By DAVID SEELEY
The Sequoyah County Times
CENTRAL — Landon Griffith accounted for six touchdowns as defending Class A, Division II state champion Talihina defeated Central 63-12 Thursday at Tiger Stadium.
The Golden Tigers improved to 7-0 overall and 4-0 in District A-II-3, spoiling Central’s homecoming festivities, which had been postponed by rain two weeks earlier. Central dropped to 4-3 and 2-2.
Talihina scored on its opening possession, driving 63 yards in six plays. Griffith capped the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run, and Kaden Cossey’s extra point gave the Golden Tigers a 7-0 lead with 9:31 left in the first quarter.
Central answered just 16 seconds later when Gavin Randolph caught an 80-yard touchdown pass from Kiefer Bailey. Bailey was stopped on the two-point conversion, leaving Talihina ahead 7-6 with 9:15 remaining in the quarter.
The Golden Tigers responded with a six-play, 58-yard drive, capped by Griffith’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Baylor Hammontree. Cossey’s extra point made it 14-6 with 7:15 left in the period.
After stopping Central, Talihina covered another 58 yards in three plays. Griffith connected with Noah Lloyd on a 43-yard touchdown pass, and Cossey’s extra point extended the lead to 21-6 with 5:25 remaining.
Cy Ammons intercepted a pass intended for Randolph on Central’s next possession, giving Talihina the ball at the Central 49-yard line.
Six plays later, Griffith scored on a 23-yard run for his second rushing touchdown. Cossey’s extra point made it 28-6 with 3:08 left in the first quarter.
After forcing a three-and-out, Talihina began its next possession at midfield with 1:26 remaining in the opening period.
Six plays later, Griffith threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Ammons. Cossey’s extra point pushed the lead to 35-6 with 11:32 left in the second quarter.
Central then drove from its own 25 to the Talihina 18 before turning the ball over on downs.
The Golden Tigers needed just two plays to cover 82 yards, finishing with Griffith’s 43-yard touchdown pass to Ammons. Cossey’s extra point made it 42-6 with 8:52 remaining before halftime.
Talihina recovered a muffed kickoff at the Central 23. Two plays later, Gavin Brown scored on an 18-yard run. Cossey added the extra point for a 49-6 lead with 7:36 left in the half.
After another defensive stop, Brown scored on a 70-yard run on the first play of Talihina’s next possession. Cossey’s extra point extended the lead to 56-6 with 4:43 remaining.
Central scored with 28 seconds left in the half when Bailey connected with Aiden Cawhorn on a 30-yard touchdown pass. Bailey’s two-point conversion pass to Colt Thompson fell incomplete, leaving Talihina ahead 56-12 at halftime.
The second half was played with a running clock. Talihina scored the only touchdown when reserve running back Tomi Ludlow ran in from 6 yards out with 10:31 left in the game. Cossey’s extra point completed the scoring.
Talihina hosts district newcomer Drumright at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at Doc Robinson Stadium.
