Norman — For a while, Ryan’s players may not shake the “What ifs” that kept them from hanging on to momentum in a 42-12 loss to Canton, in the Class B semifinals Saturday night.

Bidding to upset a Canton team that was basically the same squad that had beaten Ryan, 42-8, in the first round of the 2008 playoffs, what if:

• The Cowboys had capitalized on an early turnover by the No. 2 Tigers?

• A Ryan wasn’t blocked late in the second quarter, setting up a touchdown that gave Canton a lead it wouldn’t relinquish?

• Canton’s Zach Blood hadn’t broken a 65-yard kickoff return at a crucial time?

• RHS wide receiver Isaiah Wilson hadn’t fumble after a key 27-yard reception right before halftime?

• The Pokes’ secondary contained Tigers’ receiver Mondy Cruz, who caught four passes for 76 yards and a touchdown in the first half?

• A pass by quarterback Colby Barrett wasn’t intercepted and the Cowboys hadn’t fumbled three times in the second half, helping CHS pull away?

As the Cowboys reflect on the end of a fine 12-1 season, the “What ifs” will nag at them. But the man who helped guide them to a District B-2 title and into the semifinals knows it will pass.

“We didn’t take advantage of some opportunities, but we knew this would be a tough game. Canton is a really good team; they have a lot of weapons on offense and defense, a lot of horses,” head coach Stan Mueggenborg said, as a crowd of over 500 was leaving Harve Collins Field at Norman High Saturday evening.

“We had some chances (in the first half) and It always stinks to lose your last game, but our kids played hard and gave good effort.

“I’m not disappointed and the kids shouldn’t be disappointed. I’m really proud of them.”

When some in the Canton camp saw fourth-ranked Ryan had a manpower deficit (14 players compared to CHS’ 31), they were predicting a mercy-rule win. Still, it was the Pokes who set the tempo at the outset.

The Tigers were three-and-out on the first possession of the game, and a 43-yard punt by Coby Moody put Ryan at its own 26-yard line. The Pokes sent a message on their first offensive play, as running back Trevor Bettis burst through the middle and simply out-ran everyone on a 74-yard touchdown sprint.

Two minutes later, the Pokes had another chance to build momentum, when safety Mitchell Miller recovered a fumble by CHS fullback Torre Meat at the RHS 37.

However, running back Zac Wiest was bagged for a 15-yard loss on second down and the Pokes ended up giving the ball back up Denver Overstreet’s 33-yard punt to the CHS 40.

At that point, Canton quarterback Colby Haigler began to find soft spots in Ryan’s pass coverage. In a five-play, 60-yard drive, Haigler had a 29-yard completion to Kolby Hysell and a 32-yard pass to Cruz set up the Tigers at the RHS 1.

Haigler scored from there, although talented wide receiver Dillan Schoonmaker was stopped on a 2-point conversion run. With 4:38 remaining in the first quarter, the teams were in a 6-6 standoff.

Ryan came back with a time-consuming, seven-play drive to its 44-yard line, but on fourth-and-5, Meat broke through to block Overstreet’s punt and the Tigers took over at the RHS 19.

The Pokes seemed to get a break when a holding penalty pushed the Tigers back to the RHS 34, but Haigler again found Cruz open over the middle. Their 34-yard TD connection put Canton in front and, with 22 seconds to go in the first quarter, and a 2-point conversion run by Schoonmaker made it 14-6.

Ryan was undaunted. As the second quarter opened, the Pokes put together a 12-play, 60-yard drive. Wiest had a 23-yard run in the surge and, when things appeared to be bogged down, with third-and-29 at the CHS 38, Bettis fired a 37-yard halfback pass to Overstreet at the CHS 1.

A bobbled snap cost the Pokes a yard, but with 6:43 left in the half, a 2-yard run by Bettis cut the deficit to 14-12.

Just when it seemed the momentum might be shifting again, on the ensuing kickoff Blood found space on the right sideline and scampered 65 yards to the RHS 13. Four plays later, Haigler scored on a 6-yard run and then fired a 2-point conversion pass to Cruz to give the Tigers a 22-12 edge.

With 5:02 remaining in the half, the Cowboys tried to answer. They used nine plays to move from their own 38-yard line to the CHS 31, and on fourth-and-2, Barrett hit Wilson with a jump pass over the middle.

The fleet senior broke several tackles and was trying to fight his way into the end zone, when the ball came loose at the CHS 4. Moody recovered Wilson’s fumble and the Tigers ran out the final 33 seconds of the first half.

“The pass to Isaiah and the fumble were big. We had the ball with 50 second left and still had three time outs left. But you can’t fault him for trying to score,” Mueggenborg said. “We’d already had a punt blocked and gave up some pass plays.”

The second half belonged to the Tigers, who entered the game at 11-1, lusting for a title game showdown against District B-1 foe Garber.

Ryan had a 209-191 edge in total yards in the first half, including a 145-42 lead in rushing. In the second half, the stats began to shift, as Canton’s defense stiffened and the Cowboys hurt themselves with turnovers. After rushing for 94 yards in the first half, Bettis managed 1 yard on 11 carries in the final 24 minutes and the Tigers rushed for 126 yards to end up with a 359-291 lead in total yards.

Midway through the third period, it was still 22-12, when Haigler intercepted a pass by Barrett and returned it 23 yards to the RHS 11. Two plays later, Haigler scored on a 1-yard run to lift the lead to 28-12.

With 4:39 left in the third, Barrett was stopped on a fourth-and-1 sneak at the RHS 30. Nineteen seconds later, CHS’ advantage grew to 36-12 on a 17-yard TD run by Schoonmaker and Haigler’s 2-point conversion pass to Cruz.

Canton’s final touchdown came with 10 seconds remaining in the third, as Haigler, who was 9-for-13 for 187 yards, tossed a 20-yard pass to Cruz, who finished with 5 receptions for 96 yards.

In the fourth quarter, the Pokes lost fumbles on all three of their possessions and the Tigers were content to exit with the 42-12 win.

Bettis’ 95 yards on 19 carries brought him to 1,492 yards for the season. Barrett ended a sparkling career with 74 yards on 19 carries, giving the senior 1,786 yards in his final season.

“Canton had a good game plan and we had trouble reading the veer on defense,” said Mueggenborg, who finished his fourth season at RHS with a 39-9 record. “We got a little too one-dimensional on offense and we couldn’t get on track in the second half.

“But I’m proud of the kids and to have finished 12-1.”

The Pokes will feel the same, once the “What ifs” have melted away.