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
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
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: Oologah at Star Spencer
By Ryan Aber
raber@opubco.com
Oologah (8-3) at Star Spencer (9-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Carl Twidwell Stadium, Spencer
Winner plays: McGuinness-Sallisaw winner next Friday-Saturday at neutral site TBD.
Oologah (L, Claremore; W, Coweta; L, Seq. Claremore; W, Locust Grove; W, Catoosa; L, Jay; W, Grove; W, Vinita; W, Tulsa McLain; W, Collinsville; W, Poteau)
Why the Mustangs can win: Oologah has a very balanced attack, with explosive passing and rushing options. Star Spencer hasn’t had much problems stopping teams that run the ball primarily but the Bobcats pass defense might be a bit suspect. If Oologah can get Star Spencer back on its heels like Elk City did at times last week, the Mustangs could pull off the upset.
Star Spencer (L, Millwood; W, Southeast; L, Douglass; W, McLoud; W, Tecumseh; W, Cushing; W, Seminole; W, Cleveland; W, Mannford; W, Glenpool; W, Elk City)
Why the Bobcats can win: Star Spencer faced a unique situation last week in going against Elk City’s offense. Oologah is a much more familiar offensive look so Star Spencer’s defense should be fine. Star Spencer also has a three-pronged rushing attack (sometimes stretching into four) that figures to give Oologah problems.
Stat leaders
RUSHING
Oologah
Josh Collier: 275 carries, 1,478 yards, 21 TDs
Ryan Swindell: 58 carries, 286 yards, 1 TDs
Star Spencer
Darwin Rideau: 123 carries, 1,476 yards, 19 TDs
Terence Olds: 71 carries, 812 yards, 12 TDs
Franky Jamison: 86 carries, 724 yards, 8 TDs
PASSING
Oologah
Alec Brunson: 92-177, 1,428 yards, 13 TDs, 10 INTs
Star Spencer
Franky Jamison: 46-83, 922 yards, 9 TDs, 5 INTs
RECEIVING
Oologah
Ryan Swindell: 12 catches, 333 yards, 5 TDs
Ryan Kirkendall: 17 catches, 322 yards, 3 TDs
Taylor Scott: 20 catches, 310 yards, 3 TDs
Star Spencer
Steve Henderson: 11 catches, 294 yards, 4 TDs
Asja Ferguson: 9 catches, 215 yards, 2 TDs
TACKLES
Oologah
John VanSingel: 147
Josh Wilson: 122
Chris James: 86
Star Spencer
Antwone Wilson: 113
Jamonte Mitchell: 105
Kenneth Davis Jr.: 85
Key matchup: Oologah’s offensive line vs. Star Spencer’s front seven. If the Mustangs line can hold off the Bobcats rush, Oologah has a chance. That’s easier said than done, though, as Star Spencer’s front is as good as anyone in the class.
The pick: Star Spencer 28, Oologah 14. After a scare last week, the Bobcats snap back to form and set up a sensational Class 4A semifinalswhere Star Spencer will be the only non-4A-1 or 4A-4 team still alive.
All-City Preview Day 2
The All-City Preview started Tuesday at Capitol Hill and Northwest. On the boys side, there weren’t a whole lot of surprises. Douglass handled a Millwood team that is without several of its key players while they’re still in football. I know Douglass has some too, but not to the level of Millwood. Star Spencer also cruised into the semifinals with a 39-20 win over Northeast. The outcome of that one didn’t surprise me much but I was surprised at the margin. But with Northeast having played earlier in the night, I’m sure that played into it as well.
Northwest will meet Douglass and Southeast will play Star Spencer in the semifinals and I’m thinking Douglass and Star will meet in the championship but it’s hard to count out teams coached by Walter Brewer (Southeast) and Leroy Combs (Northwest).
On the girls side, no real surprises there. It’ll be Douglass-Millwood and Northeast-Star Spencer for the championships. The guess here is Millwood-Star Spencer in the championship.
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 vs. Classen SAS, 3:30 p.m.
Game 9: U.S. Grant vs. John Marshall, 4:30 p.m.
Game 10: Centennial vs. Northeast, 5:30 p.m.
Game 11: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Game 12: Game 2 loser vs. Game 10 winner, 7:30 p.m.
Game 13: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner, 8:30 p.m.
at Northwest
Game 14: Northwest vs. Douglass, 6 p.m.
Game 15: Southeast vs. Star Spencer, 7 p.m.
Championship: Game 14 winner vs. Game 15 winner, 8 p.m.
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: Capitol Hill vs. U.S. Grant, 3 p.m.
Game 9: Classen SAS vs. Centennial, 4 p.m.
Game 10: Northwest vs. John Marshall, 5 p.m.
Game 11: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 12: Southeast vs. Game 10 winner, 7 p.m.
Game 13: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner, 8 p.m.
at Northwest
Game 14: Douglass vs. Millwood, 5:30 p.m.
Game 15: Northeast vs. Star Spencer, 6:30 p.m.
Championship: Game 14 winner vs. Game 15 winner, 7:30 p.m.
OKC video
There’s plenty of good news coming out of Oklahoma City public schools these days athletically, with Douglass, Star Spencer and John Marshall all still alive and All-City Athletic Conference member Millwood still playing as well. In this week’s video, though, we lead with some sad news, as legendary Millwood coach Leodies Robinson died early Tuesday:
