By Byron Beers
EDMOND – Carl Albert found its way back to the top on Saturday.
Behind a big performance from running back Xavier Robinson, the Titans hammered McAlester, 49-7, in the Class 5A State Championship game at Chad Richison Stadium.
Robinson rushed for 180 yards on 22 carries and totaled four touchdowns to carry the Titans’ offense.
“It means a lot,” Robinson said. “My players always got my back, and coaches always got my back. They give us a lot and we just take it and use it on the field. It just feels good to be a state champion. We worked very hard for this and we came out and competed today.”
Carl Albert, who closed its season at 12-2 under head coach Mike Dunn, captured its sixth state title in the last seven years. It was the 17th championship in program history, trailing only Ada (19) and Jenks (18).
Robinson had a 2-yard TD run in the second quarter to give the Titans a 14-0 lead. He put Carl Albert up 28-0 in the third quarter on a 1-yard scoring run, and added a 3-yard TD pass to tight end Caleb Cornell midway through the third quarter.
The Buffaloes (11-3) never could get anything going offensively. They stalled on a fourth-and-short inside the Carl Albert 5-yard line in the opening quarter and turned the ball over three times.
McAlester’s lone score came on a 24-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Caden Lesnau to receiver Carter Lance in the fourth quarter to avoid a shutout.
The Titans, who scored touchdowns on their first seven possessions, were also lifted by quarterback Reed DeQuaise. DeQuaise completed 5-of-6 passes for 76 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 99 rushing yards on nine carries. DeQuaise also had an interception.
Carl Albert won its final 11 games after starting the season 1-2. In the playoffs, prior to Saturday’s final, the Titans defeated Lawton MacArthur (45-7), Del City (19-0) and Grove (55-21).
