Picks: Second round of the playoffs
Ryan kept the three-game lead over Jason as both went 8-2 last week. Scott dropped two games, due to picking Yukon over Edmond Memorial and Ada over Duncan.
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.
Picks: First round of the playoffs
Ryan stayed in first place with another strong week despite missing on Tulsa Central, Ada and Bridge Creek. Jason was the only one to miss on his lock, losing out on Westmoore-Lawton.
Last week:
Ryan: 7-3, 1-0
Scott: 7-3, 1-0
Jason: 6-4, 0-1
Overall:
Ryan: 72-29, 9-1
Jason: 69-32, 7-3
Scott: 67-34, 8-2
Ryan
Midwest City 35, Westmoore 21
Owasso 21, Norman 17
Edmond North 21, Yukon 19
Tulsa East Central 32, Tulsa Washington 20
Tulsa Kelley 28, Coweta 14
Duncan 14, Ada 7
Glenpool 35, Piedmont 27
Harrah 21, McGuinness 20
Sequoyah Tahlequah 28, Berryhill 27
Lawton 21, Norman North 14
Lock of the week: Tulsa East Central over Tulsa Washington. East Central won the regular-season matchup at they’ll win again here as their defense slows down the Hornets while their offense continues to roll.
Jason
Midwest City 31, Westmoore 24
Owasso 21, Norman 14
Edmond North 27, Yukon 14
Tulsa East Central 23, Tulsa Washington 14
Coweta 27, Tulsa Kelley 21
Duncan 24, Ada 14
Glenpool 31, Piedmont 17
McGuinness 17, Harrah 13
Sequoyah Tahlequah 35, Berryhill 24
Lawton 31, Norman North 17
Lock of the week: Edmond North over Yukon. Yes, Yukon is fired up because of the way last year’s game ended. But that won’t be enough to make up for the Huskies’ talent. Edmond North wins and moves to a showdown at Tulsa Union.
Scott
Midwest City 35, Westmoore 21
Owasso 28, Norman 17
Yukon 21, Edmond North 20
Tulsa East Central 35, Tulsa Washington 24
Tulsa Kelley 28, Coweta 24
Ada 28, Duncan 24
Glenpool 33, Piedmont 27
Harrah 21, McGuinness 17
Sequoyah Tahlequah 38, Berryhill 28
Lawton 28, Norman North 21
Lock of the Week: Owasso over Norman. Norman RB Donovan Roberts is a game-changer. If he’s able to play, it’s hard to imagine that he’ll be at full speed after the ankle injury he suffered last week. And the Tigers need him to be effective to keep the offense balanced. Without that X-factor, Owasso should put this one away.
First round playoff picks
By Robert Przybylo, Jason Kersey and Zach West
It’s playoff time in Oklahoma. We’re back with our picks for some big first-round games. Here goes:
Owasso at Broken Arrow
Robert – Owasso; Jason – Owasso; Zach – Broken Arrow
Durant at Tulsa East Central
Robert – Tulsa East Central; Jason – Tulsa East Central; Zach – Tulsa East Central
Mannford at Weatherford
Robert – Weatherford; Jason – Weatherford; Zach – Weatherford
Tuttle at Purcell
Robert – Purcell (LOCK); Jason – Tuttle; Zach – Tuttle
Oklahoma Christian at Alva
Robert – Alva; Jason – OCS; Zach – OCS
Tonkawa at Pawnee
Robert – Pawnee; Jason - Tonkawa; Zach – Pawnee
Burns Flat-Dill City at Laverne
Robert – Laverne; Jason – Laverne; Zach – Burns Flat-Dill City
Grandfield at Sharon-Mutual
Robert – Sharon-Mutual; Jason – Sharon-Mutual; Zach – Grandfield
Putnam City North at Putnam City
Robert – Putnam City; Jason – Putnam City North (LOCK); Zach – Putnam City
McAlester at Tulsa Kelley
Robert – McAlester; Jason – McAlester; Zach – McAlester
Coweta at Shawnee
Robert – Shawnee; Jason – Shawnee; Zach – Shawnee
Noble at Duncan
Robert – Duncan; Jason – Duncan; Zach – Duncan (LOCK)
Anadarko at Star Spencer
Robert – Star Spencer; Jason – Star Spencer; Zach – Anadarko
Marlow at Kingfisher
Robert – Kingfisher; Jason – Kingfisher; Zach – Kingfisher
Chandler at Vian
Robert – Chandler; Jason – Chandler; Zach – Chandler
Will be back later with updated standings.
Upset of the week
by Brandon Chatmon
bchatmon@oklahoman.com
It’s playoff time and which means it’s time to make some predictions.
While I don’t expect many upsets this week, I do expect Westmoore to go down to Lawton tonight and knock off the Wolverines.
Westmoore is physical and it seems they’ve gotten things back on the right track now that they’ve moved Craig Ralls back to his running back spot. Ralls is a very good runner and I think he’ll be the difference tonight. The Jags will wear down Lawton and make it a very fun bus ride back to Moore.
Final score: Westmoore 27, Lawton 24.
Kersey/Przybylo Point-Counterpoint Class 6A, MVPs, Coach of the Year
By Robert Przybylo and Jason Kersey
You may know us as The Stooges, but here we’re going to offer “our brilliant insight” on every class. Let’s not waste time.
Class 6A
Robert: To 6A we go, have you had a chance to see the Union-Jenks documentary on VS yet??
Jason: I haven’t, but I’ve heard glowing things about it (mainly from you).
Robert: That’s right. All it did was confirm my belief in Union. No kicker is better than Tress Way and RB Jeremy Smith is too young to be soooo good.
Jason: Yes, but you must not know the history of the Backyard Brawl. Typically, the winner of the regular season game loses in the playoffs. And considering how close the Week 2 game was, how can you be so sure that Union will win? They had to come back from a decent-sized deficit to even force overtime.
Robert: Because Kirk Fridrich has that Union arrogance working again. Union was still finding itself in week 2, still wanting to know if it was officially back. There’s no doubt in their heads now. Brandon Rogers wants to end with one more W over Mark Ginther
Jason: I don’t buy that Union was still “finding itself” in Week 2. The Redskins had just gone to your homestate and clobbered Canton McKinley, I think Union was just fine.
Robert: Fair enough, biggest threat to either one of them??
Jason: As if there is one. Just kidding. I picked Muskogee to beat both of these teams during the regular season. Now, I won’t be doing that again, but I still think the Roughers present the biggest challenge to the two powers. They are enormously talented. Also, don’t forget what happened the day before Muskogee’s loss to Union — their coach hit a kid on a bike. That might have caused them to lose a little focus. And I think there are some fine teams on the west side of the state, but no one is beating either of them. What do you think?
Robert: I’m riding with the Timberwolves of Norman North. Beau Blankenship is a BEAST. I know Muskogee got ‘em in Norman, but as I said in the comments, I think that loss taught them so much about their own potential. Plus, Norman North is your nemesis, you have to pick against them if the Wolves want a chance to win
Jason: Right. I picked against North a lot this year, and they proved me wrong every time. Then, when I picked them to beat Lawton, they lost. It was the same way as you and Shawnee.
Robert: Our boy Ryan Aber knows a lot about this high school stuff. When he says stuff like he’s not sure Midwest City is the best team on the west side of the state, that’s got me questioning the Bombers. I want to believe at 10-0 that they’re a real force. Am I nuts??
Jason: Tim Flanders is great. I only got to see him play once against Moore, but I was extremely impressed. I just think it’s hard to say that MWC isn’t the best time on the West when they are the only unbeaten one. And I’ll give the Muskogee game to North, that’s an east side team, but losing to Lawton has me questioning the Timberwolves.
Robert: I think that was a case of not being able to handle success. NNorth was coming off knocking off Putnam City North and may have been too spent from that one. These are kids, they can’t get up for every game, which is why the HS and college game has been so entertaining this year
Jason: Well if the inability to handle success causes you to lose, that makes you not successful and not as good as a team that does handle success well; even if North is more talented.
MVPs and Coach of the Year
Robert: We’re not done yet, we have some hardware to give out. MVP in Class C? We’ve agreed Tyler Helfenbein from Shattuck. In Class B, I like Shawn Walls from Morrison.
Jason: in B I think it’s Ricky Holba from Morrison (or maybe Ronnell Lewis at Dewar). Morrison likely dominates without Holba, but what is Dewar without Lewis?
Robert: Moving onto A. For me, no-brainer, Josh Zimmer of Washington.
Jason: Luther may not win, but Josh Birmingham has had an unbelievable season.
Robert: 2A has been all about Garrett Valdez from Heritage Hall. That doesn’t stop here.
Jason: J.P. Grasmick of Bethany…or Michael Aska from Bridge Creek.
Robert: Consensus here as Justin Blackmon from Plainview takes home the trophy. In 4A, I’m copping out and giving it to the Glenpool defense.
Jason: Kris Parham from McGuinness.
Robert: Defenses key in on Kye Staley, so Clayton Smith is my Bluejay of choice.
Jason: Don’t forget about Keaton Callins (Guthrie’s other QB), 14 TD, 1 INT.
Robert: Jeremy Smith of Union. Those eyes, that vision, something to behold.
Jason: Matt Patterson’s boy, Mark Ginther at Jenks.
Robert: Finally, Coach of the Year (over all classes). If the Eagles do what I predict, Hennessey’s Shannon Watford gets is easily.
Jason: I hate to stay in 2A, but Jerry Wallis of Bridge Creek gets the nod. Even if they lose in the first round, this season has been unreal for them. BC went winless back-to-back the two seasons before Wallis arrived.
Robert: Three and a half hours later, we are done. Agree, disagree? Let us know. And if you read every last word (all 4,400) of these posts, give yourself a pat on the back. Like to give a shout out to AOL Instant Messenger which made this whole point-counterpoint thing possible.
Kersey/Przybylo Point-Counterpoint Class 5A
By Robert Przybylo and Jason Kersey
Class 5A
Robert: And now we get to 5A, oh boy, if I’m nuts about Glenpool, explain yourself about Lawton Mac??
Jason: Lawton MacArthur is a contender every year. The kids are battle tested and know what it takes to win. Not to mention that the Highlanders are undefeated in a schedule that included Duncan (54-7), Western Heights and Lawton (35-9). And Lawton beat Norman North, who many assume to be the best team on this side of the state. Last season, Mac almost snuck up on Carl Albert in the state finals, losing 14-10. That proves they can compete with the Titans, and I think revenge might be on the Highlanders’ minds.
Robert: I think a healthy McAlester team can take the Highlanders. Myself and Justin Harper have been very high on QB Justin Klusak. He’s what you would call…clutch. And Herman Walters, when healthy, is just as dynamic as RB and returner. When McAlester is clicking, just look at the Durant game. A first-class shootout, but McAlester has too many bullets
Jason: I like your quip there, and I like McAlester and think they certainly have the talent to pull an upset, but in a Mac squared game, think experience. This is McAlester’s second trip to the playoffs in the last five years, and Lawton Mac is there every single year, and usually as a one-seed
Robert: I give L.Mac this: Colton Rainey is a superb kicker. He nailed the game-winner over Lawton Ike and just missed the cut on my Best Kickers list. So I pose this question, why should I doubt Carl Albert? Let’s say I can believe in the Highlanders, tell me why Gary Rose and Co. can’t get the job done?
Jason: In no way am I picking Lawton Mac because of some ineptness in Carl Albert. That team is stacked. My theory is: upsets happen, and this one almost did last year. Lawton Mac is a great team, and that’s why I picked them. There are virtually no flaws in the Titans’ game
Robert: On the other side, Guthrie seems to be the cool team to pick. Any potential potholes for Kye Staley and the boys??
Jason: Let me put it this way: You know how I feel about McGuinness. They are a shoo-in for the 4A championship in my opinion, and Guthrie physically man-handled them in a scrimmage this preseason that I covered. I was re-sold on the Bluejays when they beat Carl Albert a couple weeks ago without Kye having a game worth mentioning. They are big, physical, and fast.
Robert: No chance for Tulsa East Central?? Kenny Session doesn’t strike any fear at all?
Jason: Session is a great back, and I think East Central is a great team. But having seen Guthrie play and the things I mentioned above, I don’t think the Bluejays will lose. Also, Rafe Watkins is a great coach.
Robert: I brought him up earlier, does Tucker Brown pose any threat to Guthrie?? There’s a lot of revenge talk for the Wolves after the last two seasons. If not, gimme the team Guthrie will have the most difficulty with?
Jason: I think he does. Brown has single-handedly made Shawnee a threat to anyone they play. Other than the usual suspects (CA, LMac, TEC), Shawnee is the biggest threat to Guthrie’s state title run. But in the end, I don’t think the Wolves can hang with the Jays
Robert: I’m going to close out 5A by saying I’m happy for Bo White of Durant finally getting a chance in the playoffs. After all he’s been through, he deserves it
Jason: Bixby doesn’t get much love from anyone. Do you think they have a chance to make a run? They potentially face CA in round 2….
Robert: Definitely, the Spartans are the major roadblock for the Titans. Bixby was the only team to beat the Tucker Brown-Wolves. They’re so big and physical. Bixby won’t get style points, but since when has that mattered?
Jason: They certainly don’t. Just ask Ohio State in 2002. But I think CA is too much.
Kersey/Przybylo Point-Counterpoint Class 4A
By Robert Przybylo and Jason Kersey
Class 4A
Robert: Fair enough…to 4A we go, to the land of the defense. Am I nuts for looking for any excuse to not go with McGuinness?
Jason: I think you have absolutely lost your mind to not pick McGuinness to repeat in 4A. That team hasn’t even been seriously challenged this year, and you think they might lose to Glenpool?
Robert: Yes, I take Deer Creek’s Denton Fox’s opinion very seriously. He says don’t sleep on the boys from Glenpool, this person’s listening. Glenpool’s only loss: 3-0 to Bixby. I have one qualifying statement: as long as Glenpool and Broken Bow don’t bludgeon each other to death in the semis, Glenpool can do it.
Jason: You make a good point about Bixby, but we’re talking about a team that beat Weatherford, 35-14. And Weatherford is no pushover. Kris Parham for McGuinness averages almost 9 yards a carry. Also, the Irish defense gave up 40 points all year, and that was over just three games. That means they shut out 7 opponents. That’s just downright unheard of.
Robert: Without intending to be, I think McGuinness is a bully. So what do you do to a bully?? You stand up to it. You show you won’t back down to its presence. I think the first team to actually believe and not hope it can beat the Irish, just might be able to. And Glenpool/Broken Bow have the toughness. Broken Bow’s only loss: Tulsa East Central.
Jason: I like Broken Bow. I have them in the state championship against McGuinness after beating “your boys” Glenpool in the semis. And how you gonna call some good Catholic boys bullies?
Robert: That’s why I said unintentionally. You keep winning, it’s going to breed contempt from others. You have to look for an edge somewhere…anywhere. From your comments, does Wagoner give McGuinness a game in the semis? We know that’s not an issue with me as I have Darrell Hall’s Bobcats of Star Spencer making a mini-run to the final four.
Jason: I think so. Wagoner is a tough team, with its only loss being a five-point loss to Coweta. Other than that, they were really only played close by Grove, who is 9-1. Here are a couple names from Wagoner to remember: Everett Shaver and Gus Jones. Both average over 7 yards a carry and have combined for 1,850 yards and 22 touchdowns on the ground. Wagoner was also McGuinness’ closest game in the Irish’s run to the state championship last year, a 28-12 game in the semis.
Robert: You want some faulty logic?? If Wagoner gets by Star, I think it can hang with the Irish and maybe get ‘em. But I believe Wagoner will be looking ahead and Darwin Rideau and the rest of Star will take Wagoner. It’s just like March Madness in that sense, all about matchups.
Jason: I’m not going that far. But I’ve already said my piece about how dominant McGuinness is. Star over Wagoner is certainly possible, but for me, unlikely. Wagoner’s D gives up just 11 points a game.
Kersey/Przybylo Point-Counterpoint Class 3A
By Robert Przybylo and Jason Kersey
Class 3A
Robert: Moving onto 3A, for those that don’t know, give a brief summary of the greatness that is Justin Blackmon at Plainview.
Jason: Justin Blackmon is one of the best receivers, not only in Class 3A, but in the state. I would put him a close second only behind Jameel Owens at Muskogee, and that’s only because of Owens’ competition he faces. Blackmon has caught for 1,248 yards and 11 touchdowns this year, and is getting attention from the big boys at NCAA Division 1 schools. He holds offers from Missouri and Colorado, and is getting interest from Oklahoma and OSU. He is one of the biggest reasons why I have picked Plainview to take the 3A title.
Robert: Your passion for Corey Cole’s boys has persuaded me slowly but surely throughout the year. My only question, is Plainview physical enough for the 3A-1 boys (Kingfisher, Tuttle, Clinton)?
Jason: That’s a good question. But Plainview has proven throughout the year that it can run the ball when it has to. Quarterback Brandon Allen, in addition to his stellar passing stats, has rushed for 844 yards and 10 touchdowns this year, and running back Logan Russell has rushed for 722 yards and 14 scores. Plainview doesn’t have to throw to be successful, and they’ve proven it. Defense is the one thing that might hold the Indians back. They are below the three teams you mentioned in total yards allowed, and have given up more points than all three of them. But with an offense like that, who needs a perfect defense?
Robert: I’ve talked with both Clinton and Kingfisher, and they’ve said there’s no lingering effect, but do you think their 4-OT thriller last Friday makes either one of them vulnerable?? Clinton has Sulphur and Kingfisher has Marlow (not your cupcake first-rounders)??
Jason: That’s right. Despite Sulphur’s status as a four-seed, they are still a team with a lot of pride and talent. Robert Thomas at Sulphur is really tough; he rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown against Plainview. I don’t see there being much of a lingering effect, however, with those teams. They are both very seasoned when it comes to big games, especially playoff games, and I don’t think they’ll carry that game into the postseason.
Robert: Marlow was runner-up last year. I know Kyle Jech has been playing well as of late for the ‘Jackets, but even if gambling were legal, I think Marlow has a better shot at an upset and I wouldn’t be putting money down on Kingfisher. Marlow was one of the few teams that actually played Plainview close, so I keep that in mind as well. I don’t know what to make of Sulphur. Jim Dixon’s club beats Davis in a non-district rivalry but was rather average in district although that district was scary from 1-7. Including the best 2-8 team EVER in Pauls Valley.
Jason: Justify your Purcell pick over Tuttle and I’ll tell you why I think Tuttle wins.
Robert: I don’t think Tuttle has shown the consistency you need to display at this time of year. 28-0 (to Clinton) is still 28-0 no matter how many turnovers. After talking with Purcell QB Seth Barrett, they’re battle-tested. Like I’ve said before, three OT games (all wins) and certain players just bring a swagger to a team. Without Barrett: 0-2 with 3 points scored. With: 7-1 with 199 points.
Jason: Does Barrett make THAT much of a difference? I mean, I know he matters, but the rest of Purcell’s team got shut out, 24-0 by Blanchard. Let me repeat that for effect. Purcell, without Barrett, was beaten 24-0 by Blanchard, who is not in the playoffs and isn’t very good at all. I’m not dogging Barrett, but I don’t think he makes enough of a difference to beat a Tuttle team that has underachieved. Yes, Tuttle lost a couple games, but look at who they were to. Kingfisher and Clinton, both of whom are serious state title contenders. When Tuttle played Blanchard, do you know what the score was? Tuttle 63, Blanchard 7.
Robert: Certain people lift up an entire team. It’s not explainable, need I remind you about Tucker Brown and Shawnee who went 7-1 with him at QB this year? No matter how much coaches stress that teams are more than just one player, sometimes the team doesn’t believe in itself without its leader.
Jason: But Blanchard? I would understand if it was an average team like Newcastle or Elgin, but Blanchard?! And not only a loss, but a donut?
Robert: Early season, working out the kinks. I don’t think Michigan loses to App State if they played right now (but the Wolverines would lose to Oregon again). It’s that type of game (Blanchard) that reminds me of OU/TCU in ’05. Just cause you are Purcell, doesn’t mean squat. You have to earn it. And with Barrett, he makes sure nothing is taken for granted.
Jason: TCU went 11-1 that year, and Appy State is the defending national champion in its division.
Kersey/Przybylo Point-Counterpoint Class A, 2A
By Robert Przybylo and Jason Kersey
Class A
Robert: If you had a freshman teammate die during the season (like at Rush Springs with Justin Barney, RIP), what would be the toughest part about moving on and trying to play the rest of the season??
Jason: Well, first things first, could this happen to me? Kids may not want to talk about this openly because they won’t want to seem like they‘re not tough, but when a big fullback is barreling toward you and you are the only thing stopping him from getting in the end zone, will you try for as big of a hit as you could?
Robert: That is what I‘m alluding to, my theory is the mental approach for Rush Springs’ kids is completely different than it was even three weeks ago. We both know football is not a game you can half-speed it, you have to go all out. Trying to straddle that line, I believe, is going to the undoing of Rush Springs.
Jason: I still think they win it. First of all, I think they’re the best team. They beat Washington after it happened, so I don’t know how much of a mental effect it had on them to begin with. Also, perhaps the team rallies around this tragedy and turns it into a championship. Maybe it has that effect on them.
Robert: To finish this topic, I think the opposite is true for Washington. I believe it weighed heavily on their minds and now they’re ready to move on and play their best ball. And like I said, if Rush Springs is able to do it, what a remarkable story…Darkhorse in A??
Jason: I’ve got two for you. First, defending champ Okeene. The Whippets were destroyed, 34-0 in Week 1 by “your” boys Hennessey, but since then have only suffered one close loss, 20-14 to Texhoma, which brings me to my second darkhorse. Texhoma’s only loss of the year was 14-13 to Gruver, Texas.
Robert: I entered last Friday believing the winner of Stroud-Luther has a legit shot. I was amazed at how Stroud took care of business. Luther’s Josh Birmingham is a stud. What you have to love about A and 2A, with those 64 teams, there’s more potential winners than anywhere else.
Jason: I agree, Birmingham is awesome and for Stroud to win like they did is very, very impressive.
Class 2A
Robert: Now, for some of our favorites. We both have a miracle run that seems a little out there. I have Hennessey in the final while you have Bridge Creek in the semis. If everything holds true to form, Bridge Creek would be at Hennessey in the second round.
Jason: Bridge Creek’s only loss this season is to Bethany, who I have winning it all. The Bobcats’ spread offense this season has posed problems to just about everyone who has faced it. Zane Mellinger has been solid at quarterback, and then, of course, there’s Michael Aska. Aska has rushed for 1,121 yards and 16 scores this year. He gets an average of 10 yards per carry, and 19 yards per catch. Does Hennessey have anyone who can stick with him for four quarters? Then, defensively, the Bobcats give up just under 10 points per game. Craig Hill is solid, having picked off four passes. Plus, they are playing for their community. BC has never been a winner, but these last few years, the community has rallied around the team. They are going to shock some people.
Robert: 1962 was the last 10-0 season for Hennesseey. If you add our ages together, you still don’t get the 45 years. The Eagles feature a well-balanced attack as Clint Cooper emerged as a potent QB while Auggie McCulley is still rounding into form at RB after early injuries. Coach Shannon Watford said Cooper has broken out of his late-season funk and is playing well again. And then of course, there’s the Grant Zelnicek story. Well, for that one, all I can say is read Friday’s Oklahoman. I will say one thing, Michael Aska is a jaw-dropper. Last year, “my boy” Kevin Nichols at Bethel compared him to Seymore Shaw. I will say if Hennessey/Bridge Creek play in the second round, it exemplifies everything that is great about 2A. That’s an awesome game to be happening so early in the deal.
Favorite match-up besides final: Look out for Henryetta against Heritage Hall. The Knights beat all three other district playoff teams (Morris, Chandler, Prague) on the road. Kenny Speer’s boys win with defense and Colby Blondell (107 tkls) and Nick Whitlow (95). Imagine that Knights defense going against Garrett Valdez, Banning Fudge, Ford Binning, etc, would be a great battle of wills.
Jason: Bethany’s second round game. If the Bethany play Alva, it’s a match-up of two potential state title contenders. Alva is led by coach Steve Gales’ twins, Mitchell and Tyson. In OCS, we’re talking about George Overbey, the Saints’ quarterback who has been recognized many, many times this year by our fine publication for his outstanding performances. OCS may have three losses, but look at who they are to. Alva (9-1), Jones (always tough, and is a playoff team) and Heritage Hall (no comment necessary on them.) Bethany (assuming it gets by Coalgate) gets a tough second round game no matter who it is.
Kersey/Przybylo Point-Counterpoint Class C, B
By Robert Przybylo and Jason Kersey
Class C
Robert: Well, not much to be said here considering we have the exact same bracket.
Jason: Seriously?
Robert: Yep, not one game different. I guess you could say great minds think alike.
Jason: I figured you’d might go crazy and pick Maud to beat Shattuck.
Robert: No, I’m not that crazy…yet. Maud over Temple was a big enough reach for me.
Class B
Robert: We joke around about each other having certain “boys.” One of your favorites is easily Cashion. How much of a chance do you think Cashion actually has against Morrison?
Jason: I think Cashion has a pretty good chance to pull the upset. Cayden Cochran is an outstanding quarterback, and Travis Seaton has rushed for 13 touchdowns this year. Don’t forget that Cashion only played two games that weren’t over before the fourth quarter because of the 45-point rule.
Robert: What about that fourth quarter against Dewar? You talk to Lynn Shackelford (Cashion’s coach) yet about that?
Jason: I just talked to him. He said he doesn’t think it made a difference because Dewar was in the same boat. They haven’t played many fourth quarter games either. He also said that “If you’re gonna win a state title in Class B, you’re gonna have to beat Morrison. It’s just a matter of when.” He said he likes his team’s chances against Morrison though, and feels like the biggest hurdle to beating them is not being intimidated. He said his kids aren’t intimidated.
Robert: What about confidence?? Losing at home and in that fashion to Dewar, any lingering effects??
Jason: No, I don’t think so.
Robert: Safe to say, I’m going out on a limb with Davenport. If you would have followed the Bulldogs’ path last year, you would see that they’re a road-tested bunch of kids. No Billy Jack Murphy hurts, but Greenfield is an outstanding coach.
Jason: I agree, but I don’t think there is any way they beat Porter. Porter is on an emotional high right now, being the first group of kids from the school to make the playoffs since 1994.
Robert: End B with this, how big of an impact do Cashion and Morrison make next year in A?
Jason: I think that remains to be seen. How big of a difference will it be for the kids to move from 8-man to 11-man? But based on what I know about those coaches and those kids, they will be tough. Cory Bales at Morrison and Lynn Shackelford at Cashion get the best out of their kids, and they are winners. That’s the biggest thing. The schools are full of winners.
Robert: My only concern, cause, as you said about the great coaching staffs, is the number of kids coming out for the team. Eight-man you can get by with less than 20 kids on the entire team. No top-notch team in 11-man can stand a chance going with 20 kids.
