6A Girls Playoffs
The OSSAA has just released the Class 6A girls playoff pairings.
The first-round will be played Thursday, Feb. 25
WEST
At Midwest City
Mustang vs. Yukon
Midwest City vs. U.S. Grant
At Putnam City
Norman vs. Moore
Putnam City vs. Lawton Eisenhower
At Edmond Santa Fe
Lawton vs. Southmoore
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Putnam West
At Edmond North
Choctaw vs. Del City
Edmond North vs. Westmoore
EAST
At Norman North
Sand Springs vs. Putnam North
Norman North vs. Bixby
At Jenks
Ponca City vs. Broken Arrow
Jenks vs. Muskogee
At Shawnee
Owasso vs. Enid
Shawnee vs. Stillwater
At Tulsa Union
Edmond Memorial vs. Sapulpa
Tulsa Union vs. Bartlesville
6A Boys Playoffs
The 6A boys playoff brackets have just been posted. Here’s the pairings:
First-round games will be played Friday, Feb. 26
WEST
At Edmond Santa Fe
Del City vs. Lawton
Edmond Santa Fe vs. U.S. Grant
At Midwest City
Southmoore vs. Norman
Midwest City vs. Westmoore
At Putnam City
Lawton Eisenhower vs. Edmond North
Putnam City vs. Yukon
At Putnam West
Choctaw vs. Mustang
Putnam West vs. Moore
EAST
At Broken Arrow
Enid vs. Bixby
Broken Arrow vs. Shawnee
At Norman North
Putnam North vs. Sapulpa
Norman North vs. Sand Springs
At Edmond Memorial
Jenks vs. Stillwater
Edmond Memorial vs. Owasso
At Muskogee
Tulsa Union vs. Ponca City
Bartlesville vs. Muskogee
Rugby growing in popularity…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Received an out-of-the-blue call from Canton football coach Rob Davis on Tuesday, always good to hear from the coach.
But he wanted to talk about rugby. Wait, rugby? Apparently the sport is really picking up steam here in Oklahoma. And who am I to disagree?
Football players who don’t play other sports but need that focus to stay in shape now have another alternative. Powerlifting has really become huge because of it and now rugby is joining that group.
Canton made the Class B football championship, losing to Garber. Davis said rugby was a reason as to why the team had such great success.
Right now there are 10 club rugby teams, with Canton easily the smallest of the schools participating.
Last week was the first week of the season. Here are the standings and here is the schedule:
Standings:
Bixby (1-0)
Canton (1-0)
Mustang (1-0)
The Brethren (1-0)
Union (1-0)
Bartlesville (0-1)
Broken Arrow (0-1)
Edmond Storm (0-1)
Jenks (0-1)
Norman (0-1)
This week’s matches (all Saturday): Bixby at Broken Arrow; The Brethren at Bartlesville; Union at Mustang; Edmond Storm at Norman; Canton at Jenks.
Signing List 2010
It’s still a work in progress. Know a signing we missed? E-mail me at raber@opubco.com and we’ll get it added. We’ll run the signing list several times over the next few weeks:
Signing Day Surprise: Jarrett Lake
By Ryan Aber
raber@opubco.com
Jenks’ Jarrett Lake has signed a letter of intent with Arkansas, becoming the first surprise of signing day in the state.
Lake had committed to OU in July and remained committed to the Sooners throughout the year, even as he was ruled ineligible at Jenks.
Lake’s eligibility was at the center of a scandal that saw Jenks forfeit games from last season and wound up with Trojans’ coach Allan Trimble being suspended for the remainder of the year.
Lake considered a transfer to Tulsa’s Holland Hall after being ruled ineligible by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association but elected to stay at Jenks and finish his senior season there.
Other in-state players that have signed (as of 9:30 a.m.):
Jake Alexander, Jenks (Tulsa)
Aaron Colvin, Owasso (OU)
Johnny Deaton, Sand Springs (OSU)*
Delans Griffin, Clinton (Texas Tech)
Austin Haywood, Southmoore (OU)
Alec Henry, Tulsa Union (Tulsa)
Bronson Irwin, Mustang (OU)*
Dewitt Jennings, Bixby (Tulsa)
Tre Porter, Carl Albert (Texas Tech)
James Roberson, Tulsa Union (Tulsa)
Thomas Roberson, Tulsa Union (Tulsa)
Cole Way, Tulsa Union (Tulsa)
Xavier Smith, Edmond North (Missouri)
Trent Spurgeon, Owasso (Arizona)
Julian Wilson, Southmoore (OU)
*Player is already enrolled
OCA Football All-State
While you’re waiting (on edge, I’m sure), for The Oklahoman All-State and All-City teams to come out later this week, here’s the Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State lists. These teams are comprised of seniors only and are the basis for the rosters for the All-State game. The game will be played at 8 p.m. July 30 at Tulsa Union.
West
Offense
QB: Jakeil Everheart, El Reno; Jake Barrios, Weatherford
RB: Darwin Rideau, Star Spencer; Delans Griffin, Clinton
WR: Tuswani Copeland, Lawton MacArthur; Donavan Dan, Del City; Ethan Gilbert, Pauls Valley; Jordan Woods, Kingfisher
TE: Austin Haywood, Southmoore; A.J. Clark, John Marshall; Hayden Vencl, Garber
OL: Bronson Irwin, Mustang; Nic Nealy, Douglass; D.J. Brown, Lawton; Colton Cline, Norman North; Tanner Newby, Enid; Cord Gothard, Velma-Alma
K: Bobby Stonebreaker, Tuttle
Defense
DL: Jordan Edwards, Washington; Devon Harris, Lawton MacArthur; Jonathon Sturgeon, Oklahoma Bible; Stanley Johnson, Douglass; Devante Harris, Duncan; Dominque Jones, Midwest City; Sonny Puletasi, Lawton
LB: Emmanuel Maxwell, Midwest City; Kale Sawatzky, Weatherford; Jameel Whitney, McGuinness; Ethan Biddy, Tuttle; Jerico Rogers, Davis; Trevor Ross, Timberlake
DB: Matt Luetjen, Hennessey; Trevon Hartfield, Watonga; Dustin Bohanan, Guthrie; Dillon Schooley, Putnam North; Markell Walker, Carl Albert; Nelson Medeiros, Edmond Memorial
Coaches: Byron Cordell, Durant; Justin Norman, Beggs; Chris Rivenhoover, Stigler; Larry Newton, Skiatook.
East
Offense
QB: Chase Boyce, Tulsa Union; Matt Oberste, Sallisaw
RB: Darryl Fields, Madill; Marco Nelson, Glenpool; Terrance Dixon, Sand Springs; Tyler Phillips, Davenport
WR: Roman Wilson, Lincoln Christian; John Henry Parsons, Stigler; Blair Williams, Beggs; Saulyer Saxon, Shawnee; Mike Thompson, Bartlesville; Trey Wiley, Sallisaw
OL: Ethan James, Gore; Cohle Fowler, Verdigris; Austin Bradshaw, Hilldale; Kevin Duke, Shawnee; John Saint, Tulsa Kelley; Jake Alexander, Jenks; Jeremy Burton, Muskogee
Defense
DL: Calvin Barnett, Tulsa Washington; Spencer Kingfisher, Salina; Chase Neumann, Dewey; Kerry Burks, Tulsa McLain; Cody Chance, Coweta; David Lore, Jenks; Dylon Gray, Davenport
LB: Cody Pritchard, Stroud; Gage Delozier, Sequoyah Claremore; Jesse Patton, McAlester; Luke Snider, Tulsa Union; Jon Bullock, Broken Arrow
DB: Tyler Langston, Tonkawa; Garrett Walker, Cascia Hall; Justin Fogle, Tulsa Hale; Demarco Cobbs, Tulsa Central; DeWitt Jennings, Bixby; Eric Bennett, Tulsa Washington
Coaches: Kevin Foster, Pauls Valley; Mark Harmon, Garber; Leo Holmes, Lawton MacArthur; Bruce Troxell, John Marshall.
Boneman’s SMQ: Carl Albert vs. Bixby…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
The rubber match goes to Carl Albert. The Titans and Spartans were playing in the playoffs for the third straight year, but this was for all the marbles.
This game had a chance to be a blowout early, a classic late but ended up being a hard-fought victory for Gary Rose’s club to give Carl Albert its 10th state championship.
Carl Albert 21, Bixby 7
I really can’t stop talking about that 1:30 span by CA’s Taylor Hawkins. I had no idea who this kid was coming into the game. Ryan Aber tells me he might be the one who takes over the reins next year.
Back-to-back weeks I’ve seen the hook-and-lateral. As soon as Markell Walker caught it, I was already screaming it out. Just because it’s obvious doesn’t mean you can stop it.
Then that hit was something of pure beauty and capped it off with an interception.
At this point, it was 14-0, and I thought blowout city. But as Bixby had done all season, the Spartans found that resolve and worked themselves back in.
Problem was Bixby couldn’t get DeWitt Jennings going all game. Kevin Lamb had some success in the first half, but in the second half, the offense was stymied.
Tough to not be impressed with the Titans secondary. Walker and Tre Porter each recorded picks as well. Walker had a huge game as he also blocked a FG. Carl Albert forced five turnovers (3 picks, 2 fumbles).
Lamb scored to make it 14-7 at half and with Bixby driving to tie it up early in the third quarter, it was Walker’s INT that changed the tide.
The other thing that caught my eye was despite all the carries by J.T. Realmuto, when CA needed to close the show, the Titans went aerial. Of course, nothing stands out more than the 21-yard pass to Walker on 4th and 15 late in the fourth quarter.
Realmuto is some kind of tough, though. Carry after carry, and he never looked like he was wearing down.
Congrats to the Titans, and I hope you enjoyed our Live Blog. I had fun monitoring it and hope to do it again here sometime soon.
Here is Ryan Aber’s story on the championship. And here is a combined notebook by myself and Ryan.
Class 5A video breakdown
Bob Przybylo and Ryan Aber break down this Saturday’s Class 5A state championship game between Carl Albert and Bixby (1:30 p.m., Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater)
Bixby: Never out of a game with DeWitt Jennings…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Class 5A Championship
Carl Albert (11-2) vs. Bixby (9-4)
When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater (Ryan Aber and myself will be there)
TV: FSOklahoma (Cox 37 in the OKC area)
When you have DeWitt Jennings, the game is never quite over. The Bixby senior running back is the heart and soul of the Spartans club.
And coach Pat McGrew said Jennings has been even more than that lately:
He’s been like another coach on the field. He’s so focused and understands everything on the field. We wouldn’t be here without his effort.” – McGrew
It didn’t seem like Bixby was ever going to get on track this year. Injuries and a rough schedule had ‘em behind the eight ball early. Quarterback Kevin Lamb had a cast on his arm until Wednesday of the Tulsa Central game.
But ever since, Bixby has shown that typical toughness that McGrew squads have. None of their three playoff wins (Tulsa Central, Shawnee and Guthrie) have come easy, but to me, that means they’re tested.
And even if Jennings ends up being bottled up, the Spartans have rarely had a better receiving corps than what they have this week.
The key will be the start to this one. Carl Albert has gone nuts on Lawton Mac and El Reno. Hit ‘em in the mouth early and ran away with it. Bixby must be ready from the word ‘go.’
And with Jennings’ leadership (among others), I don’t think that will be problem.
5A finals capsule: Carl Albert vs. Bixby
By Ryan Aber
raber@opubco.com
Carl Albert Titans
Record: 11-2
Ranking: No. 4
Coach: Gary Rose, 14th season at Carl Albert
Previous state titles: 1989 (4A), 1993 (5A), 1997 (5A), 1998 (5A), 1999 (5A), 2000 (5A), 2001 (5A), 2004 (5A), 2006 (5A).
Road to 2009 final: Beat Lawton MacArthur 51-19, beat Bishop Kelley 34-31 in double overtime, beat El Reno 44-7.
2008 record (playoffs): 12-2 (Beat Altus 48-0, beat Boxby 44-6, beat Lawton MacArthur 47-14, lost to Booker T. Washington 28-17.
Last week: For the second consecutive game, Carl Albert QB J.T. Realmuto scored four touchdowns on the ground as the Titans blew out the previously undefeated Indians. Carl Albert had three interceptions in the game and ran for 310 yards.
Player to watch: Tre Porter, RB/WR/FS. Porter, a Texas Tech commit, has more than 600 yards rushing on limited carries, around 600 yards receiving and has more than 90 tackles.
Key stat: 39.5. Carl Albert’s scoring average this season, even with a 27-6 loss to Booker T. Washington to start the season. Since, the Titans have scored 28 or more points in every game and been held under 30 just once.
News to know: Kenton Whittington and Jeremiah Reed each have more than 100 tackles. … J.T. Realmuto went well past the 1,000 yard rushing mark for the season in the Titans’ second-round win at Bishop Kelley. He stands at 1,272. … After last week, Realmuto and Tre Porter are tied at the top of Class 5A in scoring with 23 TDs each. … Before the double-overtime win over Kelley, Carl Albert had scored 40 or more points in six consecutive games. … In each of its nine previous state championships, Carl Albert had at least one regular-season loss.
Bixby Spartans
Record: 9-4
Ranking: No. 8
Coach: Pat McGrew, 11th season at Bixby.
Previous state titles: None.
Road to 2009 final: Beat Tulsa Central 17-3, beat Shawnee 28-21, beat Guthrie 27-20.
2008 record (playoffs): 8-4 (Beat McAlester 25-3, lost to Carl Albert 44-6)
Last week: Kevin Lamb hit Tanner Hordabay on a 47-yard pass late in the game to set up the Spartans’ go-ahead touchdown. Lamb finished with 261 yards and two TDs passing and 59 yards on the ground.
Player to watch: DeWitt Jennings, RB. Jennings is one of the top rushers in 5A with more than 1,300 yards at 17 TDs.
Key stat: 4.8. Bixby’s difference in average yardage rushing vs. passing. The Spartans are one of the most offensively balanced teams in the state.
News to know: Taylor Schuyler is one of the top tacklers in 5A with 134. Schuyler had 12 tackles last week. He also has eight sacks. … Kameron Kopczynski has eight interceptions. … QB Kevin Lamb has thrown for nearly than 1,500 yards and 11 TDs. … Jack Fiscus is one of the top kickers in the state, with a long field goal of 47 yards. … Bixby beat Carl Albert 37-31 in the second round in 2007. … The Spartans will move up to Class 6A next season.
