All-City Conference Week-By-Week
Wanting to check out All-City football throughout the season but don’t have allegiance to a particular team?
Here’s a week-by-week look at the best games in the ACAC:
Week 1: Millwood at Star Spencer. Both figure to be state title contenders in their respective classes and feature some of the best talent in the state, led my Millwood’s Trayvon Henry, Josh Turner, Kevonte Richardson and Star’s Darren Rideau.
Week 2: Douglass at Millwood (1 p.m. Saturday). Here’s the Falcons again, going against another 4A power in Douglass. The Trojans bring a different look than Star Spencer, led by their linebacking corps that features Corey Mitchell.
Other good bets: John Marshall at Centennial (Budding rivalry could heat up this season), Tulsa Central at Northeast (Central should win this game but features the top players in the state in Demarco Cobbs).
Week 3: Toss up: Millwood at McGuinness or Star Spencer at Douglass. Both are Friday night. Bob Przybylo and I were just talking about who was going to cover what that night and I can’t decide which of these games I want to see. McGuinness doesn’t have the star power they’ve had the last two years but still should be contenders. Star-Douglass will feature two of the best teams in 4A. I’m leaning toward Star-Douglass right now but could be swayed the next two weeks.
Week 4: Centennial at Bethel. Not a whole lot of intrigue going on this week but Centennial should be improved from last year and could make a push toward a playoff berth under Mark Ryan. This could be abig game for them if they want to make the postseason.
Want to take a road trip? Star Spencer at McLoud or Douglass at Elk City.
Week 5: Douglass at Southeast. Douglass should win this game but Southeast is another of those team that could be right on the edge of the playoffs, one way or the other.
Week 6: Lexington at Millwood. If Millwood is to trip up anytime during district play, this figures to be the week for them to do it. They shouldn’t, but Lexington is about the only team in the district that can hang with the Falcons.
Others to watch: Cushing at Star Spencer, Southeast at Elk City.
Week 7: Douglass at McGuinness. Still stunned someone didn’t decide to televise this matchup. Last year’s battle at Douglass was epic, with the Irish winning on a late goal-line stand.
Road trip: Southeast at Weatherford
Week 8: Weatherford at Douglass. Watch two of the best linebackers in the state in Weatherford’s Kale Sawatzky and Douglass’ Corey Mitchell.
Week 9: Centennial at Millwood. Who knows how competitive this game will be but the schools are just a few miles apart. If Centennial gets competitive, this could be another budding rivalry for the Bison.
Week 10: Star Spencer at Glenpool. Maybe the game of the year in 4A. Whoever wins this figures to win the district title and enter the playoffs as the favorite (maybe minus Douglass) in the Class. See Star’s talented backfield tandem matchup with Glenpool running back Marco Nelson.
Mustang schedule breakdown
The rivalry game with Yukon is only days away, and Mustang has high goals after last year’s 12-1 run to the semifinals. Not a lot of mileage on the Mustang buses this year, with trips to Lawton and Edmond being the longest of the bunch. Here’s a look at the Broncos’ schedule:
Sept. 4 vs. Yukon: The excitement never dies in this rivalry.
Sept. 10 at No. 10 Edmond North: An early top-10 test will be a good measuring stick for the Broncos’ several new starters.
Sept. 18 vs. Putnam City: Third straight week against a stout defense provides plenty of learning for a first-year starter at QB.
Sept. 25 vs. Edmond Santa Fe: Wolves are rebuilding, but strong up front, making for a good battle in the trenches.
Oct. 2 at Lawton: Plenty of speed to test the Broncos’ new defenders.
Oct. 9 vs. Norman North: The T-Wolves lost a lot but they should still be battling for a playoff spot.
Oct. 15 at Moore: The Lions are lacking numbers and experience.
Oct. 23 at Putnam North: The Broncos finish with three of the district’s best, starting here.
Oct. 30 vs. Del City: Mustang’s all-new secondary should be seasoned by now, but the Eagles have loads of offensive talent.
Nov. 6 at No. 6 Southmoore: Potentially a district championship on the line here.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Yukon schedule breakdown
Game week is finally here, which in Yukon means Canadian County Bedlam at Mustang. To get things started, let’s take a look at the Millers’ schedule, which is interesting in the fact that the first half includes three straight home games and some softer opponents, while the last half is full of the district’s best teams, and three of the last four games come on the road. Here’s the breakdown:
Sept. 4 at No. 9 Mustang: Seniors haven’t forgotten that 44-14 loss at home last year.
Sept. 11 vs. Putnam West: The Patriots’ speed will provide a good early test for the Millers.
Sept. 18 vs. No. 10 Edmond North: The Huskies’ defense will be one of the better ones Yukon faces all year.
Sept. 25 vs. Ponca City: A home game like this is one the Millers can’t afford to lose if they want to make the playoffs.
Oct. 2 at U.S. Grant: A new coach trying to rebuild the Generals.
Oct. 9 vs. No. 1 Tulsa Union: The players desperately want a shot at the state’s best team on the home turf of Miller Pride Stadium.
Oct. 15 at Enid: It’s very possible that this game will have major playoff ramifications.
Oct. 23 vs. Stillwater: Senior Night, and likely another big one in the playoff race.
Oct. 30 at No. 5 Owasso: Rams QB Joe Lindsey could be back; either way a tough late-season test on the road.
Nov. 6 at Choctaw: Hard not to be a little road weary, but this is a game the Millers should win.
Nov. 13, Playoffs, Week 1: Are the Millers still playing? That’s the big question — and goal — in Yukon.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Santa Fe: Time to bounce back…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
I didn’t get a chance to go to the Jenks Preview on Friday night for Edmond Santa Fe, Jenks, Enid and Sand Springs.
My partner in crime Ryan Aber was able to. From talking to Ryan, it was obvious Wolves coach Bruce Gowen was not happy with his team’s effort, especially on the mental side.
I was able to catch a replay of the scrimmage this weekend, and it’s tough to not agree with Gowen’s assessment.
But that’s not really the point at this juncture. The key is to see how Santa Fe can rebound heading into its Edlam affair against Edmond North.
I’m always torn on when big rivals play each other the first game of the season. It’s great to circle that game on the calendar all year, but you never get the best quality of play because no team is ready to roll in Week 1.
In this case, think playing a rival school like the Huskies is what the Wolves need. Maybe back-to-back weeks of playing on emotion will settle down this inexperienced group of kids Gowen has.
Yea, the 65-yard touchdown pass to Conner Bays from Will Long was called back at the Jenks Preview, but it’s a start. Will be an interesting week of practice, that’s for sure.
Week’s events include the big one and a homestand for the T-Wolves softball team
If you’re looking for a game to hold you over until Thursday’s big one, the Norman North softball team has a pair of home games starting today.
The annual Crosstown Clash football game will be held at on Owen Field Thursday at 7:30. But before then, the softball team hosts Midwest City today and Moore Tuesday, both games starting at 6:30 p.m. The volleyball team plays at Mustang Tuesday at 6 p.m. And the Cross country runners will join the annual Brookhaven Run, a road race open to the public, Saturday at 8 a.m.
Norman sports teams relatively idle this week; but there’s the Clash, of course
The biggest single athletic event of the school year happens Thursday, but otherwise it’s a light week for sports at Norman High.
The Crosstown Clash football game will be held at on Owen Field Thursday at 7:30. Before then, only the softball team will be in action: The Tigers are at Edmond Memorial today at 6:30 and host Anadarko Tuesday at 4 p.m..
The next scheduled volleyball game isn’t until Sept. 7 when the Tigers play in the Mid-State Conference Tournament at 6 p.m. The cross country runners will stay close to home and compete in the annual Brookhaven Run road race. It starts at 8 a.m. Saturday and is open to the public.
Former Millwood standout Swindall fighting for job at Texas Tech
Millwood's Tramain Swindall returns an interception in 2006.
When he was at Millwood, receiver Tramain Swindall teamed with QB Gerald Jones (now at Tennessee) and Gil Roberts (now running track at Texas Tech and competing in world-class track and field events) to make one of the most fearsome threesomes at the high school level in quite sometime.
Swindall seemed poise to get a crack at being a starter for the Red Raiders this season, but apparently he’s fallen out of favor a bit as of late, according to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal’s Don Williams:
Salvage job: James fixing what went wrong
Edit: There’s also mention of Lawton grad Cornelius Douglas in the article. Texas Tech also features Oklahoma natives Pearlie Graves (Tulsa East Central), Harrison Jeffers (Lawton Eisenhower), Joe King (Putnam North), LaRon Moore (Midwest City) and Colby Whitlock (Noble).
Douglas, Jeffers and Whitlock, most notably, have chances to be big contributors for the Red Raiders this season.
Video: Star Spencer’s Darren Rideau
Here’s a chat I had with Star Spencer’s Darren (formerly known as Darwin) Rideau:
Heritage: Cale Courtney getting comfortable…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Heritage Hall quarterback Cale Courtney came out of nowhere to surprise people last year as a freshman when quarterback Turner Petersen went down with an elbow injury.
Maybe that was the easy part. Now, with those seniors gone, Courtney is expected to be lead the team as just a sophomore.
The Chargers are also expected to contend for another Class 2A state championship. That’s a lot on the plate for a group of crazy-talented sophomores.
But coach Andy Bogert said he feels it’s starting to come together, starting with Courtney. Bogert said perhaps Courtney was overwhelmed at the first scrimmage at Holland Hall.
Maybe a little nervous, too. The offense sputtered, but that wasn’t the case Thursday vs. OCS.
Courtney allowed the game to slow down and got himself into the flow of things. With Courtney settled down, Bogert said the offense was able to produce the way they’re hoping.
That’s going to be key heading into Thursday’s (insert name here) battle against Casady (I’ll be there). The Cyclones won a dramatic 24-21 game to start the season Friday and played the Chargers tough last year.
Much more on this game throughout the week.
No reason to worry about PC North QB tandem
Yes, there’s the possibility that Putnam City North coach Bob Wilson will rotate his two quarterbacks, junior Jace James and sophomore Joe Summers, in the season opener Friday night against Putnam City West.
With both being first-time varsity players at the position, there’s reason to expect some great plays and some glaring mistakes. But the two guys get along really well, and the competition doesn’t seem to be creating division among the PC North players. In fact, it seems to be pushing both quarterbacks even harder.
So running them both out there in the first week — or three — won’t hurt the team, but it will probably help it. It will either force one of the players to step to the front of the race before district play gets going in Weeek 4, or it will show itself as the perfect situation for a two-QB system.
This offense is different from what the Panthers have run in the past, with a lot more reliance on short passing routes to get the ball in the hands of the playmakers at receiver and running back. Both James and Summers have shown that they’re capable of running the offense, and both have created some big plays in the scrimmages.
So for Wilson, he might as well view it as an extended preseason — which in all honesty, it really is for everyone, since your district record is all that really matters — and let these guys battle to the end, whether that’s next week or next summer.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
