OKMULGEE - The Roland Rangers continued their late-season surge toward the playoffs on Friday night with a 30-8 win at Okmulgee.

The Bulldogs came into the game in second place of District 3A-4, but a massive effort from Roland running back Jeremy Morris helped Roland move into that spot in the standings.

Morris carried the football 34 times for 287 yards and four touchdowns as the Rangers improved to 5-4 overall and 4-2 in the league. Okmulgee slipped to 6-3 and 4-2 with the loss.

The visiting Rangers threatened to take an early lead when they took their first possession and marched down to the Okmulgee 1-yard line. They were stopped there on downs, but the Roland defense forced Okmulgee to attempt a punt from its own 4. The snap got past the Okmulgee punter and went out of the back of the end zone for a Roland safety.

After the ensuing free kick, Roland took over at the Okmulgee 34 and put together a four-play scoring drive. Morris carried the ball on all four plays and got the touchdown from 3 yards out. Jeff Roberts kicked the extra point and the Rangers led 9-0 with 13 seconds left in the first quarter.

The second period was scoreless, although the home team had a couple of chances to put points on the board. Roland’s defense stopped Okmulgee on fourth down at the Ranger 25 and, on the last play of the half, Kyle Ulmer intercepted an Okmulgee pass at the Roland 4-yard line.

Roland made it 16-0 with an eight-play, 63-yard drive in the third quarter. The drive stalled, but Okmulgee was flagged for roughing the kicker and Roland got a first down at the Bulldogs’ 46. Two plays later, Morris ran 24 yards for the touchdown. Roberts kicked the extra point with 52 seconds left in the period.

Okmulgee was turned away by the Roland defense at the Ranger 30 early in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs eventually reached the end zone, though, on their next possession. Michael Cain set up the score when he intercepted a deflected pass at the Roland 31. From there, John Hatcher threw a touchdown pass to Daniel Truelove. Wolfe Phillips ran for the conversion to pull the Bulldogs within 16-8 with 7:25 remaining.

Roland responded with a 71-yard touchdown drive to regain control. Morris had a 35-yard gain before scoring on an 11-yard run with 4:05 left.

Alex Cole recovered a fumbled punt return at the Okmulgee 17 to set up the Rangers’ final touchdown. Three plays later, Morris ran 14 yards to the end zone. Roberts kicked his fourth extra point of the game at the 1:49 mark to cap the scoring.

Cole was Roland’s second-leading rusher in the game with six carries for 39 yards.

Okmulgee was paced by Kevin Littlejohn with 16 carries for 84 yards. Hatcher completed 11 of 25 passes for 130 yards and Truelove caught four balls for 70 yards.