornadoes responded to the call and marched the ball 67 yards on a nine-play drive to take the lead with 4:46 left in the first half. Philadelphia quarterback Tyler Threadgill capped the drive with a 10-yard run for the touchdown and Porter Jordan added the extra point to give Philly a 7-6 lead in its homecoming contest.
The Oilers ended the scoring for the night on their next possession, taking the ball 74 yards on seven plays. The two-point run failed and Heidelberg held a 12-7 advantage with 1:31 remaining in the first half.
Neither team was able to mount a threat until late in the fourth quarter when the Tornadoes made a run for the win on their last possession of the night. Philadelphia moved the ball to the Heidelberg 20-yard line, but a Gabriel Ferguson fumble recovery with 1:33 left to play ended the threat and left Heidelberg atop the region standings with a 4-0 record in division play.
Douglas Ryan led the Oilers in rushing yardage with 110 yards on the ground behind the blocking of Timothy Milsap, Daniel Barnett, Kendrick Lang, Ricardo McCoy and Greg Cooley. The Oilers had 257 rushing yards and 59 yards through the air in the contest.
Heidelberg coach Larry McGill was extremely proud of his team after the game while, at the same time, having plenty of praise for the Philadelphia unit.
The Tornadoes had 152 rushing yards, led by Chris McCurty with 54, and 36 yards passing.
Philadelphia coach Marcus Wood was disappointed for his players after the loss, but thought they gave a good effort in the game.
Philadelphia, 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the division, travels to Southeast Lauderdale Friday for an important division battle.
Heidelberg, 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the division, leaves division play Friday night to play Greenwood before finishing up with Choctaw Central and Newton County.