Capsule: Del City at Putnam North
By Ryan Aber and Scott Wright
raber@opubco.com; swright@opubco.com
Del City (7-2, 4-2 6A-1) at Putnam North (6-3, 3-3 6A-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Putnam City Stadium
Del City (W, Midwest City; W, Norman; W, Edmond Memorial; L, Southmoore; W, Edmond Santa Fe; W, Lawton; W, Norman North; W, Moore; L, Mustang)
Why the Eagles can win: Because they’re the better, or at least more consistent, team. Del City has shown that they’re a playoff-caliber team. There’s a sense of urgency for the Eagles to get in the postseason this year and a win here is the only way to assure that happening.
Putnam North (W, Putnam West; W, Putnam City; W, Choctaw; L, Norman North; W, Southmoore; W, Moore; W, Edmond Santa Fe; L, Mustang; L, Lawton)
Why PC North can win: The Panthers are chasing that playoff berth that feels like it’s slipping out of reach the last two weeks. But they know it’s still attainable, and that should have helped them to refocus after a couple of tough losses—a blowout defeat by Mustang and last week’s heartbreaker in Lawton. Mustang showed last week that you can run the ball on that Del City front seven, and though Dre Holman is no Daniel Farrow, he’s a quality back who hits the hole with authority.
Quote:
This game, there ain’t no holding back. If you hold back, you’ll be sitting at home next week. Del City, I’ve been watching them on TV. They’re a good team that’s capable of laying it on you, then going back to Del City and not thinking about it no more.
— PC North senior wide receiver Antonio Johnson
Scott’s key matchup: Del City WRs vs. PC North CBs. The Panthers have two talented safeties in Antonio Jenkins and Dillon Schooley, but they’ve had some miscues at cornerback, which will need to be corrected this week against Eagle wideouts Chris McAlister and Donavan Dan.
Ryan’s key matchup: Have to agree with Scott here: Del City WRs against the Panthers’ DBs. When McAlister and Dan have sustained success in games, the Eagles win and win big. If the Panthers hope to win and make the postseason, they’ve got to win this battle.
Ryan’s pick: Del City 28, PC North 14. Dan and McAlister break out after last week’s rough loss to Mustang and the Eagles advance to the playoffs for the first time in years.
Scott’s pick: Del City 34, PC North 28. The Panther defense is still a little out of sync, having allowed 80 points the last two weeks, and they’ll have to fix those problems to win tonight.
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