The Beggs Junior High Demons wasted no time making a statement Tuesday night, stunning the Class 6A Sapulpa Chieftains with a 48-30 road victory at Sapulpa High School’s stadium. Behind explosive plays on offense, a swarming defense and a red-hot start, the smaller Class 2A Demons improved to a perfect 5-0 on the season.
Beggs set the tone from the opening kickoff. Zane Long took it 74 yards to the house, and Michael Cruz followed with a successful two-point conversion to make it 8-0 before the Chieftains even touched the ball. After forcing a quick three-and-out, the Demons struck again – this time with Long ripping off a 62-yard touchdown run. Cruz again converted the two-point try to push the early lead to 16-0.
Sapulpa managed to answer with a 33-yard touchdown on a hitch screen to their No. 10, but that was the extent of their first-half offense. Beggs took full control in the second quarter with a barrage of big plays: Saxon Arthurs dashed 41 yards for a touchdown, Cruz added a 27-yard scoring run, and Judah Hughes picked off a Chieftain pass to set up a final dagger – a 47-yard touchdown strike from Long to Hunter Driver just before halftime. The Demons led 34-6 at the break.
“Our boys started fast and were able to execute at a high level in the first half,” said head coach David Shannon. “I’m proud of the effort they played with tonight. Our boys are stacking good days, and we’re excited about the development that is happening.”
In the second half, Beggs continued to control the tempo. Andrew Harvey broke free for a 17-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, and Bowen Baker capped the scoring with a 9-yard touchdown in the fourth. Sapulpa added two late scores, but the outcome was never in doubt.
Despite sweltering conditions with a heat index in the 90s, the Demons’ defense held firm for much of the contest. Michael Cruz led the defensive charge with 10 tackles, while Hughes’ interception was a momentum-changer in the first half.
Long finished the night with 147 rushing yards on just four carries and added 88 passing yards with two touchdowns through the air. Cruz chipped in 103 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Harvey added 71 rushing yards and a score, and Arthurs contributed 39 yards and a touchdown on five carries.
Beggs looked to stay undefeated when they hosted Holdenville Monday. See the results in an upcoming edition of the Okmulgee Times and Henryetta Free-Lance.
