OSU 34, Iowa State 8: Thoughts and Observations
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@opubco.com
The Cowboys rebounded like a good team with senior leadership should after a tough loss. Zac Robinson was very efficient and the running game and offensive line dominated throughout the game.
Finally a Kendall Hunter sighting. It was good to see the All-American junior get back out there but it’s clear he doesn’t quite trust his body yet. He can’t cut like he normally can but he still had a successful return.
The Cowboys lost offensive tackle Brady Bond but you could barely even notice. The Pokes rushed for over 300 yards including Keith Toston’s 206 rushing yards.
The reason OSU’s defense was so strong against Iowa State’s running game was their aggressiveness. The Pokes clearly decided that Austin Arnaud could not beat them and went about proving it and that’s exactly what they did. They forced the Iowa State QB into several mistakes including three interceptions.
I’m still a big beleiver in getting Tracy Moore involved in the offense a bit more. The freshman from Tulsa Union just seems to make key plays when the Cowboys need it. He has a knack for getting open and catches the ball when he does.
What can you say about Keith Toston. 206 rushing yards, three touchdowns. And it is nothing new, the senior running back has done that all season, he’s been extremely consistent for the Cowboys. OSU is going to miss him next year, I think people take him for granted and some people won’t realize what OSU had in Toston until he’s gone.
One aspect the Cowboys can improve on is their kick returns. They just could seem to get in sync against the Cyclones and haven’t seemed as explosive in recent weeks.
Stat games:
Iowa State ran just 54 plays and OSU had the ball for 39:38 of the game.
OSU had 29 first downs and ran 78 plays.
Ugo Chinasa was solid with 2 tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries, one sack and one pass break up.
Once again, Pat Lavine was making plays. The senior had eight tackles, one interception, one sack. BY FAR the most overlooked playmaker on the entire team.
Every Cowboy who carried the football on Saturday had a run of at least 12 yards or more. That speaks to the dominance of the OSU offensive line.
Bottom Line: Now that the Cowboys have moved past the loss to Texas, it’s clear OSU is only focusing on what it can control. And if they play well in their final three games, a Cotton Bowl or maybe even Fiesta Bowl berth is within reason. So while they didn’t accomplish their goal of a Big 12 south title, there’s plenty to play for, plenty to look forward to.
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.
Rankings preview: Nov. 8
Sorry for the delay from my usual late Friday night posting. Combination of a long drive back from Glenpool and trying to piece together the playoff brackets left me too tired to think straight last night by the time I would’ve been able to work on them So here they are in all their glory with a little different format this week (and I hope to do Class A-C in a similar format a bit later):
Class 6A
1. Jenks (1)#10-0
Why they’re not lower: Because the Trojans are the only team to go 10-0 in Class 6A.
2. Tulsa Union (2)#9-1
Why they’re not higher: Because the Redskins lost head-to-head to Jenks.
Why they’re not lower: Because their only loss is to Jenks (a two-point win) and they beat Broken Arrow — and everyone else — on their schedule.
3. Broken Arrow (3)#8-2
Why they’re not higher: Because the Tigers only two losses came to Jenks and Tulsa Union.
Why they’re not lower: They beat everyone else, including Bartlesville last night. They also own wins over Owasso, Claremore and Tulsa Washington.
4. Southmoore (4)#9-1
Why they’re not higher: Because they’re the only team of these top four to lose to a lower-ranked team. The SaberCats have also found themselves in more close games than any of the top four.
Why they’re not lower: An impressive list of wins in non-district and 6A-1: Edmond Memorial and Midwest City in non-district and Del City, Lawton and Mustang in district play. Other than Jenks, Southmoore has the best list of wins.
5. Midwest City (5)#8-2
Why they’re not higher: The only thing keeping the Bombers this low is non-district losses to Del City and Southmoore and its hard to vault them over the SaberCats with their previously discussed credentials.
Why they’re not lower: They’ve gone through a relatively weak district and done exactly what a really good team should — destroy everyone. The Bombers closest district game was a 22-7 win over 6A-2 runner-up Edmond Memorial. None of the others were decided by less than 29 points.
Glenpool-Star Spencer game blog
Star Spencer’s defense holds, getting the ball back with 13 seconds left before half.
Big turn of events late in the first half. Star Spencer’s driving in the final two minutes when a Bobcats fumble is returned for more than 40 yards by Glenpool’s Mat Thomas. Warriors have the ball at the Star Spencer 25 with 1:23 remaining (more…)
Game capsule: Lawton Ike at Norman
Lawton Eisenhower (3-6, 2-4 6A-2) at Norman (4-5,3-3 6A-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where: Harve Collins Field
Lawton Eisenhower
Why the Eagles can win: The Eagles are sky-high after a game-winning field goal with six seconds left last week kept their postseason hopes alive. QB Adrian McDonald is dangerous on the ground. If he cam hit a few timely passes, Ike could take this one.
Norman
Why the Tigers could win: It’s do-or-die. Win and the Tigers are in the playoffs for the first time since 2006. Lose and it’s all over. But beyond the ramifications of the outcome, Norman has more tools to put up points than Ike. If running back Donovan Roberts — the Tigers most productive offensive player — can’t come back from last week’s hip injury, it will hinder the Tigers greatly. But electric kick returner Jaime Myers has the skill to fill in nicely.
Key matchup: For Lawton Eisenhower, it’s this: Putnam City vs.Edmond Memorial.
What?
Although the Tigers-Eagles game has been billed as being for the fourth and final playoff spot in 6A-2, that’s only the case for Norman. Ike has to have some help even with a win.
If PC upsets Edmond Memorial, the Pirates and Ike will be tied at 3-4, with PC holding the head-to-head tiebreaker. Now, the head-to-head component could be taken out of the equation. If PC wins, Ike wins and Westmoore upsets Edmond North, there will be a four-way tie at 3-4 (Norman would also be 3-4). But even then, PC would get the playoff spot on district points.
For Norman, it’s this: The Tigers vs. M*A*S*H. Top producers on offense (running back Donovan Roberts) and defense (linebacker Greg Offenburger) will have to play through injuries. Without those two, it will be tough. So Norman can’t afford any other players going down,
The pick: Norman 27, Lawton Ike 22.
Norman is at home and has more at stake. Both teams want the playoff berth. But for Norman, it’s bigger than just this season. The Tigers see this as a statement that the program is re-emerging as a continual playoff contender.
District 6A-1 title game capsule: Mustang at Southmoore
Mustang (7-2, 5-1 6A-1) at Southmoore (8-1, 5-1 6A-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where: Moore Stadium
Mustang
Why the Broncos can win: His name is Daniel Farrow. Maybe you’ve heard of him. Mustang is a different team with Farrow running the way he is lately — 599 yards and eight touchdowns in the last two games. And that came against a couple fairly talented defenses. On a team with a spread offense that has weapons like David Glidden and Braden Wiseley on the outside, and one of the best offensive lines around, Farrow takes them to another level..
Southmoore
Why the SaberCats can win: Same reason they’ve won eight games this year — they’re all but unstoppable on offense; they’re terrific defensively and they have a strong kicking game. Now, the defense is going to get tested like it hasn’t all season. But the same goes for the Broncos, who have had problems this season slowing offenses that weren’t in Southmoore’s class. Mustang allows an average of 25.7 points per game. Southmoore averages 37.4.
That adds up to a possible 40-plus point outing for the SaberCats.
Scott’s key matchup: Southmoore WRs vs. Mustang DBs. Last week, Del City found a good amount of success through the air, throwing for 354 yards, but Mustang kept the point total down. That’s what the Broncos will need to do again this week.
Justin’s key matchup: The same as Scott’s, but flip the teams: Southmoore DBs vs. Mustang WRs.
I don’t think the Broncos’ secondary is going to be able to hold down Southmoore’s sterling receiving triumvirate of tight end Austin Haywood, receiver Derek Serowski and receiver Nyko Symonds (and don’t forget about RB Andrew Long out of the backfield, who has averaged 13.4 yards on his 28 receptions). Likewise, I’m not sure Southmoore can put the breaks on Mustang’s running game (i.e. Daniel Farrow, who is averaging almost 300 yards rushing in his last two games. Whether it can or not, Southmoore will set out to stop the run first and take their chances with DBs Symonds and OU commit Julian Wilson playing Mustang’s terrific wideouts man-to-man. Wilson and Symonds can’t allow waterbug David Glidden to break this game open — and he’s surely capable.
Scott’s pick: Mustang 42, Southmoore 38. I’d expect Farrow to carry the load once again and carry the Broncos to victory.
Justin’s pick: Southmoore 52, Mustang 37.
Mustang’s offense is one of the rare few which can keep up with the SaberCats in a shootout. But Southmoore’s D has a better chance of forcing turnovers and slowing the point-freight train.
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.
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.
