Central and Heavener playing close football games is nothing new.
Since the series renewed in 2020, the Tigers won the first game by a large margin, but the others were all competitive contests.
However, the two teams took the series to a new level in both teams’ season opener Friday night at Harvey Stadium in Heavener.
Central defeated Heavener 27-24 in double overtime in one of the wilder games fans have experienced at Harvey Stadium as both teams made mistakes, but also made big plays.
Central standout Braxin Goodson scored on a 10-yard play on the first play of the second overtime to give the Tigers (1-0) the win in the only time all game Central had the lead.
Just seconds earlier, Heavener’s Brandon Sanchez kicked a 24yard field goal to give the Wolves (0-1) a 24-21 advantage.
The Wolves had a golden advantage to win in the first overtime. Heavener’s Julian Sanchez intercepted a pass on Central’s first play to give Heavener the ball and a chance to clinch the win. The Wolves down to the Central 1-yard line to set up fourth and goal.
Heavener coach Jeff Broyles decided to attempt a field goal, which was shorter than an extra point. Sanchez had been perfect on three extra points and would kick a field goal on Heavener’s second drive. This time, Central’s Braxton Prewett blocked the field goal, keeping the game tied at 21-all and setting the stage for Goodson’s heroics.
Heavener started the game looking like the Wolves would cruise to an easy win. Heavener quarterback Brandon Seymour scored on a 1-yard run on the Wolves’ opening drive of the game for a 7-0 lead after Sanchez’s extra point.
Heavener added another score with 8:29 remaining in the second quarter on a 67-yard touchdown pass from Seymore to Saul Silva, who had gotten behind Central’s defense and outran the secondary for a 14-0 lead.
Central’s offense woke up and scored on a 10-yard run by sophomore Kiefer Bailey and a successful PAT by Paitton Merrill as the Tigers pulled to a 14-7 deficit at halftime.
The Tigers had to punt on their first drive of the third quarter. The Wolves capped the drive as Kason Free hauled in a 25-yard scoring pass from Seymour to give Heavener a 21-7 advantage.
Central answered right back with a 67yard pass from as Bailey hit Goodson on the sideline, where he outran Heavener’s defense for a 21-15 score after the Tigers completed a two-point conversion as Bailey hit Aiden Cawhorn.
With 4:07 remaining, Central used a 6-yard run by Goodson to tie the score at 21-all. The Tigers’ two-point conversion failed, leaving the score tied. Heavener drove down the field and got close to scoring, but never could get the big play to allow Sanchez the chance for a winning field goal.
The Tigers will play their home opener as they will welcome the Warner Eagles for a 7 p.m. game this Friday night at Tiger Stadium. Last year in Warner, the Eagles flew past the Tigers 41-2.
