Semifinal sites set
Here’s the semifinal times/dates:
Class 6A
Jenks vs. Southmoore, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Putnam City Stadium
Tulsa Union vs. Broken Arrow, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, University of Tulsa
Class 5A
El Reno vs. Carl Albert, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Putnam City Stadium
Bixby vs. Guthrie, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Stillwater High School
Class 4A
Weatherford vs. Douglass, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Yukon
Star Spencer vs. Sallisaw, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sapulpa
Class 3A
Seq. Claremore vs. Cascia Hall, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Collinsville
Berryhill vs. Dewey, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Skiatook
Class B
Garber vs. Laverne, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Woodward
Ryan vs. Canton, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Norman
Class C
DC-Lamont vs. Timberlake, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Enid
Seiling vs. Forgan, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Woodward
Douglass’ defense the difference
BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com
For the second consecutive week, Douglass’ defense dominated teams that have been known for putting up big offensive numbers.
In Friday night’s 14-0 win over Wagoner, the Trojans held the Bulldogs to just 44 total yards — five rushing — to advance to this week’s Class 4A semifinal against Weatherford.
But it’s not like Wagoner didn’t have chances to score.
The Bulldogs had the ball with first and goal from the 2 midway through the third. Douglass’ defense held strong, though, helped by a Wagoner penalty, before the Bulldogs missed a field goal.
Wagoner had another chance to score late in the game, starting in Douglass territory, but once again, the Trojans’ defense held.
Douglass, which allowed 14 points in each of the last four regular season games, has now put up back-to-back shutouts to open the playoffs.
All-City Preview Wrapup
By Ryan Aber
raber@opubco.com
There might’ve been a state tournament feel to the finals of the All-City Athletic Conference basketball preview on Thursday night at Northwest and it’s not hard to see why.
In the boys championship game, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Star Spencer-Douglass could be a preview of the 4A title game in a few months.
It certainly looked like it could’ve been in the preview. Star Spencer, the defending 4A champions, won 25-24 over Douglass. While each team lost some key players, both teams returned some stars as well, led by Star Spencer PG Kendre Talley and Douglass’ big inside presence Marquis Buxton-Hill.
On the girls side, there was a bit of a surprise as Northeast outlasted Millwood in the title game 18-16.
If you’re a basketball fan and looking for a game fix this weekend, check out Northeast on Saturday night. Two teams that could be state contenders in their respective classes face off when Northeast hosts Metro Christian. The boys game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.
BOYS
Tuesday
at Northwest
Game 1: Millwood 27, Centennial 18
Game 2: Northwest 21, Capitol Hill 20
Game 3: Douglass 31, Millwood 14
at Capitol Hill
Game 4: John Marshall 20, Classen SAS 11
Game 5: Northeast 33, U.S. Grant 13
Game 6: Southeast 28, John Marshall 20
Game 7: Star Spencer 39, Northeast 20
Thursday
at Capitol Hill
Game 8: Millwood 27, Classen SAS 7
Game 9: John Marshall 49, U.S. Grant 14
Game 10: Northeast 30, Centennial 24
Game 11: John Marshall 35, Millwood 27
Game 12: Capitol Hill 36, Northeast 24
Game 13: John Marshall 37, Capitol Hill 30
at Northwest
Game 14: Douglass 40, Northwest 29
Game 15: Star Spencer 40, Southeast 21
Championship: Star Spencer 25, Douglass 24
GIRLS
Tuesday
at Northwest
Game 1: U.S. Grant 23, Northwest 18
Game 2: Douglass 17, Southeast 16
Game 3: Millwood 21, U.S. Grant 3
at Capitol Hill
Game 4: Centennial 36, Capitol Hill 6
Game 5: John Marshall 17, Classes SAS 13
Game 6: Northeast 19, Centennial 7
Game 7: Star Spencer 34, John Marshall 9
Thursday
at Capitol Hill
Game 8: U.S. Grant 25, Capitol Hill 8
Game 9: Centennial 36, Classen SAS 6
Game 10: Northwest 27, John Marshall 15
Game 11: Centennial 32, U.S. Grant 10
Game 12: Southeast 14, Northwest 10
Game 13: Southeast 24, Centennial 23
at Northwest
Game 14: Millwood 16, Douglass 14
Game 15: Northeast 22, Star Spencer 15
Championship: Northeast 18, Millwood 16
Capsule: Douglass at Wagoner
By Ryan Aber
raber@opubco.com
Douglass (8-3) at Wagoner (8-3)
When: 7:30 p.m. tonight
Where: W.L. Odom Stadium Wagoner
Winner plays: Broken Bow-Weatherford winner next Friday-Saturday at neutral site TBD
Douglass (W, Capitol Hill; L, Millwood; W, Star Spencer; W, Elk City; W, Southeast; W, Guymon; L, McGuinness; L, Weatherford; W, Woodward; W, Piedmont; W, Glenpool)
Why the Trojans can win: Because the turnover problem that hurt them in all of their losses this season seems to have eased. And there’s no doubting Douglass’ defense. The Trojans shut out Glenpool last week and held McGuinness and Weatherford to just 14 points each in their two district losses.
Wagoner (W, Miami; W, Grove; L, Tulsa East Central; W, Muldrow; W, Fort Gibson; L, Poteau; L, Broken Bow; W, Tulsa Webster; W, Sallisaw; W, Hilldale; W, Jay)
Why the Bulldogs can win: Prince McJunkins gives them that shot. Wagoner’s junior quarterback is the key to the Bulldogs’ spread offense. Wagoner has come on strong of late, beating Sallisaw convincingly in Week Nine.
Stat leaders
RUSHING
Douglass
Quinton Neil: 161 carries, 1192 yards, 13 TDs
Kevin Forbes: 138 carries, 1,031 yards, 12 TDs
Antyoun Smith: 125 carries, 638 yards, 8 TDs
Aliston Cobb: 40 carries, 415 yards, 4 TDs
Wagoner
Jeremy Applegate: 117 carries, 648 yards, 2 TDs
Prince McJunkins: 115 carries, 481 yards, 4 TDs
PASSING
Douglass
Antyoun Smith: 38-98, 697 yards, 7 TDs, 7 INTs
Wagoner
Prince McJunkins: 86-162, 1,307 yards, 10 TDs, 9 INTs
RECEIVING
Douglass
Marcus Caddell: 11 catches, 224 yards, 2 TDs
Norris White: 9 catches, 146 yards, 2 TDs
Deandre Vick: 8 catches, 145 yards, 1 TD
Quinton Neil: 9 catches, 129 yards, 0 TDs
Wagoner
Jordan Robinson: 33 catches, 504 yards, 3 TDs
Paul Golden: 17 catches, 284 yards, 1 TD
Malcolm Love: 13 catches, 189 yards, 1 TD
Drew Curley: 11 catches, 183 yards, 3 TDs
Kevin Peterson: 9 catches, 158 yards, 1 TD
TACKLES
Douglass
Aaron James: 107
Stanley Johnson: 106
Corey Mitchell: 98
Erik King: 86
Norris White: 84
Devante McKinney: 84
Wagoner
Jeremy Applegate: 146
Chris Ramey: 144
Jimmy Carter: 96
Key matchup: Wagoner’s LBs vs. Douglass’ RBs. With a considerable size advantage up front, Douglass should be able to run on the Bulldogs. But Wagoner has a reputation of having some of the best linebackers in the state. This year’s crop is pretty good. The Trojans need to be able to run to be successful.
The pick: Douglass 22, Wagoner 6. If Douglass keeps the turnovers down — again — the Trojans should win this one without too much of a scare. Wagoner is dangerous but this Douglass team is playing really well right now.
Four seniors help Douglass regain old glory
Douglass seniors Stanley Johnson, Corey Mitchell, Quinton Neil and Norris White led Douglass into tonight's game at Wagoner.
In case you missed it, here’s the Friday Night Lights story on the for starters remaining from Douglass’ 2006 1-9 season.
The next year, Willis Alexander took over as head coach and these four players had a huge impact on getting things turned back in the right direction.
Friday Night Lights: Four seniors help Douglass regain old glory
I think Douglass wins tonight at Wagoner, quite possibly setting up a rematch of a district game with Weatherford that Douglass very well could’ve won before falling 14-7.
All-City Preview Day 2
The All-City Preview started Tuesday at Capitol Hill and Northwest. On the boys side, there weren’t a whole lot of surprises. Douglass handled a Millwood team that is without several of its key players while they’re still in football. I know Douglass has some too, but not to the level of Millwood. Star Spencer also cruised into the semifinals with a 39-20 win over Northeast. The outcome of that one didn’t surprise me much but I was surprised at the margin. But with Northeast having played earlier in the night, I’m sure that played into it as well.
Northwest will meet Douglass and Southeast will play Star Spencer in the semifinals and I’m thinking Douglass and Star will meet in the championship but it’s hard to count out teams coached by Walter Brewer (Southeast) and Leroy Combs (Northwest).
On the girls side, no real surprises there. It’ll be Douglass-Millwood and Northeast-Star Spencer for the championships. The guess here is Millwood-Star Spencer in the championship.
BOYS
Tuesday
at Northwest
Game 1: Millwood 27, Centennial 18
Game 2: Northwest 21, Capitol Hill 20
Game 3: Douglass 31, Millwood 14
at Capitol Hill
Game 4: John Marshall 20, Classen SAS 11
Game 5: Northeast 33, U.S. Grant 13
Game 6: Southeast 28, John Marshall 20
Game 7: Star Spencer 39, Northeast 20
Thursday
at Capitol Hill
Game 8: Millwood vs. Classen SAS, 3:30 p.m.
Game 9: U.S. Grant vs. John Marshall, 4:30 p.m.
Game 10: Centennial vs. Northeast, 5:30 p.m.
Game 11: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Game 12: Game 2 loser vs. Game 10 winner, 7:30 p.m.
Game 13: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner, 8:30 p.m.
at Northwest
Game 14: Northwest vs. Douglass, 6 p.m.
Game 15: Southeast vs. Star Spencer, 7 p.m.
Championship: Game 14 winner vs. Game 15 winner, 8 p.m.
GIRLS
Tuesday
at Northwest
Game 1: U.S. Grant 23, Northwest 18
Game 2: Douglass 17, Southeast 16
Game 3: Millwood 21, U.S. Grant 3
at Capitol Hill
Game 4: Centennial 36, Capitol Hill 6
Game 5: John Marshall 17, Classes SAS 13
Game 6: Northeast 19, Centennial 7
Game 7: Star Spencer 34, John Marshall 9
Thursday
at Capitol Hill
Game 8: Capitol Hill vs. U.S. Grant, 3 p.m.
Game 9: Classen SAS vs. Centennial, 4 p.m.
Game 10: Northwest vs. John Marshall, 5 p.m.
Game 11: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 12: Southeast vs. Game 10 winner, 7 p.m.
Game 13: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner, 8 p.m.
at Northwest
Game 14: Douglass vs. Millwood, 5:30 p.m.
Game 15: Northeast vs. Star Spencer, 6:30 p.m.
Championship: Game 14 winner vs. Game 15 winner, 7:30 p.m.
OKC video
There’s plenty of good news coming out of Oklahoma City public schools these days athletically, with Douglass, Star Spencer and John Marshall all still alive and All-City Athletic Conference member Millwood still playing as well. In this week’s video, though, we lead with some sad news, as legendary Millwood coach Leodies Robinson died early Tuesday:
OKC All-City Basketball Preview Brackets
Here are the brackets for the All-City Preview that starts tonight (Tuesday) and continues Thursday at Capitol Hill and Northwest:
BOYS
Tuesday
at Northwest
Game 1: Centennial vs. Millwood, 6 p.m.
Game 2: Capitol Hill vs. Northwest, 7 p.m.
Game 3: Douglass vs. Game 1 winner, 8 p.m.
at Capitol Hill
Game 4: Classen vs. John Marshall, 6 p.m.
Game 5: Northeast vs. U.S. Grant, 7 p.m.
Game 6: Southeast vs. Game 4 winner, 8 p.m.
Game 7: Star Spenver vs. Game 5 winner, 9 p.m.
Thursday
at Capitol Hill
Game 8: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 3:30 p.m.
Game 9: Game 5 loser vs. Game 6 loser, 4:30 p.m.
Game 10: Game 1 loser vs. Game 7 loser, 5:30 p.m.
Game 11: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Game 12: Game 2 loser vs. Game 10 winner, 7:30 p.m.
Game 13: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner, 8:30 p.m.
at Northwest
Game 14: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 15: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner, 7 p.m.
Championship: Game 14 winner vs. Game 15 winner, 8 p.m.
GIRLS
Tuesday
at Northwest
Game 1: U.S. Grant vs. Northwest, 5:30 p.m.
Game 2: Southeast vs. Douglass, 6:30 p.m.
Game 3: Game 1 winner vs. Millwood, 7:30 p.m.
at Capitol Hill
Game 4: Capitol Hill vs. Centennial, 5:30 p.m.
Game 5: John Marshall vs. Classen, 6:30 p.m.
Game 6: Game 4 winner vs. Northeast, 7:30 p.m.
Game 7: Game 5 winner vs. Star Spencer, 8:30 p.m.
Thursday
at Capitol Hill
Game 8: Game 4 loser vs. Game 3 loser, 3 p.m.
Game 9: Game 5 loser vs. Game 6 loser, 4 p.m.
Game 10: Game 1 loser vs. Game 7 loser, 5 p.m.
Game 11: Game 8 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 6 p.m.
Game 12: Game 2 loser vs. Game 10 winner, 7 p.m.
Game 13: Game 11 winner vs. Game 12 winner, 8 p.m.
at Northwest
Game 14: Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 5:30 p.m.
Game 15: Game 6 winner vs. Game 7 winner, 6:30 p.m.
Championship: Game 14 winner vs. Game 15 winner, 7:30 p.m.
OKC Player of the Week: Douglass’ defense
I usually don’t like not honoring groups for these player of the week picks. But it’s hard not to when Douglass’ defense shut out a Glenpool team that has made a habit of shutting out its opponents and until last week’s loss to Star Spencer was ranked No. 1 in the state. Douglass held the Warriors to just 173 yards of total offense and held Tulsa commit Marco Nelson to less than 100 yards rushing.
A look at our first-round playoff picks
While all of us picked the 15 games in the Upickem contest, myself, Bob and Scott picked every game in the state. Here’s a look at the highs and lows of the first week of the playoffs:
Records:
Ryan: 65-15 (6A, 6-2; 5A, 7-1; 4A, 8-0; 3A, 5-3; 2A, 11-5; A, 13-2; B, 8-0; C, 6-2)
Scott: 64-16 (6A, 7-1; 5A, 6-2; 4A, 6-2; 3A, 5-3; 2A, 11-5; A, 14-1; B, 8-0; C, 6-2)
Bob: 63-17 (6A, 7-1; 5A, 6-2; 4A, 7-1; 3A, 6-2; 2A, 11-5; A, 13-3; B, 8-0; C, 5-3)
