Sat, Nov 22 2008
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Published September 26, 2008 12:53 am - Tigers 32, Tulsa Webster 7 Two straight for Fort Gibson By Tommy Cobb Phoenix Correspondent
TULSA — Fort Gibson’s Ben Barker proved he could be more than just a backup. Barker, filling in for injured tailback Clay Baker, proved he could be a vital part of the Tigers offense by rushing for 172 yards and two touchdowns as Fort Gibson opened District 4A-4 play with a 32-7 win over Tulsa Webster at Marshall Milton Stadium on Thursday night. “Ben did an excellent job,” Fort Gibson coach Jeff Taylor said. “He left everything on the field. I was pleased with his effort.” Barker’s effort helped the Tigers to their biggest scoring output since a 58-13 win over Cleveland in 2006. Fort Gibson (2-2, 1-0) won its first district opener since 2005. Although the final result appeared easy, it was anything but that. The Tigers could not take advantage of four first-half Webster turnovers and failed to score on two running plays from inside the 1-yard line. Fort Gibson also blocked a punt but fumbled it away trying to return it. “I was very concerned with the way both teams were giving it back and forth,” Taylor said. “I wondered what team would finally come out on top and take advantage of the turnovers. It was an up-and-down game as far as enthusiasm goes in the first half.” Fort Gibson trailed 7-0 midway through the second quarter before Courtney Gaston’s 1-yard run on fourth down tied the game. Gaston also recovered two fumbles and returned an interception for a score to end the game. Webster’s spread offense was hindered by several miscues between the center and the quarterback. A bad snap recovered by Gaston set up Fort Gibson’s go-ahead score, a 9-yard run by Barker, with 1:01 before halftime. Although failing to score, FGHS kept the ball for over nine minutes in the third quarter. The Tigers were stopped on downs at Webster’s 20 and failed to convert a fake field goal after moving the ball to the Webster 4. Colby Hardin set up the Tigers’ next score with a 33-yard punt return. Barker then rushed 29 yards on the next play for his second score and a 20-7 lead. Fort Gibson put the game away late in the fourth quarter when Taylor Ritchey found a wide-open Tyler Ashley for a 21-yard scoring pass with 1:51 remaining. The Tigers, who broke a six-game road losing streak, will host Wagoner next week. 
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