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.
Semifinal sites set
Here’s the semifinal times/dates:
Class 6A
Jenks vs. Southmoore, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Putnam City Stadium
Tulsa Union vs. Broken Arrow, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, University of Tulsa
Class 5A
El Reno vs. Carl Albert, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Putnam City Stadium
Bixby vs. Guthrie, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Stillwater High School
Class 4A
Weatherford vs. Douglass, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Yukon
Star Spencer vs. Sallisaw, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sapulpa
Class 3A
Seq. Claremore vs. Cascia Hall, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Collinsville
Berryhill vs. Dewey, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Skiatook
Class B
Garber vs. Laverne, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Woodward
Ryan vs. Canton, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Norman
Class C
DC-Lamont vs. Timberlake, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Enid
Seiling vs. Forgan, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Woodward
Semifinal sites set
Here’s the semifinal times/dates:
Class 6A
Jenks vs. Southmoore, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Putnam City Stadium
Tulsa Union vs. Broken Arrow, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, University of Tulsa
Class 5A
El Reno vs. Carl Albert, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Putnam City Stadium
Bixby vs. Guthrie, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Stillwater High School
Class 4A
Weatherford vs. Douglass, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Yukon
Star Spencer vs. Sallisaw, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sapulpa
Class 3A
Seq. Claremore vs. Cascia Hall, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Collinsville
Berryhill vs. Dewey, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Skiatook
Class B
Garber vs. Laverne, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Woodward
Ryan vs. Canton, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Norman
Class C
DC-Lamont vs. Timberlake, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Enid
Seiling vs. Forgan, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Woodward
Semifinal sites set
Here’s the semifinal times/dates:
Class 6A
Jenks vs. Southmoore, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Putnam City Stadium
Tulsa Union vs. Broken Arrow, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, University of Tulsa
Class 5A
El Reno vs. Carl Albert, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Putnam City Stadium
Bixby vs. Guthrie, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Stillwater High School
Class 4A
Weatherford vs. Douglass, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Yukon
Star Spencer vs. Sallisaw, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sapulpa
Class 3A
Seq. Claremore vs. Cascia Hall, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Collinsville
Berryhill vs. Dewey, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Skiatook
Class B
Garber vs. Laverne, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Woodward
Ryan vs. Canton, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Norman
Class C
DC-Lamont vs. Timberlake, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Enid
Seiling vs. Forgan, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Woodward
Semifinal sites set
Here’s the semifinal times/dates:
Class 6A
Jenks vs. Southmoore, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Putnam City Stadium
Tulsa Union vs. Broken Arrow, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, University of Tulsa
Class 5A
El Reno vs. Carl Albert, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Putnam City Stadium
Bixby vs. Guthrie, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Stillwater High School
Class 4A
Weatherford vs. Douglass, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Yukon
Star Spencer vs. Sallisaw, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sapulpa
Class 3A
Seq. Claremore vs. Cascia Hall, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Collinsville
Berryhill vs. Dewey, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Skiatook
Class B
Garber vs. Laverne, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Woodward
Ryan vs. Canton, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Norman
Class C
DC-Lamont vs. Timberlake, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Enid
Seiling vs. Forgan, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Woodward
Douglass’ defense the difference
BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com
For the second consecutive week, Douglass’ defense dominated teams that have been known for putting up big offensive numbers.
In Friday night’s 14-0 win over Wagoner, the Trojans held the Bulldogs to just 44 total yards — five rushing — to advance to this week’s Class 4A semifinal against Weatherford.
But it’s not like Wagoner didn’t have chances to score.
The Bulldogs had the ball with first and goal from the 2 midway through the third. Douglass’ defense held strong, though, helped by a Wagoner penalty, before the Bulldogs missed a field goal.
Wagoner had another chance to score late in the game, starting in Douglass territory, but once again, the Trojans’ defense held.
Douglass, which allowed 14 points in each of the last four regular season games, has now put up back-to-back shutouts to open the playoffs.
All-City Preview Wrapup
By Ryan Aber
raber@opubco.com
There might’ve been a state tournament feel to the finals of the All-City Athletic Conference basketball preview on Thursday night at Northwest and it’s not hard to see why.
In the boys championship game, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Star Spencer-Douglass could be a preview of the 4A title game in a few months.
It certainly looked like it could’ve been in the preview. Star Spencer, the defending 4A champions, won 25-24 over Douglass. While each team lost some key players, both teams returned some stars as well, led by Star Spencer PG Kendre Talley and Douglass’ big inside presence Marquis Buxton-Hill.
On the girls side, there was a bit of a surprise as Northeast outlasted Millwood in the title game 18-16.
If you’re a basketball fan and looking for a game fix this weekend, check out Northeast on Saturday night. Two teams that could be state contenders in their respective classes face off when Northeast hosts Metro Christian. The boys game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.
BOYS
Tuesday
at Northwest
Game 1: Millwood 27, Centennial 18
Game 2: Northwest 21, Capitol Hill 20
Game 3: Douglass 31, Millwood 14
at Capitol Hill
Game 4: John Marshall 20, Classen SAS 11
Game 5: Northeast 33, U.S. Grant 13
Game 6: Southeast 28, John Marshall 20
Game 7: Star Spencer 39, Northeast 20
Thursday
at Capitol Hill
Game 8: Millwood 27, Classen SAS 7
Game 9: John Marshall 49, U.S. Grant 14
Game 10: Northeast 30, Centennial 24
Game 11: John Marshall 35, Millwood 27
Game 12: Capitol Hill 36, Northeast 24
Game 13: John Marshall 37, Capitol Hill 30
at Northwest
Game 14: Douglass 40, Northwest 29
Game 15: Star Spencer 40, Southeast 21
Championship: Star Spencer 25, Douglass 24
GIRLS
Tuesday
at Northwest
Game 1: U.S. Grant 23, Northwest 18
Game 2: Douglass 17, Southeast 16
Game 3: Millwood 21, U.S. Grant 3
at Capitol Hill
Game 4: Centennial 36, Capitol Hill 6
Game 5: John Marshall 17, Classes SAS 13
Game 6: Northeast 19, Centennial 7
Game 7: Star Spencer 34, John Marshall 9
Thursday
at Capitol Hill
Game 8: U.S. Grant 25, Capitol Hill 8
Game 9: Centennial 36, Classen SAS 6
Game 10: Northwest 27, John Marshall 15
Game 11: Centennial 32, U.S. Grant 10
Game 12: Southeast 14, Northwest 10
Game 13: Southeast 24, Centennial 23
at Northwest
Game 14: Millwood 16, Douglass 14
Game 15: Northeast 22, Star Spencer 15
Championship: Northeast 18, Millwood 16
Millwood’s Henry ready for tonight’s return
By Ryan Aber
raber@opubco.com
I went out to Millwood’s practice for a bit yesterday and one of the firs tplayers out of the locker room was linebacker Trayvon Henry.
Henry has been suspended since the season’s third week after a violation of an undisclosed team (and school) rule.
Henry thought his senior season was lost but worked his way back into the good graces of Millwood’s administrators and coaches and, it appears, has done the right things since the problem surfaced.
While Henry didn’ t talk specifically about what happened, he did say he’s learned a lot from it and is more careful about the people he hangs around now.
Henry wasn’t able to return to practice until Wednesday and didn’t seem like he missed a beat, laying a brutal hit on a teammate during the practice.
“It’s great to be back,” a beaming Henry said before practice yesterday. “I’m excited about getting this chance. I didn’t think it was going to happen. I thought high school football was done for me.
“I’m glad I got a second chance.”
Henry remains committed to Kansas and said coaches there remained behind him during his time away. And he also remains committed to staying out of trouble.
“I’m not trying to have anything else happen that would mess things up for me,” Henry said. “I’m trying to get back into (concentrating on) school and football and get everything right.”
Star Spencer matches up well with Oologah
By Ryan Aber
raber@opubco.com
Last week, Elk City used its no-huddle, spread offense to give Star Spencer a scare before the Bobcats pulled out a 44-33 first-round win over the Elks.
“Elk City wore us out a little bit,” Star Spencer coach Darrell Hall said. “With the depth we have, the no-huddle gave us some problems.”
Tonight, though, 9-2 Star Spencer hosts Oologah in a second-round matchup.
The Mustangs like to throw the ball — quarterback Alex Brunson has thrown for 1,428 yards and 13 touchdowns this season — but the pace is more to the Bobcats liking.
“It’ll be tough, though,” Hall said.
The winner of tonight’s game will play the McGuinness-Sallisaw winner next weekend at a neutral site to be determined.
Capsule: Washington at Millwood
By Ryan Aber
raber@opubco.com
Washington (7-4) at Millwood (10-1)*
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Leodies Robinson Field, Oklahoma City
Winner plays: Chandler-Verdigris winner next Friday. If Millwood wins, the Falcons would go on the road. If Washington wins, the Warriors would host.
Washington (L, Bethany; L, Purcell; W, Jones; L, Lindsay; L, Bridge Creek; W, Frederick; W, Crooked Oak; W, Comanche; W, Riverside; W, Hobart; W, Plainview)
Why the Warriors can win: Because they’re hot. Washington has won six in a row after a rough start and really settled in, pulling off a close win over Frederick on Oct. 9 to get the streak started. Washington is also riding an emotional high after last week’s road win over Plainview.
Millwood (W, Star Spencer; W, Douglass; L, McGuinness; W, Little Axe; W, Jones*; W, Lexington; W, SeeWorth Academy; W, Bethel; W, Centennial; W, Meeker; W, Newkirk)
Why the Falcons can win: Pick a reason. Millwood will be playing with all of its stars for the first time since the season’s second week. The Falcons will also be playing for legendary coach Leodies Robinson, who died of an apparent heart attack earlier this week.
*Jones forfeited a win over Millwood.
Stat leaders
RUSHING
Washington
Chance Pistole: 122 carries, 745 yards, 11 TDs
Dakota Treat: 185 carries, 593 yards, 9 TDs
Millwood
Emilio Gatewood: 138 carries, 1,382 yards, 18 TDs
Kevonte Richardson: 44 carries, 409 yards, 3 TDs
PASSING
Washington
Dakota Treat: 74-136, 1,193 yards, 14 TDs, 2 INTs
Millwood
Kevonte Richardson: 91-154, 1,589 yards, 19 TDs, 8 INTs
RECEIVING
Washington
Justin Noel: 38 catches, 717 yards, 7 TDs
Tyler Hewett: 26 catches, 393 yards, 2 TDs
Millwood
Brandon Swindall: 27 catches, 573 yards, 10 TDs
Josh Turner: 26 catches, 530 yards, 4 TDs
TACKLES
Washington
Aaron Braziel: 80
Colby Trejo: 80
Chance Pistole: 55
Millwood
Larry Seals: 82
Derrick Hurst: 65
Davion Pierson: 65
DionTay Washington: 61
Key matchup: Millwood’s WRs vs. Washington’s LBs and DBs. Millwood feels like it has a chance to hurt the Warriors over the middle in this game. If Washington gives up those passes, it will be a long night for Washington and Kevonte Richardson will put up some big passing numbers.
The pick: Millwood 34, Washington 14. Washington’s run ends as Millwood is back at full strength. Trayvon Henry and Kevonte Richardson return and Millwood pulls out an emotional win for “Coach Rob.”
