By John Martin
Special Correspondent
MEEKER — Luther Lions Sophomore Peyton Wilson set a new school record for touchdown passes in a single season; Dakota Pridemore broke two of his own career records and also caught two TD passes, ran for another, had two interceptions and a 55-yard kickoff return. Josh Butler blocked a punt, recovered a fumble had 11 tackles and scored a touchdown and Noah Bachhofer added 12 tackles to bring his league-leading total to 84 for the season.
The Luther Lions wrapped up second place behind Millwood in district play with an impressive 43-0 shutout of Meeker Friday night on the Bulldogs’ home field. That ensures a home-field advantage when the playoffs get underway in two weeks.
Former Supt. Bruce Wilson enjoyed watching his grandson, Peyton, set the new record and it stirred up 20-year-old memories of when Peyton’s dad, Doug, held all the passing records at Luther. And Wilson (Bruce) is a reliable source of all things Luther football since he is in his 33rd year of perfect attendance.
Making the victory sweeter was the performance of senior Jace Wilson and sophomore Reed Wilson, sons of Bruce’s older son Brian, also known as the Voice of the Lions at Wilson Field. And the Wilson future is bright as talented eighth grader Owen Wilson will graduate from his ball boy duties to a spot on the varsity with his brother and cousin next year.
Peyton Wilson had four TD passes Friday night to move one ahead of Chad Pridemore who set the record two years ago. For his three-quarters of action, Wilson completed 18 of 24 passes for 232 yards and TD passes of 13 and 20 yards to Dakota Pridemore, a four-yard toss to elusive Tyler Becker and wound up with a 40-yard bomb to Jordan Downs who took advantage of a crunching block by Pridemore to score the TD. Pridemore broke two records of career interceptions and TD receptions.
Bachhofer and Prentice Driskel were joined up front by Devin Bean and Jace Wilson as the Luther D limited Meeker to just 146 yards in 47 cracks at the Luther line. Reed Wilson, Butler, Landen Krueger and Jose Valasco and freshman Drew Scheer with Coleman Stastny, Becker and Pridemore effectively patrolled the secondary.
Krueger and Jace Wilson combined to set up Pridemore’s second TD catch when they stalled a Meeker runner on fourth and short at midfield.
Stastny, who wiggled his way through the Meeker defense like a greased eel, had an 8-yard TD run while Butler converted a five-yard touchdown after he blocked the kick, recovered the fumble, then proceed to cover the final 25 yards in three straight carries for the TD.
Jose Valasco pumped some life into the chilled crowd when he blasted through an extra point kick following the Wilson to Downs bomb in the fourth quarter.
The last game of the regular season is Thursday against Northeast Academy in Oklahoma City.
Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Mr. John Martin for the story, giving our Lion Reporter Sydney Scheer a night to sit in the stands and cheer, although she kept us all updated on Twitter! Thanks to Martin & Scheer. Mr. Martin works for the Choctaw Times but had the night off to enjoy the Luther-Meeker game and catch up with the Wilsons. Who remembers when Martin wrote for Oklahoma County News and covered the LIONS when Peyton’s dad, Doug Wilson, was QB?
