May 24, 2025

Henryetta Free Lance
Login Subscribe Advertisers
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Knight(s) in Shining Armor
B:
June 28, 2023
Knight(s) in Shining Armor
By LARRY OWEN SPORTS EDITOR,

Henryetta football snaps 6-year playoff drought in 2022

The Henryetta Golden Knight varsity football team had their most successful season in seven years in 2022.

The Knights finished with a 5-6 record last season and earned their first playoff appearance since 2016.

Henryetta’s first postseason contest in six years came to a close in the opening round, as the Knights dropped a 14-12 decision to the Eufaula Ironheads.

In 2016, Henryetta punched its ticket to the postseason despite finishing 3-7 in the regular season. The Knights earned a trip to the playoffs in 2016 due to winning three of their final five district contests.

Henryetta’s playoff appearance in 2022 came after the Knights combined for an 8-42 record since 2016.

In 2022, the Knights introduced new head coach Weston McGill and began the season with back-to-back losses to Victory Christian (42-6) and arch rival Morris (18-15).

The first win under Coach McGill came in Week 3 with a 46-28 victory over the Hartshorne Miners in Hartshorne.

Henryetta began district play in Week 4, traveling to Prague for a showdown with the Prague Red Devils. The Knights came up short in a 2-2 start, suffering a 56-12 decision to the host Red Devils.

The following week (Sept. 30) saw the Knights earn their first District 2A-5 win, outlasting the Tahlequah Sequoyah Indians 42-28 in front of their hometown fans.

Henryetta fell to 1-2 in district play following back-to-back losses to Warner (33-30) and Vian (45-16), respectively, and appeared on its way to a seventh-straight season without a playoff appearance.

A 59-14 home win over Okemah in Week 8 evened the Knights’ district record at 2-2, then the Henryetta squad earned its third district win of the season on October 28, defeating the Roland Rangers by a 52-20 margin.

In order to end their playoff drought, the Knights needed a win in their regular-season finale – a home game against the Keys Cougars.

The Knights entered their regular- season finale at home against Keys needing a win over the winless Cougars to guarantee a spot in the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The Knights could also reach the postseason with an Okemah loss to Prague in Week 10. A loss to Keys and an Okemah win over Prague would have ended any playoff chances for the Henryetta squad in 2022.

In the regular-season finale, the Knights led by a commanding 40-7 margin at halftime and matched the Cougars 14-14 in the final two quarters to end their 6-year playoff drought with the 54-21 home victory.

During the second quarter of the regular-season finale, junior tailback Nick Hudson set the school rushing record with a 10-yard run with 6:51 left in the frame.

In the playoff opener against Eufaula, the Knights jumped out to 6-0 advantage on a 1-yard TD run by Hudson.

Eufaula went ahead 7-6 on the first play of the second quarter – a 41-yard TD run, then extended its lead to 14-6 at 10:51 of the fourth with a short TD run.

Late in the final frame, the Ironheads attempted to run out the final three minutes off the gameclock, but the Henryetta defense forced a turnover on downs at the Henryetta 40 with 2:43 remaining, giving the Knights one final opportunity to overcome the 8-point deficit.

The first play following the defensive stand resulted in an incomplete pass, then Brady Norman completed a short pass to Hudson, who raced down the field 55 yards to the Eufaula 5, giving the Knights a 1st and Goal situation with 2:27 left in regulation.

On the very next play, Hudson bulldozed his way across the goal line for the score to cut the deficit to two, 1412, with 2:23 remaining. The Knights were held out of the end zone on the conversion attempt to still trail by two.

The Knights were unable to recover the onside kick on the ensuing kickoff with Eufaula taking over at its own 46yard line. The Ironheads ran out the remaining time off the gameclock to secure the narrow opening-round win and end Henryetta’s 2022 campaign.

In 11 games in 2022, the Knights outscored their opponents 344-319 an average of 31.3-29.0 ppg – including outscored opponents 332-305 during the regular season – an average of 33.2-30.5 ppg.

During district play, the Henryetta gridiron squad outscored opponents 277-231 – an average of 39.6-33.0 ppg – with the biggest win margin being 45 points (Oct. 21 vs Okemah – 59-14).

In their four district wins, the Knights outscored their opponents 207-83 – an average of 51.75-20.75 ppg, including 90-point difference (165-55) in their final three district contests.

The Henryetta varsity football team are scheduled to begin Year 2 under Coach McGill on August 25 at home against Hartshorne and will be looking to make back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 2015-16.

— Henryetta Golden Knights 2022 Record: 5-6 Game Results Regular Season

Sept. 2 – Victory Christian 42, Henryetta 6 Sept. 9 – Morris 18, Henryetta 15 Sept. 16 – Henryetta 46, Hartshorne 28 Sept. 23 – Prague 56, Henryetta 12 Sept. 30 – Henryetta 42, Tahlequah Sequoyah 28 Oct. 7 – Warner 33, Henryetta 30 Oct. 13 – Vian 45, Henryetta 16 Oct. 21 – Henryetta 59, Okemah 14 Oct. 28 – Henryetta 52, Roland 20 Nov. 3 – Henryetta 54, Keys 21 Playoffs

Nov. 11 – Eufaula 14, Henryetta 12

Memorial Day events set
A: Main, Main...
Memorial Day events set
May 24, 2025
As Memorial Day approaches, communities across Okmulgee County are coming together to honor and remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. On Monday, May 2...
this is a test
The End of a Journey
A: Main, Main...
The End of a Journey
May 23, 2025
Tonight, a chapter closes for the Henryetta High School Class of 2025. At 7 p.m., the graduating seniors will walk across the stage inside the Knights Center, marking not only the end of their high sc...
this is a test
A: Main
Council holds May meeting
May 23, 2025
The Henryetta City Council convened for its regular monthly meeting in a session filled with approvals ranging from financial matters and upcoming community events to extensive property abatements.The...
this is a test
A: Main
Knight Brigade heads to D.C.
May 23, 2025
The spirit of Henryetta will be marching proudly through the heart of the nation’s capital this Memorial Day as the Henryetta High School Knight Brigade Band travels to Washington, D.C., to participat...
this is a test
Senator Bryan Logan sworn in
A: Main
Senator Bryan Logan sworn in
May 23, 2025
Bryan Logan, a lifelong resident of Paden was officially sworn in Wednesday as the State Senator for District 8 during a ceremony on the Senate Floor today.Senate District 8 includes portions of Creek...
this is a test
Obituaries
September 24, 1955 – May 19, 2025
May 23, 2025
Deborah Rae Benton, 69, a resident of Henryetta, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Plano, Texas. Deborah was born September 24, 1955, in Coffeyville, Kansas to Alberta Vinola (Gruber) and William T...
this is a test

e-Edition
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
VFW Buddy Poppy Campaign Underway
News
VFW Buddy Poppy Campaign Underway
May 23, 2025
Mayor Michael Dickey is shown with representatives of VFW Post 539 as a proclamation was recently signed in support of the organization’s Buddy Poppy Drive, which is currently underway. Joining Dickey...
this is a test
Luv Ford Honors Athlete of the Week
News
Luv Ford Honors Athlete of the Week
May 23, 2025
Congratulations to Henryetta’s Abbi Dodge, who was recently honored as one of the final Athletes of the Week of the season by Luv Ford. Pictured with Dodge are Missi Nash (left) and Coach John Truesda...
this is a test
Already Unlocked Prison
Columns & Opinion
Already Unlocked Prison
May 23, 2025
The angry and resentful young man sat sullenly on the edge of his narrow cot in the cell. He had no idea how long he had been sitting there, body motionless but with his brain racing in high gear. Ben...
this is a test
What comes after, ‘I do?’
Columns & Opinion
What comes after, ‘I do?’
May 23, 2025
Marriage is more than a ceremony - it’s a union of families and finances. When you and your partner are honest with each other about money and financial goals, it can help build trust, leverage your s...
this is a test
Teleology’s True Tale Two
Columns & Opinion
Teleology’s True Tale Two
May 23, 2025
We have made the statement over the last several weeks that if we are to engage the Bible skeptics of the world in a discussion about the being and nature of God, then one place we can find common gro...
this is a test
Facebook

HENRYETTA FREE-LANCE
208 E. Main Street
Henryetta, OK 74437

918.652.3311

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2022 Henryetta Free-Lance

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy