EDMOND — Edmond Santa Fe senior-to-be defensive back Khari Harding made this huge hit on teammate Dale Jefferson during spring practice on Wednesday.

Harding has offers from eight NCAA Division I schools (Arkansas, Arkansas State, Houston, Indiana, Iowa State, Kansas State, Memphis and Wyoming).

Jefferson had to be helped off the field Wednesday but I’m told he’ll be fine.

Harding (6-foot-1, 205 pounds) recorded 71 tackles and three interceptions last season for the Wolves, which were 10-2 and district champions.

The game will be played July 24 at Oral Roberts (Small school 4:30 p.m., large school 7 p.m.)

Large East

Pitchers: Gabe Coldwell (Stilwell), Jacob Evans (Broken Arrow), Alex Hackerott (Sand Springs)

First baseman: Derrick Haworth (Durant)

Infielders: Donovan Walton (Tulsa Kelley), Mason Mantle (Metro Christian), Brenton Washausen (Claremore), Carter Cumbie (McAlester)

Outfielders: Dylan Helms (Eufaula), Corey Hassel (Stillwater), Adam Boyd (McAlester), J.P. Seifried (Claremore)

Catchers: Kylar Robertson (Sand Springs), Josh Whisler (Owasso)

Large West

Pitchers: Ty Hensley (Edmond Santa Fe), Jordan Watson (Edmond Santa Fe), Carson McPherson (Ardmore)

First baseman: Michael Lowe (Jones)

Infielders: Alex Polston (Carl Albert), Colt Pickens (Yukon), Tanner Dearman (Anadarko), Joe Robinson (Edmond North)

Outfielders: Greg Bruno (Midwest City), Luke Davis (Guthrie), Christian Thaxton (Duncan), T.J. Turner (Lawton MacArthur)

Catchers: Taylor Hawkins (Carl Albert), Dakota Shadoan (Norman North)

Small East

Pitchers: Evan Sanders (Hartshorne), Jacob Lux (Wyandotte), Dillon Proctor (Caddo)

First baseman: Jonathon Samuels (Rattan)

Infielders: Dusty Henry (Afton), Kaleb Matthews (Wellston), Landon Coon (Dale), Ty Miller (Caddo)

Outfielders: Caleb Hill (Wister), Brennon Fuser (Afton), Asa Thomas Manship (Dale), Zach Burns (Tushka)

Catchers: Cash Miller (Coleman), Eddia Lomas (Roff)

Small West

Pitchers: Brett McNaughton (Pioneer), Austin Kretchmar (Okarche), Stetson Buller (Timberlake)

First baseman: Clayton Brewster (Cheyenne)

Infielders: Jason Johnson (Arnett), Brady Baugh (Hennessey), Kent Callison (Lookeba-Sickles), Cameron Nix (Carnegie)

Outfielders: Josh Jackson (Amber-Pocasset), Dillon Almaguer (Granite), Jeff Jackson (Amber-Pocasset), Aaron McCandless (Shattuck)

Catchers: Cody Hunter (Arnett), Landon Larue (Crescent)

The position has been filled; Manning said Monday he has hired former Midwest City defensive coordinator Chris Rose.

Rose was considered a top candidate to replace Steve Huff as the Bombers’ head coach, but the job ultimately went to former Tulsa Washington and Star Spencer coach Darrell Hall.

Rose replaces Kenny Young, who retired after one year as the Wolves’ defensive coordinator. Before that, he had a long, successful tenure as head coach at Bishop McGuinness.

Rose was formerly an assistant coach at Edmond Memorial, where he was also the boys’ soccer coach.

He inherits a defense that lost some of its best players from 2011, but is also bringing several good ones back.

The Wolves lost defensive ends Michael Onuoha, who signed with OU, and Josh Crouch, who combined for 162 tackles and 16 sacks a year ago.

Also gone is defensive back Conner Bays, who made 101 tackles and will play college ball at Southwestern Oklahoma State.

But returning for Santa Fe is cornerback Khari Harding, who boasts offers from several Division I schools and is one of the top college prospects in the state for the class of 2013.

Linebacker Jerremy Moore also returns after recording 102 tackles and seven sacks as a junior.

Manning is entering his second season as Edmond Santa Fe’s coach. In 2010, the Wolves were 1-9, but in Manning’s first season, the team went 10-2 and won its district.

Friday
Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 1 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday
At Oral Roberts
Championship game, 2:30 p.m.

CLASS 5A
At Tulsa Union
Thursday
Game 1: Shawnee vs. Claremore, 11 a.m.
Game 2: Skiatook vs. Carl Albert, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: Guthrie vs. Durant, 4 p.m.
Game 4: McAlester vs. Deer Creek, 6:30 p.m.

Friday
Game 1 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 2 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday
At Oral Roberts
Championship game, noon

CLASS 4A
At Shawnee
Thursday
Game 1: Berryhill vs. Heritage Hall, 11 a.m.
Game 2: Anadarko vs. Tecumseh, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: Hilldale vs. Byng, 4 p.m.
Game 4: Weatherford vs. Oologah, 6:30 p.m.

Friday
Game 2 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 1 winner vs. Game 4 winner. 6:30 p.m.

Saturday
Championship game, 5 p.m.

CLASS 3A
Thursday
At Edmond Memorial
Game 1: Marlow vs. Jones, 11 a.m.
Game 2: Henryetta vs. Metro Christian, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: Salina vs. Plainview, 4 p.m.
Game 4: Verdigris vs. Spiro, 6:30 p.m.

At Shawnee
Friday
Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 11 a.m.
Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday
Championship game, noon

CLASS 2A
At Dolese Park
Thursday
Game 1: Dale vs. Fairview, 11 a.m.
Game 2: Silo vs. Hennessey, 1:30 p.m.
Game 3: Ketchum vs. Tushka, 4 p.m.
Game 4: Oktaha vs. Wister, 6:30 p.m.

Friday
Game 1 winner vs. Game 3 winner, 4 p.m.
Game 2 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday
At Shawnee
Championship game, 2:30 p.m.

Bishop McGuinness coach Tondrell Durham has been mentioned by sources as a candidate for the Edmond Santa Fe job.

EDMOND — Edmond Public Schools will recommend the hiring of boys basketball coaches for Edmond Santa Fe and Edmond North to the school board Tuesday morning, district athletic director Mike Nunley said.

Edmond Santa Fe is hiring its third-ever boys basketball coach after Shawn Schenk was dismissed in late March.

Schenk was Santa Fe’s coach for six seasons. Last month, the Wolves advanced to the 6A semifinals.

Bishop McGuinness coach Tondrell Durham, Douglass’ Terry Long and Mount St. Mary’s Lenny Hatchett have all been mentioned by sources as candidates for the Edmond Santa Fe job.

Durham’s Irish squad won the Class 5A state championship last month. It was Durham’s fifth title with the school since he became coach in 2001.

Long won his third consecutive 4A title last month at Douglass, while Hatchett has been Mount St. Mary’s coach since 2004.

For Edmond North, it will be the school’s fourth boys basketball coach in four seasons. Quinn Wooldridge, who was hired last summer, resigned to become head coach at Southwestern Christian University in Bethany earlier this month.

Edmond North athletic director Tom Snider said then long-term stability would be one of the main criteria in hiring Wooldridge’s replacement.

Twenty minutes into its first game, senior leader Bryan Sanchez tore both of his ACLs.

“It was pretty tough on him,” said coach Jeff Lovett. “It was tough on the entire team. He was a senior, the captain and he had a great year for us last year.”

Sanchez’s injury was especially tough on him because his brother, junior Blake Sanchez, is the Bulldogs’ starting goalie.

“They were excited about playing together this year,” Lovett said.

Lovett said senior Jared Glenn has stepped up and provided leadership for the team. Glenn leads the team in goals.

Memorial is 2-4 this season entering Tuesday’s game at unbeaten U.S. Grant, but one loss was in a shootout, one was in overtime and another was by one goal in regulation.

Edmond North soccer player Britani Soesbee is injured. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN

Edmond North’s girls soccer team, which has won two straight Class 6A state titles, has won four straight matches to open district play entering Tuesday’s contest at Yukon.

North is playing without senior midfielder Britani Soesbee, a USAO signee who is injured and will be out another couple weeks, Flanders said.

Thursday, the Huskies will head to Kansas City, Mo., to play in the Heart of America Classic, which will feature several top teams from eight different states.

“It will be a great bonding experience,” said Edmond North coach Theresa Flanders. “It comes at the right time — in the middle of district, right as we’re trying to start peaking. It’s a great time for coaches and players to come together.”

Edmond North opens Thursday at 6:45 against Ray-Pec (Peculiar, Mo).

The Huskies are one of six Oklahoma teams competing in the Classic, along with Norman North, Deer Creek, Jenks, Tulsa Bishop Kelley and Tulsa Union.

Deer Creek opens Thursday at 4:45 p.m. against Lee’s Summit (Mo.), while Norman North begins Friday at 3:45 p.m. against Lee’s Summit West.

Edmond Santa Fe sophomore quarterback Justice Hansen will attend the Red-White game in Norman on Saturday. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

EDMOND — Edmond Santa Fe junior defensive back Khari Harding and sophomore quarterback Justice Hansen will both attend Oklahoma’s annual Red-White spring game Saturday in Norman.

Harding announced that Sooners’ co-offensive coordinator Josh Heupel invited him to the game on Twitter. Hansen confirmed his invite in a text message to The Oklahoman.

Harding, who had 71 tackles and three interceptions as a junior for the Wolves, has six offers — Arkansas, Arkansas State, Houston, Indiana, Kansas State and Wyoming.

Hansen had a breakout sophomore season and appears to be one of the top Oklahoma prospects of the class of 2014. He threw for 2,558 yards and 25 touchdowns, and rushed for 529 yards and eight scores, in leading the Wolves to the Class 6A quarterfinals and a 10-2 record.

Hansen has offers from Missouri and Arkansas.

Quinn Wooldridge, who was hired last summer, resigned to become head coach at Southwestern Christian University in Bethany. Wooldridge will replace Mark Arthur, the school’s athletic director who has been basketball coach for 20 years.

Wooldridge was a men’s basketball assistant at Oklahoma City University before taking the Edmond North job, and was previously McAlester’s head coach from 2003-2005.

Edmond North athletic director Tom Snider said Wooldridge’s departure is disappointing because the boys basketball program, which was 5-18 this season, needs stability.

“(Before he was hired), one of the main things we talked about was getting stability with this program,” Snider said. “But, life happens, as they say.”

Snider said he hopes to have a new coach hired before the May school board meeting, and that long-term stability will again be one of the main criteria in making a hire.

“It was hard to go down there and tell those kids that this has happened again,” Snider said. “The kids were really disappointed.”

Large East
Taylor Cooper, Shawnee
U’Knique Gaines, Tulsa East Central
Jodi Glover, Fort Gibson
Devaughn Gray, Tulsa Washington
Lashanda Green McAlester
Kelsee Grovey, Shawnee
Madison Mercado, Sapulpa
Lanesha Middleton, Stillwater
Caitlyn Spurgeon, Vinita
Miranda Taylor, Claremore
Coaches: Carl Treat, Stillwater; Matt Sweeney, Oologah

Large West
Kylie Boggess, Piedmont
Ashley Clark, Midwest City
Alie Decker, Edmond Memorial
Daisha Gonzaque, Edmond Santa Fe
Rasheeda Kabba, Westmoore
Toni Smith, Del City
Kati Sullivan, Anadarko
Courtney Walker, Edmond Santa Fe
Antoinet Webster, Western Heights
Te’era Williams, Douglass
Coaches: Jeff Mahoney, Elgin; Dandy Peeler, Edmond Memorial

Small East
Courtney Backward, Salina
Kelsey Barnwell, Kansas
Megan Brown, Howe
Hayley Bryan, Copan
Courtney Cowan, Kansas
Pete Douglas, Oktaha
Charitee Evans, Red Oak
Shanna Harrison, Adair
Kenzie Solberg, Chandler
Brooke Watkins, Prague
Coaches: Brandon Lindly, Wright City; Mike Buntin, Verdigris

Small West
Jamie Brown, Chattanooga
Lexie Brown, Hammon
Casi Cornell, Thomas
Kori Fast, Fairview
Jordan Garner, Amber-Pocasset
Bailey McBride, Chattanooga
Lacey Paulk, Washington
Katelyn Richardson, Calumet
Jordynn Van Pelt, Snyder
Shayla Williams, Northeast
Coaches: Cherie Myers, Okarche; Kirk Harris, Marlow

All-Conference
First Team
Ashley Clark, Midwest City
Alie Decker, Edmond Memorial
Carolee Dillard, Midwest City
Taylor Ely, Norman
Bri Kuestersteffen, Norman North
Toni Smith, Del City

Second Team
Brittany Alavinejad, Westmoore
Serithia Hawkins, Southmoore
Sydney Hill, Edmond Memorial
Mariah Jackson, Del City
Kayla Tucker, Southmoore

Third Team
Bethany Cox, Norman
Jami Hensley, Westmoore
Rasheeda Kabba, Westmoore
Amanda Patterson, Moore
Haley Woodard, Norman North

Honorable Mention
Dionna Collins (Del City), Piper Kalthoff (Del City), Jenny Roy (Edmond Memorial),
Alyssa Hand (Edmond Memorial), Jasmine Gaddis (Midwest City), Jasauen Beard (Midwest City), Adrianna White (Midwest City), Reagan Widener (Midwest City),
Tori Thomas (Norman North), Kabria Harkey (Westmoore),

No player in the state has racked up offers over the last month like Edmond Santa Fe’s Khari Harding.

Tuesday, the defensive back added another when Indiana extended Harding an offer. Wednesday morning, he added Houston to his ever-growing list. Harding now has offers from Arkansas, Arkansas State, Kansas State and Wyoming. Kansas State was the first school to offer Harding on March 1.

Harding had 71 tackles and three interceptions as a junior.

His uncle, Rodney Harding, was a defensive lineman at Oklahoma State in the 1980s.

at Jenks
Tulsa Kelley vs. Edmond Santa Fe, 1:30 p.m.
Tulsa Kelley vs. Deer Creek, 4 p.m.
Jenks vs. Deer Creek, 6:30 p.m.

Friday
at Broken Arrow
Broken Arrow vs. Deer Creek, 1:30 p.m.
Tulsa Memorial vs. Edmond Santa Fe, 4 p.m.
Broken Arrow vs. Edmond Santa Fe, 6:30 p.m.

at Jenks
Jenks vs. Edmond Memorial, 1:30 p.m.
Tulsa Kelley vs. Moore, 4 p.m.
Jenks vs. Moore, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday
at Broken Arrow
Tulsa Memorial vs. Deer Creek, 9 a.m.
Broken Arrow vs. Moore, 11:30 a.m.

at Jenks
Tulsa Kelley vs. Edmond Memorial, 9 p.m.
Jenks vs. Edmond Santa Fe, 11:30 p.m.

East No. 4 vs. West No. 4, 2:30 p.m.*
East No. 3 vs. West No. 3, 5 p.m.*

East No. 2 vs. West No. 1, 2:30 p.m.*
East No. 1 vs. West No. 1, 5 p.m.*
Sites for these games will be determined by finish of Broken Arrow and Jenks in pool play.

Defensive Players of the Year: Jordan Thomas, Edmond Memorial, and Cornell Neal, Midwest City

Offensive Players of the Year: Jordan Woodard, Edmond Memorial, and Rico Hogan, Norman

Coach of the Year: Shane Cowherd, Edmond Memorial

Newcomer of the Year: Terrell Savala, Edmond Memorial

First Team
James Woodard, Edmond Memorial
Jordan Woodard, Edmond Memorial
A.J. Holland, Del City
T.J. Noel, Midwest City
Rico Hogan, Norman
Cornell Neal, Midwest City

Second Team
Brett Cannon, Del City
Terrell Savala, Edmond Memorial
Connor Madole, Norman
Jordan Thomas, Edmond Memorial
Tripp Fuller, Westmoore

Third Team
Dorian Gigger, Moore
Chris Hobgood, Moore
Steffon Herd, Del City
Trey Ayala, Westmoore
Jamal Mosely, Del City

Honorable Mention:
Sam Kaplan, Norman North
Jourdan Bean, Southmoore
Maurice Davenport, Moore
Kyle Lakin, Westmoore
Beau Palmer, Westmoore
George Kittle, Norman
Daniel Harper, Norman
Keith Glover, Del City
Deonte Long, Del City
Devin Bockhaus, Midwest City
Daryck Jones, Midwest City
Torey Noel, Midwest City
Kesean Brown, Midwest City
Reggie Sloan, Edmond Memorial
Aaron Young, Edmond Memorial

OKLAHOMA TENNIS COACHES RANKING
CLASS 6A
Boys
1. Edmond North
2. Jenks
3. Tulsa Union
4. Edmond Memorial
5. Broken Arrow
6. Tulsa Kelley
7. McGuinness
8. Enid
9. Muskogee
10. Edmond Santa Fe

Girls
1. Jenks
2. Edmond North
3. Enid
4. Edmond Memorial
5. Tulsa Kelley
6. Broken Arrow
7. Tulsa Union
8. McGuinness
9. Bixby
10. Owasso

CLASS 5A
Boys
1. Metro Christian
2. Heritage Hall
3. Carl Albert
4. Oklahoma Christian
5. Cascia Hall
6. McAlester
7. Shawnee
8. Durant
9. Duncan
10. Ardmore

Girls
1. Duncan
2. Heritage Hall
3. Cascia Hall
4. Tulsa Washington
5. Tahlequah
6. Ardmore
7. Deer Creek
8. Carl Albert
9. Shawnee
10. Altus

CLASS 4A
Boys
1. Anadarko
2. Ada
3. Henryetta
4. Byng
5. Clinton
6. Elk City
7. Oologah
8. St. Mary
9. Seminole
10. Okmulgee

Girls
1. Ada
2. Metro Christian
3. Elk City
4. Perry
5. Midway  
6. Byng
7. Beaver
8. Seminole
9. Oklahoma Christian
10. Anadarko

Edmond Memorial's James Woodard signed with Tulsa in November, and he's closely watching to see who the program hires as its next head coach.

Edmond Memorial senior James Woodard isn’t currently planning to seek a release from his letter of intent with the Tulsa basketball program. But he’s keeping an eye on things with the Golden Hurricane.

TU fired head coach Doug Wojcik on March 11, and the replacement process is ongoing. Woodard has been in contact with Lawton Eisenhower forward D’Andre Wright about the situation.

Both have signed letters of intent, but could be granted their release from the commitment because of Wojcik’s firing.

“I’m keeping a close eye on it to see if they make any decisions soon, because if not, I’ll have to start making my decisions,” Woodard said. “I talked to (Wright) last week. We met with the athletic director (Ross Parmley). We’re trying to get all the information we can, so we can see if we need to stay or try to find another school.

“As of now, I’m still going to TU. I’m just waiting to see what they decide on in the next few weeks and go from there.”

Lawton Eisenhower coach Bruce Harrington said Wright is also waiting and watching. Wright, a 6-foot-9 forward, averaged 18 points and 10 rebounds in helping the Eagles reach the state tournament.

Woodard, a 6-foot-3 wing, led Memorial with 14 points and seven rebounds per game as the Bulldogs finished as the Class 6A runner-up to Tulsa Union.

The next letter of intent signing period for basketball opens April 11, at which time, several other scholarships will begin to be filled. There’s always some shuffling when coaches leave and players go to other schools, so the domino effect could cause some currently filled spots to come open as well.

It’s a hectic time, and very stressful for a kid caught in the middle of it. For those who are interested, here’s a link to a Tulsa World story from Sunday detailing a few potential candidates at Tulsa.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

Edmond Santa Fe senior right-hander Ty Hensley started the team’s Spring Break trip to Arizona off with a bang Monday night.
Hensley threw five no-hit innings, striking out 13 as the Wolves beat Apollo (Ariz.) 11-0.
With spring training also going in in Arizona, it gave many big league teams a chance to see Hensley up close. More than 40 scouts and even a few general managers took in Hensley’s performance.
He also impressed at the plate, with a solo home run and another hit.
Hensley is signed with Ole Miss but is expected to be an early draft pick this summer.

Second team
106: Cody Logan, Yukon
113: Jordan Armstrong, Edmond North
120: Josh Breece, Edmond North
126: Parker Bohannan, Yukon
132: Frank Smith, Choctaw
138: Kaylob Klingler, Choctaw
145: Mason Stowers, Edmond Santa Fe
152: Taylor Gore, Putnam City
160: Hunter Smith, Edmond North
170: Cason Montgomery, Yukon
182: Walter Smith, Edmond Santa Fe
195: Andrew Brumage, Choctaw
220: Ragan Land, Edmond North
285: Lantz Parks, Yukon

The Edmond Santa Fe girls basketball team was ranked No. 10 in the country by USA Today. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

Edmond Santa Fe’s girls have been No. 1 in Oklahoma all season. Now, they are a top-10 team nationally.

USA Today has the Wolves at No. 10 in their latest girls basketball Super 25 rankings.

Santa Fe finished the 2011-12 season with a 28-0 record and a second straight Class 6A state championship, won last weekend in a 44-41 victory over Edmond Memorial.

Girls All-Metro Athletic Conference
Most Valuable Player: Courtney Walker, Edmond Santa Fe
Offensive Player of the Year: Layton Hurley, Choctaw
Defensive Player of the Year: Daisha Gonzaque, Edmond Santa Fe
Newcomer of the Year: Da’Jah Coffey, Putnam North
Coach of the Year: Karlie Free, Edmond North

First Team
Whitney Dunn, Mustang
Daisha Gonzaque, Edmond Santa Fe
Layton Hurley, Choctaw
Kaitlyn Peterson, Edmond North
Courtney Walker, Edmond Santa Fe

Second Team
Haley Brown, Yukon
Da’Jah Coffey, Putnam North
Cameerah Graves, Edmond Santa Fe
Tamara Lee, Edmond Santa Fe
Jayden Oliver, Putnam City

All-Metro Athletic Conference
Coach of the Year: A.D. Burtschi, Putnam City
Player of the Year: Joe Summers, Putnam North
Offensive Player of the Year: David Bush, Putnam City
Defensive Player of the Year: Omega Harris, Putnam West
Newcomer of the Year: Justin Jones, Edmond Santa Fe

First team
David Bush, Putnam City
Aaron Anderson, Edmond Santa Fe
Tavionne Pennon, Putnam West
Shaquille Morris, Edmond Santa Fe
Ronnie Boyce, Putnam City

Second team
Omega Harris, Putnam West
J.R. Simon, Putnam North
T.J. Jones, Putnam North
Zach Laurie, Mustang
Tyler Lester, Choctaw

Third team
Justin Jones, Edmond Santa Fe
Kevin House, Putnam West
Ed Baker, Edmond North
Rodney Teal, Putnam North
Orlando Goldsmith, Putnam City

Honorable mention
Choctaw: Carson Clay, Reggie Wright
Edmond North: David Montgomery, Blake Ruben
Mustang: Levi Lum, Robert Shaw
Putnam City: Dexter Dean, Richmarr Smith
Putnam West: Deonte Ogles

As Edmond Santa Fe prepares to open the CLass 6A state tournament Thursday, the Wolves’ Courtney Walker was named the Gatorade Oklahoma Girls Basketball Player of the Year.

Going into Thursday’s state tournament opener against Tulsa Union (2 p.m., Mabee Center), Walker is averaging 17.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.1 steals and 3.6 assists for the 25-0 Wolves.

The Texas A&< signee is currently ranked as the No. 33 recruit in the nation on Hoopgurlz ESPNU 100.

Walker is the first to receive the award from Santa Fe. The award honors not only athletic excellence but character and academic achievement as well. Walker is now a finalist for the Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year award, which will be announced later this month.

Recent state winners included Ashley Clark (Midwest City), Richa Jackson (Midwest City), Kevi Luper (Adair), Alyssia Brewer (Sapulpa), Angel Goodrich (Sequoyah Tahlequah) and Stephanie McGee (Howe, twice).

Sydney Hill, right, and Edmond Memorial qualified for the state tournament by upsetting No. 2 Midwest City. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO

After Saturday’s final area games, the field is set for next week’s Class 6A girls’ basketball state tournament in Tulsa.

Here are the qualifiers:

No. 1 Edmond Santa Fe (23-0): Defending state champions are led by Texas A&M signee Courtney Walker and are the clear favorite.

No. 2 Midwest City (26-1): Bombers lost to Edmond Memorial in area final, but got back on track with win over Putnam City North for state berth.

No. 3 Jenks (21-6): Trojans earn first state tournament berth since 2007.

No. 4 Edmond Memorial (20-5): Bulldogs upset No. 2 Midwest City in area final for state berth. Five losses are twice to Santa Fe, twice to Midwest City and once to 5A No. 1 Shawnee.

No. 5 Sapulpa (19-7): Chieftains are in the state tournament for the first time since 2008.

No. 8 Muskogee (20-6): Roughers bring 11-game win streak into the state tournament.

No. 10 Tulsa Union (16-11): Redskins’ only playoff loss was 2-point setback to No. 5 Sapulpa in regional final. Union topped Bartlesville for state berth.

No. 11 Mustang (17-10): Nikki McCann’s first season as the Broncos’ coach will end in the state tournament. Mustang topped Choctaw on Saturday to earn berth.

Senior guard Kelsee Grovey and Shawnee look poised for a run at the Class 5A state championship. PHOTO BY SARAH PHIPPS, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE

Here is the second edition of my large-school girls’ basketball power poll.

Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail.

1. Edmond Santa Fe (6A, 22-0)
Edmond Santa Fe did nothing to deserve a drop in ranking. The defending 6A champion Wolves’ schedule hasn’t been very tough — their smallest margin of victory this season is 15 — so when they get challenged it will be interesting to see how they respond. But there is no reason to believe Santa Fe would have an off night, and it remains the odds-on favorite to bring home the gold ball again.
Record vs. this poll: 2-0
Last week: No. 1
Next up: Regionals vs. U.S. Grant, Thursday, 8 p.m.

2. Shawnee (5A, 23-0)
The Wolves wrapped up a perfect regular season and are Class 5A’s clear No. 1 team. Big wins this season over Edmond Memorial, Carl Albert and Deer Creek allow Shawnee to edge Midwest City again at No. 2 in this power poll.
Record vs. this poll: 3-0
Last week: No. 2
Next up: Regionals vs. Noble, Thursday, 8 p.m.

3. Midwest City (6A, 23-0)
Midwest City got impressive back-to-back wins over Westmoore and Del City last week. The Bombers are peaking at the right time and are Edmond Santa Fe’s chief competition in Class 6A. No reason at this point to expect anything other than a Santa Fe-Midwest City rematch in the Class 6A tournament championship game.
Record vs. this poll: 3-0
Last week: No. 3
Next up: Regionals vs. Moore, Thursday, 8 p.m.

4. Tulsa East Central (5A, 22-3)
The Cardinals wrapped up their season with an impressive 14-point win at Tulsa Washington. Two of the Cardinals’ losses were to out-of-state teams in a season-opening tourney in Tennessee, and the other came to Jenks on Jan. 20. But East Central has also beaten Jenks this season.
Record vs. this poll: 1-1
Last week: No. 4
Next up: Regionals vs. Tulsa Central, Thursday, 8 p.m.

5. Edmond Memorial (6A, 17-5)
All five of Edmond Memorial’s losses are to teams ranked higher than it in this power poll (Twice to Santa Fe, twice to Midwest City, once to Shawnee). Memorial and Midwest City are lined up for a possible third game in areas.
Record vs. this poll: 1-5
Last week: No. 5
Next up: Regionals vs. Putnam City West, Thursday, 8 p.m.

6. Deer Creek (5A, 20-3)
The Antlers bring a 10-game winning streak into the playoffs. Deer Creek seems to be peaking at the right time and seems poised for a run at state.
Record vs. this poll: 2-1
Last week: No. 7
Next up: Regionals vs. Ardmore, Thursday, 8 p.m.

7. Muskogee (6A, 17-6)
The Roughers’ two-spot jump is the biggest of the week. Muskogee finished the regular season on an eight-game winning streak, including an overtime win over Jenks last week. Muskogee also has wins over Tulsa Union and Bixby, and has beaten Sapulpa twice.
Record vs. this poll: 1-1
Last week: No. 9
Next up: Regionals vs. Westmoore (at Bixby), Thursday, 6:30 p.m.

8. Carl Albert (5A, 18-5)
The Titans had to rally from a halftime deficit to beat Western Heights in their regular-season finale. Carl Albert often goes through shooting dry spells, which cost it in home losses to Deer Creek and Shawnee. The Titans got a break in their playoff position, though, and are still expected to be a state tournament team.
Record vs. this poll: 0-2
Last week: No. 8
Next up: Regionals vs. Capitol Hill, Thursday, 8 p.m.

9. Jenks (6A, 18-5)
The Trojans finished their regular-season with a dud — a 22-point loss at Broken Arrow. Jessica Washington still isn’t 100 percent healthy, and Jenks brings a two-game skid into its playoff opener. Record vs. this poll: 2-3
Last week: No. 6
Next up: Regionals vs. Sand Springs, Thursday, 8 p.m.

10. Bishop McGuinness (5A, 18-5)
The Irish has lost just twice since Dec. 17 and finished the regular season on a seven-game winning streak. The defending 5A champs got off to a rough start this season with several new starters and a new coach, but looks like a strong contender to return to the state tournament.
Record vs. this poll: 0-2
Last week: No. 10
Next up: Regionals vs. Guymon, Thursday, 8 p.m.

Courtney Walker, left, and Edmond Santa Fe are the best girls' basketball team in the state. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

Here is my first girls’ basketball power poll. This one just covers the large schools (6A and 5A). Tomorrow, I’ll have one for 2A-3A-4A.

Agree? Disagree? Leave a comment or shoot me an e-mail.

1. Edmond Santa Fe (6A, 21-0)
No brainer at No. 1. Texas A&M signee Courtney Walker and company are the clear favorites to win their second straight 6A title. The Wolves’ smallest margin of victory is 15. The biggest question mark surrounding this team is its strength of schedule. The Wolves haven’t really been tested this season.
Record vs. this poll: 2-0

2. Shawnee (5A, 21-0)
The Wolves lost Tulsa signee Caitlyn Ramirez to an ACL tear before the season, but it hasn’t seemed to affect them much at all. Move-ins Taylor and McKenzie Cooper obviously helped ease the blow, and guard Kelsee Grovey, another Tulsa signee, has shown herself to be one of the best players in the state.
Record vs. this poll: 3-0

3. Midwest City (6A, 21-0)
Two and three were tough to choose, because I think Midwest City has a terrific team and, I think, is the only team right now in 6A with a legitimate shot at beating Santa Fe. I watched the Bombers and Shawnee scrimmage in the preseason and it was a good matchup. After watching both teams play, I like the Wolves just a little better right now.
Record vs. this poll: 3-0

4. Tulsa East Central (5A, 21-3)
Shawnee’s chief competition in Class 5A. Two of the Cardinals’ losses were to out-of-state teams in a season-opening tourney in Tennessee, and the other came to Jenks on Jan. 20. But East Central has also beaten Jenks this season.
Record vs. this poll: 1-1

5. Edmond Memorial (6A, 16-5)
The Bulldogs five losses are: Twice to Santa Fe, twice to Midwest City and once to Shawnee. Memorial and Midwest City are lined up for a possible third game in areas.
Record vs. this poll: 1-5

6. Jenks (6A, 18-4)
Jessica Washington has returned from an injury but isn’t 100 percent. The Trojans lost in overtime to Muskogee on Tuesday.
Record vs. this poll: 2-3

7. Deer Creek (5A, 19-3)
Since a one-point loss to 4A Piedmont on Jan. 13, the Antlers have reeled off nine straight wins, including a big win at Carl Albert. Deer Creek is peaking at the right time and seems poised for a run at state.
Record vs. this poll: 2-1

8. Carl Albert (5A, 17-5)
The Titans go through rough shooting stretches, which cost them in recent home losses to Deer Creek and Shawnee. CA got a break in their playoff position and should be considered a lock for the state tournament.
Record vs. this poll: 0-2

9. Muskogee (6A, 16-6)
Since losing to Stillwater in the finals of the John Nobles Tournament in Moore on Jan. 21, the Rougers have reeled off seven straight wins, including Tuesday’s overtime upset of Jenks. Muskogee also has impressive wins over Tulsa Union and Bixby, and has beaten Sapulpa twice.
Record vs. this poll: 1-1

10. Bishop McGuinness (5A, 18-5)
Irish got off to a rocky start to the season after losing several starters, and adjusting to a new head coach, Shawn Clark. But the team has been on a roll, losing just twice since Dec. 17. Both of those losses — three points to Cascia Hall and in overtime to PC North — came with top scorer and rebounder Elyse Hight hurt.
Record vs. this poll: 0-2

Kelly Gregg, center, talks to Edmond North football coach Jeremy Dombek, left, after Gregg's jersey was retired Tuesday. PHOTO BY JASON KERSEY, THE OKLAHOMAN

EDMOND — Kelly Gregg was back in his hometown Tuesday night to be honored at a halftime ceremony during Edmond North’s boys’ basketball game.

Gregg’s Jersey No. 71 was retired by the school.

The longtime NFL veteran and former Oklahoma Sooner said he hasn’t officially announced it yet, but will likely retire after spending the 2011-12 season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He spent the vast majority of his career with the Baltimore Ravens.

After Tuesday’s ceremony, he talked about his high school career, his pro career and using his doubters as motivation in a video.

A note about the video: During the ceremony, it was announced that Gregg had the longest NFL career of any former Sooner, and I asked him about it on the video. After doing some research, that isn’t exactly correct. The length of time from when his career began to when it ended is the longest, but he spent a couple years on Baltimore’s practice squad and wasn’t an active-roster player. Tony Casillas played more seasons on an active NFL roster.

Edmond Santa Fe quarterback Justice Hansen is playing basketball after recovering from a groin injury. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN

Edmond Santa Fe quarterback Justice Hansen got his first college football scholarship offer from Missouri at the school’s Junior Day last weekend, but he isn’t planning on making any decisions anytime soon at all.

The Missouri offer is likely the first of dozens Hansen will receive.

As a sophomore and first-year starter in 2011, Hansen was a force through the air and on the ground as the Wolves went 10-2 and were district champions.

“I’ve got two years,” Hansen said. “I want to go through the ride and see what all happens.”

Hansen grew up an Oklahoma fan, and his dad Dusty was on the Sooners’ 1994 national championship baseball team. He said he dreamed of playing football at OU when he was younger, but now OU isn’t a team he is sitting around waiting for.

“OU isn’t really favored at all,” Hansen said. “I want to weigh all the options I get and go where I can excel the most.”

He said he’s received letters from several schools, but hasn’t had more contact than that with any program except Missouri.

MORE ON THE OFFER

Hansen wasn’t expecting anything more than a campus tour when he accepted an invitation to Missouri’s Junior Day.

But Pinkel made Missouri the first school to offer a scholarship to Hansen, who

“It was pretty crazy,” Hansen said. “I just figured I’d go up there and look around; I didn’t expect anything like that.”

Hansen said Pinkel had seen film of some of the Wolves’ games from last season. The sophomore quarterback added that he thinks the Tigers’ recruitment of defensive end Michael Onuoha, who signed with OU, helped him get noticed.

“I think because they had been breaking down film of Mike, they got interested,” he said.

After Pinkel made the offer, he took in the Tigers’ mens’ basketball game win over Baylor and met with current Missouri quarterback James Franklin.

“I talked to him for a while,” Hansen said. “He was a great guy.”

PLAYING THROUGH PAIN

Hansen admitted that he finished last season with a groin injury, and played through it “the last few weeks of the season.”

Weeks would start out painful on Mondays, and the groin would gradually get worked out throughout the week as he practiced.

Then, the process would start over.

“At first, they were thinking it was a hernia,” he said. “It was probably a pretty bad pull or a slight tear.”

Hansen missed the first part of basketball season because of the injury, but is now back at full strength.

“It’s another game you have to compete for,” Hansen said of playing hoops, adding that the constant running in basketball is helping him stay in shape.

He is pretty fired up, though, to return to the gridiron. The Wolves were 1-9 in 2010, but made a drastic turnaround in Hansen’s first year under center.

“That was the funnest football season I’ve ever played in,” he said. “I can’t wait to get back in there, build on that and see what we can do this next year.”

Edmond Santa Fe quarterback Justice Hansen picked up a Missouri offer on Saturday. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

Edmond Santa Fe quarterback Justice Hansen picked up his first college football scholarship offer from Missouri during a visit there Saturday, he said in a text message to The Oklahoman.

Hansen was one of the state’s top sophomores in 2011 and was a key part of Edmond Santa Fe’s turnaround from 1-9 in 2010 to 10-2 this season.

As a sophomore and first-year starter, Hansen threw for 2,558 yards and 25 touchdowns. He also rushed for 529 yards and eight scores.

Hansen’s offer came during Missouri’s Junior Day, which he was invited to even though he is a sophomore.

Hansen is widely considered one of the state’s top prospects for the class of 2014.

Deer Creek's Kooper Ruminer correctly picked the final score of Super Bowl XLVI. PHOTO PROVIDED

Out of 28 high school football players who participated in my Super Bowl XLVI picks challenge, Deer Creek linebacker Kooper Ruminer is the only one who correctly picked the New York Giants’ winning score of 21-17.

The Giants were the underdog in these picks; 16 of the 28 guys who participated picked the New England Patriots to win. Besides Ruminer, those who picked the Giants to win were:

Joel Blumenthal (Deer Creek); Landry Chappell (Guthrie); Casey Curtis (Putnam City); James Flanders (Midwest City); Justice Hansen (Edmond Santa Fe); Ry Huff (Edmond Memorial); Blake Jarwin (Tuttle); Jared McElhany (Blanchard); Tyler Melton (Anadarko); Jesse Vester (Stillwater); Josh Way (Wayne).

A big thanks to everyone who participated. That was fun, and I plan to do it again next year. Although next year, I won’t wait until the night before to contact players! Hopefully in the future we have a lot more pickers.

Ruminer was No. 19 on The Oklahoman‘s first Super 30 for the Class of 2013, which ranks the top 30 college football prospects in the state. He led Deer Creek with 125 tackles and 10 sacks as a junior.

Edmond Memorial's James Woodard had 22 points in a win over Del City on Friday.

Edmond Memorial senior James Woodard knows that as the season goes on, he’s going to be asked to play inside at times, and help to power the team’s rebounding efforts. As one of the tallest players on the team at 6-foot-3, he draws the job almost by default.

His athleticism and long arms help the cause, too. But more than any of those things, it was his pure effort that made the difference on Friday night. He was going to the boards hard on both ends of the floor, and his offensive game was on point, as well.

He and little brother Jordan Woodard put on quite a show, especially in the second half, when they accounted for all but four of the Bulldogs’ points to put Del City away.

Here’s what I wrote about the game for Saturday’s newspaper:

With their team in a tight ballgame against the only team to beat them this year, second-ranked Edmond Memorial’s brother duo of James and Jordan Woodard took control.

The brothers combined for 25 of the Bulldogs’ 29 points in the second half Friday night on the way to a 60-48 win over Class 5A’s No. 1 team, Del City.

“It’s almost tournament time, so coach (Shane Cowherd) preaches to us every day that everybody’s got to elevate our game right now,” said Jordan Woodard, who had 18 points. “We’re just trying to click every game from now on, until the championship game.”

Del City defeated the Bulldogs in December, and Memorial didn’t want to experience that again. James Woodard had 22 points and worked hard going after rebounds.

“When we lost to them, rebounding hurt us,” he said. “We knew we had to play harder than them and hustle harder than them to get rebounds, because that’s how we win.”

Sophomore Brett Cannon led Del City with 15 points.

After the game, Jordan Woodard was scheduled to leave for an unofficial visit at the University of Memphis. The Tigers, along with Oklahoma and San Francisco, have offered the junior a scholarship.

Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger has been out to see Jordan play multiple times, keeping a close eye on one of his prime in-state targets, and Kansas coach Bill Self continues to show strong interest.

Other than the eight-hour car ride in the middle of the night, Jordan was looking forward to the opportunity to check out Memphis, which hosts Xavier on Saturday.

“We’ve been planning this trip for a long time, but the season has been hectic,” he said. “This is the perfect opportunity for me to get out there. It’s gonna feel good going out there after a win. I’m pretty excited.”

Self was in town to see Woodard score 29 points in a win over Edmond Santa Fe two weeks ago. Though Kansas hasn’t offered a scholarship yet, Self told Woodard that he would continue to keep in touch with him, and he wants Woodard to schedule a trip to the campus as well.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

Anadarko running back Sheldon Wilson is part of an impressive Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Class of 2012. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN

Anadarko running back Sheldon Wilson isn’t used to competing for playing time.

After signing Wednesday with Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, he’ll have to put in extra work as he fights for carries with other top backs the Norsemen signed.

“I’m gonna love that,” Wilson said. “I’ve never really had to compete for carries, so getting pushed and competing every day will make me better.”

Putnam City running back Casey Curtis, who rushed for 1,805 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior, signed with NEO on Wednesday, as did Edmond North’s Jared Benway and Broken Bow’s Eric Dockins.

Wilson rushed for 3,335 yards and set state records with 57 rushing and 64 total touchdowns as a senior on Anadarko’s first state championship football team.

After the season, he was named The Oklahoman’s 2011 All-State Offensive Player of the Year.

Dale Patterson first recruiting class in his second stint as NEO’s coach was impressive beyond running backs.

NEO signed three top Oklahoma high school quarterbacks in McAlester’s Tony Kiefer, Owasso’s Kason Key and Mustang’s Brandon Taylor.

Four Edmond North seniors — Benway, tight end Troy Davis and offensive linemen Trevor Barron and Will Wiedenmann — also signed with NEO.

Other city-area prospects who signed with the Norsemen include Midwest City defensive back Ronnie Davis, Oklahoma Christian School kicker Keegan Carter and Kingfisher offensive lineman Hunter Endres.

The amount of talent NEO signed has Wilson thinking title.

“Looking at these guys, we might be able to win a little championship up there,” Wilson said.

Wilson will be joined at NEO by two of his Anadarko teammates, offensive lineman Randy Martinez and linebacker Wes Satoe.

“That’s really cool to go up there with teammates I know,” Wilson said. “I don’t have to go up there and feel like I don’t know anybody.”

Former Edmond Memorial basketball coach and athletic director Mike de la Garza will be honored at halftime of Friday's Mount St. Mary boys basketball game. De la Garza graduated from St. Mary and began his coaching career there. PHOTO BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN

Mount St. Mary will honor Mike de la Garza at halftime of its boys basketball game against Oklahoma Christian School on Friday.

De la Garza, who was inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame last July, is a 1964 Mount St. Mary graduate. He began his coaching career as the Rockets’ boys basketball coach in 1969 before going on to coach at Edmond for more than 20 years.

He led the school to the 1993 state championship, and was Edmond Memorial’s athletic director when it took home its next boys basketball state title in 2011. He retired in May.

St. Mary will host a reception at 7 p.m. in the school’s Mollman Fitness Center for all of de la Garza’s former Rockets players and classmates.

“A couple people were looking at me like I had something on my face,” the Edmond Santa Fe senior said. “I was like, ‘Why are they staring at me?’”

Finally, one Missouri player spoke up.

“Hey dude, you look like Aldon Smith,” the player said.

Onuoha wasn’t exactly sure who Smith was, but looked him up. After deciding he looks nothing like him — “I think I look like Michael, not Aldon Smith” — he realized what they were talking about.

Smith came to Missouri in 2008 raw, fairly thin and with long arms after getting a late start in his high school football career because basketball was his first love. Just like Onuoha.

In 2011, as a rookie for the San Francisco 49ers, Smith recorded 37 tackles, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and 14 sacks

Onuoha (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) visited Oklahoma this weekend, and said he is “50-50″ on which offer he will sign on Wednesday’s National Signing Day.

“I’m from Oklahoma,” Onuoha said. “Everybody that i met down there said it’s a great place, and said I should stay in Oklahoma because I’m an Oklahoman.”

Onuoha burst onto the recruiting scene after a strong performance at Oklahoma’s summer camp. He didn’t play much his junior year because of an injury.

As a senior, Onuoha recorded 87 tackles and six sacks.

He got his first offer in early December from Missouri, then the Sooners offered just after the new year.

Missouri and Oklahoma each have two current defensive ends commitments in their classes of 2012

Edmond North's Jared Benway has committed to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

The number of Oklahoma high school football standouts committing to begin their college football careers at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M continues to grow.

Edmond North running back Jared Benway and tight end Troy Davis both committed to the Miami, OK, junior college on Saturday.

Benway, who lost his entire junior season to a torn ACL, shared the backfield with speedster Jarion Tudman as a senior. Much of his role was a blocking one, but he also rushed for 574 yards and six touchdowns.

Davis caught 31 passes for 374 yards and four touchdowns as a senior. Edmond North finished the season 9-3 with a tough, 17-16 loss in the Class 6A quarterfinals to eventual state champion Tulsa Union.

Edmond North's Troy Davis will also start his college career at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.

Benway and Davis’ commitments come after news that Anadarko running back Sheldon Wilson, The Oklahoman‘s 2011 Offensive Player of the Year, and Putnam City running back Casey Curtis were also both committing to NEO.

Oklahoma Christian School kicker Keegan Carter is also starting his college career at the junior college.

The 24 boys and girls selected to participate in the All-American Game will be announced at 4 p.m. Feb. 9 on ESPNU. This year’s games will be held March 28 in Chicago, with the girls game tipping off at 6 p.m., followed by the boys at 8:30.

Only Texas and Iowa had more nominations on the girls side than Oklahoma’s 26.

Boys
Nino Jackson, Ardmore
Terrell Savala, Edmond Memorial
Austin Thrash, Cheyenne
James Woodard, Edmond Memorial

Girls
Kate Andrews, McGuinness
Kelsey Barnwell, Kansas
Ashley Clark, Midwest City
Taylor Cooper, Shawnee
Courtney Cowan, Kansas
Alie Decker, Edmond Memorial
Quira Demery, Millwood
I’Knique Gaines, Tulsa East Central
Mariah Gilliam, Tulsa Washington
Daisha Gonzaque, Edmond Santa Fe
LaShanda Green, McAlester
Kelsey Grovey, Shawnee
Elyse Hight, McGuinness
Sydney Hill, Edmond Memorial
Shelley Knight, Wayne
Deena Manning, Wayne
Madison Mercado, Sapulpa
LaNesha Middleton, Stillwater
Bria Pitts, Tulsa East Central
Caitlyn Ramirez, Shawnee
Toni Smith, Del City
Caitlyn Spurgeon, Vinita
Jordynn VanPelt, Snyder
Courtney Walker, Edmond Santa Fe
Antoinet Webster, Western Heights
Adriana White, Midwest City

Carl Albert's Gioya Carter shoots over Harrah's Sydney Hessman during the Titans' win Tuesday. PHOTO BY SARAH PHIPPS, THE OKLAHOMAN

Bishop McGuinness was dealt a tough blow Monday in practice.

Senior Elyse Hight, the Irish’s top scorer and rebounder, suffered a hip injury that will keep her sidelined for the indefinite future.

The defending state champion Irish, ranked No. 5 in Class 5A, won its fifth straight game 43-36 over Stillwater on Tuesday.

Senior Kate Andrews, who led McGuinness with 16 points, said the team played for Hight.

“I think anytime you’re challenged with adversity, you have to come out and show you can play with just as much passion,” Andrews said. “We played in honor of her tonight. We really used this challenge to us to pick each other up and grow together.”

Andrews said replacing Hight is much more than making up for her points and rebounds.

“So many people just see the tons of boards and tons of points she puts up, but it was the little things,” Andrews said. “The blocks, steals, energy and leadership were missed.

“But where we lacked with her absence, everyone else really picked it up.”

Junior LaNesha Middleton led Stillwater with 17 points.

Jason’s take: I can’t emphasize enough how important it was for Bishop McGuinness to get this win in its first game without Elyse Hight. The Irish had just gotten a lot of their early-season kinks worked out, and losing a player of her caliber might have caused some teams to crumble. But the Irish got going quickly, shooting the ball well on its way to an 18-point first quarter and, ultimately, a fifth straight win. With Hight out for the foreseeable future,  it’s encouraging for Irish fans to see the team performing well and beating a solid Stillwater team without her.

CARL ALBERT WINS AT HARRAH

Junior Gioya Carter scored 16 points and Class 5A No. 4 Carl Albert won at Harrah 49-35 on Tuesday.

The Titans (7-3) jumped out to a 22-8 lead after the first quarter and led 28-16 at halftime.

Junior Bailey Mack led Harrah (6-5) with 15 points. It was Harrah’s third straight loss.

Carl Albert plays next at Chickasha on Friday, while Harrah travels to Noble the same day.

Jason’s take: It was important for Carl Albert to win this one on the road after losing two of three games in the Westmoore tournament last weekend. For Harrah, it’s a third straight loss after a three-game winning streak. They should pick up a win over Noble, but then Class 5A No. 1 Shawnee looms on Jan. 17.

MASSEY SCORES 33 AS CHRISTIAN HERITAGE TOPS JONES

Junior Maclayn Massey scored 33 points as Christian Heritage held off Jones to win 66-65 at home on Tuesday.

Christian Heritage took a big lead after outscoring Jones 25-11 in the second quarter. But the Longhorns rallied, scoring 40 second-half points, including 24 in the fourth quarter.

Sophomore Teddi Homan led the Longhorns with 22 points.

Jason’s take: An impressive performance by Massey, who was the Crusaders’ only returning starter from last year. Maybe the young Christian Heritage team is starting to gain some momentum with experience, and a win like this can only help the team going forward.

EDWARDS LEADS NORTHEAST PAST MILLWOOD

A run that started late in the third quarter gave Northeast enough cushion to hold off host Millwood 53-41.

Northeast’s T’ona Edwards sparked the run, scoring seven of her game-high 20 points in the third as the Vikings stretched a six-point advantage into a comfortable 20-point lead early in the fourth.

“(On Monday), we had practice without a basketball,” first-year Northeast coach Londaryl Perry said. “We had to have a reminder of who was in charge. I think it really brought us back together as a team instead of a bunch of individuals. I think that showed in how we played tonight.”

Shayla Williams scored 14 points and LaNesha Williams added 10 for Northeast. Millwood was led by Quira Demery with 14 points.

Jason’s take: Big thanks to Scott Wright for coverage of this game. Northeast got back on the right track after losing to Holland Hall in the finals of the Stroud Tournament. The Vikings are looking like they could be an awfully special team; their only other loss this year was a seven-point setback to Class 6A power Midwest City. Millwood lost its second straight after falling in the SNU/Bethany Classic finals to Norman North. The Falcons are still playing without junior starting guards Teanna Reid and Daneisha Threatt, who both have been injured all season.

TIP-INS

Senior Courtney Walker, a Texas A&M signee, scored 22 points and Class 6A No. 1 Edmond Santa Fe rolled past Putnam City West 83-30 at home. Santa Fe (12-0) plays at Yukon on Friday. … Class 5A’s top-ranked team, Shawnee, improved to 11-0 with a 55-24 home win over El Reno. Junior Micaela Yu led the Wolves with 18 points, and senior forward Taylor Cooper, an Oral Roberts signee, added 12. … Junior Kaitlyn Peterson scored 18 points and Edmond North (2-7) upset 6A No. 11 Putnam City North 40-37 on Tuesday. It was the Panthers third straight loss. … Senior Kenzie Solberg led Chandler with 28 points as it won 52-47 in overtime at Seminole.

The awards honor 21 coaches in 10 boys sports, 10 girls sports and one other sport that isn’t included in those categories. Doherty won for boys golf while Villaflor won for girls tennis.

Coaches are awarded state and sectional (Oklahoma is in a group with Texas, Arkansas, Colorado and New Mexico) awards before reaching the national level. The NFHS Coaches Association advisory board, consisting of a chair and eight sectional representatives chooses the sectional and national winners.

106: Markus Simmons (Broken Arrow) defeated Blake Dauphin (Tuttle)
113: Gunnar Woodburn (Claremore) defeated Ladigo Williams (Rio Rancho, New Mexico)
120: Jake Goodwin (Bishop Lynch, Texas) defeated Gunner Laffoon (Tuttle)
126: Kyle Garcia (Choctaw) defeated Colby Powers (Lawton Mac)
132: Brian Crutchmer (Tulsa Union) defeated Clay Archer (Broken Arrow)
138: Chase Ferman (Broken Arrow) defeated Dakota Head (Tuttle)
145: Tanner Bailey (Broken Arrow) defeated Daniel Carrillo (Rio Rancho, NM)
152: Keilan Torres (Altus) defeated Kyle Ash (Tulsa Union)
160: Ricky McCarty (Lawton Mac) defeated Donaven Roberts (Randall, Texas)
170: Zachary Beard (Tuttle) defeated Drake Martel (Altus)
182: Kyle Crutchmer (Tulsa Union) defeated Joel Dixon (Edmond North)
195: Andrew Dixon (Edmond North) defeated Seth Calvert (Broken Arrow)
220: John Finn (Westmoore) defeated Josh McNaughton (Del City)
285: Kyle Factor (Westmoore) defeated Jose Chavez Del Real (Mustang)

Edmond Santa Fe sophomore quarterback Justice Hansen is the 2011 All-Edmond Offensive Player of the Year. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

EDMOND — I have planned on putting together an All-Edmond football team for some time, but, for a variety of reasons, am just now getting to publishing it on the blog.

This was an extremely difficult team to put together because so many teams in Edmond had such terrific seasons. Edmond Santa Fe is obviously the team that stole most of the headlines because of its amazing turnaround from 1-9 to 10-2 and District 6A-2 champion, but Edmond North made a quarterfinal run and almost knocked off eventual state champion Tulsa Union at its place.

Deer Creek put up impressive offensive numbers and had some defensive standouts as well. Oklahoma Christian School is also well represented on this team.

And even though Edmond Memorial had a down year and missed the playoffs, the Bulldogs still had players like linebacker Matt Hickman and lineman John Scheihing that deserved recognition.

I apologize for this coming out so much later than the rest of our football postseason stuff. But here it is:

All-Edmond team
Offense
QB — Justice Hansen, Edmond Santa Fe
RB — Brennan Miyake, Deer Creek
RB — Jarion Tudman, Edmond North
WR — Hunter Dinkines, Deer Creek
WR — Tre Kelley, Edmond Santa Fe
TE — Troy Davis, Edmond North
OL — Nick Lovelace, Oklahoma Christian School
OL — Heath Newland, Edmond North
OL — Cole Parsons, Edmond North
OL — Chad Reitz, Edmond Santa Fe
OL — John Scheihing, Edmond Memorial

Defense
DL — Nolan Boyd, Deer Creek
DL — Josh Crouch, Edmond Santa Fe
DL — Michael Onuoha, Edmond Santa Fe
LB — Matt Hickman, Edmond Memorial
LB — Clyde Jasper, Oklahoma Christian School
LB — Brynden Pitzer, Edmond North
LB — Kooper Ruminer, Deer Creek
DB — Conner Bays, Edmond Santa Fe
DB — Christian Contreras, Edmond North
DB — Khari Harding, Edmond Santa Fe
DB — Logan Magill, Oklahoma Christian School

Special teams
K — Keegan Carter, Oklahoma Christian School
P — Camden Bohnert, Edmond North
KR — Trevan Smith, Edmond Santa Fe

Offensive Player of the Year: Justice Hansen, Edmond Santa Fe
Defensive Player of the Year: Brynden Pitzer, Edmond North
Coach of the Year: Lance Manning, Edmond Santa Fe

Second team
Offense
QB — Joel Blumenthal, Deer Creek
RB — Zak Anderson, Oklahoma Christian School
RB — Jared Benway, Edmond North
RB — Phillip Sumpter, Edmond Santa Fe
WR — Dale Jefferson, Edmond Santa Fe
WR — Garrett Molinsky, Edmond North
OL — Allston Hadley, Edmond Santa Fe
OL — Taylor Myers, Oklahoma Christian School
OL — Brandon Roberts, Edmond Santa Fe
OL — Will Wiedenmann, Edmond North
OL — Mac Wilsey, Edmond Memorial

Defense
DL — Chris Carter, Edmond Santa Fe
DL — Clint Edgeman, Deer Creek
DL — Russell Sivard, Edmond North
DL — Ian Smith, Deer Creek
LB — Ragan Land, Edmond North
LB — Austin Loomis, Deer Creek
LB — Jerremy Moore, Edmond Santa Fe
DB — Zach Birts, Edmond Santa Fe
DB — Luke Frankfort, Oklahoma Christian School
DB — Christian Peterson, Edmond North
DB — Caden Sander, Deer Creek

Special teams
K — Ken Bingham, Edmond North
P — Matt Freeman, Edmond Santa Fe
KR — Ottugo Ananaba, Deer Creek

EAST
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Andrew Hearon, Metro Christian
Tony Kiefer, McAlester

Running backs
Dakota Biswell, Stroud
Caleb Muncrief, Madill
Cole Scheulen, Catoosa
Willie Zackery, Woodland

Wide receivers
Levi Copelin, Broken Arrow
Michael Fraley, Adair
Ty Miller, Caddo
Victor Williams, Muskogee

Tight ends
Matt Gallagher, Owasso
Zac Veatch, Broken Arrow

Linemen
John Connor, Tulsa Kelley
Jeremy Iron, Pawhuska
Lance Kloker, Owasso
Talon Miles-Satepauhoodle, Hominy
Montana Poorboy, Catoosa
Sam Sabin, Jenks
Chris Wallace, Sperry

Punter/kicker
Tom Carwile, Tulsa Washington

DEFENSE
Linemen
Hunter Hart, Cascia Hall
Orion Jones, Jenks
Gcory Rahmings, Broken Bow
Travis Sandlin, Vian
Max Simmons, Lincoln Christian
Gary Wilson, Sand Springs

Linebackers
Patrick Bartlett, Woodland
Jevonte Cross, Tulsa East Central
Aaron Dolan, Berryhill
Connor Sherwood, Cascia Hall
Blace Walser, Tulsa Union

Defensive backs
Kent Booze, Spiro
Adam Boyd, McAlester
Kevin Peterson, Wagoner
Dillon Proctor, Caddo
Jermy Reynolds, Wewoka
Jesse Vester, Stillwater

Coaches
Mike Mobra, Catoosa; Eddy Scott, Pawhuska; Kevin Harmon, McAlester; Darren Melton, Lincoln Christian.

WEST
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Corben Jones, Yukon
Garrett Lorah, Elgin

Running backs
Casey Curtis, Putnam City
James Flanders, Midwest City
Josh Way, Wayne
Sheldon Wilson, Anadarko

Wide receivers
Gage Diffee, Bethany
Javis Flynn, Watonga
Tre Kelley, Edmond Santa Fe
Tylor Seabolt, Jones
Sterling Shepard, Heritage Hall

Linemen
Blake Belcher, Guthrie
Daniel Burton, Putnam North
Brandon Dewitt, Lawton
Devin Dobbins, Millwood
Carrie Farmer, Minco
Adam Kelley, Wynnewood
Cole Parsons, Edmond North

DEFENSE
Linemen
Josh Crouch, Edmond Santa Fe
Patrick Diaz, Lawton
Kyle Factor, Westmoore
Markus Wakefield, Heritage Hall
Braylon Freeman, Lawton MacArthur
Ricky Rodriguez, Clinton

Linebackers
Landry Chappell, Guthrie
Zeke Lewis, Midwest City
Payton Marsh, Thomas
Brandon Nguyen, McGuinness
Wes Satoe, Anadarko
Jas’Sen Stoner, Douglass

Defensive backs
Rashaad Copeland, El Reno
Jared Griffin, Duncan
Rico Hogan, Norman
Aaron Holden, Temple
Aaron McCandless, Shattuck
Ivan Moreno, Hennessey
Michael Thomas, Lawton MacArthur

Coaches
Bob Ward, Thomas; Curtis Lorah, Elgin; Tracy Scott, Blanchard; Jeremy Dombek, Edmond North.

Del City's Jamal Moseley blocks the shot of Edmond Memorial's Jordan Thomas Tuesday night. Del City won the battle of No. 1s, 67-62.

Basketball season has started in a big way around the metro area and I got the chance to take in a No. 1 vs. No. 1 showdown at Del City, with Class 5A’s top team hosting 6A’s best, Edmond Memorial.

Here’s my roundup of some of Tuesday night’s top action, which will appear in Wednesday’s paper — along with some added analysis:

Del City takes down Edmond Memorial

The score hung on every wall of the Del City boys basketball locker room nearly all of last season — 69-29.

That’s how bad Edmond Memorial beat the Eagles on Dec. 14 of last year, and the score was posted as a reminder of how much better Del City needed to get.

Now, it can be viewed as a reference of how far the Eagles have come. Ranked No. 1 in Class 5A, Del City defeated Class 6A No. 1 Edmond Memorial 67-62 Tuesday night at John Smith Fieldhouse.

“We’ve matured,” senior guard A.J. Holland said. “We’re ready to play. We’re ready to go get a ring.”

Holland and Steffon Herd had 15 points apiece to lead the Eagles (6-0) to an important early season victory. Keith Glover scored 12 and Brett Cannon added 10 for Del City.

“Confidence-wise this is huge,” coach Tim Stogsdill said. “The kids believed they could do it, but until they saw that score — they see that the sky’s the limit as long as we come back from this, and stay focused and keep working.”

Memorial’s Jordan Woodard led all scorers with 21 points and James Woodard added 18 for the Bulldogs (6-1), who were coming off a championship at the Edmond Open on Saturday.

Scott’s thoughts: These two teams are No. 1 in their classes for a reason, and they’re going to be around until the end. Guard play is HUUUUGE in March, and they both have plenty. Very few times during the season will either of these teams face an opponent that has guards who are as good as theirs, but both faced that situation Tuesday night.

Del City won Tuesday’s battle, and if you like good guard play, I suggest taking in the rematch at Edmond Memorial Feb. 3.

With two-time defending 5A champion Tulsa Washington now in 6A, Del City is looking like the early favorite for the gold ball. They’re playing with a different level of confidence than they had last year — they expect to win games the way they did Tuesday night. That will pay off down the line.

Edmond Memorial was probably dealing with something of a hangover from a hard-fought championship at the Edmond Open over the weekend, and I don’t think this loss is a sign the Bulldogs are going to underachieve this season. They’re as good as advertised. But on this night, Del City was better.  

Santa Fe holds off winless Choctaw

Edmond Santa Fe’s coach Shawn Schenk wasn’t pleased with his team’s effort Tuesday, but he’ll take the win.

The No. 3 Wolves beat winless Choctaw 55-42, but it took a big fourth-quarter effort to move past the pesky Yellowjackets, who led at halftime and only trailed by three after the third quarter.

“It was a good win,” Schenk said. “But not a great effort on our part.

“I hope we learn from this, because we aren’t good enough to play half way.”

Choctaw, meanwhile, still seeks its first win. Senior forward Carson Clay rolled his ankle in the fourth quarter. It was a big loss for Choctaw, which was trying to hold off the Wolves’ tough interior attack.

Santa Fe junior forward Shaquille Morris finished with 13 points.

Coach Doug Armstrong said that wasn’t why his team lost.

“We were playing well, but we just couldn’t come up with some loose balls late in the game,” Armstrong said. “We’re still young and inexperienced, but that isn’t an excuse anymore.”

Scott’s thoughts: Thanks to Jason Kersey for the coverage of this one. As Doug Armstrong said, the ‘Jackets are young, but they’ve got some talent. It might not click this year, but they will continue to improve.

As for Santa Fe, you get the feeling that ugly wins like this are going to be their specialty. They’ve had a few this year so far, and their team makeup lends to that. Good size all over the floor and a lot of good defenders. They will miss Josh Richardson’s pure scoring ability at all levels.

Shaq Morris is a blossoming star inside with solid post moves and good rebounding ability as a 6-foot-7 junior who is already drawing major college attention. And the Wolves have guards with a variety of skills. So they might not be blowing people out every night, but they’re always going to be in games, and they have the crunch-time experience to come out on top a lot.

PC North opens new gym with win

The newly remodeled gym at Putnam City North got quite a christening. Not only were Oklahoma football players Tony Jefferson, Kenny Stills and a few others on hand for the opener, the Panthers won, too.

PC North defeated Mustang 64-54 behind 15 points from Alex Clark on five 3-pointers. Joe Summers added 14 points and Rodney Teal had 10. Up next for the Panthers is a visit to No. 6 Putnam City West on Friday.

Scott’s thoughts: Can’t wait to see all the new gyms around the metro at PC North, Yukon and Westmoore. Based on Twitter talk, OU’s Cali Trio — actually I think they’re calling themselves the California Hot Boys now — enjoyed themselves in the Zoo with the PC North students. And they got to see Alex Clark heat it up. Coach Rick Harris says Clark is playing with a lot of confidence lately.

The coaches’ rankings have PC North at No. 15, and I think they’re better than that. Not sure if they can go win at PC West or not, but the Panthers are at worst a borderline top 10 team.

Mustang is replacing last year’s senior class that played a huge role in building that program under Alan Green, especially David Glidden, who was a four-year starter at point guard. The team has some talent, but not a lot of experience, so look for improvement from the Broncos as the season goes along.

Tip-ins

Behind 25 points from Stephen Clark, Douglass topped Centennial 73-59 in a battle of defending state champions… Guthrie got a put-back from Bailey Nichols — his only basket of the night — at the buzzer to defeat El Reno 43-41… Moore outscored Norman 23-9 in the fourth quarter for a 55-44 win… U.S. Grant’s Anthony Hartfield scored 27 points in a 63-38 win over the homeschool OKC Knights.

Scott’s thoughts: I spoke with a national recruiting analyst about Clark on Tuesday afternoon, and I’ll be sharing some of that conversation in a few days. But get ready for a lot of nights like this from Clark, now that he’s the only experienced scoring option on the floor. His speed, ball-handling and ridiculous range make him one of the top prospects in the country for 2013. Go check him out if you haven’t seen him yet.

That Guthrie win is just the base line of what to expect from many of the Suburban Conference games this year. There’s not a ton of separation in a lot of those teams, so there will be plenty of battles to come.

Big win for Moore, which is trying to build its program back up. I really think Norman will be a top-10 team at the end of the year, so this win could be a sign of good things for Moore.

Hartfield’s numbers aren’t a fluke. This kid is a legitimate Division I prospect, and an interesting story. He moved from Minnesota in the middle of last season, and he’s been putting up big numbers for the Generals ever since. He averaged nearly 25 a game last year, and he’s on the way to more of the same so far this season.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

Tulsa Union won the title even with a loss to Owasso. Broken Arrow’s only two losses were to Tulsa Union while Jenks’ losses were to Broken Arrow and Union (twice). Owasso had the most impressive wins of the year (Tulsa Union and in quadruple overtime vs. Midwest City) but lost to Broken Arrow (twice), Jenks and Stillwater. Midwest City’s only loss came to Owasso in the second round. The Bombers beat Edmond Santa Fe, whose only other loss was to Jenks in the playoffs.

District 6A-1 All-District
Awards
Coach of the Year: Steve Huff, Midwest City
Most Valuable Player: James Flanders, Midwest City
Co-Offensive Player of the Year: Corben Jones, Yukon
Co-Offensive Player of the Year: Adrian McDonald, Lawton Eisenhower
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Daniel Burton, Putnam North
Running Back of the Year: Dre Holman, Putnam North
Wide Receiver of the Year: Tae Douglas, Lawton Eisenhower
Defensive Player of the Year: Zeke Lewis, Midwest City
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Tyrone Beverly, Lawton Eisenhower
Linebacker of the Year: Taylor Lewis, Moore
Defensive Back of the Year: Derek Deeds, Yukon

All-District team
Choctaw: Luke Cotton, LB; Marcese Dickson, LB; Zac Reynolds, OL; Jared Nelson, OL; Jay Styers, WR.

Edmond Memorial: Matt Hickman, LB; Gavin Fouts, RB; Jon Scheihing, OL; Ry Huff, QB; Mac Wilsey, OL; Bryce Robinson, DB.

Lawton Eisenhower: Kacey Totte, LB; Kevin McClain, DB; Nick Shegog, DB; Grayden Gatlin, OL; Devante Baker, LB; Dee Simmons, DB; Dajon Reed, DL.

Midwest City: Ricky Reevs, DB; Zeke Lewis, LB; Ronnie Davis, DB; Austin Roberson, LB; James Flanders, RB; C.J. Smith, DL; Dakota Moran, OL; Chris Shannon, DL; Michael Wisby, WR; Devin Crisp, OL; Deonn McKay, LB; Antonio Martin, DB.

Moore: Brandon Eddins, LB; Grant Linstead, WR; Taylor Lewis, LB; Joe Haddox, LB; Jamal Carter, DL; Corey Reeves, QB; Dakota Gilbert, OL.

Norman North: Riley Nolan, C; Joe Toney, OL; Brad Birchfield, WR.

Putnam North: Daniel Burton, OL; Dre Holman, RB; Bray Humphreys, DL; Gaige Webster, WR; Vidale Grant, DB; Leigh Comfort, OL; J’mon Ratliff, OL.

Yukon: Corben Jones, QB; Derek Deeds, DB; Austin Bevill, WR; Tyrell Barker, DL; Lantz Parks, C; Sheldon Kearby, DL; Hunter Meyn, DB; Tyler Bush, OL; Will Paddock, OL; Zach Hazebaker, OL; Jansen Jarrett, LB.

No rankings in the paper this week but I do a final ranking after the season ends. But I’ll update my top 10 in each class on the blog beginning with 6A:

Class 6A
1. Broken Arrow (2)#11-1
2. Tulsa Union (3)#11-1
3. Jenks (5)#10-2
4. Owasso (7)#9-3
5. Midwest City (1)#11-1
6. Edmond Santa Fe (4)#10-2
7. Lawton (6)#9-3
8. Edmond North (8)#9-3
9. Stillwater (9)#8-3
10. Westmoore (10)#7-4

Last week:
Ryan: 8-2, 1-0
Jason: 8-2, 1-0
Scott: 6-4, 1-0

Overall:
Ryan: 80-31, 10-1
Jason: 77, 32, 8-3
Scott: 73-36, 9-2

Ryan
Jenks 28, Edmond Santa Fe 21
Midwest City 21, Owasso 17
Guthrie 34, Tulsa East Central 30
Lawton MacArthur 35, Tulsa Kelley 28
Sallisaw 28, McGuinness 26
Anadarko 35, Kingfisher 20
Seminole 28, Verdigris 7
Davis 26, Millwood 20
Woodland 21, Wynnewood 19
Timberlake 35, Temple 32
Lock of the week: Lawton MacArthur over Tulsa Kelley. Kelley’s defense is good but they haven’t faced an offense near as potent as Lawton MacArthur yet this season. Darius Graham and company pass the test to advance to the semifinals yet again.

Jason
Edmond Santa Fe 31, Jenks 23
Midwest City 31, Owasso 28
Guthrie 27, Tulsa East Central 17
Lawton MacArthur 38, Tulsa Kelley 24
McGuinness 28, Sallisaw 27
Anadarko 28, Kingfisher 21
Seminole 37, Verdigris 24
Davis 24, Millwood 14
Woodland 38, Wynnewood 34
Temple 35, Timberlake 31
Lock of the week: Anadarko over Kingfisher. This will be Anadarko’s first real test of the season, and I think they pass it. Sheldon Wilson won’t be able to run wild like he has all year, but he’ll still be too much for the Yellowjackets.

Scott
Edmond Santa Fe 28, Jenks 24
Midwest City 37, Owasso 31
Guthrie 28, Tulsa East Central 21
Lawton MacArthur 35, Tulsa Kelley 21
McGuinness 17, Sallisaw 14
Kingfisher 24, Anadarko 21
Seminole 30, Verdigris 20
Davis 31, Millwood 28
Woodland 28, Wynnewood 22
Timberlake 38, Temple 34
Lock of the week: Midwest City over Owasso. The Bombers are on a crash course with the title game, and their secondary is better than any Owasso has seen this year.

Tuesday, at least two more Class 6A games were pushed up 30 minutes: Westmoore at Midwest City and Lawton Eisenhower at Edmond Santa Fe.

This isn’t a surprise as most 6A games on this side of the state start at 7 p.m. during the regular season.

Here are some of the players who are expected to sign this week:
BASEBALL
Blake Estep, Jones (Penn St.)
Isaac Hellbusch, Deer Creek (Arkansas)
Taylor Hawkins, Carl Albert (OU)
Ty Hensley, Edmond Santa Fe (Ole Miss)
Chase Stephens, Deer Creek (UCO)
Jordan Watson, Edmond Santa Fe (OSU)

BOYS BASKETBALL
Aaron Anderson, Edmond Santa Fe (Fresno St.)
Blake Blanchard, Deer Creek (Southwestern)
Matt Christiansen, McGuinness (San Francisco)
Joe Edmonds, McGuinness (San Francisco)
James Woodard, Edmond Memorial (Tulsa)
D’Andre Wright, Lawton Eisenhower (Tulsa)

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Kelsey Barnwell, Kansas (Missouri-Kansas City)
Ashley Clark, Midwest City (Tulsa)
Courtney Cowan, Kansas (Northeastern St.)
Ali Decker, Edmond Memorial (Wichita St.)
Toni Smith, Del City (Fresno St.)
Courtney Walker, Edmond Santa Fe (Texas A&M)

GOLF
Taylor Moore, Edmond Memorial (Arkansas)
Abby Thompson, Deer Creek (OCU)

GYMNASTICS
Keara Glover, Putnam North (Auburn)

SOFTBALL
Liz Broyles, Blanchard (Missouri-Kansas City)
Braxton Coil, Edmond North (Missouri St.)
Shalee Cordell, Newcastle (OBU)
Kaylin Hinshaw, Putnam North (Mid-America)
Leslie Miller, Blanchard (OU)
Kady Self, Edmond North (OU)
Caitlin Sill, Tuttle (Tulsa)
Bryana Wade, St. Mary (North Texas)
Brooke Zukerman, Lawton MacArthur (UCO)

TENNIS
Sarah Bowen, Heritage Hall (Hofstra)

VOLLEYBALL
Emily Belz, OCS (Henderson St.)
Sydney Fioretti, Edmond Santa Fe (OBU)
Hannah Holkum, Edmond Santa Fe (North Carolina St.)
Barbara Jackson, Edmond Santa Fe (OCU)

WRESTLING
Matt Manley, Perry (Missouri)

Edmond Santa Fe defensive end Michael Onuoha (81) takes a break from running sprints with teammates at practice on Monday.

EDMOND — I visited Edmond Santa Fe’s practice today, where the Wolves are prepping for a first-round showdown with Lawton Eisenhower at Wantland Stadium on Friday.

Edmond Santa Fe won District 6A-2, and Lawton Eisenhower finished fourth in 6A-1.

Although Eisenhower (4-6, 3-4 in District 6A-1) has struggled this season, coach Lance Manning said they are athletic and dangerous.

Quarterback Adrian McDonald, who has some NCAA Division I offers, is dangerous as a runner and a passer.

“They’re athetic; they run that gun option,” Manning said. “They’re scary. You’ve gotta be in position defensively or they will big-play you.”

Eisenhower is the first option team that Santa Fe has faced this year since Week 1, when the Wolves bested rival Edmond Memorial. But Eisenhower’s style of option is different; they run a veer option offense.

“It’s just a different thing to prepare for,” Manning said.

For his part, senior defensive end Michael Onuoha doesn’t seem too concerned.

“We’ve come across a lot of athletes, and we’ve been able to stop them,” Onuoha said.

It’s true. The Wolves’ schedule featured lots of fast, athletic teams like Putnam City, Edmond North and Lawton.

And Santa Fe (9-1, 7-0) is pretty athletic itself. The Wolves’ only loss this season is in nondistrict play to No. 1 Midwest City.

Sophomore quarterback Justice Hansen has been a dual threat, and with receivers Tre Kelley and Trevan Smith and running back Phillip Sumpter, the Wolves’ offense has been dynamic.

“It’s a good matchup,” Manning said. “It’s what makes the high school playoffs so special.”

NOT LOOKING PAST EISENHOWER

The Wolves insisted that they are focused on Lawton Eisenhower and aren’t looking past it to a potential second-round game against Jenks.

“I’m sure some people might have (Jenks) in the back of their minds,” Hansen said. “But the players that are focused are going to keep everyone focused.

“It’s the playoffs. You can’t overlook anybody because if you do, you get beat and you’re done.”

Large East
Sadie Schaffner, Bartlesville
Inky Ajanaku, Tulsa Kelley
Cat Roth, Tulsa Kelley
Sydney Eggers, Bixby
Cailyn Burd, Owasso
Aubrey Marsellis, Owasso
Alexa Knox, Tulsa Union
Kylie Johnson, Tulsa Union

Large West
Maddie Reddick, McGuinness
Skylar Conner, Edmond Memorial
Kristen Nashert, Edmond North
Heather Watson, Edmond North
Hannah Holkum, Edmond Santa Fe
Barbara Jackson, Edmond Santa Fe
Lexie Matthews, Norman North
Tori Thomas, Norman North

Small East
Kara Gleason, Lincoln Christian
Evette Allen, Lincoln Christian
Sunny Smarty, Oklahoma Union
Hayley Bryan, Copan
Aryn Dixon, Cascia Hall
Allie Murphy, Cascia Hall
Carolina Arnould, Victory Christian
Mayci Sparkman, Shawnee
Hannah McKenzie, Tulsa Wahsington
Morgan Allison, Catoosa

Small West
Dawnshate Blakes, Chickasha
Taylor Crismas, Oklahoma Bible
Bree Fritschow, Duncan
Danielle McGill, Big Pasture
Sydney Miles, Heritage Hall
Jessica Penner, Corn Bible
Jenny Pratt, Christian Heritage
Lindsey Smith, Big Pasture
Talie Stanley, Cache
Madison Ward, Cache

Edmond Santa Fe's Tre Kelley runs after a catch during his team's 31-21 win over Edmond North on Friday. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

EDMOND — Admitting that I was wrong after an Edlam game that Edmond Santa Fe won. This seems familiar.

The craziest part is that, unknowingly, I predicted Santa Fe to lose both games by the same score (21-17).

In any case, the Wolves beat Edmond North 31-21 on Friday at Wantland Stadium to clinch the District 6A-2 championship, just one year after a 1-9 season.

The game really seemed to swing in Santa Fe’s favor after a few critical errors in the second and third quarters.

With the game tied at 3 late in the first half, Edmond North blocked a Santa Fe punt and had the ball on the Wolves’ 26-yard line. But after three plays, North faced a fourth-and-one on Santa Fe’s 17.

Huskies’ quarterback Jesse Mathews tried to sneak for the first down, but didn’t get it.

On the Wolves’ first play after taking over possession, quarterback Justice Hansen found Tre Kelley for an 82-yard gain. On the next play, Phillip Sumpter ran in a two-yard score to send the Wolves into halftime with a 10-3 lead.

Huskies’ kicker Ken Bingham hit a 31-yard field goal in the third quarter, leading me to believe that, given the opportunity, he would have made the 34-yard attempt.

I can’t say I understand the decision to go for it with the chance to have a halftime lead, especially after all the momentum you’ve gained with the blocked punt.

Edmond Santa Fe coach Lance Manning, though, said he would have done the same thing that his Edmond North counterpart did.

“I feel like, if we’re playing as well defensively as they were at the time, and we’re as big and physical, I can be a little more of a riverboat gambler,” Manning said. “That’s the same thing I would have done to be honest with you.”

The Wolves were able to extend their lead to 24-3 in the third quarter after three Edmond North fumbles. The Huskies were never able to get it back within 10 points.

Regardless, Edmond Santa Fe was clearly the better team and now has the chance for two home playoff games.

The Huskies, meanwhile, are now out of the home-playoff-game conversation. They should easily handle U.S. Grant in the regular-season finale, and will probably end up in third place in the district behind Santa Fe and Lawton.

Edmond North is still a dangerous team, and will still be a favorite in their first-round game, which looks like it will be at Yukon.

But this was a team that had a legitimate claim to Class 6A’s No. 1 ranking just two weeks ago.

The Wolves only loss is to No. 1 Midwest City, and that 27-6 setback was in Week 3. It would be interesting to see those two teams play again, because I felt that week like Santa Fe left a lot of points on the board.

Santa Fe, which ends the regular season at Putnam City, is looking towards a likely first-round tilt with Lawton Eisenhower.

Last week:
Ryan: 7-3, 1-0
Jason: 6-4, 1-0
Scott: 6-4, 0-1

Overall:
Ryan: 59-22, 7-1
Jason: 55-26, 6-2
Scott: 52-29, 6-2

Ryan:
Jenks 28, Broken Arrow 24
Edmond North 17, Edmond Santa Fe 14
Lawton 28, Putnam City 9
Norman 28, Muskogee 15
Tulsa Central 26, Coweta 17
Carl Albert 35, Deer Creek 26
Douglass 27, Glenpool 24
Anadarko 33, Tuttle 14
Heritage Hall 38, Bethany 14
Wynnewood 20, Wayne 14
Lock of the Week: Carl Albert over Deer Creek. The Titans offense has steadily improved throughout the season and they have both the secondary speed to hold the Antlers’ receivers down and the front seven to get pressure on Deer Creek’s quarterback.

Jason:
Broken Arrow 27, Jenks 24
Edmond North 21, Edmond Santa Fe 17
Lawton 31, Putnam City 7
Norman 26, Muskogee 17
Tulsa Central 24, Coweta 14
Carl Albert 41, Deer Creek 14
Douglass 17, Glenpool 14
Anadarko 31, Tuttle 14
Heritage Hall 35, Bethany 14
Wayne 13, Wynnewood 10
Lock of the Week: Anadarko over Tuttle. The Tigers are always a tough, well-coached team under Phil Koons. I expect that Sheldon Wilson won’t be able to run wild like he has all year against Tuttle. But the Warriors, at home, will be too tough,

Scott:
Jenks 30, Broken Arrow 28
Edmond Santa Fe 21, Edmond North 20
Lawton 28, Putnam City 21
Norman 34, Muskogee 28
Tulsa Central 28, Coweta 24
Carl Albert 42, Deer Creek 24
Douglass 28, Glenpool 21
Anadarko 34, Tuttle 28
Heritage Hall 38, Bethany 28
Wayne 27, Wynnewood 22
Lock of the Week: Norman over Muskogee. Norman is beyond motivated to finish this season strong after finding themselves facing potentially being left out of the playoffs. I’d look for a big day from Donovan Roberts, as well as the passing attack to give the Tigers momentum heading into the Week 10 battle with Jenks.

Going to do it a little different this week, breaking out at least Class 6A into a separate blog. Tell me why I’m right. Tell me why I’m wrong.

1. Midwest City (3)#8-0

If you don’t look at my rankings every week, this might be a little surprising. But it’s consistent with what I’ve done all along: re-evaluating things each week and not be afraid of looking back at the totality of the season with what we know now. I’ll explain Broken Arrow (and Jenks’) fall shortly but it’s as much about what Midwest City has done as about what those teams haven’t. The Bombers have absolutely put it to teams recently. Their “slip” game was a 26-point win against Moore. Their 21-point win over Edmond Santa Fe looks more impressive each week. Thy’ve held seven opponents to seven or fewer points. James Flanders continues to perform in their running game. They make plays on special teams. I’m not saying I’m picking them to win a state championship yet–I’ve made my feelings about that know with respect to Jenks and Union–but right now, they’re the top team.

2. Broken Arrow (1)#7-1

When I saw Broken Arrow put it to Southmoore two weeks ago, I felt pretty comfortable with the Tigers as my top team. But Broken Arrow struggled on the road against a Norman team that Southmoore throttled, needing a late field-goal block to come away with the win. I still really like Broken Arrow, and am leaning toward picking them against Jenks this week, but that’s the second game they’ve barely pulled out against an opponent they should’ve beaten soundly.

3. Jenks (2)#7-1

The Trojans haven’t been pushed much other than their 41-19 loss to Tulsa Union, but their main test is this week when they play at Broken Arrow. Losing Alex Ross really hurts Jenks. Although they’ve put up big offensive numbers in recent weeks, they haven’t played a defense that’s very good since that Union game in Week 2.

4. Edmond Santa Fe (4)#7-1

The Wolves might not be the top team in the state but they might be playing better than anyone right now. Lance Manning has turned around Santa Fe in a hurry. A win this week over Edmond North and Santa Fe goes from 1-9 to district champs in one year.

5. Tulsa Union (6)#7-1

Ask me to pick the state champion right now and I probably go with Union. I still have them here because they do have to prove that their offense has rebounded form the injuries that resulted in Owasso’s comeback. The Redskins probably jump back up steadily the next few weeks but right now, they’re No. 5.

6. Lawton (7)#6-2

Losing Ivan Thomas is a near-backbreaker for them but the Wolverines didn’t seem to hurt without him against a previously unbeaten Edmond North team.

7. Edmond North (4)#7-1

The Huskies have the size up front to compete with anyone. But speed on the edges on either side is going to be a thorn in North’s side. The problem: Santa Fe is another speedy team and could give North problems this week in a game that will go a long way toward deciding who wins that district.

8. Stillwater (8)#7-1

Their offense deserves to be higher than No. 8. The defense, though, probably wouldn’t be in the top 10. The Pioneers have given up 27 or more points five times already and they still have Union on the schedule in a game that will, one way or another, determine the district champion.

9. Owasso (9)#5-3

The Rams have the signature win in 6A this season, beating Union. But they followed that with a home loss to Stillwater. Like the Pioneers, offense isn’t a question. But the Rams have to be able to slow good teams down to make a run and they haven’t been able to do that much.

10. Westmoore (NR)#6-2

The Jaguars pushed Edmond North in Week 7 before the Huskies pulled away in the second half, then beat a one-loss Putnam City team this week to take the Pirates’ spot in the rankings. Their defense has been solid all year and their offense, especially the passing component, continues to come along, lifting Westmoore into the top 10.

Just outside: Norman (6-2)

Last week:
Ryan: 8-2, 1-0
Jason: 5-5, 1-0
Scott: 4-6, 1-0

Overall:
Ryan: 52-19, 6-1
Jason: 49-22, 5-2
Scott: 46-25, 6-1

Ryan:
Wagoner 21, Catoosa 18
Douglass 20, Harrah 17
Deer Creek-Lamont 26, Timberlake 20
Pryor 20, Coweta 17
Weatherford 21, Tuttle 14
Broken Arrow 40, Norman 14
Lawton 21, Edmond North 20
Sallisaw 21, Hilldale 14
McGuinness 28, Piedmont 21
Putnam City 35, Westmoore 24
Lock of the week: Deer Creek-Lamont over Timberlake. DC-Lamont will finally get pushed but they come out on top in a possible state championship game preview.

Jason
Wagoner 31, Catoosa 21
Douglass 28, Harrah 21
Deer Creek-Lamont 42, Timberlake 30
Coweta 21, Pryor 14
Tuttle 17, Weatherford 10
Broken Arrow 42, Norman 28
Edmond North 24, Lawton 14
Hilldale 24, Sallisaw 20
McGuinness 31, Piedmont 28
Westmoore 27, Putnam City21
Lock of the week: Westmoore over Putnam City. The Pirates have faced one really strong defense all year, Edmond North, and were shut down offensively. Westmoore’s defense has shown itself to be tough all season, and I think they can keep Casey Curtis in check and come away with the win.

Scott
Wagoner 23, Catoosa 20
Douglass 21, Harrah 14
Deer Creek-Lamont 48, Timberlake 33
Pryor 20, Coweta 17
Tuttle 27, Weatherford 21
Broken Arrow 38, Norman 28
Edmond North 24, Lawton 21
Hilldale 28, Sallisaw 27
McGuinness 21, Piedmont 17
Putnam City 30, Westmoore 24
Lock of the Week: Wagoner over Catoosa. This should be one heck of a ballgame, but I think Wagoner has the leadership, the experience and the talent to get back to the title game this year, maybe win it all. Guys like Kevin Peterson and Jeremy Applegate, among others, have been around long enough to help keep the team composed in a big game — and this is a huge one.

Smith broke his leg in practice last Tuesday and then died Wednesday night. The cause of death is still unknown.

Edmond North coach Jeremy Dombek and his team bow their heads in a moment of silence to remember Ryan Smith before Friday's game against Westmoore. PHOTO BY STEVE SISNEY, THE OKLAHOMAN

MOORE — The overall goodness of people never ceases to amaze me, especially in the wake of a tragedy.

Friday, Edmond North beat Westmoore 27-13 at Moore Stadium. The Huskies were playing with heavy hearts, as Ryan Smith, their sophomore defensive lineman, died late Wednesday night.

The Westmoore football booster club put buckets at entrance gates and concession stands to collect donations to help Ryan’s family with burial costs.

By halftime, $900 had been raised. And after the game, Westmoore presented Edmond North with $900, and that was just from the donations collected at the gate and at Westmoore-side concession stands. Money donated on the Edmond North side of the stadium had yet to be counted.

This has by far been the toughest assignment I’ve had in my career. Dealing with death is never easy, especially when it is someone as young as Ryan was.  And by all accounts, he was a great kid.

I talked with a few of Ryan’s friends from the Edmond North team last night after the game. Here are their thoughts about their fallen friend.

JUNIOR DAVION WOODFORK

Junior running back Davion Woodfork, who, like Smith, transferred from Edmond Santa Fe before this school year, was one of Smith’s close friends.

“We came over at the same time,” Woodfork said. “We used to always talk about being in the NFL, and he used to be like, ‘I’m gonna block for you.’

“(The win) was good. It was all for him.

“He was a very good friend. He was always motivated. He loved football. He was always there for me.

“He will never be forgotten.”

SOPHOMORE TAEVYON WARREN

Taevyon Warren, also a sophomore on the Huskies’ team and also a first-year Edmond North student, wore a tribute to his friend on Friday.

Warren wasn’t suited up for the game, but wore a white T-shirt with “R.I.P. Ryan Smith #67” written on the back in black marker.

“It’s a tribute,” Warren said of the t-shirt. “We’ll never forget him, and this is my way of showing my respect.”

Warren said Ryan was a great friend and a good listener.

“With both of us being new, we just bonded,” Warren said. “Just his presence, just him being around would make your day.

Warren also raps, and he and his friends recorded a song Thursday dedicated to Smith’s memory.

“We did a remix of a song, talking about how life is short and how you never expect it to end,” Warren said. “We just talked about Ryan and how good a person he was.”

SOPHOMORE LANCE DIXON

Lance Dixon, a sophomore Edmond North football player and wrestler, is out with a bad shoulder injury.

He stood on the sideline during Friday’s win over Westmoore and recalled a fond memory of Ryan Smith from earlier this school year.

He had just been injured, and he and Ryan sat together in the wrestling room and talked while Dixon was a little loopy from the pain medication he had been prescribed.

“We just sat there in the wrestling room,” Dixon said. “He sat there with me and we just talked for an hour about football and about how good our wrestling team was gonna be.

“It’s unbelievable that he’s gone now.”

Dixon said the sophomore class took the news especially hard.

“A lot of sophomores on our team tried to hold it in,” he said, “but almost every single sophomore football player was crying the day that they told us.”

Dixon said he thought it was important that the Huskies played their game Friday against Westmoore.

“I think it was important to play this game to get our minds off of it,” he said. “A lot of people were hit hard by this, and most people didn’t understand why it would happen to such a good person.”

SENIOR TROY DAVIS

Senior Troy Davis said he thinks Ryan Smith helped the Huskies get back on track after a rough first half Friday.

Edmond North trailed 6-3 at halftime, but scored 17 third-quarter points to build a comfortable lead.

“In the second half, it just felt right,” Davis said.

“We felt like we had to go out and do this for him. It picked up the team and brought us closer together. We needed it.”

Davis said he still can’t believe that it happened to one of his teammates.

“It’s just one of those things that you think is never going to happen to you or your teammate, and then out of the blue it just happens,” he said. “It’s surreal. He’s gonna be missed.”

There will be collections taken at the Moore Stadium gate and at concession stands for Smith’s family to help with burial costs, Edmond North football booster club president Lisa Molinsky said.

Smith died Wednesday night, one day after suffering a broken leg during football practice.

You can also send a donation to the Ryan Smith Memorial Fund at:

Ryan Smith Memorial Fund
Citizen’s Bank
Attn: Coffee Creek Branch
P.O. Box 30
Edmond, OK 73083

Last week
Ryan: 7-4, 1-0
Scott: 5-6, 1-0
Jason: 7-4, 1-0

Overall
Ryan: 44-17, 5-1
Jason: 44-17, 4-2
Scott: 42-19, 5-1

Ryan
Guthrie 21, Carl Albert 17
Kingfisher 14, Bethany 10
Owasso 41, Stillwater 35
Tulsa Washington 17, Tulsa Kelley 14
Metro Chr. 28, Seq. Tahlequah 21
Hennessey 22, Oklahoma Chr. 14
Lawton MacArthur 40, Duncan 20
Weatherford 13, Blanchard 8
Lawton Eisenhower 28, Edmond Memorial 22
McGuinness 28, Elgin 13
Lock of the week: Hennessey over OCS. Hennessey took some lumps in the non-district schedule but is still among the top teams in 2A. Tonight is their chance to prove that against a solid OCS team.

Jason
Guthrie 24, Carl Albert 16
Bethany 21, Kingfisher 17
Owasso 38, Stillwater 35
Tulsa Washington 24, Tulsa Kelley 17
Metro Christian 24, Seq. Tahlequah 10
Oklahoma Christian 24, Hennessey 23
Lawton Eisenhower 21, Edmond Memorial 13
Lawton MacArthur 31, Duncan 13
Bishop McGuinness 35, Elgin 14
Blanchard 16, Weatherford 9
Lock of the Week: Guthrie over Carl Albert. Both teams are fantastic, and both teams are legitimate Class 5A contenders. But at this point in the season, Guthrie’s defense is just too good for Carl Albert’s still-developing offense.

Scott
Guthrie 21, Carl Albert 20
Bethany 35, Kingfisher 31
Owasso 45, Stillwater 42
Tulsa Washington 21, Tulsa Kelley 14
Sequoyah-Tahlequah 35, Metro Christian 28
Hennessey 30, Oklahoma Christian 21
Lawton MacArthur 48, Duncan 31
Blanchard 14, Weatherford 12
Edmond Memorial 20, Lawton Eisenhower 17
McGuinness 28, Elgin 21
Lock of the Week: Lawton MacArthur over Duncan. Ever since watching the Highlanders in the preseason scrimmage at Mustang, I’ve had a strong feeling that these guys could win it all in 5A. I needed to see some results in the regular season first to support my gut feeling, and they’ve done that — even while battling some nagging injuries. There are a lot of factors left to be determined regarding the gold ball, but I definitely think Mac wins this week.

Most weeks, I post my rankings here and try to explain my reasoning for who I ranked where in each class. I haven’t done that–yet–for this week, simply because I agonized over Class 6A. Every class gets careful consideration each week but most weeks in most classes there are clear reasoning for one team over another. Owasso’s 41-38 win over Tulsa Union last week threw that into a tailspin.

There are several teams that have legitimate arguments to the top spot. Here are their resumes, their arguments for being No. 1 and the opinions of Jason Kersey and Scott Wright. Disagree with one of us? Disagree with all of us? Feel free to chime in at the bottom.

Broken Arrow: This was my top pick. Broken Arrow’s only loss came 21-14 to then top-ranked Tulsa Union on Sept. 16 on the road. They’ve beaten Owasso (48-20), Odessa (Texas) Permian (68-26) and Sapulpa (52-19). The Tigers took a healthy Union team down to the wire and showed they could hang. The argument against them is: they’ve lost a game, which a couple other teams we’ll mention later haven’t, and they needed overtime to beat Muskogee, who is 1-5 this season.

Edmond North: The Huskies are undefeated, one of just two Class 6A teams without a loss. They’ve scored 40 or more points four times this season and next allowed more than 13. They beat Southmoore 42-10 to open the season and thrashed a previously unbeaten Putnam City team 35-0 last week. The downside for the Huskies is Southmoore was banged up when they met, Mustang isn’t what it once was and it’s still not clear how good Putnam City is. The Pirates’ hot start could’ve been indicative  of a weak schedule. These drawbacks aren’t the fault of the Huskies–they’ve taken care of business–and Edmond North will have plenty of chances to turn around those perceptions in the next three weeks with Westmoore, Lawton and Edmond Santa Fe on the schedule.

Jenks: The Trojans were No. 2 in my poll before last week but I reevaluated and bumped Broken Arrow ahead of the Trojans. Jenks also holds a win over Owasso (49-27) and has blown out every team it has faced other than Union. The argument against the Trojans is simple: they got beat 41-19 by Union. It’s hard to write off Jenks right now after their continued dominance.

Midwest City: Like Edmond North, the Bombers have topped the 40-point mark four times this season. Their closest game was a 21-point win over Edmond Santa Fe in Week 3. The Bombers defense, once again, is among the toughest around and their offense shows unusual balance for a Bombers team that has long relied on the run. James Flanders is giving the Bombers what they expected and more on the ground and junior quarterback Joel Davis is improving steadily and giving Midwest City a solid passing game. The argument against Midwest City is their schedule to this point. The Bombers’ opponents have won just 12 games this season, with five of those coming from Santa Fe. They play Norman North to end the season but the Bombers’ really don’t figure to be tested until at least the first round of the playoffs.

Owasso: To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best, and Owasso did that Friday night with a stunning upset of the Redskins. Owasso’s non-district schedule is as tough as any around and although Owasso went 1-2 in that stretch, they did manage to score 47 points combined in losses to Broken Arrow and Jenks. The Rams have probably the top QB/WR combo in the state with Kason Key and Keon Hatcher. The argument against the Rams is simple: their big losses in non-district should keep them out of the top spot.

Tulsa Union: Union? After that loss? Yes, there’s an argument to be made. The Redskins have win over Jenks and Broken Arrow and they led Owasso big before their quarterback and running back went down with injuries that kept them out of the second half against Owasso. If those two guys get back soon, Union could very well still be the top dog in 6A.

There are the arguments for and against each time. I weighed all of them (and more) before settling on Broken Arrow as the top team with Jenks, Midwest City and Edmond North not far behind. I’m going to continue to reevaluate things week by week but right here, right now, this is where I stand.

Here’s what Jason and Scott have to say about who should be No. 1.

Jason’s pick: Edmond North

I think — at this point — Edmond North is Class 6A’s best team.

The undefeated Huskies really have no weak spots on either side of the ball. Edmond North smacked previously unbeaten Putnam City 35-0 on Friday, holding star running back Casey Curtis to 65 yards on 20 carries.

The Huskies’ offensive dominance all starts up front. Edmond North’s offensive line is huge, which is what gets it noticed, but it’s about more than size. The line is also very strong and athletic.

The line opens up holes for the backfield duo of Jarion Tudman and Jared Benway, who give Edmond North a tough 1-2 punch of speed and strength.

And North couldn’t ask for a better field general. Senior Jesse Mathews, in his first year as a starter, has been nothing short of fantastic through six games. He has shown an ability to make plays with both his arms and legs.

Edmond North’s schedule hasn’t been the toughest, but the Huskies will be tested in their next three games, with Westmoore, Lawton and Edmond Santa Fe in consecutive weeks. If the Huskies emerge from that gauntlet unscathed, there might be no stopping them.

Scott’s pick: Midwest City
First of all, this pick comes with a caveat. I still think Jenks and Union are the top two favorites for the Class 6A gold ball. To quote the great prophet Ric Flair, if you want to be the man, you’ve got to beat the man. But this question isn’t about state championship favorites, it’s about who should be No. 1 right now, in Week 7 of the football season — only the halfway point for those teams that will eventually play for the state title.

So I’m picking Midwest City, with Broken Arrow and Jenks close behind. For all the fancy, exciting spread offenses out there that put up crazy numbers and fly up and down the field, football is still won with defense and run game. And through six games, Midwest City has shown the capability to dominate good teams in those two facets of the game.

A lot of people are probably making the argument for the Bombers at No. 1 because they think they’re the best undefeated team, and an undefeated team should be ranked ahead of a team with one loss, like Union, Jenks, Broken Arrow or Owasso. But this isn’t college football, and basing your argument solely on records is drastically oversimplifying the process.

I’m picking the Bombers as my No. 1 team right now, because I’ve been impressed with what they’ve accomplished on the field, the consistency they’ve displayed, and the overall talent of the team. They have some question marks, like their offensive diversity, but there isn’t a team out there this season that doesn’t appear to have flaws, whether it’s talent-related, injury-related, or whatever. Right now, this week, Midwest City should be No. 1.

Friday
Field 4
Mustang/Broken Arrow winner vs. Moore/Tulsa Union winner, noon
Owasso/Edmond North winner vs. Jenks/Edmond Santa Fe winner, 4 p.m.

Saturday
Field 1
Championship, 4 p.m.

Class 5A
Field 1
Thursday
Carl Albert vs. Coweta, 11 a.m.
McAlester vs. Deer Creek, 1 p.m.
Tahlequah vs. Shawnee, 3 p.m.
Lawton MacArthur vs. Grove, 5 p.m.

Friday
Carl Albert/Coweta winner vs. Lawton MacArthur/Grove winner, 2 p.m.
McAlester/Deer Creek winner vs. Tahlequah/Shawnee winner, 4 p.m.

Saturday
Championship, 1:30 p.m.

Class 4A
Thursday
Field 4
Blanchard vs. Bethany, 11 a.m.
Oologah vs. Purcell, 1 p.m.
Fort Gibson vs. Tuttle, 3 p.m.
Berryhill vs. Harrah, 5 p.m.

Field 1
Friday
Blanchard/Bethany winner vs. Oologah/Purcell winner, noon
Berryhill/Harrah winner vs. Fort Gibson/Tuttle winner, 2 p.m.

Saturday
Championship, 11 a.m.

Last week
Jason: 8-2, 1-0
Scott: 8-2, 1-0
Ryan: 7-3, 0-1

Overall
Ryan: 37-13, 4-1
Scott: 37-13, 4-1
Jason: 37-13, 3-2

Ryan
Cascia Hall 14, Berryhill 7
Millwood 28, Jones 26
Norman North 28, Putnam North 24
Edmond North 35, Putnam City 34
Tulsa Union 38, Owasso 16
Tulsa East Central 27, Tulsa Central 20
Lincoln Chr. 28, Vian 26
Comanche 26, Washington 20
Elk City 20, McGuinness 17
McAlester 38, Tulsa Kelley 20
Wynnewood 28, Rush Springs 14
Lock of the week: Wynnewood over Rush Springs. As things keep progressing in this district, I’m more and more convinced that the Wynnewood-Wayne matchup will determine the district champion.

Scott
Cascia Hall 21, Berryhill 14
Millwood 38, Jones 34
Putnam City North 24, Norman North 21
Putnam City 52, Edmond North 48
Tulsa Union 31, Owasso 21
Tulsa East Central 27, Tulsa Central 24
Lincoln Christian 35, Vian 31
Comanche 27, Washington 24
Elk City 28, McGuinness 27
McAlester 24, Tulsa Kelley 14
Lock of the Week: Cascia Hall over Berryhill. Cascia looks like a team on a mission, still stinging from last year’s loss to Bethany in the playoffs. I think they move to 6-0 this week.

Jason
Cascia Hall 21, Berryhill 10
Millwood 31, Jones 24
Norman North 23, Putnam North 17
Edmond North 42, Putnam City 35
Tulsa Union 42, Owasso 24
Tulsa East Central 35, Tulsa Central 21
Lincoln Chr. 31, Vian 28
Washington 20, Comanche 17
Bishop McGuinness 23, Elk City 20
McAlester 35, Tulsa Kelley 17
Wynnewood 24, Rush Springs 21
Lock of the week: Norman North over Putnam City North. Both of these proud programs are struggling this season, but I like the Timberwolves because of their running game. Norman North running back Bryan Payne has been good this season, and the Panthers’ run defense has been an Achilles’ heel.

Edmond Memorial quarterback Ry Huff (11) looks to pass during a high school football game between Edmond Memorial and Moore at Wantland Stadium in Edmond, Okla., Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman

EDMOND — Edmond Memorial’s Ry Huff has committed to play college football at Air Force, according to Bulldogs coach Justin Meredith.

Air Force is still not settled on what position Huff, who is the Bulldogs’ quarterback, will play in college. Meredith said it will probably either be H-back or linebacker.

“They liked him a lot as an athlete,” Meredith said.

The military school offered Huff last spring. He took a recent visit to Colorado Springs, Colo., and liked it there, Meredith said.

“I think he felt comfortable,” Meredith said. “Academics are extremely important to him. It’s just a special situation.

“I think it’s a good fit for him. He does well with that type of structure. I think he flourishes in that kind of atmosphere.”

A couple of times a year I throw out my rankings and start fresh, take an overall look at the season and don’t constrain myself with past rankings. This is one of those weeks and while their figures to be other classes that are more drastically affected, there is a bit of that here. The biggest questions in my mind were where to place Edmond Santa Fe (and Lawton) and what to do with Putnam City. I considered dropping Broken Arrow a spot but the Tigers still stand as the only team to really challenge Union this season and I’ll give them their small bump Friday. Edmond Santa Fe goes from just outside to No. 8 after their win at Lawton. The Wolverines drop to No. 10. Owasso stays in at No. 9 but has a tough test this week against Union.

Class 5A
1. Guthrie (2)#5-0
2. Lawton MacArthur (5)#5-0
3. Carl Albert (3)#5-0
4. Tulsa East Central (1)#5-0
5. McAlester (4)#5-0
6. Deer Creek (6)#4-1
7. Tulsa Washington (7)#2-3
8. Tulsa Kelley (8)#3-1
9. Ardmore (9)#2-3
10. Coweta (10)#2-3

There’s no shame in being any one of the top five teams here although there was some definite shaking up as I reevaluated from scratch. Guthrie has won every one of its game by 28 or more points, helping the Bluejays move to the top spot. Tulsa East Central falls to No. 4 after their close call against Coweta. Any of the five teams on top could come out with a gold ball but it was time to make some adjustments there. On the bottom half, it hurts that I can’t include Tulsa Central here but looking over their resumes, I’ve got to leave Ardmore and Coweta in ahead of them. Ardmore has played Carl Albert and McAlester tighter than anyone this season and their other loss was to Lawton MacArthur. Their schedule to start has been tough but they shouldn’t lose the rest of the way. Coweta pushed Tulsa East Central and Tulsa Kelley to the brink and their other loss was a close one to 4A power Wagoner. Tulsa Central gets its chance for a statement this week when it faces East Central.

Class 4A
1. Douglass (1)#4-1
2. Wagoner (2)#5-0
3. Catoosa (3)#5-0
4. Clinton (4)#4-1
5. Harrah (5)#5-0
6. Elk City (7)#5-0
7. McGuinness (8)#3-2
8. Hilldale (10)#4-1
9. Sallisaw (9)#3-2
10. Broken Bow (6)#3-2

There wasn’t much shuffling here, save for Broken Bow and Hilldale. Catoosa and Wagoner are on a collision course toward what should be a very entertaining game Oct. 20. Elk City has been impressive but gets a tough test this week against No. 7 McGuinness. Douglass and Clinton’s losses don’t count against them because of the competition they came against. Hilldale got its statement win at Broken Bow but the Hornets win Week 1 against Pryor is looking better and better and their only loss came to No. 2 Wagoner.

Class 3A
1. Heritage Hall (1)#5-0
2. Anadarko (2)#5-0
3. Cascia Hall (3)#5-0
4. Bethany (4)#4-0
5. Metro Christian (5)#5-0
6. Tuttle (6)#5-0
7. Purcell (7)#5-0
8. Kingfisher (8)#5-0
9. Seminole (9)#5-0
10. Berryhill (10)#5-0

I did the same thing here as in other classes and came up with the same thing I had. I considered swapping Seminole and Berryhill on the bottom end and Kingfisher and Purcell one step above that but didn’t pull the trigger in the end. Berryhill’s win over Glenpool in the first week doesn’t look as strong as it did then (not that it’s not a big win still) and Seminole beat a pretty good Stigler team on the road. Berryhill plays at Cascia Hall this week in what should be one of the week’s best games.

Class 2A
1. Davis (1)#4-1
2. Millwood (2)#4-1
3. Lincoln Christian (3)#5-0
4. Stroud (5)#5-0
5. Jones (4)#5-0
6. Vian (7)#5-0
7. Hennessey (6)#3-2
8. Colcord (8)#5-0
9. Talihina (10)#5-0
10. Frederick (NR)#5-0

Made a mistake last week here dropping Frederick out in the first place. Their win over St. Mary was very similar to Washington’s and Washington has two losses, which pushed Frederick into the rankings. Vian moves up a spot while Hennessey drops while Stroud and Jones switch places. Stroud has still given up just seven points all season and shut out four of its opponents. There are still six undefeated team that remain unranked: Comanche, Talihina, Newkirk, Chelsea, Wyandotte and Adair. All are in districts with ranked teams, though, so they’ll get their chances.

Class A
1. Woodland (1)#4-0
2. Thomas (2)#5-0
3. Wynnewood (3)#5-0
4. Minco (5)#5-0
5. Wayne (7)#4-1
6. Morrison (6)#4-1
7. Mangum (9)#4-1
8. Okeene (10)#3-2
9. Elmore City (8)#4-1
10. Foyil (NR)#3-2

At the top, this class was relatively easy as I was pretty comfortable with the top three. After that, there was some switching around after No. 4 Afton fell to Foyil 33-8. First, I swapped Wayne and Morrison. Wayne’s overall resume is slightly better at this point. Mangum and Okeene move up two spots while Elmore drops one after its loss to Wynnewood. Foyil moves in after an impressive win over Afton, beating out Rush Springs for that final spot despite Rush’s 5-0 record. That was a tough choice but Foyil’s two losses came to a pair of still-undefeated Class 2A teams–Chelsea and Adair.

Class B
1. Caddo (1)#5-0
2. Davenport (2)#5-0
3. Kiefer (5)#4-1
4. Fox (6)#4-1
5. Dewar (7)#3-2
6. Gans (4)#4-1
7. Cherokee (8)#4-1
8. Seiling (9)#4-1
9. Wetumka (10)#4-1
10. Pond Creek-Hunter (NR)#4-1

It was tough to drop Laverne all the way out from No. 3 but looking schedule-by-schedule, it had to be done. Laverne beat Cherokee, 45-8, in Week 2, but fell to Pond Creek-Hunter on Friday night. Pond Creek-Hunter’s only loss came to Seiling, who lost to Cherokee by two on Friday. So Seiling pulls off the rare moving up by dropping a game feat by leapfrogging Laverne. Pond Creek-Hunter has to stay in ahead of Laverne so Laverne falls all the way out but still has Seiling remaining on its schedule. It’s tough to ignore what Welch is doing in B-4 but they’ve beaten just one team that is above .500 to this point. They play Kiefer on Oct. 20.

Class C
1. Deer Creek-Lamont (1)#5-0
2. Timberlake (3)#4-0
3. Temple (4)#5-0
4. Sharon-Mutual (10)#3-2
5. Shattuck (2)#4-1
6. Covington-Douglas (5)#4-1
7. Tipton (6)#4-1
8. Coyle (7)#4-1
9. Forgan (8)#4-1
10. Ryan (9)#3-2

The big change here came due to Sharon-Mutual’s 38-22 win at Shattuck. Sharon-Mutual jumped all the way from No. 10 to No. 4. Its only losses came to Seiling and Timberlake and they remain the only team to score on Timberlake this season (They scored 44 in the loss). Shattuck drops just below Sharon-Mutual while Covington-Douglas, Tipton, Coyle, Forgan and Ryan all drop a spot. Arkoma is the lone undefeated team remaining unranked but Keota is the only over .500 team they’ve beaten.

Edmond Memorial running back Daniel Smith, left, runs during his team's 13-10 win over Moore on Thursday. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

Emptying my notebook from Edmond Memorial’s 13-10 win over Moore on Thursday at Wantland Stadium in Edmond.

* Edmond Memorial is now on a two-game winning streak after starting the season 0-3. The Bulldogs tried to go to a more pass-oriented offense early in the season, but they’ve returned to focusing on the run and it’s working.

* Senior running back Gavin Fouts, who rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown — and was really responsible for turning the momentum with an 86-yard run in the third quarter — said the Bulldogs are finally leaving it all on the field.

“The thing is, our boys just needed to get it in their heads to go hit somebody,” he said. “We were sitting back on our heels playing the pass game, and it really works to our advantage to take the punch to the defense. It’s working out great.”

* The win streak has Edmond Memorial gaining lots of confidence.

“I always believed in my team,” Fouts said. “I knew they had it; we just had to bring out the passion. I’m glad to see it finally come out, and hopefully we’ll continue to build on that.”

* Bulldogs coach Justin Meredith is quick to point out, though, that his team still has a long way to go. For example, Memorial was penalized 10 times for 85 yards.

“I think it’s pretty obvious that if we don’t quit making bone-headed mistakes that anybody can beat us, and we’re not gonna be very good,” Meredith said.

“We just can’t do those things. If they’re better than us, and they beat us, then so be it. But we can’t beat ourselves.”

* You have to give Moore tons of credit. The Lions just snapped a 24-game losing streak last week with a win over Choctaw, but they play as hard as any team I’ve seen this year.

And some teams might quit down 13-3 late in the fourth quarter, but not Scott Myers’ team.

You can see some of Myers’ attitude in his team — never quit, keep working, play hard. It’s that inspiring attitude Myers shows every day in his struggle with cancer.

* The Lions scored a touchdown to cut Edmond Memorial’s lead to three, and then recovered the ensuing onside kick. But a missed field goal with under two minutes left pretty much sealed the Bulldogs’ victory.

* I came away really impressed with Moore quarterback Corey Reeves. He kept several plays alive with his legs, but can also throw the ball.

Last week
Ryan: 8-2
Jason: 8-2
Scott: 7-3

Overall
Ryan: 30-10, 4-0
Scott: 29-11, 3-1
Jason: 29-11, 2-2

Ryan
DC-Lamont 35, Coyle 12
Wynnewood 20, Elmore City 7
Timberlake 36, Covington-Douglas 24
Tulsa East Central 27, Coweta 14
Seminole 24, Stigler 20
Broken Bow 24, Hilldale 14
Lawton 28, Edmond Santa Fe 14
Fox 32, Paoli 24
Commerce 21, Colcord 14
Clinton 34, Piedmont 14
Lock of the week: Broken Bow over Hilldale. Broken Bow is one of the toughest places to play on the road and Hilldale isn’t quite ready to go win a game like this on the road against one of the best teams in 4A.

Jason
DC-Lamont 35, Coyle 27
Wynnewood 31, Elmore City 21
Timberlake 52, Covington-Douglas 45
Tulsa East Central 42, Coweta 24
Seminole 41, Stigler 28
Broken Bow 35, Hilldale 27
Lawton 24, Edmond Santa Fe 21
Fox 45, Paoli 38
Colcord 24, Commerce 17
Clinton 35, Piedmont 20
Lock of the Week: DC-Lamont over Coyle. Coyle has made significant strides this season and will, in all likelihood, earn the first playoff berth in school history this year. But the defending Class C champion Eagles will be too much for the Bluejackets this week.

Scott
DC-Lamont 42, Coyle 35
Wynnewood 28, Elmore City 21
Timberlake 44, Covington-Douglas 36
Tulsa East Central 34, Coweta 24
Seminole 38, Stigler 27
Broken Bow 35, Hilldale 28
Lawton 28, Edmond Santa Fe 24
Paoli 42, Fox 38
Colcord 28, Commerce 21
Clinton 34, Piedmont 31
Lock of the week: Seminole over Stigler. Mike Snyder is in his 40th season on the Seminole coaching staff and his 32nd as the head coach. And he’s still going strong. Led by QB Garrett Clark, the Chieftains are talented enough to make a deep run in the 3A playoffs this season, and I think they’ll keep rolling this week.

Edmond Santa Fe senior Aaron Anderson has scholarship offers from Nevada, Oral Roberts and Fresno State.

An official visit to the University of Nevada produced a scholarship offer for Edmond Santa Fe senior combo guard Aaron Anderson over the weekend.

“Aaron really liked it out there, had a great time meeting the team,” Santa Fe coach Shawn Schenk said. “As a coach and a player, that’s really important, because you want to see what the other players are like, and how they interact with each other. Aaron had a great time.”

The trip to Nevada was Anderson’s first official visit among the trio of schools that have offered him. Schenk said Anderson will visit Oral Roberts and Fresno State in October prior to the early signing period, which runs Nov. 9-16 for basketball.

“He wants to give a fair shot to all the schools that are recruiting him,” Schenk said. “I don’t know if he’ll sign early or not. I’ve told him if he knows, and he’s comfortable — if he wants them and they want him — then there’s no sense in waiting.”

The Wolves went through a sometimes-challenging recruiting experience with Josh Richardson last season.

Richardson passed up some offers during the early signing period, then saw several of the teams who were recruiting him lose their head coaches at the end of the season. Ultimately, it paid off for Richardson when he landed an offer from Tennessee, but it was a stressful month or more for everyone involved in the process.

Schenk was unsure if that experience would have an impact on Anderson’s plan to sign early or not.

Nevada received a commitment from a guard on last week, but the team contacted Schenk to let him know that the commitment had no bearing on Anderson’s recruitment.

Anderson averaged 8.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game last year. The 6-foot-2 senior impressed college coaches over the summer with his defensive strength and improved decision-making with the ball.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

2. Class A No. 8 Elmore City (4-0) at No. 3 Wynnewood (4-0)
Two of the three undefeated teams in District A-5 go head-to-head.

3. Class C No. 3 Timberlake (3-0) at No. 5 Covington-Douglas (4-0)
A week after squeaking out a win over Tipton on the road, Covington-Douglass gets another big challenge.

4. Class 5A No. 1 Tulsa East Central (4-0) at No. 10 Coweta (2-2)
The Cardinals get another solid test in a rough schedule as the defending runners-up try to solidify their place in 5A-4. Coweta hasn’t won a game by more than six points or lost by more than four.

5. Class 3A No. 9 Seminole (4-0) at Stigler (4-0)
Seminole has scored 41 or more points in all four games thus far while Stigler has topped 42 in three out of four.

6. Class 4A No. 10 Hilldale (3-1) at No. 6 Broken Bow (3-1)
Big win over Poteau last week lifted Hilldale into the rankings while Broken Bow has shut out two opponents last season.

7. Edmond Santa Fe (3-1) at Class 6A No. 6 Lawton (3-1)
Both teams started district play with statement wins and this game will feature two of the best defensive ends in the state in Lawton’s D.J. Ward and Santa Fe’s Michael Onuoha.

8. Class B No. 6 Fox (3-1) at Paoli (4-0)
Fox has shutouts in each of its three wins while Paoli has topped 53 points three times and scored 42 in its other win.

9. Commerce (3-1) at Class 2A No. 8 Colcord (4-0)
Commerce has two shutouts and its only loss came to a Kansas school. Colcord has won games primarily with its offense (41-14 at Salina last week) and with its defense (8-0 vs. Haskell on Sept. 16).

10. Class 4A No. 4 Clinton (3-1) at Piedmont (2-2)
Clinton blew out McGuinness last week at home while Piedmont got a statement win over Elgin.

Other good bets:
Heritage Hall at Tulsa NOAH
Millwood at Luther
Mustang at Edmond North
Woodward at McGuinness
Yukon at Norman North

By Ryan Aber

With Westmoore falling out from No. 8 after its loss to Edmond Santa Fe, there were two logical candidates to take the spot: Edmond Santa Fe, who was ranked before its loss to Midwest City the week before, and Stillwater. I chose the Pioneers based on their recent performances but just barely. Santa Fe gets a tough test next week at Lawton. A good performance there, win or lose, gives the Wolves a chance to move back in.

Class 5A
1. Tulsa East Central (1)#4-0
2. Guthrie (2)#4-0
3. Carl Albert (3)#4-0
4. McAlester (4)#4-0
5. Lawton MacArthur (5)#4-0
6. Deer Creek (6)#3-1
7. Tulsa Washington (7)#1-3
8. Tulsa Kelley (8)#2-1
9. Ardmore (9)#1-3
10. Coweta (10)#3-1

Ardmore and Tulsa Washington still in the rankings at 1-3? Absolutely. I’ve never understood why teams drop in rankings after they lose to a high ranked opponent (in most cases). While Tulsa Washington has plenty to work on, the Hornets are still very talented, especially on the defensive side. They lost to Carl Albert, Abilene, Texas, and Tulsa East Central. They’re going to be right there at the end, regardless of what their record now is. Ardmore is similar. They beat Ada to start the season before running into the murderer’s row of Carl Albert, McAlester and Lawton MacArthur the last few weeks. They shouldn’t lose the rest of the way. Speaking of Lawton Mac, I think next week is the week I totally deconstruct my rankings in this class especially and build from scratch. I think the Highlanders might be the best team in the class right now, although I think all five of the top teams are very good. The team I hate to leave out is Tulsa Central, who is 4-0 going into next week’s game against Grove.

Class 4A
1. Douglass (1)#3-1
2. Wagoner (2)#4-0
3. Catoosa (3)#4-0
4. Clinton (5)#3-1
5. Harrah (6)#4-0
6. Broken Bow (7)#3-1
7. Elk City (8)#4-0
8. McGuinness (4)#2-2
9. Sallisaw (9)#2-2
10. Hilldale (NR)#3-1

McGuinness drops four spots after getting manhandled on the road at Clinton. They might be a better team than that but hard to tell right now as the only varsity team they’ve beaten to this point was Tulsa Kelley, another team I’m not sure what to think of through four weeks. I suspect McGuinness will climb up. Hilldale moves into the rankings after a big win over Poteau gave the Hornets back-to-back blowouts after playing Wagoner pretty tough in Week 2. Piedmont and Cleveland gave me pause in those spots, though. Piedmont because of its offense and Cleveland due to its defense. Cleveland has allowed just 33 points all season. Elgin dropped out after getting thumped by Piedmont

Class 3A
1. Heritage Hall (1)#4-0
2. Anadarko (2)#4-0
3. Cascia Hall (3)#3-0
4. Bethany (4)#4-0
5. Metro Christian (5)#4-0
6. Tuttle (6)#4-0
7. Purcell (7)#4-0
8. Kingfisher (8)#4-0
9. Seminole (10)#4-0
10. Berryhill (NR)#4-0

I’ve been looking to get Berryhill into the rankings for a few weeks but since no team in my top 10 had lost a game through three weeks, I couldn’t do it. Sequoyah Tahlequah finally broke that stretch this week with its loss to Verdigris. Everything else remains the same with Seminole moving up one slot. There are several other undefeated teams in the class right now as well.

Class 2A
1. Davis (1)#3-1
2. Millwood (2)#3-1
3. Lincoln Christian (3)#4-0
4. Jones (4)#4-0
5. Stroud (5)#4-0
6. Hennessey (6)#2-2
7. Vian (7)#4-0
8. Colcord (8)#4-0
9. Washington (9)#3-1
10. Talihina (10)#4-0

Nothing changes here as all of the top 10 teams won last week. Hennessey is ranked at No. 6 because their only losses came close against Jones and to 3A No. 8 Kingfisher.

Class A
1. Woodland (1)#3-0
2. Thomas (2)#4-0
3. Wynnewood (3)#4-0
4. Afton (4)#4-0
5. Minco (5)#4-0
6. Morrison (6)#3-1
7. Wayne (7)#3-1
8. Elmore City (8)#4-0
9. Mangum (9)#3-1
10. Okeene (10)#2-2

Nothing changes here either as all of the top 10 teams won.

Class B
1. Caddo (1)#4-0
2. Davenport (3)#4-0
3. Laverne (4)#4-0
4. Gans (NR)#4-0
5. Kiefer (5)#3-1
6. Fox (6)#3-1
7. Dewar (7)#2-2
8. Cherokee (8)#3-1
9. Seiling (9)#4-0
10. Wetumka (2)#3-1

It’s hard to figure out where to slot Wetumka in here after a previously unranked Gans team beat them 52-22 Friday. I slid Davenport and Laverne up a spot before slotting Gans at No. 4. As I kept going down, comparing schedules, I wound up with Wetumka holding on at No. 10. They might be a bit better than that but of the teams ahead of them, only Cherokee has had a blowout loss (at Laverne). Wetumka isn’t likely to be challenged until the final two weeks of the season when they get zcaddo and Dewar back-to-back.

Class C
1. Deer Creek-Lamont (1)#4-0
2. Shattuck (2)#4-0
3. Timberlake (3)#3-0
4. Temple (5)#4-0
5. Covington-Douglas (6)#4-0
6. Tipton (4)#3-1
7. Coyle (8)#4-0
8. Forgan (7)#2-2
9. Ryan (9)#2-2
10. Sharon-Mutual (NR)#2-2

Covington-Douglas moves up a spot after beating previously fourth-ranked Tipton. Tipton drops a couple of spots to six after the close loss. Coyle continues to move up the rankings to No. 7 but they’ll get a tough test this week with No. 1 Deer Creek-Lamont. Sharon-Mutual moves into the rankings, replacing Thackerville in the final spot.

By Ryan Aber

Last week:
Scott: 9-1, 1-0
Ryan: 8-2, 1-0
Jason: 8-2, 0-1

Overall:
Ryan: 22-8, 3-0
Scott: 22-8, 2-1
Jason: 21-9, 1-2

Ryan
Guthrie 28, Deer Creek 14
Clinton 21, McGuinness 17
Norman 35, Sapulpa 30
Wagoner 27, Vinita 14
Ryan 22, Thackerville 18
Purcell 28, Sulphur 26
Seq. Tahlequah 20, Verdigris 13
Westmoore 21, Edmond Santa Fe 17
Seminole 14, Valliant 7
Midwest City 28, Yukon 9
Guthrie 34, Deer Creek 28
Lock of the week: Norman over Sapulpa. Sapulpa will score points on Norman but the Tigers defense has the potential for some big stops in this one that will prove to be the difference.

Scott
Clinton 21, McGuinness 17
Norman 38, Sapulpa 28
Wagoner 28, Vinita 21
Thackerville 42, Ryan 35
Purcell 33, Sulphur 28
Seq. Tahlequah 49, Verdigris 31
Edmond Santa Fe 21, Westmoore 14
Seminole 35, Valliant 24
Midwest City 27, Yukon 24
Lock of the week: Guthrie over Deer Creek. Deer Creek has a lot of talent, and is close to breaking through as a great team. But Guthrie is already there. This will be a close one, but I’ll take the Bluejays’ big-game experience to win out.

Jason
McGuinness 21, Clinton 14
Norman 35, Sapulpa 27
Wagoner 28, Vinita 21
Ryan 35, Thackerville 31
Purcell 38, Sulphur 24
Seq. Tahlequah 31, Verdigris 21
Edmond Santa Fe 27, Westmoore 24
Seminole 34, Valliant 24
Midwest City 35, Yukon 17
Guthrie 28, Deer Creek 17
Lock of the week: Edmond Santa Fe over Westmoore. 
I watched Edmond Santa Fe play Midwest City, and while they clearly weren’t better than the Bombers, they showed that they can play with almost anyone. I think the 2-1 Wolves get back on track by winning their district opener at home.

Edmond Santa Fe's Aaron Anderson will take an official visit to the University of Nevada this weekend.

Edmond Santa Fe basketball player Aaron Anderson will spend a lot of time out west in the coming weeks. The 6-foot-2 combo guard is taking an official visit to Nevada this weekend, and is expected to visit Fresno State as well, Wolves coach Shawn Schenk said Wednesday.

“He had a great summer,” Schenk said of Anderson, who also has a scholarship offer from Oral Roberts. “He made better decisions with the ball, and that was something college coaches wanted to see. His focus has been shooting the 3 better, and he’s in the gym all the time getting shots up.

“He’s going to have some good opportunities.”

Anderson averaged 8.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game last year.

Schenk said he was unsure if Nevada had made an “official” scholarship offer, but the coaching staff made it very clear they were strongly interested in Anderson.

Nevada just received a commitment from a combo guard on Tuesday, but the team contacted Schenk to let him know that commitment had no bearing on Anderson’s recruitment.

“They said Aaron is still a guy they want,” Schenk said. “They were here the first day they could be out visiting players, and so was Oral Roberts.”

Anderson was also being recruited by Tulsa, but the Golden Hurricane recently got a commitment from Edmond Memorial guard James Woodard.

Anderson’s strength and long body, particularly in how he uses those two features on defense, are big selling points in the recruiting game.

“He’s long and athletic, and he can really defend,” Schenk said. “He’s one of the most competitive kids I’ve had since I’ve been here.”

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

Edmond North quarterback Jesse Mathews has thrown nine touchdowns through three games this season. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

Edmond North senior Jesse Mathews emerged from an intense battle in the preseason with junior Luke Hoskins to win the Huskies’ quarterback job.

So far, he’s been impressive.

Mathews has thrown for nine touchdowns and just one interception — and it was a junk interception at the end of a half — for the 3-0 Huskies.

Mathews almost earned the Edmond North quarterback job two seasons ago as a sophomore, but he lost out to Travis Townsend, who was the starter for the past two seasons.

That quarterback battle was a three-way competition with Mathews, Townsend and then-senior Danny Rossi.

“It was very, very close between all three of those guys,” Huskies coach Jeremy Dombek said. “But we almost went with Jesse because we knew how talented he was, and thought if he could start as a sophomore, just think how good he’ll be by the time he’s a senior.”

Edmond Santa Fe quarterback Justice Hansen throws during his team's loss to Midwest City on Thursday. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

EDMOND — Most will look at the score of Thursday’s game at Wantland Stadium and think it was a blowout.

But it really wasn’t. It’s one of those games where you can point to clear moments that determined the outcome, and had those few moments gone the other way, we might be talking about a different result.

Midwest City beat Edmond Santa Fe 27-6, and the Bombers (3-0) were clearly the better team. There’s no doubt about that.

But the Wolves (2-1) did a pretty good job on defense and were able to move the ball with some success on the Bombers’ D.

Here is a look at some of the key moments that determined the way Thursday’s game went:

* With the game in a scoreless tie, Edmond Santa Fe was on an impressive drive as the first quarter ended. In fact, the last play of the quarter was a 40-yard completion from Justice Hansen to Trevan Smith that put the ball on the Midwest City 27-yard line. Running back Phillip Sumpter opened the second quarter with a 10-yard run, but on first-and-10 from the Bombers’ 17, Hansen was picked off by Ricky Reeves on the one-yard line.

* Later in the quarter, with the Bombers leading 6-0, the Wolves were stopped for a three-and-out. But Midwest City’s Antonio Martin blocked the Santa Fe punt, giving the Bombers the ball on the Wolves’ one-yard line. One play later, James Flanders scored his second touchdown and the score was 12-0.

* On Edmond Santa Fe’s very next drive, Hansen led the Wolves to Midwest City’s 24-yard line, but the sophomore quarterback threw two straight incomplete passes on third and fourth downs. The Bombers took over possession, marched down the field, scored with two seconds left and added the two-point conversion to take a 20-0 lead into halftime.

* On the first drive of the second half, the Wolves started on their own 23-yard line but got all the way to the Midwest City 33. But on fourth down, Hansen was intercepted by Flanders, whose 57-yard return put the ball on the Wolves’ 21. Seven plays later, Flanders scored his third touchdown on a five-yard run.

* Near the end of the third quarter, Midwest City was up 27-0 and punting on a fourth-and-eight from their own 42. But the long snapper sent the snap over the punter’s head. Edmond Santa Fe got no where near the ball or the punter, who had time to re-adjust and kick the ball away.

Now obviously all of the above plays went Midwest City’s way not because Edmond Santa Fe was unlucky, but because the Bombers were just the better team. I’m not trying to suggest that the better team lost.

But the Wolves’ talent was evident. And Hansen, just a sophomore, still played really well considering what he was up against.

Edmond Santa Fe had the ball inside Midwest City’s 35-yard line six times, and came away with just one scoring drive. That’s a mixture of the Bombers’ big-game experience, their talent and the Wolves’ inexperience.

The Wolves are going to win a lot of games this year. And with Hansen’s continued development, they are going to win a lot of games over the next couple of years.

ESF's Justice Hansen figures to be a key in tonight's game against Midwest City.

Class 6A No. 3 Midwest City (2-0) at No. 9 Edmond Santa Fe (2-0)
7 p.m. Thursday
Wantland Stadium, Edmond

When Midwest City has the ball: Midwest City is stacked with talented players on offense, starting with running back James Flanders, who has already rushed for 309 yards and five touchdowns through two games.

One matchup to watch is the lines. Midwest City’s offensive line returned just two starters from last season, while Edmond Santa Fe’s defensive front, led by Division I recruit Michael Onuoha, has been outstanding through two games. However, Edmond Santa Fe coach Lance Manning said that, just from watching film, you wouldn’t know about the Bombers’ inexperience up front because they’ve been so good.

When Edmond Santa Fe has the ball: The Wolves offense figured to be a project coming into this year when sophomore Justice Hansen earned the starting quarterback spot. But Hansen has shown plenty of poise and the talent that figures to make him one of the state’s top quarterback prospects among the class of 2014. Junior running back Phillip Sumpter has proven to be an effective runner while also giving Hansen a good target through the air.

The Wolves, in wins over Edmond Memorial and Yukon, haven’t seen the kind of physical defense they will in Midwest City, though. The Bombers have one of the state’s top secondaries, led by Ricky Reeves and Ronnie Davis, who have already combined for four interceptions. Hansen will need to maintain his composure against tough coverage looks and a strong front seven if the Wolves are to remain undefeated through their non-district schedule.

PREDICTION TIME
Jason: Midwest City has big-game experience and loads of talent. But Edmond Santa Fe is playing at home and has built up all kinds of momentum. I wouldn’t be surprised either way, but I’m picking Edmond Santa Fe 21, Midwest City 20.

Ryan: A couple weeks ago, even after watching the Wolves in a scrimmage against Norman North, I would’ve picked the Bombers to win this game comfortably. The Wolves were going to be much improved but the way they’ve come together as quickly as they have under first-year coach Lance Manning has been remarkable. Midwest City still gets the job done tonight in a tight game but this is the kind of game that will benefit the Wolves down the road. Midwest City 21, Edmond Santa Fe 14

By Ryan Aber and Jason Kersey

Last week:
Scott 7-3, 1-0
Ryan 6-4, 1-0
Jason 6-4, 1-0

Overall
Ryan: 14-6, 2-0
Jason: 13-7, 1-1
Scott: 13-7, 1-1

Ryan
Midwest City 21, Edmond Santa Fe 14
Jenks 28, Owasso 7
McAlester 35, Ardmore 14
Tulsa East Central 35, Tulsa Washington 10
McGuinness 21, Millwood 13
Heritage Hall 42, Davis 17
Bethany 28, Washington 13
Kingfisher 14, Hennessey 12
Ryan 22, Coyle 18
Tipton 33, Thackerville 22

Lock of the week: Kingfisher over Hennessey
This is a tough one for me because there was a lot I was impressed with last week when I watched Hennessey play Jones. But Kingfisher has the depth to wear down Hennessey a bit by the end of the game and the athleticism to not let Ivan Moreno and Levi Hill wear their defense down. The Eagles will be better for having played this game once district play begins but Kingfisher gets it done.

Jason
Edmond Santa Fe 21, Midwest City 20
Jenks 45, Owasso 24
McAlester 27, Ardmore 14
Tulsa East Central 24, Tulsa Washington 14
Bishop McGuinness 28, Millwood 17
Heritage Hall 35, Davis 10
Bethany 31, Washington 17
Kingfisher 24, Hennessey 21
Coyle 30, Ryan 27
Tipton 35, Thackerville 30

Lock of the week: Bishop McGuinness over Millwood
The Falcons have a tough power running game that will be tough for future opponents to slow down, but not the Irish. McGuinness’ defense — especially with their outstanding linebacking core of Brandon Nguyen, Danny Krenger and Nick Jeffries. Last season, Millwood won a shootout 48-41, but expect a more low-scoring game this time. Bishop McGuinness 28, Millwood 17

Scott
Midwest City 28, Edmond Santa Fe 24
Jenks 35, Owasso 24
McAlester 35, Ardmore 21
Tulsa East Central 30, Tulsa Washington 21
McGuinness 21, Millwood 20
Heritage Hall 41, Davis 17
Bethany 38, Washington 28
Kingfisher 21, Hennessey 20
Coyle 30, Ryan 27
Tipton 28, Thackerville 27

Lock of the week: McAlester over Ardmore.
Sitting in a press box in El Reno two years ago during the Class 5A semifinals, I began to take note of a talented McAlester team. Then I noticed the amount of young players on the roster, and I realized this was a team that would only keep getting better. Now we’re seeing it come to fruition, and I think this week will be another sign of things to come for the Buffs.

The opening of Yukon's new Miller Stadium was one of many events during a busy weekend of football.

I can already tell this is going to be a long week. Since Sept. 1, I haven’t gone more than two days without covering a high school football game. Friday can’t get here soon enough.

And after the three games I covered this weekend, it’s going to be hard for the next 13 weeks of football to live up to the standard.

On Thursday night, I watched Putnam City North knock off Mustang in double-overtime when sophomore kicker Richard Gallegos booted through a 17-yard field goal to clinch it. Friday brought the debut of Yukon’s new stadium, and a late rally by Edmond Santa Fe to spoil the opener at the Millers’ new home. Then we had the usual amount of drama on Saturday afternoon at the Soul Bowl.

Here’s a look back at what we learned about the teams in those three contests, starting with the double-OT thriller at PC Stadium.

What we learned about Mustang: The Mustang offensive line is getting better, but defenses are still finding ways to attack that young group of players. Fortunately, they can battle through their growing pains in the non-district, and hopefully be ready by Week 4 when district games begin.

Brandon Taylor is doing well throwing on the run and moving the pocket when he needs to, but the experienced PC North secondary was able to give him trouble, coming up with four picks on Thursday. At running back, I’ve been impressed with A.J. Ashman early this season. Obviously, the Broncos toss the ball around a lot, so he doesn’t get a ton of carries, but he takes advantage of his opportunities and is viable in the passing game, too.

Putnam City North senior Dre Holman rushed for 201 yards Thursday against Mustang.

What we learned about Putnam City North: The run game is vital to the Panthers’ offensive focus, but their ability to stay balanced is what kept them alive on Thursday. Dre Holman’s 201 yards were huge, but the fact that John Robert Simon was 8-of-10 passing in the second half and overtime — with two touchdowns — was the turning point of the game.

Defensively, it’s clear that the Panthers’ strength is in the secondary, so I’ll be curious to see if teams try to focus on running the ball against them more, especially in the early part of the season until the new players in the front seven develop.

After the ugly fourth quarter in the opening loss to Putnam City, finishing strong against Mustang was valuable to this team. Getting back to the playoffs is a definite possibility for this team, based on the district schedule, but giving away very many fourth-quarter leads won’t get you past Week 10.

What we learned about Edmond Santa Fe: This team has battled through several close losses in the last two years, but I don’t think anyone — on the outside, at least — saw this strong start coming. With so much talent on both sides of the ball, along with a good mix of experience and youth, the Wolves are clearly a team that’s going to make some noise in 6A this year, and Friday’s 38-28 win at Yukon was a breakout moment.

People are quickly becoming familiar with guys like Justice Hansen, Trevan Smith and Phillip Sumpter. But here’s another name to keep an eye on: Khari Harding. He’s a big, athletic defensive back who could very well land at a Division I program. He’s only a junior now, so the Wolves get to enjoy him terrorizing opponents for a couple seasons.

I had heard a lot about Michael Onuoha coming into the game, and he’s an athletic specimen with a lot of talent. But the Wolves’ defensive line overall was very impressive. They were getting a good push most of the game, and getting into the backfield to disrupt the Yukon offense. With the amount of talent at the skill spots, the Wolves can really be a dangerous team if the lines start playing in a dominant fashion.

On a sidenote, you couldn’t help but feel for Tre Kelley on Friday. He’s an impressive player who twice seemed to have given his team the big play just when they needed it. First, he took a screen pass and zipped through the Miller defense for a 76-yard TD. But it was called back. A couple plays later, he got behind the defense and went the distance for a 74-yard score. Also called back. Moments later, he was the target again, but Yukon’s Derek Deeds stepped in front for the pick in what seemed to be a huge turning point in the game. But the Wolves recovered to rally for the win.

What we learned about Yukon: Tackling in space was the one big issue that haunted the Millers on Friday night. From the opening kickoff, which Smith returned 94 yards for a score, the Millers’ ability to keep Santa Fe ball carriers coralled was a problem. The Wolves accounted for more than half of their total offense on four big plays, including a 73-yard scramble by Hansen.

Other than the tackling, Yukon really played pretty solid. They were slow out of the gate, which might have had something to do with all the hype around the opening of the new stadium. Anyone who saw the Millers against Mustang in the opener could tell they were a little out of sync early, maybe pressing a little, hoping to put on a good show.

The running back by committee idea looks to be Todd Wilson’s focus. Not counting QB Corben Jones, eight different players got at least one rushing attempt Friday. And of the three players who carried the ball in the first half, none of them touched it in the second half.

Douglass' Chris High is one of three talented running backs in the Trojan arsenal.

What we learned about Douglass: As closely as I’ve followed this team the last couple of weeks, it’s hard to say I learned very much new information about them at Saturday’s 21-14 Soul Bowl win. They had a couple of players held out because of injuries suffered Monday against DeSoto, but otherwise, Saturday was a strong bounce-back game.

Chris Compton was able to show that he can be a threat throwing the ball. The way things went against DeSoto, it was hard to tell just what kind of passer he was going to be, but his 8-of-11 performance — including a couple of big throws at crucial times — showed that he’ll be ready to handle it when the team needs to throw. Coach Willis Alexander always says that he wants his offense to be able to throw when they want to, and Saturday, that seemed to be the case.

The run game will still be the Trojans’ bread and butter. With Dion’Tay Washington, Chavez Wyatt and Chris High, they’ve got a group of backs who can do a little bit of everything.

I’m excited to see what the future holds for Deondre Clark. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound sophomore came through with some big plays on Saturday, including the go-ahead touchdown on a 15-yard reception. He had to go down low to pull it in, then regained his balance to finish off the run.

What we learned about Millwood: When they start lining up against 2A competition every week, the Falcons are going to be dishing out some pain. Running backs Marc Robinson and Larry Lambeth give Millwood a power run game that not many teams can match up against. Unfortunately, Douglass was one of those teams, with Cayman Bundage and Diamonte McClellan in the middle. But the run will be much stronger for Millwood against different competition.

QB Dametric Sanders threw the ball better than I expected him to. He hit some big passes in the first half, and had a couple of good throws dropped. He’s a very athletic QB, and he’s not going to put up the kind of numbers Kevonte Richardson did last year. But he can be effective both throwing and running the ball for Millwood this year. And backup QB London Potts can toss it around, too, if needed.

Defensively, Millwood has some good size up front, and the duo of Robinson and Lambeth are the perfect pair at inside linebacker. Stopping the run will be their strength. Even with all the talent Douglass has in the run game, Millwood made them work for their yards, finishing with 186 on 43 carries for an average of 4.3 yards per attempt. I’d be surprised if anybody holds Douglass to those kinds of numbers in the run game the rest of the season.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

Edmond Memorial's James Woodard, right, has verbally committed to play basketball at Tulsa.

Another of the top senior basketball players in the state is off the board.

Edmond Memorial shooting guard James Woodard committed to Tulsa, making the official announcement on Twitter Sunday evening.

Woodard was at Tulsa for an unofficial visit on Sunday and committed to coach Doug Wojcik while on campus.

He had also received offers from Oklahoma State, Oral Roberts and Creighton.

“I think this will be a good fit for him,” Memorial coach Shane Cowherd said. “He had some good options on the table, which is a credit to him as a player and as a student-athlete.”

Cowherd noted both the basketball and engineering programs as reasons for Woodard’s decision.

“James has every intention of becoming an engineer, and Tulsa’s engineering school is top-notch,” he said. “And I think coach Wojcik did a good job of showing him his plan and direction for the program. The whole family felt very comfortable with coach Wojcik.”

A 6-foot-3 guard, Woodard averaged 13.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists last season in helping the Bulldogs to the Class 6A state championship. He will join Lawton Eisenhower’s D’Andre Wright, a 6-foot-9 senior, at Tulsa next season.

Woodard’s younger brother, Jordan Woodard, is one of the top recruits in the state’s 2013 class. The 6-foot point guard already has an offer from Oklahoma and is ranked by Rivals.com as the No. 122 junior player in the country.

But Cowherd said James’ decision won’t necessarily impact Jordan’s choice.

“They could end up at the same school. I’m not saying they won’t,” he said. “But what’s best for James doesn’t mean it’s also best for Jordan. The family is committed to making the best decision for each of the boys.”

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Twitter: @ScottWrightOK

Norman's Tanner Satterthwaite, the defending Class 6A champion, is one of several top runners competing in Friday's OK Runner Classic in Norman. PHOTO BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN

Over 100 cross country teams will descend upon Norman Friday for the sixth annual OK Runner Classic, which is hosted by Norman High School.

Several of the top runners in the state will compete in the event, including defending Class 6A boys champion Tanner Satterthwaite of Norman and last year’s 6A girls runner-up Emily Helms of Mustang.

High school races begin at 10:30 a.m. with the 2A-4A girls. The last varsity race, the 5A-6A boys, begins at 2:30 p.m.

Here is the full list of race times:
10:30: 2A/3A/4A girls
11:30: 2A/3A/4A boys
1:30: 5A/6A girls
2:30: 5A/6A boys
4:30: Junior high girls
5:00: Junior high boys

Edmond Santa Fe cross country runner Arya Bahreini.

Edmond Santa Fe’s Arya Bahreini won the varsity boys 5K run at the seventh annual Wolf Run Cross Country Race, and is The Oklahoman’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week.

He ran the race in 16:07, 25 seconds ahead of the second-place finisher, Deer Creek’s Taler Buck. Bahreini was Edmond Santa Fe’s highest individual at last year’s Class 6A state meet.

Edmond Santa Fe's Taylor Ashcraft, left, Daniel Bly, center, and Conner Bays celebrate a touchdown during the Wolves' win Friday. PHOTO BY SARAH PHIPPS, THE OKLAHOMAN

EDMOND — I can admit when I’m wrong, and I was wrong big time about 2011’s first edition of Edlam.

Some of you Edmond Santa Fe Wolves have reminded me of just how wrong I was, to which I say: Yep, so go ahead and give it to me. I deserve it.

It was an electric atmosphere at Wantland Stadium on Friday night, and I had a blast covering the Wolves’ 31-6 win. The fans are what make covering sports so much fun, and it is that much more fun when the fans are as passionate as the Edmond Santa Fe fans clearly are.

And they certainly have a right to be fired up after Friday’s win. Sophomore QB Justice Hansen looks like a star in the making. The Wolves’ defensive line, led by NCAA Division I recruit Michael Onuoha, is dynamite.

The big Edlam win, which was the Wolves’ first win over either of their in-town rivals in two years, comes on the heels of last week’s 9-0 half-game scrimmage win over Jenks.

“It was the greatest feeling of all time,” junior receiver Dale Jefferson said of topping Edmond Memorial. “That and the Jenks scrimmage, that’s got us pumped up for this season.”

Next week’s game at Yukon will be big for the Wolves. If they can go in and beat quarterback Corben Jones and the Millers, who topped Mustang 44-31 on Friday, the sky’s the limit for this team.

And to think the Wolves were 1-9 last season. It’s hard to believe, isn’t it?

It is just one game, and one scrimmage. And the Wolves certainly weren’t perfect on Friday, as coach Lance Manning pointed out.

“It’s a good first win for us,” Manning said. “As a coach, you look at it and say, ‘I’m proud of the guys. We played hard.’

“But we made a lot of mistakes. We’ve got a lot to work on next week.”

In the meantime, enjoy the win, Wolves fans. And give me all the (hopefully good-natured) ribbing you want.

Edmond North RB Jarion Tudman rushed for 176 yards and two TDs in Thursday's win over Southmoore. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN

MOORE — After Jarion Tudman was done rushing for 176 yards and two touchdowns in Edmond North’s rout of Southmoore, someone finally sprinted after him in hot pursuit and caught up.

It was me, after the Huskies broke out and were headed to the locker room.

Maybe he was jogging and I was sprinting. And maybe, had he been sprinting, he would have been to the Arkansas state line before I made it to the goal post.

Either way, this guy sprinted and caught up with Jarion Tudman. To interview him.

The Edmond North senior was virtually untouchable for much of Thursday evening. He averaged over nine yards a carry and seems to have not missed a beat from last season, when he rushed for 1,299 yards and nine touchdowns.

But even more impressive than his speed is his strength. You may not expect the 5-foot-7, 158 pound Tudman to break many tackles, but he does. And he also has great vision which allows him to see holes and lanes that extend plays.

“He’s really good at keeping the play going,” quarterback Jesse Mathews said. “The play’s never over with him.”

I’ll say. His 60-yard touchdown run was a prime example of that. He went back and forth so many times that he couldn’t even keep it straight.

“I forgot which way I ended up going,” Tudman said when asked to describe the play.

Bottom line: Tudman could be in for a very, very special season. The Huskies have Choctaw at home next Friday.

Ry Huff, Edmond Memorial quarterback. PHOTO BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN

EDMOND — Tonight, I get to experience Edlam for the first time.

And in all actuality, it’s been a pretty Edlam few days for me. Last night, I watched Edmond North’s dominant rushing attack rack up 377 yards against Southmoore in a 42-10 win.

But tonight, it’s Edmond Memorial vs. Edmond Santa Fe. In a way, it’s the dawning of new eras for both teams.

For Edmond Memorial, gone is quarterback Kameron Doolittle, a run-first signal caller who was a two-year starter. But it’s not like there will be a new face quarterbacking the Bulldogs.

Senior Ry Huff got lots of playing time last year when Doolittle went down with an injury, and this year the offense is unquestionably his. And because of that, Edmond Memorial will go to a more pass-oriented offense that suits Huff’s skills.

And at Edmond Santa Fe, Lance Manning makes his debut as the Wolves’ coach. Manning enjoyed years of success at Norman North and is now attempting to turn around a very talented team that went 1-9 last season.

Manning has already shown some success — the Wolves topped Jenks 9-0 in a half-game scrimmage last week.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: EDMOND MEMORIAL
A major key to success for the Bulldogs will be their offensive line. The unit returns just one starter off last year’s team — senior right guard John Scheihing — and will be up against the big, strong and fast defensive end Michael Onuoha of Edmond Santa Fe. Onuoha is receiving serious NCAA Division I interest.

Memorial coach Justin Merideth said they do their best to simulate Onuoha in practice, but you can’t really simulate his size and speed. If the inexperienced line can keep him away from Huff, that will go a long way towards a win.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: EDMOND SANTA FE
The Wolves have great team speed, but depth is a concern. At the skill positions, Edmond Santa Fe is very talented.

Sophomore quarterback Justice Hansen (6-foot-4, 195 pounds) has all the tools to be successful, and Manning has said that he is mature beyond his years. But it’s hard to know for sure until he gets in a game situation, so his performance will be key to the Wolves’ success.

He has talented targets in senior Tre Kelley and juniors Trevon Smith and Dale Jefferson.

Junior Phillip Sumpter is the team’s top running back. His promising sophomore campaign was cut short by a severe ankle injury, and his skills, added with the Wolves’ passing attack, make the offense two-dimensional.

PREDICTION TIME
Edmond Santa Fe will be much improved; there is no doubt about that. But Edmond Memorial is more experienced, more polished and will come out on top in a close one, 21-17.

Edmond North running backs Jared Benway, left, and Jarion Tudman. PHOTO BY DOUG HOKE, THE OKLAHOMAN

MOORE — Who’s excited about the start of high school football season?

I know I am. I’m covering my first game of the season tonight, and it should be a great one.

Edmond North at Southmoore. Two teams; four outstanding running backs.

But it goes deeper than that. Both teams are talented on both sides of the ball, and both teams have the ability to be two dimensional offensively.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: EDMOND NORTH
In the backfield, the Huskies have speedster Jarion Tudman, who rushed for 1,299 yards and nine touchdowns last season, and the powerful Jared Benway, who was hurt all of last season but showed flashes of what he can do as a sophomore.

Senior quarterback Jesse Mathews won the job after a close competition with junior Luke Hoskins, who will back Benway up at fullback. Mathews, who is replacing two-year starter Travis Townsend under center for Edmond North, has a solid group of receivers at his disposal.

Senior Garrett Molinsky had 476 yards and five touchdowns last season. Senior tight end Troy Davis added eight touchdowns a year ago. Other pass-catchers for the Huskies include senior Ken Bingham, a speedy target with good hands, and Rashad Salaam, who at 6-foot-4 provides a big target for Mathews.

Up front, the Huskies should get a big boost from move-in guard Will Wiedenmann (6-foot-7, 336 pounds), who coach Jeremy Dombek said looks like he’s 280 pounds because of his athleticism.

Defensively, Edmond North returns eight starters. The Husky defense’s strong point is its secondary, which is led by senior safety Christian Peterson.

Southmoore running back Andrew Long. OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE PHOTO

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: SOUTHMOORE
Southmoore missed the playoffs last season after injuries to their top offensive stars — now graduated quarterback Kendal Thompson and running back Andrew Long. But the experienced their backups gained could pay dividends this season.

Junior quarterback Tre Edwards got lots of playing time in Thompson’s absense last year. He threw for nearly 1,000 yards last season and rushed for 467 and 12 touchdowns. SaberCats coach Chris Jensen called Edwards a “magician” with the ball in his hands.

Edwards, Long, who rushed for 1,499 yards in just eight games, and junior Karltrell Henderson, who also rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2010, create one of the top backfields in Class 6A.

A big questionmark for the SaberCats’ rushing attack will be their offensive line, which returns no starters.

Edwards also has three returning starters to throw the ball to — tight end Jackson Stallings, who grabbed five TDs last season, and juniors Johnathan Martin and Nick Ward.

Defensively, Southmoore brings back five starters, including linebackers Kaleb Thompson, who had 125 tackles last season, and Terrance Bonner. The SaberCats defense is very talented despite its inexperience, and has the potential to be a strong unit in 2011.

PREDICTION TIME
This could be a classic game because of the two immensely talented offenses. I think it will ultimately come down to which rushing attack has a better showing, and I believe it will be the Huskies’. Edmond North’s defense is more experienced than Southmoore’s, and when you combine that with the SaberCats’ green offensive line, I think it spells a Huskies victory.

Edmond North 27, Southmoore 24.

Will Wiedenmann (6-foot-7, 336 pounds) moved from Statham, Ga., to Edmond.

“He came a couple days after practice started, and asked if we had a spot on the team for him,” Huskies coach Jeremy Dombek said. “I took one look at him and said, ‘I think I can find one.’”

Wiedenmann passed his physical, and the OSSAA cleared him to play last Thursday, Dombek said.

Wiedenmann will be in the starting lineup at left guard when the Huskies open the season on Thursday at Southmoore.

“He’s still learning our scheme, but there’s no doubt that he’s a player,” Dombek said.

“There’s no bones about it — he’s going to raise some eyebrows when he comes off the bus.”

Edmond Santa Fe football coach Lance Manning.

After struggling through a 1-9 season last year, Edmond Santa Fe couldn’t possibly have more momentum heading into Friday’s season opener against Edmond Memorial.

The Wolves beat perennial power Jenks, which has won nine of the last 15 Class 6A state championships, 9-0 at the Jenks Preview on Friday.

“Like I told (the players), let’s don’t pretend it is a full four quarters,” first-year Wolves coach Lance Manning said. “But you go to Jenks and play them 9-0, play physical and with a lot of emotion, and it sure gives you a lot of confidence going into Week 1. We’ve got a long ways to go, but if you’re going to draw it up, that’s the way you want it to go.”


Jesse Mathews, left, will be Edmond North's starting quarterback in 2011. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN

Edmond North senior Jesse Mathews will be the team’s starting quarterback for its first game at Southmoore, coach Jeremy Dombek said Monday.

Mathews had been competing with junior Luke Hoskins to replace two-year starter Travis Townsend.

Mathews was the junior varsity’s quarterback as a sophomore and a starting receiver for the Edmond North varsity team last year. Hoskins was the JV quarterback last season.

The competition had been tight, and Dombek said before last week’s scrimmage at Moore that the decision was getting harder.

Dombek has said that he won’t use a two-quarterback system.

Ry Huff, Edmond Memorial quarterback

Edmond Memorial coach Justin Merideth was pleased with his team’s effort in its first scrimmage at Enid.

“It was a typical first scrimmage,” Merideth said. “There were some good things and some bad things, but our kids played hard and played physical. … We didn’t have any injuries, so if we can come out of a scrimmage with all those things I’m happy.”

The Bulldogs are still adjusting to their more pass-centric offense with senior quarterterback Ry Huff. Last season, with runner Kameron Doolittle calling the signals, the team ran more.

“It’s an adjustment,” Merideth said. “It’s a learning process, but the more reps we get, the better it is. I’m happy with our progress. We’re making progress and that’s the most important thing.”

Jason Kersey
jkersey@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @jasonkersey
Friend me on Facebook

Edmond North safety Christian Peterson broke his wrist during practice last week.

Edmond North senior safety Christian Peterson, one of eight returning starters on the Huskies’ defense, broke his wrist during the team’s intersquad scrimmage Monday.

Peterson didn’t realize how serious the injury was and didn’t leave practice after the injury occurred.

“I didn’t realize what was wrong,” Peterson said. “I just thought it was a bruise or something.”

Peterson has no plans to miss any time, though.  The Huskies’ first scrimmage is tonight at Moore.

“I’m just gonna play with the cast on,” Peterson said. “It’s my last go-round.”

Peterson said his doctor told him that he could play, but not to push it.

Peterson made 76 tackles last season as a junior.

Jason Kersey
jkersey@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @jasonkersey
Friend me on Facebook

Junior Luke Hoskins is competing to be Edmond North's starting quarterback in 2011. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN

Edmond North coach Jeremy Dombek is no closer to making a decision on who his starting quarterback will be in 2011, and the decision isn’t getting any easier to make.

Senior Jesse Mathews and junior Luke Hoskins are competing to replace graduated two-year starter Travis Townsend as the Huskies’ signal caller.

“It gets harder every day because they’re both so good,” said Dombek, who has also said he won’t consider a two-quarterback system.

“I’m not going to lose any sleep over it because no matter who it is, I’m going to feel good about it. They’re both good teammates, and they’re gonna support whichever decision we make because we are making it in the best interest of the team.”

Dombek has said he plans to make his decision after the team’s first scrimmage, which is Friday at Moore.

Edmond Memorial quarterback Ry Huff throws during practice on Tuesday, Aug. 9. PHOTO BY JIM BECKEL, THE OKLAHOMAN

Edmond Memorial is putting a stronger emphasis on its passing game in 2011 with Ry Huff at quarterback.

Last season, the Bulldogs’ quarterback was Kameron Doolittle, whose explosiveness came from his ability to run.

“This year, Ry’s strength is his arm,” Edmond Memorial coach Justin Merideth said. “Ry is a good runner, but his explosiveness comes from his arm. Our offensive is flexible; we’re just tweaking to put a little more emphasis on the pass game.”

Huff played some at quarterback last year when Doolittle was injured, but now the senior takes over full time.

“I’m more of a throwing quarterback,” Huff said. “Last year, we kept it pretty simple with fast stuff and play action. Now we’re opening it up and putting in some more elaborate plays.”

Huff’s top targets, he said, will be senior Bryce Robinson and juniors Devin Cossman and Sam Kreutzer.

Edmond Santa Fe right-hander Ty Hensley walked to the mound at Wrigley Field on Saturday, starting for the American team in the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game.

He got the first batter he faced to ground out, then worked out of a two-on, one-out situation with a double play to cap a scoreless inning.

“It was a blast,” Hensley said. “It was so much fun to be able to do that.”

Hensley hit 94 on the radar run during his performance.

After getting back from Chicago, Hensley made his college choice official when he committed to Ole Miss.

He chose the Rebels over Arizona State and Texas.

He said he had known he wanted to commit to Ole Miss for awhile but wanted to wait to make it official.

“I just wanted to make sure that it was for sure where I wanted to go,” he said. “I felt like it was a place where I could develop as both a pitcher and a hitter better than anyplace else.”

Edmond Memorial's James Woodard, right, was offered a scholarship by Oklahoma State on Tuesday.

Busy week on the basketball recruiting scene. Here’s a look at the two biggest pieces of news from the last couple days:

OSU offers Memorial’s James Woodard

Edmond Memorial senior James Woodard is coming off strong summer performances on the AAU circuit, and the results are showing in his college offers.

Woodard’s added his biggest opportunity to date when Oklahoma State offered a scholarship during a visit to the campus on Tuesday, Edmond Memorial coach Shane Cowherd said.

“They want to bring him in for an official visit early in the football season,” Cowherd said. “James is still weighing the offer, and he has some other good offers, too.”

Woodard, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard, also has offers from Tulsa, Oral Roberts and Creighton.

Woodard’s brother, Jordan Woodard, will be a junior for the Bulldogs and is also garnering national recruiting attention, including an offer from Oklahoma.

Cowherd said that attending the same school is not necessarily a major factor for the brothers in the recruiting process.

“James is going to pick the best school for him, and Jordan will pick the best school for him,” the coach said. “If that happens to be the same school, then that’s great.”

Parker gets ninth offer

Tulsa Washington’s Juwan Parker is quickly becoming one of the state’s most sought-after basketball recruiting targets, picking up his ninth scholarship offer on Tuesday. The University of San Francisco extended a scholarship, which Parker announced on Twitter.

The 6-foot-4 guard, who will be a junior this year, also has offers from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tulsa, Baylor, Minnesota, Memphis, Mercer and Vanderbilt.

San Francisco has already gotten verbal commitments from two Oklahoma players for the 2012 class in the Bishop McGuinness duo of Matt Christiansen and Joe Edmonds.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

Edmond North coach Jeremy Dombek likes the experience of his 2011 squad. PHOTO BY CHRIS LANDSBERGER, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE

Edmond North coach Jeremy Dombek is pleased so far with his team’s practice effort, and he attributes the pace to experience.

“We’re definitely ahead of where we’ve been the past few years,” Dombek said. “That’s what you expect when you have a veteran team returning. I love our pace of practice.”

The Huskies return eight starters on defense and six on offense, including senior running back Jarion Tudman, who rushed for 1,299 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago.

Also back is running back Jared Benway, a senior who was expected to carry the load for the Huskies last year before an early leg injury that cost him his entire junior year.

Dombek said he will really know where his team stands when practice in pads starts Friday.

“You’re so limited in what you can do and how you can evaluate (without pads),” Dombek said, “but we’ll get through (Thursday) and get the pads on Friday and the opening game will be here before we know it.”

The Huskies open on Thursday, September 1 at Southmoore. The team’s first scrimmage is Friday, Aug. 19 at Moore.

Edmond North High School's football field after the Wednesday morning storm.

I just talked to Edmond Public Schools athletic director Mike Nunley again, and after visiting other Edmond schools he has a rough estimate of $50,000 in damages to sports facilities in the district.

An estimated $30,000 of the damages are at Edmond North High School. Much of the damage is from wind screens, which Nunley called “super expensive,”  at the tennis courts being destroyed. Wind screens at Edmond North, Edmond Santa Fe High School and four of the five middle schools were destroyed.

Edmond Memorial High School appears to have sustained no damage to its sports facilities.

The Edmond North play clock was at a 45-degree angle after Wednesday's storms.

I went to Edmond North’s football practice this morning to check in on coach Jeremy Dombek and the Huskies, who have a true dynamic duo at running back and a quarterback battle brewing.

But the Huskies weren’t the story of the day at Edmond North High School. The athletic facilities behind the school had suffered damage from the violent thunderstorm that ripped through Edmond early Wednesday morning.

Edmond athletic director Mike Nunley estimated that the damage is $30,000 at Edmond North alone. He left to go check on other schools in the area.

One of the first things I noticed was the play clock at the football field. It was at a 45-degree angle (see photo). There was the new pole vault pit, which was completely destroyed. The Huskies’ softball field appeared to have suffered no damage, however.

Hopefully the damage  is limited to what I saw.

“It was awesome,” Antlers coach Grant Gower said. “It was 72 degrees at 5:45 this morning, and we got a ton of things done. It went very well.”

Most impressive of all? Gower said not a single player was late or absent from the early practice.

“I was very pleased with that,” Gower said. “Everybody was there, and we didn’t have any stragglers.”

Gower said he was most pleased with his team’s level of retention. The Antlers return six starters on offense and seven on defense from last season.

“We started off very crisp, which is one of the nice things with having spring ball, 7-on-7 camps and all that additional stuff,” Gower said. “Our retention level was really good.

“We have a lot of intelligent players.”

“Those are the two areas we have to get good play out of,” Merideth said. “We’re athletic at the skill positions. If we can get good play out of our lines, we’ll be pretty excited.”

Merideth said the lines are split about half and half between juniors and seniors, which gives him some confidence, but that they don’t have much playing experience.

“They’re mature; they know what it takes, but they’re inexperienced,” Merideth said. “Talent isn’t a problem on the offensive and defensive lines; it’s just experience.”

One lineman back with plenty of experience is senior right guard John Scheihing, a two year starter who stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 270 pounds. He is the only returning starter on the Bulldog offensive line.

“Up front is a big key, Scheihing said, “but I think we have a bunch of good young guys.”

The starters on the offensive line are pretty well established with the exception of center.

Senior Steven Scheef will start at RT, Scheihing at RG, senior Mac Wilsey at LG and junior Lucas Gerdes at LT. Senior Will King, junior Ben Cerra and sophomore Mason Hall are competing to be the Bulldogs’ center.

Scheihing said he is still working to get in rhythm with his new linemates, but that they are close.

“We’re trying to know what the other person is doing before he does it, and just get in a rhythm,” Scheihing said. “We’re close to having it down, because through spring ball we really took a lot of big steps.”

Heritage Hall players Markus Wakefield, Barry Sanders and Sterling Shepard. PHOTO BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN

Happy first day of practice, Oklahoma high school football fans!

Fall practices begin today for Oklahoma high schools, and I, along with my fellow high school writers Scott Wright and Ryan Aber, will be out and about all week visiting practices around the Oklahoma City area.

My Tuesday begins by checking out Barry Sanders, Sterling Shepard and the defending Class 3A state champion Heritage Hall Chargers. I’ll then head to Edmond Memorial to check out quarterback Ry Huff and the Bulldogs, and wrap up my day of practices with an afternoon visit to new coach Chris Stiles and the Mount St. Mary Rockets.

I’ll also be calling coaches all day to check in, so be sure to stay with this blog and NewsOK.com, and to follow these Twitter accounts: @jasonkersey, @ryaber, @ScottWrightOK, @HSVarsity and @NewsOKSports. Also, be sure to like our high school coverage on Facebook.

- JK

Jason Kersey
jkersey@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter @jasonkersey

Senior Aaron Anderson, a 6-foot-2 combo guard, received a scholarship offer from Oral Roberts on Monday, according to his AAU team, the Oklahoma Wizards.

Anderson also has an offer from Arkansas-Little Rock. He averaged 8.4 points and 3.9 assists, shooting 50 percent from the floor as a junior.

The Wolves also have a pair of frontcourt prospects gaining college attention in 6-foot-7 senior Michael Onuoha and 6-foot-8 junior Shaquille Morris.

Onuoha is also beginning to draw interest as a football player after a strong showing at some summer camps.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

Tuesday
Game 1: Southmoore vs. Woodward CM, noon
Game 2: Enid Minors vs. Edmond Stars, 2:30 p.m.
Game 3: WW Minors vs. CC Shockers, 5 p.m.
Game 4: OKC Broncos vs. Enid Majors, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday
Game 5: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser, noon
Game 6: Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser, 2:30 p.m.
Game 7: OKC Sandlot vs. Game 1 Winner, 5 p.m.
Game 8: Game 2 Winner vs. Game 4 winner, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday
Game 9: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 6 Winner, 2:30 p.m.
Game 10: Game 7 Loser vs. Game 8 Loser, 5 p.m.
Game 11: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner, 7:30 p.m.

Friday
*After Thursday’s play, pairing will be determined by AABC rules
Game 12: TBA vs. TBA, 5 p.m.
Game 13: TBA vs. TBA, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday
Game 14: TBA vs. TBA, noon
Game 15: TBA vs. TBA, 2:30 p.m.
Game 16: TBA vs. TBA, 7 p.m.

Sunday
Game 17: Championship, 1 p.m.
Game 18: Championship, 6 p.m. (if necessary)
Champion advances to South Plains National Regional in Fort Worth

Edmond Santa Fe graduate Gunnar Nixon was named the Gatorade National Boys Track Athlete of the Year on Thursday.

Thursday was quite a day for Edmond Santa Fe’s Gunnar Nixon.

He started by taking the lead in the decathlon through five events at the US Junior National Track Meet in Eugene, Ore., and he closed the night by being named the Gatorade National Boys Track Athlete of the Year.

Earlier in the day, it was announced that Nixon was the state award winner, but he received the national award as part of a surprise reception Thursday following the first day of events at the US Juniors.

“I don’t think we’ll see a high school decathlete like Gunnar Nixon come along for a long time,” said Ray Davis, one of Nixon’s private coaches and head coach of the Arizona Puma Track Club. “He’s not just an athlete excelling while doing decathlon. He’s a pure combined-events guy. I first saw him when he was 10 years old and you knew even then that he had a chance to be special.”

In May, Nixon became the first Class 6A athlete to win four individual gold medals at the state meet. He followed that up by setting the national high school decathlon points record at the Great Southwest Classic in Albuquerque, N.M., when he scored 8,035 points for the runaway victory.

On Thursday, he scored 4,192 points to take a slim lead on Kevin Lazas (4,103), an Arkansas freshman who will be Nixon’s teammate with the Razorbacks next season. The US Junior decathlon concludes Friday afternoon.

Nixon is the second Oklahoma athlete to win one of the national Gatorade awards. Owasso’s Dylan Bundy was the player of the year in baseball.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com