SMQ: Booker T. stuns Guthrie, 38-11…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
I don’t feel that bad about picking Guthrie over Booker T. Washington. But on this particular night, I couldn’t have been more wrong.
The Hornets dominated this game nearly the entire way in earning another opportunity for a gold ball
Booker T. 38, Guthrie 11 – for my story on the game, go here.
Boneman’s Breakdown
- Speed, speed and more speed. Guthrie simply had now answers for how fast the Hornets were. If it wasn’t Isaac Bennett, it was Tyler Lockett. If it wasn’t Lockett, it was Dante Barnett. It was one after another with the skilled kids, and it quite the sight to see.
- BTW quarterback Jordy Albert is the real deal. Why Albert and Dominique Sells alternate series at times is beyond me. I won’t question coach Darrell Hall, but Albert had the team rolling just about every time he was the man in charge.
- Really thought after Kai Callins returned that blocked field goal for a touchdown for Guthrie to make it 14-8 that the Bluejays were going to wake up. Coach Rafe Watkins said the same thing, but the energy and emotion simply was not there. Very strange to be so flat in the semifinals.
- Bennett was the best player on the field in this game. Guthrie overpursued too much and didn’t stay in their lanes. Bennett simply outran the defense to the outside and smoked ‘em time and time again. Had him unofficially for 201 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
- Kentrell Brothers made some nice plays for Guthrie but even he was a little off on this night. His muffed punt hurt in the first half. But the thing is with Brothers and Luke Davis and others is they were so tired from having to play both ways and tracking those burners down for the Hornets.
- Loved the honesty from Watkins after the game. He said he didn’t have a ‘losing’ speech prepared. “I honestly really liked our chances in this one so no I didn’t say anything to that great group of seniors. We’ll do that Monday.”
- Booker T. plays East Central for the championship Saturday afternoon at Boone Pickens Stadium.
Guthrie vs. Booker T. Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Guthrie (11-1) vs. Booker T. Washington (11-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Pioneer Stadium, Stillwater (I’ll be there)
Guthrie
Why the Bluejays can win: Because like I’ve said before, I don’t see a weakness with this team. It has ton of playoff experience so it won’t crack under pressure. The Jays have the playmakers so they should compete athletically with Booker T. Gonna be a wild one.
Quote:
They’ve had a lot of their stars injured, but they’re back now. They’re going to be fresh, but our defense has been doing this all year.” – coach Rafe Watkins
Booker T.
Why the Hornets can win: Because they are healthy, or at least getting there. When you’ve got skilled kids like Jordy Albert, Isaac Bennett and Tyler Lockett and Dante Barnett, you’re always going to be in the game. And not giving up a point in two playoff games doesn’t hurt.
Key matchup: BTW offense vs. Guthrie defense. Is this the team that breaks through that crazy-good rush defense? If it is, Booker T. is playing for the gold ball. I’m very excited to see Bennett and Lockett in person.
The pick: Guthrie 19, Tulsa Washington 16. I would love to say it’s going to be a high-scoring track meet…but it won’t. This will be physical. It’s gonna be cold, and it’s gonna be tight throughout before Kentrell Brothers changes the game.
Boneman’s Guthrie prediction record: 10-2
Boneman’s BTW prediction record: 12-0.
Guthrie: Landry Chappell spurs defense…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Guthrie (11-1) vs. Tulsa Washington (11-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Stillwater HS (I’ll be there)
I’ve written a lot on sophomore quarterback Bryan Dutton. Spent an equal amount of time on his wide receiver studs Devonte McCully and Kentrell Brothers.
But if the Bluejays are going to beat Booker T. (as I’ve said they will), it’s all about the defense. And when you’re talking about the defense, it starts with Landry Chappell.
The junior linebacker has a ridiculous 161 tackles and is the anchor. Chappell also has four sacks and two interceptions.
John Clark has quietly become another key contributor. Also just a junior, Clark has 114 stops and nine sacks. Brothers leads the team with 18 sacks.
It shouldn’t shock me, but Kai Callins has developed a lot faster than I thought he would. The freshman leads the team with five interceptions, while J.T. McFadden has three.
It’s going to be a challenge going against the bevy of stars for the Hornets. If Booker T. is able to run the ball, good night for Guthrie. Nobody is able to run the ball against Rafe Watkins’ boys. It’s reached a point where 50 yards is a huge achievement.
On the flip side, Watkins believes this is the best defense his club will face. BTW hasn’t given up a point in the playoffs yet and Derrick Alexander is a stud. One more night to game time.
Guthrie: 2008 loss at Booker T. still stings…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Guthrie (11-1) vs. Booker T. Washington (11-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Stillwater HS (I’ll be there)
Here ya go, it’s your 2007 champions (Guthrie) going against the 2008 champions (Booker T.).
And how did the Hornets get there? By beating Guthrie in an epic three-overtime battle in Tulsa two years ago in the quarterfinals.
“That kick, that kick is what I remember from that game,” Guthrie’s Devonte McCully said. “We have not forgotten about that.
What is McCully talking about? Here’s a blast from the past via fellow chum Ryan Aber, who was there on that day.
In Focus: Class 5A…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Continuing on, here is 5A:
GUTHRIE BLUEJAYS
Record: 11-1
Ranking: No. 2
Coach: Rafe Watkins, 10th season at Guthrie
Previous state titles: 2002 (5A), 2007 (5A)
Road to 2010 semifinals: Beat Durant 35-6, beat Coweta 27-3
2009 record (playoffs): 8-5 (Beat Duncan 20-12, beat Tulsa East Central 25-24, lost to Bixby 27-20)
Last week: Guthrie held Coweta to just 58 yards on the ground and got big offensive numbers out of versatile Kentrell Brothers, quarterback Bryan Dutton and tailback Derrik Kelly to advance to the semifinals for the second consecutive season.
Player to watch: Kentrell Brothers, Ath. It’s hard to pin one position on Brothers, especially after his performance last week. The Missouri commit caught a touchdown pass, threw a touchdown pass and ran for a touchdown in the Bluejays win. He has more than 1,200 yards receiving, nearly 90 tackles on defense and has 18 sacks.
Notable: Have held nine opponents to seven points or less, including both in the playoffs and four of the last five. … Dutton, just a sophomore, has thrown for more than 2,200 yards, 29 touchdowns and six interceptions. … Kelly is the Bluejays’ leading rusher with about 650 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Deer Creek vs. Booker T. Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Deer Creek (8-3) at Booker T. Washington (10-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Deer Creek
Why the Antlers can win: Because there is no question this team is playing their best ball at exactly the right time. The question is whether their best game can beat a team as talented and versatile as the Hornets.
Quote:
Eight teams left. Three weeks. Three games. That’s what we’re looking at. We don’t care who we have to play. It’s up to us.” – coach Grant Gower
Booker T.
Why the Hornets can win: Because this team is the scariest group of kids on paper. From Jordy Albert to Isaac Bennett to Tyler Locket to Derrick Alexander and everybody else in between, Darrell Hall stepped into the right situation.
Key matchup: Deer Creek’s ball control. Keep the Hornets off the field, and the Antlers might have a shot. Gonna have to play the perfect game, no turnovers, no missed FGs, etc. Big game for the O-line and Alex Christensen, Luke Bradshaw, Michael Coleman and Brennan Miyake.
The pick: Booker T. 30, Deer Creek 16. Toughest challenge yet for the Antlers, and they’ll fall a little short.
Boneman’s Antlers prediction record: 11-0.
Boneman’s Hornets prediction record: 11-0.
Deer Creek: Peaking at right time…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Deer Creek (8-3) at Booker T. (10-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
It’s going to be a tough task for Deer Creek to beat top-ranked Tulsa Washington on Friday, but the Antlers are confident heading into the showdown.
One big reason has been the play of the offensive line, led by seniors Paul Kim and Ross Stracke.
“They’ve done a tremendous job all season but have played really well in the last couple of weeks,” coach Grant Gower said.
In Deer Creek’s 19-12 win at Ardmore, the Antlers took over with less than five minutes to play in the fourth quarter and never gave the ball back. Deer Creek converted four third down conversions and took a knee.
“It was a total team effort, and it was a great way to finish the game with how strong the line played,” Gower said.
Cannot disagree with that. Shawn McLaws has a fumble recovery for a touchdown and notched two field goals. Michael Coleman rushed for a score and recovered a fumble. This team is peaking at the right time.
Booker T. vs. Carl Albert Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Booker T. Washington at Carl Albert
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Jim Harris Stadium, CA
BTW
Why the Hornets can win: Feels like I’ve beaten you into the ground with this. However, when you have that type of talent, that’s why they can win. And I feel the team has responded to new coach Darrell Hall and won’t miss a beat.
CA
Why the Titans can win: Because for what it appears they lack in individual talent, they have in the team aspect and a tremendous tradition. There are still studs on this team like Anthony Frazier, Kyle Croak, Quincy Johnson and Dwight Dobbins, they’re just not the four- or five-star recruits we’re used to at CA.
Quote:
People aren’t really talking about us, but that’s OK. We’re just going to go out there and take care of business.” – Dobbins
Key matchup: Carl Albert running game vs. BTW defense. If the Titans win, it’s going to be because of the running game. Kenton Whittington and Tyre LeBlanc will have to have big games against Derrick Alexander and the rest of the Hornets.
The pick: Booker T. 24, Carl Albert 20. Tough to ask this Titans team at this time to play BTW. Hornets have more experience coming back and are hungry after what happened last year. CA is not in trouble, by any means, but it will take a little longer for things to start clicking.
Football: Will 5A be cleared up this week?
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Every week I will try to have this post up by Sunday or Monday where I’ll tell you the three biggest questions I have for the week in the greater Oklahoma City area.
There are SO many questions with week 1, but here are the three that are standing out the most.
1. How much more will we know about Class 5A by this time next week?
This is the top thing on my mind this week. IMO, we have the top four teams playing against each other with both games in our backyard.
No. 1 Booker T. is at No. 2 Carl Albert while No. 4 Duncan is at No. 3 Guthrie. Both games are Friday night.
The first is a battle of the last two state champions. The Hornets never got a chance to really defend their title last season after all the forfeitures. However, when both teams were at full strength, BTW got the best of the Titans in Week 1 last year.
Carl Albert looks nothing like the team from last year. Dillan Dansby is small but quick compared to the big, rugged J.T. Realmuto. RB Kenton Whittington should have a huge season behind a solid offensive line.
It’s also a quasi-homecoming for BTW coach Darrell Hall, who won the 4A title with Star Spencer last year. Also interesting to see what the Hornets do without QB Jordy Albert, who must sit out two games.
Go north a little bit and head to Jelsma Stadium for the Bluejays and Demons. It’s being billed as Kentrell Brothers vs. Dominique Petties, but it’s a lot more than that.
How is Duncan going to handle the expectations that come with this season? How much has Guthrie QB Bryan Dutton matured?
2. Has Norman caught up to Norman North?
New Norman blogger James Corley will be at Owen Field on Thursday for Norman and Norman North, and he’s being introduced to a very intriguing matchup.
Loved what I saw from the Tigers last Thursday against McAlester. Zach Long might be a little young at quarterback, but when you have RB Donovan Roberts and WR Jaime Myers, life gets a little bit easier.
Timberwolves have all the tools for a memorable year. Daniel Davis is sensational, and I’m expecting big things from QB Brad Valentino and RBs Raymond Demby and Emilio Gatewood.
I still give the edge to the Timberwolves, but really like what Greg Nation is doing with the Tigers.
3. Will it be two years in a row for Del City over Midwest City?
The tension was there a couple of weeks ago when the Bombers were in attendance for Del City’s scrimmage at Carl Albert, so you know it’s going to be nuts Friday.
The Eagles surprised MWC last year. With this game at Midwest City, definitely expect the Bombers to be even more fired up.
I don’t know if this game is as simple as the Midwest City defense against the Del City offense matchup, but it will go a long way to determining the victor.
Super 30: Week 3 recap…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
And down the stretch we come. It’s not that the first half of the Super 30 isn’t an impressive list, but we broke on through to the other side this week.
Starting to look at the kids that either have an insane amount of offers of who have committed to some top-tier schools.
Here’s a look back at the week that was in the Super 30…
No. 18 Trevon Lewis, Midwest City: It’s his time to shine now. With Dominque Jones and Emmanuel Maxwell moving on, Lewis will become the unquestioned leader of what should be another stout Bombers defense. For my story on Lewis, go here.
No. 17 Archie Bradley, Broken Arrow: Making adjustments is pretty easy for Bradley. Whether it was transferring from Muskogee to Broken Arrow or playing football and baseball, the man has a plan for everything. For Justin Harper’s story on Bradley, go here.
No. 16 Hunter Davis, Choctaw: A polarizing figure with great size and speed. Problem was he didn’t play his heart out on every play, now it’s playing a role in the recruiting process. He’s determined to show what he’s made of. For Scott Wright’s story on Davis, go here.
No. 15 Cody Miller, Lawton: The Wolverines have one of the most talented pools of kids in the state. But every team needs that one guy it can look to when the times are tough. For Lawton, that is Miller. For my story on Miller, go here.
No. 14 Tyler Lockett, Booker T.: Another Lockett, another Kansas State commit. His father, Kevin, and his uncle, Aaron, had great careers for the Wildcats. It wasn’t a slam dunk, but Tyler is ready to add to that legacy. For Scott Wright’s story on Lockett, go here.
No. 13 Daniel Davis, Norman North: Ya know, if Davis’ football career ever goes south, he has a backup plan. The Timberwolves star and Stanford commit is obsessed with swimming pool basketball and is poised for another great year. For Justin Harper’s story on Davis, go here.
No. 12 Kameron Doolittle, Edmond Memorial: He’s been having fun this summer playing basketball and other things like that, but yes, he does realize he is a top recruit. With four offers, Doolittle is in no rush to make a decision. For my story on Doolittle, go here.
We’re entering the top 10 this week. For more thoughts on all the Super 30 kids, including stories, bios, blogs and videos, keep it locked on NewsOK.com.
