SMQ: Mustang vs. Southmoore…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Well, this outsider had a heck of a fun time watching two of the best teams in the state duke it out. And duke it out is appropriate as it was a hard-fought, much more physical game than I envisioned.
Think everyone would have said over/under on points in this would be around 70. We barely hit the 40-point mark as both defenses came up huge time and time again.
In the end, it was Southmoore earning its first district title in school history with a clutch outing by Austin Haywood.
Southmoore 22, Mustang 19
I have a new “my boy,” and that’s Mustang’s Daniel Farrow. I was extremely impressed with how hard he ran. His runs weren’t flashy. They were the tough, gritty ones.
After Farrow’s third touchdown gave Mustang a 19-14 lead, I was amazed Mustang threw for the two-point conversion instead of letting Farrow try to take it home again.
Mustang had Southmoore and QB Kendal Thompson completely flustered in the second half. But all it takes is one big play, and that’s what it was when Thompson found Haywood wide open for the game-winning touchdown.
And Southmoore isn’t just stacked for this year with sophomore running back Andrew Long. There is another special talent who will find Division I offers sooner than later.
I knew it was a big game, but I had to be relaxed. I play a lot better when I’m relaxed, and Mustang was every bit tough they thought they would be.” – Long
And how about that first touchdown for Southmoore? Haywood took the snap and handed it to Long, who pitched it back to Thompson (who started out lined up wide) and found Nyko Symonds for a beautiful touchdown.
Mustang quarterback Brandon Taylor likes to go for the big one. There were several times he could have possibly dumped it off. That’s not his game. He looks for David Glidden and Braden Wiseley and tries to get the home run.
Both defenses played much better than I thought. Not too many missed tackles out in open space.
Either way, Southmoore puts itself in great position while Mustang is going to have one tough road, starting with a battle Friday at Edmond Memorial.
The regular season is done. Now the real fun starts.
Westmoore vs. Ed North Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo and Justin Harper
BPrzybylo@opubco.com; JHarper@opubco.com
Westmoore (3-6, 2-4) vs. North (7-2, 4-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: UCO’s Wantland Stadium
Westmoore (W, Moore; L, Southmoore; L, Norman North; W, Putnam City; L, Midwest City; W, Putnam City West; L, Edmond Memorial; L, Norman; L, Lawton Ike)
Why the Jaguars can win: Westmoore has nothing left to play for but pride. But that means more to the Jags than most teams. Even at 3-6, Westmoore has a big group of seniors who can recall the glory days — Tanner Harper, Kevin Rodriguez, Brian Self, Stanley West … among others. Edmond North, meanwhile, wouldn’t be out of line to already have one eye on the playoffs. Possible recipe for an upset.
North (W, Santa Fe; W, Mustang; W, Yukon; W, Lawton Ike; W, Norman; W, Putnam City; L, Midwest City; W, PCWest; L, Memorial)
Why the Huskies can win: Because ‘ol mo’ needs to come back to Jeremy Dombek’s club. At 6-0, looked like the sky was the limit. Dropping two of their last three, need to show the mental toughness to bounce back. Of course, being healthy would certainly help that cause.
Justin’s key matchup: Westmoore quarterback combo of Trevor Thompson and Fombe vs. Edmond North’s defense. Fombe took over the starting job after seven starts by Thompson, but the Jags utilize both. The tandem could create all kinds of problems for a defense, with the strong-running Fombe directing a rush-heavy attack and Thompson guiding the Jags’ spread passing game. Things haven’t clicked as planned just yet. But if it does, the two could be a great change-of-pace combination.
Boneman’s key matchup: North running game vs. Westmoore D. It’s been three straight weeks for Joe Aska Jr. without rushing for more than 100 yards. He’s too good for that to continue. Jared Benway should also find some holes in this one.
Justin’s pick: Westmoore 15, Edmond North 13. Going out on a limb with an upset pick here. This is it for the Jags until 2010. And facing an Edmond North team that is sluggish at best on offense and just needing to stay healthy for the start of next week’s playoffs, Westmoore could spring the trap.
Boneman’s pick: North 21, Westmoore 7. North is struggling offensively right now, so the score should be kept low. It also should never be in doubt. North is third in 6A-2 regardless of what happens.
Westmoore vs. Ed North Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo and Justin Harper
BPrzybylo@opubco.com; JHarper@opubco.com
Westmoore (3-6, 2-4) vs. North (7-2, 4-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: UCO’s Wantland Stadium
Westmoore (W, Moore; L, Southmoore; L, Norman North; W, Putnam City; L, Midwest City; W, Putnam City West; L, Edmond Memorial; L, Norman; L, Lawton Ike)
Why the Jaguars can win: Westmoore has nothing left to play for but pride. But that means more to the Jags than most teams. Even at 3-6, Westmoore has a big group of seniors who can recall the glory days — Tanner Harper, Kevin Rodriguez, Brian Self, Stanley West … among others. Edmond North, meanwhile, wouldn’t be out of line to already have one eye on the playoffs. Possible recipe for an upset.
North (W, Santa Fe; W, Mustang; W, Yukon; W, Lawton Ike; W, Norman; W, Putnam City; L, Midwest City; W, PCWest; L, Memorial)
Why the Huskies can win: Because ‘ol mo’ needs to come back to Jeremy Dombek’s club. At 6-0, looked like the sky was the limit. Dropping two of their last three, need to show the mental toughness to bounce back. Of course, being healthy would certainly help that cause.
Justin’s key matchup: Westmoore quarterback combo of Trevor Thompson and Fombe vs. Edmond North’s defense. Fombe took over the starting job after seven starts by Thompson, but the Jags utilize both. The tandem could create all kinds of problems for a defense, with the strong-running Fombe directing a rush-heavy attack and Thompson guiding the Jags’ spread passing game. Things haven’t clicked as planned just yet. But if it does, the two could be a great change-of-pace combination.
Boneman’s key matchup: North running game vs. Westmoore D. It’s been three straight weeks for Joe Aska Jr. without rushing for more than 100 yards. He’s too good for that to continue. Jared Benway should also find some holes in this one.
Justin’s pick: Westmoore 15, Edmond North 13. Going out on a limb with an upset pick here. This is it for the Jags until 2010. And facing an Edmond North team that is sluggish at best on offense and just needing to stay healthy for the start of next week’s playoffs, Westmoore could spring the trap.
Boneman’s pick: North 21, Westmoore 7. North is struggling offensively right now, so the score should be kept low. It also should never be in doubt. North is third in 6A-2 regardless of what happens.
Fedor vs. Dawson, who ya watchin’?
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
This weekend begins three straight weekends of major MMA events going head-to-head with major boxing fights.
Very interesting to see who will win these mini-wars. Boxing picked up a big W with Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez going up against UFC 103.
This week, I’ll give the edge to MMA. I’m pumped to see a Fedor fight live when he takes on Brett Rogers on CBS. I’ve watched so many on the ‘Net that it’ll be great to see what all the rage is about.
Rogers is talking a big game, which I like. I’m glad he’s got the confidence and as a fellow Chicago boy, I can appreciate that. Still don’t think he has a chance of beating Fedor, but things change quickly in MMA and boxing. One punch can turn a career around.
The buzz has been great and CBS has done a good job in trying to promote it as much as possible. I think they can hook a lot of viewers Saturday afternoon with the Alabama-LSU football game.
Over on HBO, we have the light heavyweight rematch between Chad Dawson and Glen Johnson. Dawson won a close unanimous decision the last time these two hooked up.
Most thought it was a draw and maybe Johnson pulled it out. Kinda the same old story for Johnson.
You know I’ve been a Dawson supporter, but my support expires Saturday night if he doesn’t do more than what he’s been doing.
Maybe I want him to be better than what he really is. I just feel like he should be able to put all the pieces together and become not only a huge star but a great fighter, too.
Either way, prob watch Fedor live and catch Dawson on a replay. Or actually depending on when the fights happen, should be able to see both live.
Also getting closer and closer to Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto. I’m salivating at this one. This is going to be fun. Still on the fence. I got a week to make up my mind.
***
Put in the Noah Zuhdi video to NewsOK late Thursday night. Hopefully that will be posted later today or this weekend. Saving the Eric Fields video for when his story comes out Thursday.
Zuhdi and Fields will be a part of the Remington Park boxing card Thursday night. Tickets are still available. For more info, head on over to www.catboxentertainment.com.
***
And of course if you haven’t heard by now, UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar has mono and has been forced out of UFC 108 in January against Shane Carwin. Hey, hope Brock gets better. Still one of my favorites to watch.
FMQ: Moore vs. Santa Fe…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
With apologies to Moore, this will mostly be about Santa Fe. I had an anonymous e-mail sent this morning (seriously, who sends those type of things?).
Anyway, the gist of it was ragging on me for praising the Santa Fe kids for “doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”
Stuff like that irks me, really does. Some teams pick up their ball and go home the first time adversity comes their way. Santa Fe did not do that when it had plenty of reasons to do so.
I’ll tell you what was the clincher for me. It was the Del City game. A nearly perfect defensive outing by the Wolves, limiting to Chris McAlister and Donavan Dan as much as possible.
Santa Fe did almost everything right but lost 13-12. That was it. In my head, I had written “those kids won’t bounce back.” At that point, Bruce Gowen’s kids were 1-4 with two losses by one point (DC and North), another in OT (Mustang) and a 15-6 loss to Memorial.
They did bounce back, and that is a credit to their character and that starts with the seniors and the coaching staff.
I truly believe if Santa Fe was in 6A-2, this week’s game would have been all about playoff positioning. Think Santa Fe and North would be battling it out for third.
But that’s not the cards that were dealt. The kids never made excuses. They were honest about how tough it was to stay positive, but in the end, they did just that – stayed positive.
Santa Fe 34, Moore 14
Though a disappointing season (in terms of wins and losses), I didn’t see that on those kids’ faces after the game.
The seniors were too busy hugging each other and taking photos and soaking it all in. I think I even saw a smile on Gowen’s face.
Brian Mills scored twice and ran for 137 yards and Will Long threw for two touchdowns before calling it a night.
Mills’ final carry of his career put him over the 1,000-yard mark and was a touchdown. That is a cool way to go out.
Long took one snap in the second half and gave the reins to Ty Hensley. Long was greeted with hugs aplenty, so that’s when (being the genius I am) I realized he wouldn’t be back out there.
I focused on Mills and a video with him should be on NewsOK later today or this weekend, but all those seniors really didn’t quit on each other. From Matt Leavell to Tyler Shaw to Randy Mack and up and down the line.
Hopefully, Moore doesn’t get discouraged, either. The effort is there, just give ‘em a little time.
I’ll be back early next week with a Santa Fe season recap.
Heritage Hall vs. Mt. St. Mary’s Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Heritage (5-4, 5-1) vs. Mt. St. Mary’s (3-6, 2-4)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: MSM HS
Heritage (L, Casady; L, Weatherford; L, Davis; W, Alva; W, Kingfisher; W, Perry; W, Fairview; W, Newkirk; L, John Marshall)
Why the Chargers can win: This might be the night they simply out-talent someone. It’s going to be a real adjustment trying to play without Sterling Shepard. But if Cooper Cloud is up to the task, the Chargers should be fine because like I’ve said all season, we know the defense is dang good.
Quote:
We followed up our best game with one of our worst games last week. We weren’t ready. We’re young, but we’re nine games in. Last week was a reminder of what happens when you’re not focused 100 percent.” – coach Andy Bogert
MSM
Why the Rockets can win: Because the pieces have been coming together for this team down the stretch. They’re healthy, their chemistry can’t be questioned. They play for each other, and that can lead to some very surprising results.
Quote:
Those injuries early hurt. This is what we felt we could have been doing all season. It’s nice to be ending out things this way.” – senior Aaron Smith
Key matchup: Heritage running game vs. MSM defense. This is the week Tanner France and Barry Sanders need to will the team to victory. Get through this one and the offense can find its footing again in the playoffs.
The pick: Heritage 17, MSM 6. Don’t foresee a lot of scoring in this one, and I expect Dalton Newsome to give the Chargers fits before Heritage finds the answer defensively.
Bishop McGuinness vs. Elk City Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Bishop McGuinness (7-2, 5-1) vs. Elk City (4-5, 4-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Elk City
McGuinness (W, Guthrie; L, Bishop Kelley; W, Millwood; W, Piedmont; L, Weatherford; W, Woodward; W, Douglass; W, Guymon; W, Southeast)
Why the Irish can win: Because they understand the stakes. Win this game, and the Irish are back at Pribil Stadium for a first-round playoff game. Lose it, and well, don’t even want to go there. This team is like a sleeping giant just lurking right now.
Elk City
Why EC can win: Because anytime you have a leader like Will Davis, you stand a chance to make something happen. EC proved its worth in a memorable win against Woodward. A win here shows they truly belong in the conversation in 4A.
Key matchup: Elk offense vs. Irish defense. Said a lot about Jameel Whitney and Jay Lester, but Dakota Leftwich and Nick Callaway are crucial to the defensive success for McGuinness.
The pick: McGuinness 31, Elk City 10. Irish keep rolling and earn that first-round host berth. Everything is starting to come together for McGuinness at the right time.
Ed Memorial vs. Putnam City Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo and Scott Wright
BPrzybylo@opubco.com; SWright@opubco.com
Memorial (6-3, 5-1) vs. Putnam City (3-6, 2-4)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: PC Stadium
Memorial (L, Southmoore; W, Santa Fe; L, Del City; L, Midwest City; W, PCWest; W, Norman; W, Westmoore; W, Lawton Ike; W, North)
Why the Bulldogs can win: Barring an emotional letdown, they’re the better team. The defense took center stage last week after lurking in the shadows the last couple of weeks. If Memorial causes turnovers, it will be a long night for the Pirates.
Quote:
Our season didn’t end last week. We still have a lot to keep playing for. We want to keep our momentum.” – senior Blake Umberham
Putnam City
Why PC can win: The Pirate offense is really just starting to get all facets of its game together, with a rushing attack to go with the spread passing scheme. If they can keep clicking, the defense should be able to keep them in the game, as they’ve done in all but a couple games.
Boneman’s key matchup: Memorial offense vs. PC defense. This needs to be that bust out game for the offense. You know the defense isn’t going to slip up, but if Justin Merideth’s club is going to make a strong run (which I think it can), the offense needs to be more consistent, especially the passing game.
Scott’s key matchup: PC defensive front vs. Edmond Memorial run game. The Pirates have to be able to contain power back Cale Olbert and QB Kameron Doolittle when he uses his legs. When the Bulldogs run well, they usually win.
Boneman’s pick: Memorial 24, Putnam City 6. Think it might take a while for the Bulldogs to wake up, but once they do, should be on their way to sixth straight victory.
Scott’s pick: Memorial 24, PC 17. Memorial’s size will give them too much of an advantage at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.
Deer Creek vs. Lawton Mac Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Deer Creek (4-5, 3-3) vs. Lawton MacArthur (6-3, 4-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Cameron Stadium, Lawton
Deer Creek (W, Piedmont; L, Shawnee; L, Woodward; W, NWClassen; W, WHeights; L, Duncan; L, El Reno; W, Chickasha; L, Altus)
Why the Antlers can win: Because sometimes when a team has been hit with so many key injuries like this team, the younger kids decide it’s their time to step up and play WAY over their heads for one night. For one night, these kids have to be a special.
Quote:
In my 26 years as a coach, I’ve never had a year like this with the injuries. We’ve run out of tape, but we haven’t run out of fight.” – coach Grant Gower
Lawton Mac
Why the Highlanders can win: Because on paper, they are the better team. The 6-3 record is actually surprising to me as I thought LM would be playing for a district championship. Offensive is explosive, averaging nearly 37 points per outing.
Key matchup: Deer Creek QBs vs. Lawton Mac defense. Hunter Dinkines will make his first start at QB. How will he do? Will he have the poise to lead the team. Will freshman Joel Blumenthal make an appearance? A lot of questions on this one.
The pick: Lawton Mac 21, Deer Creek 10. DC is going to run out of bodies and after a tight first half, just won’t have anything left in the tank. DC and LM fans, the Boneman would appreciate Twitter updates tonight on this one @BPrzybylo.
Moore vs. Santa Fe – Game Blog
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
SANTA FE 34, MOORE 14 – FINAL
Moore’s Vova Razryvin scored twice for the only points of the second half. A 65-yard pass to Chase Carter as well as a 7-yard run, both in the fourth.
I focused on the ‘never say die’ attitude of Santa Fe and most notably Brian Mills. Class acts all the way. I’ll have much more to say about this one in the Friday Morning Quarterback.
SANTA FE 34, MOORE 0 -HALFTIME
8:43 – Senior night is exactly what Santa Fe was hoping for. Brian Mills has rushed for two touchdowns and has put himself over the 1,000-yard mark. Will Long has thrown two touchdown passes (to Matt Leavell and Conner Bays) while Antonio Stayton has an interception return for a score and we are Santa Fe 34, Moore 0.
Turnovers have plagued the Lions. Besides the INT for a TD, there was an INT on 4th and goal and there was also a fumble when Moore was driving.
I’ve been impressed with the speed of Moore QB Vova Razryvin. He’s got some wheels on him, but it’s been tough for Moore to sustain success.
6:19 – Here at a nearly empty Wantland Stadium. Well, at least for now (is pretty early now that I think about it). Wantland will be tough to duplicate after that that North and Memorial atmosphere last week.
It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Wolves. In fact, five weeks. I’ve called in to check in, but this will be the first time I see the boys again.
It’s senior night, so that adds to the emotion of everything.
Either way, for updates, follow me on Twitter @BPrzybylo and follow fellow chum @ryaber for all the updates from Putnam North and Del City and the rest of the Thursday night slate.
