SALLISAW – The Stigler, after loosing the lead late in the fourth quarter, stymied the fantastic comeback attempt by the Black Diamonda of Sallisaw.

The Panthers at one time during the game held a 3-touchdown lead 27-6, but saw that advantage disappear due to a 4-touchdown run by Sallisaw in the second half.

With 7:04 remaining in the opening quarter, Cole Stephans topped of a strong sustained drive with a 6-yard scamper that gave the Black Diamonds a 6-0 lead. The extra point kick went wide left and the score remains Sallisaw 6 Stigler 0.

Less than 4 minutes later, the Panthers had Sallisaw completely fooled on a halfback option pass that went for a 54-yard touchdown. With a successful conversion, Stigler took the lead 7-6 with 4:44 remaining in the first.

A Sallisaw fumble on the ensuing drive led to another Stigler score when tight end Houston Perry grabbed a touchdown pass in the left corner of the end zone to give the Panthers a 13-6 advantage a after a Brian Lopez extra point attempt was blocked by Sallisaw.

With just under 9 minutes left in the half a Black Diamonds drive ended at the 13 and a 27-yard field goal attempt went way left and the score remained 13-6.

With 4:14 left in the half, the Panthers struck again wit a 22-yard touchdown run to extend their lead to 19-6 after an unsuccessful 2-point conversion.

Time ran out on Sallisaw in the first half on their final drive and the score remained 19-6.

Perry ended the Panthers opening drive of the second half with his second touchdown catch of the night and a 2-point conversion gave Stigler a three touchdown 27-6 lead.

The Diamonds took over from that point with a four touchdown run starting with a Brock Streun QB keeper from the 4 yard line. Streun struck again with 2:06 left in the third quarter to bring Sallisaw within 7.

Nex it was — Streun again, this time from the 25 for his third touchdown run of the night with 10:02 remaining in the game to tie the game at 27 all.

Streun wasn’t finished yet. He scampered in again, this time from the 11 yard line to give the lead back to Sallisaw 34-27with just 7:24 remaining in the game.

The Black Diamond would hold hat lead until the 2:06 mark when Stephens scampered in from the two, to bring the Panthers within a single point.

Stigler took the gamble with the game on the line and put the ball in the hands of McKay Perry in the right side of the end zone who converted the 2-point play to put the Panthers up 35-34 with 2:06 left in the game.

The ensuing Sallisaw drive ended on the 38 yard line on a turnover on downs to give Stigler the one point 35-43 win.