Pickering outlasts Oakdale

The Oakdale Warriors began district play with a bang Friday night. The game featured strong physical play and big defensive stands, but Oakdale drew the short end of the stick as it lost to Pickering 30-13 and saw its record fall to 2-4.
The first half was dominated by the Pickering offense. Leading the assault was Cody Williams who scored three before intermission. He scored his first on the receiving end of a nine yard option pass at the 2:55 mark of the first quarter.
Nine minutes and change into the second quarter, he ran 45 yards down the left side for his second touchdown. On the next Red Devil possession, Williams ran into and out of traffic as he scored his third touchdown of the night. Pickering led 18-0 with just over 40 seconds remaining before the half.

The ensuing kick off went out of bounds, and Oakdale took over at the 35 yard line. On second down and ten, Slate Jordan's pass was complete to Derrick Winfield as the Warriors crossed the 50 yard line. Jordan's next pass was complete to Terrnance Holmes downfield for a 21 yard gain. James Evins then lumbered downfield on a draw play all way to the six yard line. Nick Doyle on the first snap after a roughing the passer penalty ran across the goal line for the touchdown. At the half Pickering led 18-6.
"We had a slow start on offense before we had to up the tempo before the half ran out," said coach Randal Gordon. "We went (into a) two minute offense before half, and it seemed to tire Pickering out and rejuvenate our guys. We went in the lockeroom with a little more confidence."

Pickering's Marcus Hill fielded the second half kickoff and returned it into Warrior territory at the 49 yard line. Williams on back-to-back rushes picked up enough for a first down at the 34 yard line. After a one yard loss, Williams ran for 30 yards inside the 10 yard line for first and goal. On fourth and goal from the shadow of the goal line, the Oakdale defense held as it turned away a quarterback sneak and forced a turnover on downs.
"The second half we kept the momentum going ... as our defense made one of the best goal line stands I have ever seen from a Warrior defense in Curtis T. Cook Stadium," said Gordon.
Later on in the third quarter, the Oakdale defense snuffed out a fake field goal attempt giving the offense the ball at the 28 yard line. A pass was complete to Doyle who scampered across the 50 to the 47 yard line. Jordon kept the ball and stayed on his feet as he runs down the left side for 12 yards before completing a pass to Holmes for a 12 yard gain and another Warrior 1st down. On second and goal, Jordon was in the end zone on a quarterback keeper. Oakdale was then down 18-13 with 1:24 in the third quarter.
Williams added two touchdowns for Pickering in the second half to preserve the win. He finished the night with five touchdowns and rushed for 236 yards on 28 carries.

Oakdale now turns its attention to Rosepine on Homecoming Night. According to Gordon, Rosepine "will give us problems if we are not prepared or focused on the game." He added, "Rosepine has a big front and runs a shotgun offense. They a have a few play makers that we will have to contain in order to have success. Their defense does some unusual things up front and plays a deep coverage over the top to not get beat deep. We will have to be patient in order to have success against the Eagles on Friday night."