Norman North (1-0) defeated Norman High (0-1) 21-0 in the Crosstown Clash on Thursday at Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. It’s the Timberwolves’ fourth straight win over the Tigers.
Norman North faces Edmond Sante Fe in Edmond next Friday, while Norman High takes on Moore at home in its next game.
Here are the highlights and details from this year’s Crosstown Clash:
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There were six combined interceptions in the game, three from each team. Norman High quarterbacks in junior Phoenix Murphy (2) and sophomore Crew Noles (1) threw the Tigers’ interceptions, while Norman North junior quarterback Owen Eshelman threw all three of the Timberwolves’ interceptions.
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Two of Norman North’s touchdowns came in the fourth quarter and all three came on rushing touchdowns.
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This is the Timberwolves’ first shutout win since beating Putnam City 23-0 on October 14, 2021.
- Norman North rushed for 141 yards and scored all three of its touchdowns on the ground. They were scored by Eshelman and running backs Will Lundquist and Latrell Williams.
Norman North coach Justin Jones’ on his team’s win: “Anytime you win this game, it’s a big deal. We felt like we were a couple steps away from breaking (the game) open, and we finally did in the fourth (quarter). We overcame some turnovers, got some back, and did a really good job against a team like that to be able to post a shutout in a game like this. Really happy with our kids.”
Eshelman on the Timberwolves’ offense and his touchdown: “We were up against the wall (in the first half), but we kept fighting back. We ended up slowing down the game a bit and operated how we wanted to, and we got the win. Our offensive line was the most essential. We created a lot of space for runners and had a great ground game.
“We had a quarterback lead (on the touchdown play) and it was blocked perfectly. I give credit to my offensive line; they did all the work for me.”
Norman North outside linebacker Carver Rodgers on the Timberwolves’ defense and his interception: “It was a fantastic day for us. We really stepped up and fulfilled the job we had to do. We knew we could shut them out, and we did.
“For us, it was our defensive drops. That’s how we got our interceptions. That’s how I got mine. I saw (Norman High quarterback Phoenix Murphy) roll out, I was in between two people, and I was in the right place at the perfect time.
After an interception, junior running back Will Lundquist scores an eight-yard touchdown for the game’s first points.
At long last, our first TD. Will Lundquist gets the corner from 8 yards out on this run. Norman North up 7-0. pic.twitter.com/drbdRStKj1
— Nick Coppola (@Nick_Coppola__) September 1, 2023
Norman North 14, Norman High 0 (5:00 4th)
The Timberwolves extended their lead to two scores with an 18-yard rushing touchdown from junior quarterback Owen Eshelman.
This time, Owen Eshelman gets his rushing TD. 18 yard score and it’s 14-0 in favor of Norman High. pic.twitter.com/4QDX1aUl1c
— Nick Coppola (@Nick_Coppola__) September 1, 2023
Norman North 21, Norman High 0 (2:15 4th)
The Timberwolves scored their second touchdown of the fourth quarter with a two-yard rush from running back Latrell Williams.
Latrell Williams looks to have sealed it for Norman North. His 2 yard score makes it 21-0 with 2:15 left in the game. pic.twitter.com/TX3TnpM0Im
— Nick Coppola (@Nick_Coppola__) September 1, 2023
