If playing a tough opponent helps prepare a team to meet equally tough opposition down the road, the Ponca City Wildcats should have benefited from Friday’s 28-18 loss to Ardmore.

The Ardmore Tigers traditionally are one of the better Class 5A teams in the state and Friday displayed the equipment that might take them deep into this year’s playoffs.

Junior quarterback Cal Swanson proved his dual threat credentials, passing efficiently and making big plays on the ground when he needed to. Running back Evan Smith displayed the kind of speed and agility that helps round out a good team’s resume.

The fact that the Wildcats played a good team like Ardmore as well as they did provides a measure of hope for the rest of the schedule.

Coach Scott Harmon, like all other members of the coaches’ union, hates to lose. But he saw some consolation in the performance of his team Friday.

“I thought we played well, except for a couple of big plays their talented dual threat quarterback made,” he said. “Offensively. we ran the ball well, but turned it over twice. We have to clean up a few things, but we’re not far off.”

Things looked bleak for Ponca City after just one play Friday. Running back Evan Smith took the hand off and bounced to the outside and ran down the sidelines for a 91-yard touchdown on Ardmore’s first play from scrimmage.

Ponca City bounced back with a touchdown of its own on its first possession, but the extra point kick failed leaving the score 7-6. Ardmore led from the opening play to the game’s finish.

The Wildcat defense showed signs of being able to stop Ardmore’s offensive thrust, but it seemed like when the Tigers needed a big play, Swanson and company came up with it. Ardmore scored three more touchdowns in the first half and led 28-6 at the intermission.

In the second half, the Ponca City offense was able to put together a combination of rushes by running back Blake Bristow and timely pass completions by sophomore quarterback Tay Moore to score a pair of touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Wildcat defense was able to keep the Tigers off the scoreboard.

Harmon has said all along that the Wildcats’ competition in District 6AII-2 will be fierce. It all starts Friday when the Wildcats travel to Sand Springs. There is not likely that any of the other competition, which includes state champion Bixby and state runnerup Choctaw, will be easy touches.

Ardmore had the best of official game statistics, but after Smith’s 91-yard carry, things were pretty even. The Tigers had 337 yards total offense, inlcuding 263 rushing and 74 through the air. Ponca City had 220 yards total offense, which included 164 on the ground and 56 passing.

Bristow led Ponca City’s rushing with 118 yards on 18 carries. Moore had 55 yards on 14 carries. Moore did complete six of 13 passes, but did throw two interceptions. Lane Scholey was Ponca City’s top receiver with three catches for 41 yards. Ponca City had the edge in first downs, 13-12 and had only 15 yards in penalties, compared to Ardmore’s 72.

The Tigers are now 3-0 on the season. Ponca City dropped to 1-2