Bixby's Kordell Gouldsby shows off in his final game as a Spartan
EDMOND, OKLAHOMA - Bixby running back Kordell Gouldsby put on an electric performance Friday night, as he scored five touchdowns.
This was a huge reason the Spartans are Class 6AI state champions again, as they beat Jenks, 49-21. His biggest one came on a 96-yard kickoff return, which was right after Jenks scored on a 80-yard pick-six play that cut Bixby's lead to 21-7.
Bixby defeats Jenks: Oklahoma high school football state championship recap (12/1/2023)
“I do not know why teams kick me the ball,” Gouldsby said. “When I got the ball, I saw a gap open and hit the hole.
"My guys made great blocks and every time I made a move, my teammates would do their job.”
He scored two rushing touchdowns, averaging 7.9 yards per carry, and his other two scores came on a pass play. One of those plays came in the second quarter, when he made two quick jukes and was off the races for 44 yards.
“I saved my best game for last,” Gouldsby said. “It means the world to score five times in a state championship game. My teammates mean the world to me, and I cannot score if they do not block and open up holes.”
Bixby's Kordell Gouldsby
Jenks saw some success early moving the ball, but Clay Peters and Sam McCormick each had an interception to stop Jenks' momentum. Running back Jett Turner ran for 235 yards and averaged 9.4 yards per carry.
Goulsby was happy to see other guys make plays alongside him.
“I do not have the words to describe how well we played (Friday),” Gouldsby said. “When you play football for Bixby, the standard here is to win state championships. We grind all the time, and it makes a difference.”
In his first game against Jenks after transferring to Bixby from Holland Hall prior to the 2022 season, Gouldsby lost to the Trojans, but has since won three straight against Jenks, along with winning two state championships.
“I only feel like it is a loss if I do not learn from it,” Gouldsby said. “Those losses hurt, but we all learned from our mistakes and got better because of it. It does no good to feel sorry for yourselves, which is what we did not do.”
Bixby's defense also instrumental in Spartans extending state championship streak to six
Bixby coach Loren Montgomery noted how phenomenal Gouldsby has been all season long and is great on special teams.
“Kordell is so hard to tackle and what a performance,” Montgomery said. “I thought the coolest play he had (Friday) was when we stole the momentum from Jenks on that kickoff return.
"This is a really good class, with several great players."
This senior class won 39 games and four state championships. Gouldsby is honored to play football for Bixby and wants to take his career to the college level.
Currently, he has offers to schools such as Central Oklahoma, Lindenwood and Missouri Southern.
Photo/Video by Michael Kinney
-- Josh Jennings | @SBLiveOK
