Rolling over and accepting anticipated defeat is not the MacArthur way.
Although the Highlanders couldn’t change their playoff fate, they played their best game of the season in a physically dominating 36-7 win over No. 2 Ardmore at Cameron Stadium on Friday night.
Despite the upset, Mac (6-4, 5-2 District 5A-1) finished the season at fourth in district thanks to Del City’s 54-13 drubbing of Southeast. The loss had no impact on the Tigers’ playoff seeding, for they locked up the division crown last week with a 28-7 win over Duncan.
Mac coach Brett Manning said his team has been on the cusp of such a performance for the past few weeks, and everything finally came together.
“I thought we’ve been really close for a while,” Manning said. “We haven’t been able to put all three phases (of the game) together — offense, defense and special teams — and tonight we did. I think it proves that we had this in us and that we can still be a really good team and maybe can do something in the playoffs.”
After scoring only one touchdown the past two games and being held to 55 yards last week against Altus, running back Nick Mahan got back to his old ways.
The senior rushed for a career-high 247 yards and four touchdowns on 39 carries, averaging 6.33 yards per carry. Six of his runs went for 10-plus yards, while 18 went for 5 yards or more.
His touchdown runs came on bursts of 5, 18, 10 and 2 yards.
“The offensive line played great,” Mahan said. “The game plan coming in was great, holes were open all night and the coaches called a great game. Last week got us ready for this week, and we came out and played great.”
Mahan said the defense’s ability to get the offense back on the field made the difference against Ardmore (8-2, 6-1). Against Altus, the Highlanders managed only 48 plays. They had 44 in the first half alone against the Tigers.
“Altus kept the ball too long, so the offense wasn’t on the field enough,” Mahan said. “I feel like if we got more chances in that game, it would’ve been way different.”
JR Winningham accounted for the team’s other score on a 3-yard run to extend the lead to 36-7 with 11:48 left in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers’ normally potent offense looked out of sync for most of the night, failing to generate its running game against Mac’s stout defensive front.
Ardmore, which came into the contest averaging 34.22 points per game, was held to 79 yards in the first half and 183 total. The Highlanders also held the Tigers to five first downs on the night and 1-of-8 on third downs.
The Tigers’ seven points were their fewest in a game since a 9-7 loss to Durant in 2013, and the 36 points given up were their most surrendered this season.
Ardmore’s lone score came on a Chantz Scurry 1-yard run early in the first quarter shortly after a 47-yard run from quarterback Tero Roberts put the Tigers at the Mac 3-yard line.
Roberts went down with a game-ending ankle injury on that play, and it seemingly served as a crushing blow for the Tigers. That run accounted for more than a quarter Ardmore’s offensive production.
Ardmore coach Josh Newby said Roberts' injury was devastating, but it wasn't cause of his team's lackluster performance.
"I think it took a little wind out of our sails when he went down," Newby said. "But I think Mac just played that well. I think they had a whole lot more of a spirited effort than we did, and I think some of the schemes coach Manning chose to run were right on. I think their staff did a really good job."
Manning said the Highlanders were ready to play, which led to the inspired outing.
“They were excited, which is a great testament to them given the fact they just got beat last week," Manning said. "We couldn’t improve our situation, we’re the fourth-place team, but we had a great week of practice and they came out here and played really hard.
“I can’t say enough about our defensive coaches, either. They’ve put together two really solid game plans against two good offenses the past two weeks.”
Ardmore drove inside the Highlanders’ 20 twice in the second half, but it turned the ball over on downs on both occasions.
Manning said those stops were essential to his team’s continued momentum through the remainder of the game.
“They were big stops,” Manning said. “We didn’t want to give them big momentum because if they score, we probably have to deal with an onside kick situation. It was good to get those stops and not let them have any hope of a comeback.”
Mac now turns its attention to No. 1 Carl Albert (10-0, 7-0) — its opponent for the first round the playoffs. The Highlanders and the Titans have met in each of the past three postseasons, with Mac coming out on top twice.
Although Carl Albert’s record looks intimidating, Mac showed the state on Friday why games aren’t played on paper, and Manning said his squad will be ready to play.
“We’re going to go there and play the very best we can,” Manning said. “I feel confident in saying that. I can’t see the future, but I like our team and I know we’re going to approach this week right and give it all we’ve got.”
Mahan echoed that sentiment.
“We were saying in the locker room, ‘We just beat No. 2, so why not beat No. 1?’” Mahan said. “That’s our mindset going into next week.”