Kersey/Przybylo Point-Counterpoint Class A, 2A
By Robert Przybylo and Jason Kersey
Class A
Robert: If you had a freshman teammate die during the season (like at Rush Springs with Justin Barney, RIP), what would be the toughest part about moving on and trying to play the rest of the season??
Jason: Well, first things first, could this happen to me? Kids may not want to talk about this openly because they won’t want to seem like they‘re not tough, but when a big fullback is barreling toward you and you are the only thing stopping him from getting in the end zone, will you try for as big of a hit as you could?
Robert: That is what I‘m alluding to, my theory is the mental approach for Rush Springs’ kids is completely different than it was even three weeks ago. We both know football is not a game you can half-speed it, you have to go all out. Trying to straddle that line, I believe, is going to the undoing of Rush Springs.
Jason: I still think they win it. First of all, I think they’re the best team. They beat Washington after it happened, so I don’t know how much of a mental effect it had on them to begin with. Also, perhaps the team rallies around this tragedy and turns it into a championship. Maybe it has that effect on them.
Robert: To finish this topic, I think the opposite is true for Washington. I believe it weighed heavily on their minds and now they’re ready to move on and play their best ball. And like I said, if Rush Springs is able to do it, what a remarkable story…Darkhorse in A??
Jason: I’ve got two for you. First, defending champ Okeene. The Whippets were destroyed, 34-0 in Week 1 by “your” boys Hennessey, but since then have only suffered one close loss, 20-14 to Texhoma, which brings me to my second darkhorse. Texhoma’s only loss of the year was 14-13 to Gruver, Texas.
Robert: I entered last Friday believing the winner of Stroud-Luther has a legit shot. I was amazed at how Stroud took care of business. Luther’s Josh Birmingham is a stud. What you have to love about A and 2A, with those 64 teams, there’s more potential winners than anywhere else.
Jason: I agree, Birmingham is awesome and for Stroud to win like they did is very, very impressive.
Class 2A
Robert: Now, for some of our favorites. We both have a miracle run that seems a little out there. I have Hennessey in the final while you have Bridge Creek in the semis. If everything holds true to form, Bridge Creek would be at Hennessey in the second round.
Jason: Bridge Creek’s only loss this season is to Bethany, who I have winning it all. The Bobcats’ spread offense this season has posed problems to just about everyone who has faced it. Zane Mellinger has been solid at quarterback, and then, of course, there’s Michael Aska. Aska has rushed for 1,121 yards and 16 scores this year. He gets an average of 10 yards per carry, and 19 yards per catch. Does Hennessey have anyone who can stick with him for four quarters? Then, defensively, the Bobcats give up just under 10 points per game. Craig Hill is solid, having picked off four passes. Plus, they are playing for their community. BC has never been a winner, but these last few years, the community has rallied around the team. They are going to shock some people.
Robert: 1962 was the last 10-0 season for Hennesseey. If you add our ages together, you still don’t get the 45 years. The Eagles feature a well-balanced attack as Clint Cooper emerged as a potent QB while Auggie McCulley is still rounding into form at RB after early injuries. Coach Shannon Watford said Cooper has broken out of his late-season funk and is playing well again. And then of course, there’s the Grant Zelnicek story. Well, for that one, all I can say is read Friday’s Oklahoman. I will say one thing, Michael Aska is a jaw-dropper. Last year, “my boy” Kevin Nichols at Bethel compared him to Seymore Shaw. I will say if Hennessey/Bridge Creek play in the second round, it exemplifies everything that is great about 2A. That’s an awesome game to be happening so early in the deal.
Favorite match-up besides final: Look out for Henryetta against Heritage Hall. The Knights beat all three other district playoff teams (Morris, Chandler, Prague) on the road. Kenny Speer’s boys win with defense and Colby Blondell (107 tkls) and Nick Whitlow (95). Imagine that Knights defense going against Garrett Valdez, Banning Fudge, Ford Binning, etc, would be a great battle of wills.
Jason: Bethany’s second round game. If the Bethany play Alva, it’s a match-up of two potential state title contenders. Alva is led by coach Steve Gales’ twins, Mitchell and Tyson. In OCS, we’re talking about George Overbey, the Saints’ quarterback who has been recognized many, many times this year by our fine publication for his outstanding performances. OCS may have three losses, but look at who they are to. Alva (9-1), Jones (always tough, and is a playoff team) and Heritage Hall (no comment necessary on them.) Bethany (assuming it gets by Coalgate) gets a tough second round game no matter who it is.
Kersey/Przybylo Point-Counterpoint Class C, B
By Robert Przybylo and Jason Kersey
Class C
Robert: Well, not much to be said here considering we have the exact same bracket.
Jason: Seriously?
Robert: Yep, not one game different. I guess you could say great minds think alike.
Jason: I figured you’d might go crazy and pick Maud to beat Shattuck.
Robert: No, I’m not that crazy…yet. Maud over Temple was a big enough reach for me.
Class B
Robert: We joke around about each other having certain “boys.” One of your favorites is easily Cashion. How much of a chance do you think Cashion actually has against Morrison?
Jason: I think Cashion has a pretty good chance to pull the upset. Cayden Cochran is an outstanding quarterback, and Travis Seaton has rushed for 13 touchdowns this year. Don’t forget that Cashion only played two games that weren’t over before the fourth quarter because of the 45-point rule.
Robert: What about that fourth quarter against Dewar? You talk to Lynn Shackelford (Cashion’s coach) yet about that?
Jason: I just talked to him. He said he doesn’t think it made a difference because Dewar was in the same boat. They haven’t played many fourth quarter games either. He also said that “If you’re gonna win a state title in Class B, you’re gonna have to beat Morrison. It’s just a matter of when.” He said he likes his team’s chances against Morrison though, and feels like the biggest hurdle to beating them is not being intimidated. He said his kids aren’t intimidated.
Robert: What about confidence?? Losing at home and in that fashion to Dewar, any lingering effects??
Jason: No, I don’t think so.
Robert: Safe to say, I’m going out on a limb with Davenport. If you would have followed the Bulldogs’ path last year, you would see that they’re a road-tested bunch of kids. No Billy Jack Murphy hurts, but Greenfield is an outstanding coach.
Jason: I agree, but I don’t think there is any way they beat Porter. Porter is on an emotional high right now, being the first group of kids from the school to make the playoffs since 1994.
Robert: End B with this, how big of an impact do Cashion and Morrison make next year in A?
Jason: I think that remains to be seen. How big of a difference will it be for the kids to move from 8-man to 11-man? But based on what I know about those coaches and those kids, they will be tough. Cory Bales at Morrison and Lynn Shackelford at Cashion get the best out of their kids, and they are winners. That’s the biggest thing. The schools are full of winners.
Robert: My only concern, cause, as you said about the great coaching staffs, is the number of kids coming out for the team. Eight-man you can get by with less than 20 kids on the entire team. No top-notch team in 11-man can stand a chance going with 20 kids.
Kersey/Przybylo’s Class C Playoff Predictions
By Jason Kersey and Robert Przybylo
Kersey’s picks
First round: Shattuck over Ryan; Midway over Waynoka; Medford over Arkoma; Corn Bible over Boise City; Temple over Buffalo; Ringwood over White Oak; Maud over Covington-Douglas; Sharon-Mutual over Grandfield.
Quarterfinals: Shattuck over Midway; Corn Bible over Medford; Temple over Ringwood; Maud over Sharon-Mutual.
Semifinals: Shattuck over Corn Bible; Maud over Temple
Finals: Shattuck over Maud
Comments: Maud is a great story, and I think it would be great if they could pull the upset, but Shattuck is just too good. Shattuck is one of the greatest teams not only in Oklahoma high school football, but in the country.
Przybylo’s Picks
First round: Shattuck over Ryan, Midway over Waynoka, Medford over Arkoma, Corn Bible over Boise City, Temple over Buffalo, Ringwood over White Oak, Maud over Covington-Douglas, Sharon-Mutual over Grandfield.
Second round: Shattuck over Midway, Corn Bible over Medford, Temple over Ringwood, Maud over Sharon-Mutual.
Semifinals: Shattuck over Corn Bible, Maud over Temple.
Finals: Shattuck 62, Maud 14.
Comments: Semis battle with Maud and Temple should be fun…No one stops Shattuck, sorry.
Kersey/Przybylo’s Class B Playoff Predictions
By Jason Kersey and Robert Przybylo
Kersey’s picks
First Round: Pond Creek-Hunter over Tipton; Cashion over Gans; Morrison over Weleetka; Mt. View-Gotebo over Garber; Fox over Timberlake; Porter over Davenport; Dewar over Welch; Laverne over Burns Flat-Dill City.
Quarterfinals: Cashion over Pond Creek-Hunter; Morrison over Mt. View-Gotebo; Porter over Fox; Dewar over Laverne.
Semifinals: Morrison over Cashion; Dewar over Porter
Finals: Morrison 47, Dewar 28
Comments: Morrison is just too good. Dewar is very talented, led by star tailback Ronnell Lewis, but I think the Wildcats leave eight-man with a bang. Next season, Morrison and Cashion both are moving to Class A.
Przybylo’s Picks
First round: Pond Creek-Hunter over Tipton, Cashion over Gans, Morrison over Weleetka, Mt. View-Gotebo over Garber, Fox over Timberlake, Davenport over Porter, Dewar over Welch, Laverne over Burns Flat.
Second round: Cashion over PCH, Morrison over Mt. V-G, Davenport over Fox, Dewar over Laverne.
Semifinals: Morrison over Cashion, Dewar over Davenport.
Finals: Morrison 56, Dewar 26.
Comments: Davenport can equal last year’s miracle run even without Billy Jack Murphy…I don’t know if Cashion overlooked Dewar or if the Dragons are that good, but I know I was anxiously awaiting Cashion-Morrison in the finals…As is, Ricky Holba and Shawn Walls capture another title for Morrison.
Kersey/Przybylo’s Class A Playoff Predictions
By Jason Kersey and Robert Przybylo
Kersey’s picks
First round: Texhoma over Hollis; Velma-Alma over Maysville; Woodland over Crescent; Panama over Afton; Rush Springs over Wynnewood; Apache over Seiling; Commerce over Warner; Luther over Hominy; Stroud over Foyil; Ketchum over Gore; Hinton over Mooreland; Washington over Walters; Pocola over Fairland; Tonkawa over Pawnee; Ringling over Minco; Okeene over Snyder.
Second round: Velma-Alma over Texhoma; Woodland over Panama; Rush Springs over Apache; Luther over Commerce; Stroud over Ketchum; Washington over Hinton; Pawnee over Pocola; Ringling over Okeene.
Quarterfinals: Woodland over Velma-Alma; Rush Springs over Luther; Washington over Stroud; Pawnee over Ringling.
Semifinals: Rush Springs over Woodland; Washington over Pawnee.
Finals: Rush Springs 21, Washington 18
Przybylo’s Picks
First round: Texhoma over Hollis, Velma-Alma over Maysville, Woodland over Crescent, Panama over Afton, Stroud over Foyil, Ketchum over Gore, Hinton over Mooreland, Washington over Walters, Rush Springs over Wynnewood, Apache over Seiling, Commerce over Warner, Luther over Hominy, Pocola over Fairland, Pawnee over Tonkawa, Ringling over Minco, Okeene over Snyder.
Second round: Velma-Alma over Texhoma, Woodland over Panama, Stroud over Ketchum, Washington over Hinton, Rush Springs over Apache, Luther over Commerce, Pocola over Pawnee, Ringling over Okeene.
Third round: Woodland over Velma-Alma, Washington over Stroud, Rush Springs over Luther, Ringling over Pocola.
Semifinals: Woodland over Rush Springs, Washington on Ringling.
Finals: Washington 28, Woodland 20.
Comments: Going on a hunch with Woodland…I think Rush Springs is eventually going to hit that mental wall. Dealing with Justin Barney’s death should catch up to the kids eventually. It’s a great story if it doesn’t…I’ll ride Josh Zimmer as far as he wants to go with Washington…Luther, Stroud, Velma-Alma and Ringling pose real problems, too.
Kersey/Przybylo’s Class 2A Playoff Predictions
By Jason Kersey and Robert Przybylo
Kersey’s picks
1st round: Hennessey over Bethel; Bridge Creek over Valliant; Eufaula over Prague; Keys (Park Hill) over Pawhuska; Davis over Hobart; Jones over Perkins; Cascia Hall over Colcord; Morris over Stigler; Henryetta over Spiro; Wyandotte over Verdigris; Heritage Hall over Fairview; Lexington over Tishomingo; Seq. Tahlequah over Nowata; Chandler over Vian; Bethany over Coalgate; Oklahoma Christian over Alva.
Second round: Bridge Creek over Hennessey; Eufaula over Keys (Park Hill); Davis over Jones; Cascia Hall over Morris; Henryetta over Wyandotte; Heritage Hall over Lexington; Seq. Tahlequah over Vian; Bethany over Oklahoma Christian.
Quarterfinals: Bridge Creek over Eufaula; Cascia Hall over Davis; Heritage Hall over Henryetta; Bethany over Seq. Tahlequah.
Semifinals: Cascia Hall over Bridge Creek; Bethany over Heritage Hall.
Final: Bethany 27, Cascia Hall 20
Comments: It’s an East-West state championship game, and I think Bethany comes out on top. Cascia Hall has been ranked number one for much of the year, but I think they fall to Bethany. … Bridge Creek to the semis may seem like a stretch, but I’m really high on the Bobcats this year. Seniors Michael Aska, Craig Hill and Zane Mellinger have been solid all year and I think they will go further than most think.
Przybylo’s Picks
First round: Hennessey over Bethel, Bridge Creek over Valliant, Eufaula over Prague, Keys over Pawhuska, Henryetta over Spiro, Verdigris over Wyandotte, Heritage Hall over Fairview, Lexington over Tishomingo, Davis over Hobart, Perkins over Jones, Cascia Hall over Morris, Seq.-Tahl over Nowata, Chandler over Vian, Bethany over Coalgate, Alva over OCS.
Second round: Hennessey over Bridge Creek, Eufaula over Keys, Henryetta over Verdigris, Heritage Hall over Lexington, Davis over Perkins, Cascia Hall over Morris, Chandler over Seq.-Tahl., Bethany over Alva.
Third round: Hennessey over Eufaula, Heritage Hall over Henryetta, Cascia Hall over Davis, Bethany over Chandler.
Semifinals: Hennessey over Cascia Hall, Heritage Hall over Bethany.
Finals: Heritage Hall 31, Hennessey 13.
Comments: I suppose I’m riding Hennessey far too long. But after talking with the key members of the Eagles for a story in Friday’s Oklahoman, I sense something special…Reading Ryan’s blog, can you believe Lexington was ranked 56th in 2A?…Heritage Hall should be dabbed “ender of dream” as the Chargers will derail Henryetta’s and Hennessey’s magical years…In the end, the winner of Heritage Hall-Bethany takes the crown. Today I say the Chargers.
Kersey/Przybylo’s Class 3A Playoff Predictions
By Jason Kersey and Robert Przybylo
Kersey’s Picks
First Round: Clinton over Sulphur; Muldrow over Berryhill; Vinita over Roland; Tuttle over Purcell; Plainview over Newcastle; Metro Christian over Seminole; Victory Christian over Seq. Claremore; Kingfisher over Marlow
Quarterfinals: Clinton over Muldrow; Vinita over Tuttle; Plainview over Metro Christian; Kingfisher over Victory Christian
Semifinals: Clinton over Vinita; Plainview over Kingfisher
Final: Plainview 31, Clinton 28
Comments: I’ve been high on the Plainview Indians all season. They are enormously talented, and with the Brandon Allen-to-Justin Blackmon combo they will be difficult to stop. If anyone can slow them down, however, it’s the Red Tornadoes. I think it’s close, but Plainview brings home the title.
Przybylo’s picks
First round: Clinton over Sulphur, Muldrow over Berryhill, Vinita over Roland, Purcell over Tuttle, Plainview over Newcastle, Seminole over Metro Christian, Sequoyah-Claremore over Victory Christian, Kingfisher over Marlow.
Second round: Clinton over Muldrow, Purcell over Vinita, Plainview over Seminole, Kingfisher over Seq.-Claremore.
Semifinals: Clinton over Purcell, Plainview over Kingfisher.
Finals: Plainview 42, Clinton 28.
Comments: Ahh, this is a fun class. I see upsets here early, but there are so many intriguing games…Plainview-Kingfisher would be fun. Again, I could be way off, but I see Plainview as a finesse team that is so explosive that I’d love to see what it would do against Jeff Myers’ Yellowjackets…Talking with Seth Barrett convinced me about Purcell over Tuttle. I think the winner of that game has so much confidence that it downs Vinita in the next round…From talking with Myers, it didn’t appear Kingfisher is down-and-out about the Clinton loss, but man, Marlow is a tough way to open up the road…My boy Jason here has done enough to convince me that Justin Blackmon is the real deal, give ‘em a title on the way out.
Kersey/Przybylo’s Class 4A Playoff Predictions
By Jason Kersey and Robert Przybylo
Kersey’s picks
First Round: Bishop McGuinness over McLoud; Sallisaw over Oologah; Wagoner over Stilwell; Star Spencer; Glenpool over Guymon; Hilldale over Grove; Broken Bow over Miami; Weatherford over Mannford.
Quarterfinals: Bishop McGuinness over Sallisaw; Wagoner over Star Spencer; Glenpool over Hilldale; Broken Bow over Weatherford.
Semifinals: Bishop McGuinness over Wagoner; Broken Bow over Glenpool
Final: Bishop McGuinness 20, Broken Bow 13
Comments: Broken Bow has an incredible defense, but McGuinness has too much for the Savages to handle. … It’s a shame that McGuinness and Wagoner are on the same side of the bracket. I think that’d make one heck of a state championship game. … I like Hilldale over Grove in the first round in really the biggest upset I picked. The Hornets play in a tough district and just about upset Broken Bow.
Przybylo’s picks
First round: McGuinness over McLoud, Sallisaw over Oologah, Wagoner over Stilwell, Star Spencer over Anadarko, Glenpool over Guymon, Grove over Hilldale, Broken Bow over Miami, Weatherford over Mannford.
Second round: McGuinness over Sallisaw, Star Spencer over Wagoner, Glenpool over Grove, Broken Bow over Weatherford.
Semifinals: McGuinness over Star Spencer, Glenpool over Broken Bow.
Finals: Glenpool 7, McGuinness 3.
Comments: I’m a believer in Star Spencer although even I gave a second look to the Bobcats beating Wagoner…I would pay money to see Glenpool and Broken Bow. Two tough defenses going at it. A 3-0 game would not shock me. In fact, if anybody broke 14, I’d be amazed…It’s still McGuinnesseseses to lose and just maybe Glenpool wants it a little bit more.
Kersey/Przybylo’s Class 5A Playoff Predictions
By Jason Kersey and Robert Przybylo
Kersey’s picks
First Round: Lawton MacArthur over Woodward; McAlester over Tulsa Kelley; Bixby over Catoosa; Carl Albert over Western Heights; Guthrie over Ardmore; Shawnee over Coweta; Tulsa East Central over Durant; Duncan over Noble
Quarterfinals: Lawton MacArthur over McAlester; Carl Albert over Bixby; Guthrie over Shawnee; Tulsa East Central over Duncan.
Semifinals: Lawton MacArthur over Carl Albert; Guthrie over Tulsa East Central
Finals: Guthrie 24, Lawton MacArthur 17
Comments: Guthrie won me over in its scrimmage earlier this year against McGuinness, which I covered. Then, I was re-sold on them when they beat Carl Albert without Kye Staley having a big game. … What are sports without upsets? Lawton MacArthur has been overlooked all year, cruising to an undefeated season on a tough schedule that included Duncan, Lawton, Western Heights and Ardmore, and I think the Highlanders shock the mighty Titans. … While I picked Guthrie to beat Shawnee, I think it will be a lot closer than the game the two teams played earlier this season. Since Tucker Brown’s return, the Wolves have been really solid, but I just don’t think they have the guns to keep up with Guthrie.
Przybylo’s picks
First round: Lawton Mac over Woodward, McAlester over Tulsa Kelley, Bixby over Catoosa, Carl Albert over Western Heights, Guthrie over Ardmore, Shawnee over Coweta, Tulsa East Central over Durant, Duncan over Noble.
Second round: McAlester over Lawton Mac, Carl Albert over Bixby, Guthrie over Shawnee, T.E.C. over Duncan.
Semifinals: Carl Albert over McAlester, Guthrie over T.E.C.
Finals: Guthrie 23, Carl Albert 20.
Comments: I’ve loved saying you can’t stop the Brothers White in Durant, but Tulsa East Central is loaded… I also have a soft spot with McAlester. I don’t know, I just think if Herman Walters and Justin Klusak are both healthy, Bryan Pratt’s Buffs are too tough on the road at Tulsa Kelley and Lawton Mac… A sleeper to me is Bixby v. Carl Albert. It’ll be interesting to see how much the physical style of the Spartans takes out of the Titans, if anything at all… Tulsa East Central will give Guthrie a run for its money because the Bluejays are not too familiar (this year) with T.E.C. Guthrie knows what’s up with David Oku and the rest of C.A., but Tulsa East Central is a different animal.
Kersey/Przybylo’s Class 6A Playoff Predictions
By Jason Kersey and Robert Przybylo
1st round: Norman North over Edmond Memorial; Muskogee over Edmond North; Tulsa Union over Tulsa Washington; Putnam City North over Putnam City; Midwest City over Mustang; Owasso over Broken Arrow; Jenks over Stillwater; Lawton over Westmoore.
Quarterfinals: Muskogee over Norman North; Tulsa Union over Putnam City North; Midwest City over Owasso; Jenks over Lawton.
Comments: Muskogee has already beaten Norman North once this year in Norman, and I think it does it again. While I disagree with coach Matt Hennessy’s blanket statement that “There’s no one tougher than a Rougher,” I think Roughers are tougher than Timberwolves, at least in this context.
Semifinals: Tulsa Union over Muskogee; Jenks over Midwest City
Finals: Jenks 35, Tulsa Union 32
Comments: It’s well documented that the winner of the regular season game in this one loses the playoff match-up. I don’t think that changes this year, and Jenks wins, adding another chapter to this historic rivalry.
Przybylo’s Picks
First round: Norman North over Edmond Memorial, Muskogee over Edmond North, Union over Booker T., Putnam City over PCNorth, Midwest City over Mustang, Owasso over Broken Arrow, Jenks over Stillwater, Westmoore over Lawton.
Second round: Norman North over Muskogee, Union over Putnam City, Midwest City over Owasso, Jenks over Westmoore.
Semifinals: Union over Norman North, Jenks over Midwest City.
Finals: Union 34, Jenks 29.
Comments: I admit 6A is not my specialty. I might be trying too hard to say the west side deserves some love with Norman North and Midwest City in the semis, but I think that would be what’s best for this class as a whole. I could be way off, but I think the Timberwolves’ close loss to Muskogee taught them more than most of their wins. It’s all moot because in the end, it’s round 2 of Union-Jenks. Jeremy Smith is a stud, and he’ll show it again here.
