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.
Bixby: Underdog role suits ‘em fine…
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 here in the OKC area)
I had to start my conversation with Bixby coach Pat McGrew with the truth: “Um, you’re not mad at me because I picked Tulsa Central to beat you in the first round, are ya?”
He wasn’t and added just about everybody picked that. But it’s been real testament to McGrew and his staff as well as the kids that this team has made it back to the promised land.
Standing in their way? Familiar foe Carl Albert. This marks the third year in a row the two powers have played in the playoffs. Bixby upset the Titans two years ago while Carl Albert rolled by the Spartans last year.
We beat ‘em before, so we know it’s possible. Then again, they came out and played smash-mouth football last year and got us. We know what to expect.” – McGrew
While Bixby definitely has been a different team since QB Kevin Lamb has been healthy, McGrew said senior offensive lineman Jordan Wiesman has provided just as big a spark.
Wiesman is the only senior on the line, and McGrew said he has stepped up huge during the playoff run.
A lot of people are counting out Bixby, but the Spartans have found a way. They’ve been tested all season, and it’s finally coming together for them at just the right time.
How can Bixby pull off the upset? Find out later in the week.
How they got here: Carl Albert/Bixby…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Give yourself a hand if you had the Titans and Spartans mixing it up for the gold ball. Wait, you mean Tulsa Central didn’t beat Bixby in the first round? Couple of overachievers here.
Carl Albert vs. Bixby
When: 1:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater (Ryan Aber and myself will be there)
Carl Albert (11-2)
Week 1: Booker T – L, 27-6
Week 2: Choctaw – W, 28-0
Week 3: Duncan – W, 38-6
Week 4: Capitol Hill – W, 69-12
Week 5: Shawnee – L, 34-31
Week 6: Noble – W, 43-0
Week 7: Guthrie – W, 40-14
Week 8: Ardmore – W, 47-14
Week 9: Durant – W, 42-17
Week 10: Harrah – W, 41-0
Playoff Week 1: Lawton MacArthur – W, 51-19
Playoff Week 2: Bishop Kelley – W, 34-31, 2 OT
Playoff Week 3: El Reno – W, 44-7
Bixby (9-4)
Week 1: Jenks – L, 47-6
Week 2: Glenpool – L, 35-14
Week 3: Claremore – W, 35-20
Week 4: Miami – W, 49-7
Week 5: Bishop Kelley – L, 21-17
Week 6: Tulsa Hale – W, 42-8
Week 7: Pryor – W, 41-10
Week 8: Skiatook – W, 28-0
Week 9: Tulsa Rogers – W, 52-0
Week 10: Booker T – L, 10-2
Playoff Week 1: Tulsa Central – W, 17-13
Playoff Week 2: Shawnee – W, 28-21
Playoff Week 3: Guthrie – W, 27-20
Capsule: Bixby vs. Guthrie
Class 5A Semi-Finals
Guthrie (8-4) vs. Bixby (8-4)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Stillwater High School, 1224 N. Husband Street, 74075
Key match up: Guthrie’s defense vs. Bixby’s offense. If Guthrie can slow down running back DeWitt Jennings and the rest of the Spartan offense it should be a good night. Winning the battle up front will be a big part of that but Guthrie, like Bixby, has faced some tough competition this season and has the battle scars to show it.
The pick: Guthrie 14, Bixby 10. I like Guthrie’s grittyness in recent weeks but this one could go either way. Bixby is also very good.
Three questions: Guthrie vs. Bixby
Bixby (8-4) and Guthrie (8-4) square off in the semi-finals of the Class 5A race Friday night at Stillwater’s brand new stadium. It’s a mild surprise these two teams are meeting in the semis, but both have played well down the stretch, particularly Guthrie who has won four straight. Here are some questions heading into Friday night’s game.
How will Bryan Dutton and the rest of the underclassmen on Guthrie’s offense hold up?
Rafe Watkins made a point of mentioning you can’t consider Dutton a freshman anymore. Indeed that is the case with 12 games in, he’s somewhere between rookie and seasoned vet. Dutton has 26 TDs this year and just eight picks. He’s also a decent runner. This is a good match up for him since Bixby’s defensive concepts are very similar to the ones he faces in practice each day. If Guthrie is to lose this one it won’t be because of Dutton or the youth on their OL. Those guys have grown up the hard way this year.
Who must Guthrie stop defensively?
For starters, tailback DeWitt Jennings who has 1197 yards rushing this year averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Jennings is the focal point of Bixby’s offense. Kevin Lamb (1200 yds passing) is also a capable quarterback but Bixby still prefers hammering opposing defenses with their running backs. A good night against the run equals a win for Guthrie.
Who wins the intangibles?
That’s always hard to pin down, but Guthrie has won 2 of 3 in the playoffs against Bixby this decade. The faces have changed, but the recent history hasn’t. Also, Guthrie gets a slight edge on location with Stillwater just a stones throw away. Bixby wins points for being an east side team. No way to define why, but Tulsa County teams seem to fare well against west side teams.
The pick
Guthrie 14, Bixby 10: Guthrie is gritty having been behind in several games and getting slaughtered in others (Carl Albert). When you can rise above it (Guthrie has) that builds toughness. This will be must see football for fans of defense.
Class 5A semifinals capsules
After the jump, the capsules for the Class 5A semifinalists.
Class 5A
Carl Albert vs. El Reno, 7:30 p.m. Friday at Putnam City
Bixby vs. Guthrie, 7:30 p.m. Friday at Stillwater High
