Class 6A semifinals capsules
After the jump, here are the capsules for the Class 6A semifinalists:
Class 6A
Southmoore vs. Jenks, 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Putnam City
Tulsa Union vs. Broken Arrow, 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Tulsa University (more…)
OKC Players of the Week: Forbes and Neil, Douglass
By Ryan Aber
raber@opubco.com
We’ll do the same with the Oklahoma City players, as several turned in clutch performances during last week’s second round:
Offense
It’s hard to separate Douglass running backs Kevin Forbs and Quinton Neil. The senior pair have each passed the 1,000 yard mark rushing. It’s hard to imagine now but Douglass’ running game looked even scarier before the season, until Cortez Threatt, who was considered a possible All-State candidate, was lost with a torn ACL.
But Forbes and Neil have filled in just fine. Douglass coach Willis Alexander likes to rotate backs to keep them fresh and he’s certainly done that with this pair.
In Friday night’s 14-0 win over Wagoner, Forbes ran for 103 yards on 21 carries while Neil had 107 yards on 20 carries. Each scored a fourth-quarter touchdown, earning OKC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
Defensive
Star Spencer’s Charles Mitchell was a safety until this week, when cornerbacfk Keon Johnson was out and Mitchell moved over to corner. The move paid off for the Bobcats, as Mitchell intercepted three passes — his first interceptions of the season — and returned one 65 yards for a touchdown in Star Spencer’s 44-29 win over Oologah.
Others:
Kevonte Richardson, Millwood: Richardson threw for 147 yards and two touchdowns in the first half in Millwood’s 33-23 win over Washington. He also ran for 103 yards.
Emilio Gatewood, Millwood: Gatewood kept up his streak of impressive performances, rushing for 123 yards and three touchdowns in helping the Falcons advance to the third round.
Terence Olds, Star Spencer: Olds has become almost as much a fixture on this list as Gatewood. In the win over Oologah, Olds ran for 143 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Darwin Rideau, Star Spencer: Late in the second quarter of the Bobcats’ win over Oologah, Rideau caught a pass from Star Spencer quarterback at the Oologah 40 and broke a handful of tackles in taking it into the end zone to give the Bobcats a 22-15 lead going into half. Rideau also scored on a 36-yard run earlier in the quarter.
Miles Jackson, John Marshall: Jackson had an 84-yard touchdown run to give the Bears a 7-7 tie against undefeated Davis in the third quarter in Davis’ eventual 20-13 win.
Bucket list: Carl Albert’s Tyler Still
In case you missed it, the five things Carl Albert senior left tackle Tyler Still wants to achieve before he dies:
1. Ski down Mount Everest
2. Lead at least one person to Christ
3. Become an actor
4. Travel the world
5. Perform in a bad at a concert
Mid-Del Players of the Week
Something a little different this week after the performances from the second round of the playoffs:
Offense
Carl Albert quarterback J.T. Realmuto flat took over Carl Albert’s game against Tulsa Kelley on Friday night.
With the Comets focusing on slowing down the versatile Tre Porter, things were more opened up for Realmuto on the ground.
And the Titans’ senior took full advantage, carrying the ball 40 times for 180 yards and four touchdowns — two in overtime — in Carl Albert’s 34-31 double overtime win. For his performance, Realmuto earns the Mid-Del Offensive Player of the Week honors.
One of the defining moments to Carl Albert’s season up until this point has been the fourth and 1 play from deep in the Titans’ territory against Shawnee. The Wolves stopped Carl Albert on that play, a Realmuto keeper to the outside. Shortly after, Shawnee scored what proved to be the game-winning score.
Since then, though, Carl Albert’s offense has woken up. Last week was the first time since that Oct. 2 game that the Titans were held to less than 40 points. Realmuto, and the emergence offensively of Porter, have certainly been two of the biggest parts of that.
Defense
Until early in the fourth quarter of the Carl Albert-Tulsa Kelley game, the Titans were dominant defensively against one of the best offensive lines in the state. The best of Carl Albert’s defenders was David Lambeth. Lambeth had 15 tackles, 2 for a loss, and forced a fumble to earn the Mid-Del Defense Player of the Week honors.
Other:
Greg Austin, Midwest City: The Bombers quarterback threw for nearly 300 yards and a touchdown in Broken Arrow’s 24-17 win over Midwest City. Austin improved throughout the season and gives Midwest City a bright future at quarterback for next season. For the year, Austin threw for around 1,900 yards.
Player of the week: Moore Zone
Moore zone Player of the Week:
Once again, with basketball yet to start and football season over at Westmoore and Moore, the only choices were from Southmoore. Nonetheless, swimming, wrestling and basketball will get things rolling soon and provide more options.
Player of the Week
Derek Serowski, Southmoore
The senior wideout scored a career-high three touchdowns to help lead the SaberCats into the Class 6A semifinals. Serowski’s TD grabs went for 64, 59 and one yards. All told, he had four receptions for 127 yards.
Others:
Ethan Baker, Southmoore
The senior had two interceptions and led a Southmoore defensive secondary that held one of Class 6A’s best receiving duos in check and limited the Bruins to just 14 points before reserves played the fourth quarter.
Andrew Long, Southmoore
The sophomore running back rambled for 194 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries in Southmoore’s 49-28 romp past Bartlesville in the Class 6A quarterfinals.
Austin Haywood, Southmoore
Returned to action after missing the playoff opener with a strained shoulder and ran for a touchdown, threw a touchdown pass and played stellar defense.
Kendal Thompson, Southmoore
Thompson ran for 98 yards while completing 8 of 10 passes for 189 yards.
Austin Brooks, Southmoore
Was a ringleader among several defensive standouts. Helped shut down the Bartlesville running game. He also had an interception.
Mason Myers, Southmoore
The offensive lineman led the front five, allowing Thompson all kinds of time to throw and opening holes for the team to gain 440 yards on the ground.
Kimes Gilbert and Ryland Widener, Southmoore
Gilbert made a terrific interception at the line of scrimmage to halt Bartlesville’s first drive, which had reached the Southmoore 30-yard line. Widener plugged holes as Southmoore held Bartlesville to 57 yards rushing on 19 carries.
Cashion: Ready for battle of 12-0 clubs…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Cashion (12-0) vs. Stroud (12-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Stroud HS
While some of the more prominent eight-man teams that moved up two years ago have kinda fallen back, Cashion remains strong.
I mean real strong. Lynn Shackelford’s club is 12-0 and is riding a sea of positive momentum heading into Friday’s quarterfinal at Stroud.
I’ve been a huge backer of A-2 all season. I’ve harped about how good Cashion, OCS and Watonga are this year.
Well, two of the three still remain, but it’s because of the way all three played against each other that made me realize how good this team could be.
What I love about a situation like this is how a town comes together through a team’s success. Shackelford has noticed it, too.
Quote:
It’s been an outstanding atmosphere. The town has really rallied around the kids. Sports in a lot of ways can be the heartbeat of a town and bring people together.” – Shackelford
Stopping a fake punt against Velma-Alma late in the first half proved to be crucial to the Wildcats’ success.
It was only 14-13 at that point. Cashion drove in and scored to make it 21-3 at half. And then Cashion took the first possession of the second half to make it 28-13, and that was all she wrote.
Quarterback Jeremy Seaton has been the key to the team’s offensive success. Later in the week I’ll take a look at what Cashion is going to need to do to move to 13-0.
Cashion: Ready for battle of 12-0 clubs…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Cashion (12-0) vs. Stroud (12-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Stroud HS
While some of the more prominent eight-man teams that moved up two years ago have kinda fallen back, Cashion remains strong.
I mean real strong. Lynn Shackelford’s club is 12-0 and is riding a sea of positive momentum heading into Friday’s quarterfinal at Stroud.
I’ve been a huge backer of A-2 all season. I’ve harped about how good Cashion, OCS and Watonga are this year.
Well, two of the three still remain, but it’s because of the way all three played against each other that made me realize how good this team could be.
What I love about a situation like this is how a town comes together through a team’s success. Shackelford has noticed it, too.
Quote:
It’s been an outstanding atmosphere. The town has really rallied around the kids. Sports in a lot of ways can be the heartbeat of a town and bring people together.” – Shackelford
Stopping a fake punt against Velma-Alma late in the first half proved to be crucial to the Wildcats’ success.
It was only 14-13 at that point. Cashion drove in and scored to make it 21-3 at half. And then Cashion took the first possession of the second half to make it 28-13, and that was all she wrote.
Quarterback Jeremy Seaton has been the key to the team’s offensive success. Later in the week I’ll take a look at what Cashion is going to need to do to move to 13-0.
Bronco wrap-up: A tale of three teams in Mustang
If I had to pick one word to describe Mustang’s 2009 football season, it would be this:
Odd.
I’ve never seen a team have dramatic offensive success, completely change styles midway through the year, and have just as much success, which is exactly what happened with the Broncos this year.
But 2009 was a tale of three teams in Mustang.
First, there was the team that began the season. The team quarterbacked by Jacinto Biorato that focused on its play-making receivers David Glidden and Braden Wiseley. The run game was solid, but not outstanding, and the passing game was as efficient as any around.
Halfway through the season, two things happened. Biorato hurt his shoulder and RB Daniel Farrow became eligible. With sophomore Brandon Taylor at QB, and Farrow next to him, the second Mustang team emerged. Passing became option No. 3 — Farrow was options No. 1 and 2. And the offense kept chugging. Farrow put up nearly 600 yards in a two-week span as he showed himself as one of the top players in the state.
Then came the playoffs and the arrival of the Broncos’ third edition.
A look at our second-round playoff picks
It was a rough week for us in a lot of ways but here’s a look at the second-round picks from myself, Bob and Scott. The race is extremely tight heading into the third round:
Records:
Overall:
Ryan: 94-26
Scott: 92-28
Bob: 91-29
Second round:
Ryan: 29-11 (3-1 in 6A, 2-2 in 5A, 3-1 in 4A, 2-2 in 3A, 6-2 in 2A, 7-1 in A, 4-0 in B, 2-2 in C)
Scott: 28-12 (4-0 in 6A, 2-2 in 5A, 4-0 in 4A, 2-2 in 3A, 7-1 in 2A, 5-3 in A, 3-1 in B, 1-3 in C)
Bob: 28-12 (3-1 in 6A, 2-2 in 5A, 3-1 in 4A, 1-3 in 3A, 5-3 in 2A, 8-0 in A, 3-1 in B, 3-1 in C)
Bob’s best call: Going to Watonga for this one. I talked to coach Shannon Grimes this weekend, and he said what I’ve been thinking: the OCS win and the Cashion loss proved this Watonga team is for real. Watonga is dang good and gets to host Tonkawa this week. Guess we’ll see how good they really are. The only other thing would be I’m proud I stuck to my guns on Kingfisher and Carl Albert. Those were some pick ‘em games if there ever were any.
Ryan’s best call: I’m going to go a bit out of the box here and pick a game I was actually wrong in getting the winner. I (like everyone else not from Deer Creek-Lamont) picked Shattuck to keep its streak intact and advance to the Class C semifinals. But, I did pick Shattuck to win by “just” eight points, 28-20, and wrote this last week in making my Class C picks: “nothing would surprise me here, even Shattuck losing.” For picking the outcome of the game, I’m going to go with Laverne over Davenport. I didn’t step out and take any huge chances last week but Laverne is one of the few road teams I picked and they came through. I went 8-2 in games I picked the road team to win. And I know this is a little unfair since neither Bob nor Scott pick scores but I got two games right on the head this week, picking the exact score of Jenks-Edmond Memorial (28-14, although I didn’t envision the game tied at 14 entering the fourth) and Cascia Hall-Purcell (28-7). Also was looking pretty good for a third in Carl Albert-Tulsa Kelley before the Comets’ late touchdown sent the game to overtime.
Scott’s best call: Nothing that I’m too proud of this week except maybe hitting all four picks in 4A, which I felt was a very competitive round of games, or sticking with Kingfisher over Bridge Creek, even after BC’s 78-point outburst in the opening round. Also feeling good about only having missed four picks in Class A so far, with all of my initial semifinalist picks still alive.
Bob’s bonehead call: Line ‘em up, we got a bunch. How about saying three 3A-1 teams were going to make it? In reality, none did as 3A-3 (Cascia Hall, Berryhill, Sequoyah Claremore and Dewey) is the semifinals. Being WAY off on Sperry and Pawhuska was pretty bad, too.
Ryan bonehead call: Bartlesville-Southmoore is as good a place to start as any. I should’ve known the SaberCats would bounce back after a lackluster performance a week earlier. And it’s not like Bartlesville had the playoff experience that Southmoore lacked. Also got very close to picking Sequoyah Claremore over Tuttle but decided on head over my gut feeling at the last minute. Also, thought Shawnee would win big and I was looking pretty good early before Bixby roared back.
Scott’s bonehead call: I went with my gut feeling and picked Commerce over Talihina. Also went with my gut and picked Guthrie and Laverne to lose, even though I really believed both would win. Still kicking myself over those.
Bob’s biggest surprise: The cool thing is to say Deer Creek-Lamont over Shattuck. Well, I’m not cool (wait, that didn’t come out right). No, I’m going to go to SOuthmoore. Though I said I might be kicking myself later for it, I never expected that type of domination from the SaberCats. Wow, that was impressive. And not even the Boneman, the unofficial booster for Edmond Memorial, thought it was going to be 14-14 with Jenks entering the fourth quarter.
Ryan’s biggest surprise: Have to go with Guthrie here. When I watched the Bluejays early in the season, they were punchless offensively. But they’ve got a freshman quarterback who has really come around and Kentrell Brothers is looking more and more like the next star to come out of Guthrie. I also have to go with Forgan, who I didn’t think stood much of a chance against Covington-Douglas.
Scott’s biggest surprise: If anyone says they’re not surprised that Shattuck lost in the quarterfinals, they’re either lying or they have a son playing for Deer Creek-Lamont. In my picks preview, I said this about the Class C bracket: “If you took Shattuck out of the mix, this class would be wide-open.” Looks like the last part was true, even without the first part. Other surprises: Shawnee’s loss. I leaned heavily toward picking the Wolves as 5A champs before the playoffs began. Clinton’s loss. I did pick the Tornadoes as my 3A champs.
A look at our second-round playoff picks
It was a rough week for us in a lot of ways but here’s a look at the second-round picks from myself, Bob and Scott. The race is extremely tight heading into the third round:
Records:
Overall:
Ryan: 94-26
Scott: 92-28
Bob: 91-29
Second round:
Ryan: 29-11 (3-1 in 6A, 2-2 in 5A, 3-1 in 4A, 2-2 in 3A, 6-2 in 2A, 7-1 in A, 4-0 in B, 2-2 in C)
Scott: 28-12 (4-0 in 6A, 2-2 in 5A, 4-0 in 4A, 2-2 in 3A, 7-1 in 2A, 5-3 in A, 3-1 in B, 1-3 in C)
Bob: 28-12 (3-1 in 6A, 2-2 in 5A, 3-1 in 4A, 1-3 in 3A, 5-3 in 2A, 8-0 in A, 3-1 in B, 3-1 in C)
Bob’s best call: Going to Watonga for this one. I talked to coach Shannon Grimes this weekend, and he said what I’ve been thinking: the OCS win and the Cashion loss proved this Watonga team is for real. Watonga is dang good and gets to host Tonkawa this week. Guess we’ll see how good they really are. The only other thing would be I’m proud I stuck to my guns on Kingfisher and Carl Albert. Those were some pick ‘em games if there ever were any.
Ryan’s best call: I’m going to go a bit out of the box here and pick a game I was actually wrong in getting the winner. I (like everyone else not from Deer Creek-Lamont) picked Shattuck to keep its streak intact and advance to the Class C semifinals. But, I did pick Shattuck to win by “just” eight points, 28-20, and wrote this last week in making my Class C picks: “nothing would surprise me here, even Shattuck losing.” For picking the outcome of the game, I’m going to go with Laverne over Davenport. I didn’t step out and take any huge chances last week but Laverne is one of the few road teams I picked and they came through. I went 8-2 in games I picked the road team to win. And I know this is a little unfair since neither Bob nor Scott pick scores but I got two games right on the head this week, picking the exact score of Jenks-Edmond Memorial (28-14, although I didn’t envision the game tied at 14 entering the fourth) and Cascia Hall-Purcell (28-7). Also was looking pretty good for a third in Carl Albert-Tulsa Kelley before the Comets’ late touchdown sent the game to overtime.
Scott’s best call: Nothing that I’m too proud of this week except maybe hitting all four picks in 4A, which I felt was a very competitive round of games, or sticking with Kingfisher over Bridge Creek, even after BC’s 78-point outburst in the opening round. Also feeling good about only having missed four picks in Class A so far, with all of my initial semifinalist picks still alive.
Bob’s bonehead call: Line ‘em up, we got a bunch. How about saying three 3A-1 teams were going to make it? In reality, none did as 3A-3 (Cascia Hall, Berryhill, Sequoyah Claremore and Dewey) is the semifinals. Being WAY off on Sperry and Pawhuska was pretty bad, too.
Ryan bonehead call: Bartlesville-Southmoore is as good a place to start as any. I should’ve known the SaberCats would bounce back after a lackluster performance a week earlier. And it’s not like Bartlesville had the playoff experience that Southmoore lacked. Also got very close to picking Sequoyah Claremore over Tuttle but decided on head over my gut feeling at the last minute. Also, thought Shawnee would win big and I was looking pretty good early before Bixby roared back.
Scott’s bonehead call: I went with my gut feeling and picked Commerce over Talihina. Also went with my gut and picked Guthrie and Laverne to lose, even though I really believed both would win. Still kicking myself over those.
Bob’s biggest surprise: The cool thing is to say Deer Creek-Lamont over Shattuck. Well, I’m not cool (wait, that didn’t come out right). No, I’m going to go to SOuthmoore. Though I said I might be kicking myself later for it, I never expected that type of domination from the SaberCats. Wow, that was impressive. And not even the Boneman, the unofficial booster for Edmond Memorial, thought it was going to be 14-14 with Jenks entering the fourth quarter.
Ryan’s biggest surprise: Have to go with Guthrie here. When I watched the Bluejays early in the season, they were punchless offensively. But they’ve got a freshman quarterback who has really come around and Kentrell Brothers is looking more and more like the next star to come out of Guthrie. I also have to go with Forgan, who I didn’t think stood much of a chance against Covington-Douglas.
Scott’s biggest surprise: If anyone says they’re not surprised that Shattuck lost in the quarterfinals, they’re either lying or they have a son playing for Deer Creek-Lamont. In my picks preview, I said this about the Class C bracket: “If you took Shattuck out of the mix, this class would be wide-open.” Looks like the last part was true, even without the first part. Other surprises: Shawnee’s loss. I leaned heavily toward picking the Wolves as 5A champs before the playoffs began. Clinton’s loss. I did pick the Tornadoes as my 3A champs.
