Moore rallies past Deer Creek for first 5-0 start since 1999

Ozias Adams ran for three touchdowns as Moore High School stormed back to beat Deer Creek 39-35 on Friday, Oct. 2, giving the Lions their first 5-0 start since 1999.

Adams carried the ball 24 times for 179 yards in the Class 6A-I district game, powering a rally that Moore Monthly called a "big comeback win" in its postgame photo coverage. The Oklahoman, which first reported the milestone, called Adams "one of the state's most underrated backs."

Adams was the difference.

The Oklahoman reported that Adams chose to stay at Moore rather than transfer, even as player movement reshapes Oklahoma high school sports. That loyalty is paying off for head coach Cameron Bennett's squad, which is now 2-0 in 6A-I District 2 play and ranked No. 24 in Oklahoma by MaxPreps.

The last Moore team to open a season with five straight wins was the 1999 squad, making the current run a 27-year first for the program.

Through five games, the Lions have outscored opponents 244-70. Moore opened with a 65-0 shutout of Westmoore on Aug. 28, beat Choctaw 28-21 on Sept. 4, blanked Southmoore 70-0 on Sept. 11 and rolled past Edmond Santa Fe 42-14 on Sept. 25 in a district game. The Deer Creek contest was the closest of the season and the first time an opponent scored more than 21 points against Moore in 2026.

Deer Creek entered the game with a capable passing attack. Antlers quarterback Dax Chancey completed 25 of 34 passes for 384 yards and three touchdowns in an earlier 2026 game against Mustang, according to Moore Athletics preseason scouting notes. But Adams and the Lions' ground game proved too much on Oct. 2.