By CRAIG HALL
Playoff football games was a new experience for Heavener Friday night as the Wolves made their first venture into the postseason since 2011 at Sequoyah-Tahlequah.
The Wolves acted like old hands, putting a major scare into the Indians before coming up short in a 30-28 loss before a large Heavener contingent that made the trip despite the distance and rather cool temperatures to a beautiful venue with the only drawback a small seating around for the visitors..
Heavener wraps up its best season since 2004 with a 7-4 record. Sequoyah-Tahlequah advances to the second-round game at undefeated Kiefer, which downed Vinita, 62-20, Friday in another first-round game.
While the Wolves dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, the Indians used big plays in special teams and a potent passing attack along with stopping a 2-point PAT attempt in the fourth quarter to preserve the win.
Heavener rushed for 397 yards on 54 carries, but the Indians blocked a field goal and returned it for their first touchdown and used a 30-yard field goal in the third quarter to take the lead for good.
Unable to mount much of a rushing attack, Sequoyah had to resort to a passing attack that finished with 190 yards through the air. The Indians could only rush for 154 yards.
P.J. Riddley had another outstanding game for the Wolves, rushing for 194 yards on 28 carries with two touchdowns in his last game for Heavener while junior Jaxon Armstrong rushed for 128 yards on 13 carries and also scored a pair of touchdowns.
After scoring on its last drive of the second quarter and opening drive of the third quarter, Heavener led 22-14, before Sequoyah rallied with a pair of touchdown passes and the go-ahead field goal.
Heavener loses a strong group of seniors that helped turn around the program, going from a winless season two years ago before winning twice last year and seven games and a third-place district finish this year heading into a new district next year.
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