Game preview: Lawton Ike at Mustang
Lawton Eisenhower (7-3) at Mustang (7-3)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Bronco Stadium, Mustang
Why Ike could win: The Ike run game is dangerous, and that’s been one area of success for opponents against Mustang. The Broncos are allowing nearly 190 yards per game, compared to around 150 through the air. So if Louis Durant can get going, the Eagles should put up some points. The health of QB Adrian McDonald is still a question.
Why Mustang could win: Regardless of what the opposing offense does, there aren’t many who can keep up with the points the Broncos can put on the board. Forgetting last week, which had little meaning for the Broncos, they’re moving the ball incredibly well of late.
Key matchup: Durant vs. Mustang linebackers. Regardless of whether McDonald can go, the Eagles will need Durant to move the ball on the ground. Speed will be crucial for Mustang’s linebackers, and the safeties will need to help in run support as well.
The pick: Mustang 41, Ike 38. I think it’ll be a shootout down to the final gun.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
LOCK: Mustang bounces back vs. Lawton Ike, 45-33…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Giving up 52 points is definitely alarming, but something tells me that Mustang is going to be able to bounce back in the first round against Lawton Eisenhower.
I can’t get a good feel about the Eagles. Are they more like the team that shut out Edmond Memorial 35-0? Or are they more like the team that was blanked by Midwest City 28-0? Or (most likely) are they a combination of the two? A team with great promise but also with some flaws.
I’ve been a fan of RB Louis Durant for a long time, dating back to a scrimmage at Edmond Santa Fe when he was a junior. The health of QB Adrian McDonald is a concern. Ya figure he should be back, but the Broncos might be able to touch him up.
But the real reason I’m picking Mustang is because of David Glidden. I just don’t see him going out with a home playoff loss. QB Brandon Taylor has put up ginormous numbers. Some might say he’s just a product of what the Broncos do, but you still need to execute.
Glidden can make a play in so many different ways. He can be receiver, defensive back, returner and is dynamic in all three positions.
Also think this has to be a pride issue with that defense. Everybody (myself included) always says it’s just a track meet between Mustang and whoever it’s playing. The games will end at 11 p.m. because there is no pretense of defense in their games.
Gotta think the group will rise up to the challenge.
The pick: Mustang 45, Lawton Ike 33.
Boneman’s LOCK record: 8-2 (Guthrie over Duncan, Heritage Hall over Clinton, Purcell over Lexington, Midwest City over Yukon, Jones over Morris, Norman over Southmoore, Carl Albert over Guthrie, Clinton over Elgin, Tuttle over Anadarko, Bridge Creek over Blanchard).
Lawton Ike vs. Moore Capsule…
By Justin Hite
Lawton Ike (6-3) at Moore Lions (0-9)
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: Moore Schools Stadium
Lawton Ike (6-3)
Why the Eagles can win: Adrian McDonald. He will be one of the most dynamic players on the field Thursday. He has thrown for more than 700 yards and run for 900. He’s scored 14 touchdowns, but his running mate — running back Louis Durant — has 15.
Moore (0-9)
Why the Lions can win: No better time. The Lions are not only playing their best football of the season, but they don’t have another chance to win after this week. The Lions have gotten better and better the last three weeks. Moore played with a playoff team last week. Can they beat one this week?
Quote: “If you’ve shown that you can go play with them, go beat one of them.” — Moore coach Scott Myers said.
Key matchup: Lawton Ike’s running attack vs. Moore Lions defense. The Moore offense has proved it can score, but the defense will be put to the test Thursday. Lawton Ike has three runners with more than 400 yards and two with over 900.
The pick: Lawton Ike 42, Moore 13. The Lions offense got going against potentially playoff-bound Putnam City North, but the Lawton Ike defense is much better. The offense might be a little better too.
Midwest City vs. Lawton Eisenhower Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Midwest City (8-0) at Lawton Eisenhower (6-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Cameron Stadium
Midwest City (W – Del City; W – Enid; W – Santa Fe; W – Yukon; W – PCNorth; W – Moore; W – Choctaw; W – Memorial)
Why the Bombers can win: Because the defense is going to be challenged again. I don’t wanna say the defense has been bored the last three weeks, but they’re itchin’ to get a chance to show how good they are again.
Quote:
There is a lot of pride in this defense. We’ve heard a lot about this team, but we wanna show them what we’re all about.” – Trevon Lewis
Lawton Ike
Why the Eagles can win: Because I’ve shortchanged them all season. Eisenhower has a lot more speed than I gave them credit for, starting with Adrian McDonald and Louis Durant. Playing at home should help, too.
Key matchup: Ike running game vs. Midwest City defense. Eisenhower has been able to stay patient with the running game and wear down teams late and make big plays. That’s a good recipe for success. Will it happen vs. this defense?
The pick: Midwest City 37, Lawton Ike 32. Gut feeling says this game sees more scoring than one might anticipate. That’s OK for MWC, too, as it has a lot of offensive weapons and can compete in a shootout.
Boneman’s Midwest City prediction record: 8-0.
Scott’s Lock: Buying into the Bomber magic
This pick scares me for a lot of reasons, but when it comes to my lock of the week, I like living on the edge.
I’m picking Midwest City over Lawton Eisenhower, and here’s why it scares me.
First, Ike is very talented. They’ve got a scary good skill-position trio with QB Adrian McDonald, RB Louis Durant and WR Adrian Woodard. They’ve got the speed to keep up with MWC and the home-field advantage.
Second: the drive. I never like to pick a team that has to make the Tulsa-OKC or OKC-Lawton drive. That 90 minutes on the bus takes a lot out of a 17-year-old.
And the third reason — I’m 4-4 on my Lock of the Week picks. I have no expectation of getting above a .500 record. I can’t stand prosperity.
With all that said, I think Midwest City is the most complete team on the west side of the state. Are they the best? Quite possibly, though it’s a close race between the Bombers, Lawton and Norman.
But I think the Bombers are the most complete football team of the three. They can run, they can throw, they can play great defense. Speed everywhere, good leadership and kids who know how to win (their QB and two starting wideouts were starters on the 6A basketball runner-up last season).
Steve Huff’s team has faced adversity (i.e. the 21-6 deficit they overcame against Yukon and a few other first-half deficits).
So I like the Bombers to win in a close one, which to Ike fans, means you have a coin-toss shot at the upset. So good luck.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Game preview: Lawton Ike at PC North
Lawton Eisenhower (5-2, 3-1) at Putnam City North (2-5, 1-3)
When: 7 tonight
Where: Putnam City Stadium
Last week: Ike had maybe its most impressive performance of the season in a 35-0 win over Edmond Memorial. PC North mounted a furious rally but fell short in a 42-39 loss to Yukon.
Why the Eagles could win: Running back Louis Durant and quarterback Adrian McDonald form one of the better RB/QB rushing combos around. And the defense is feeling confident after logging its first shutout, even though Edmond Memorial is battling some bad injuries. Still, the Eagles are athletic and talented, and they know there’s a good playoff berth potentially waiting in their future.
Why the Panthers could win: Their backs are truly against the wall now. With a couple of winnable games the final two weeks of the season against Moore and Choctaw, the Panthers need a win now so they can make a run at the playoffs. Yardage-wise, the offense has been sharp the last few weeks. The defense has had some ups and downs during that span, but has still been pretty solid.
Key matchup: PC North offense vs. its turnovers struggles. As I said, the Panthers are moving the ball well lately, but turnovers have been a major killer for them all season. They gave it up four times last week, and if Ike can manage a few takeaways, the Eagles’ chance of victory multiplies quickly.
The pick: Ike 28, PC North 24. Just when it looked like the Panthers had things turned around, they’ve taken a step back the last two weeks. Bob Wilson is a master of getting the most out of his team when he has to have it, so that could be the situation this week. If the Panthers are going to get into the playoffs, a turnaround has to start this week.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Best of the Rest honor: Bryan Dutton and Kentrell Brothers, Guthrie….
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Like there could have been another winner? Honestly, on the biggest stage of the season thus far, these two (Bryan Dutton, Kentrell Brothers) played the game of their lives in the 32-14 win at Carl Albert.
Dutton, a sophomore, was 17-of-20 for 233 yards and five touchdowns. His main target? Brothers – 8 catches, 156 yards and four touchdowns. Not to mention all he did on defense.
The Bluejays went through the ringer of Deer Creek (41-7), Ada (13-7) and Carl Albert (32-14) and are in firm control for a district championship.
It was sweet redemption for Dutton, Brothers and the rest of Rafe Watkins’ boys. The key, of course, is to not dwell on this one and forget about the rest of the year. Have no fears that Guthrie will be ready for El Reno on Friday night.
Other contenders
Blake Henderson, Bridge Creek: “Best game he’s played this year,” said coach Jerry Wallis. Guess so. He rushed for 240 yards and six touchdown in a rout of Marlow.
Louis Durant, Lawton Eisenhower: Break up the Eagles! Lawton Ike has quietly gone 5-2 and Durant had three touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a 35-0 blowout of Edmond Memorial.
Robert Rhynes, Washington: Pressure? What pressure? Rhynes nailed a game-winning 37-yard field goal to complete the comeback in a 24-21 win against Frederick.
Harrah offensive line: Panthers rushed for more than 400 yards in a 48-7 win against Santa Fe South. Now for a showdown with Douglass.
Edmond Memorial vs. Lawton Eisenhower Capsule…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Memorial (5-1) at Eisenhower (4-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Cameron Stadium, Lawton
Memorial (W – Santa Fe; W – Stillwater; W – North; L – PCNorth; W – Moore; W – Choctaw)
Why the Bulldogs can win: Because winning a game without Kameron Doolittle was so vitally important. He got to rest and now he’s ready to roll again. The defense played lights out against Choctaw. More importantly, they found a way to create turnovers and get points.
Quote:
I’ve said it I don’t know how many times at this point, but we’re going to lean on our defense. That’s our strength.” – coach Justin Merideth
Lawton Eisenhower
Why the Eagles can win: Their two losses are to two quality top- 10 teams. This is a team bordering on that top-10 area. A win here and Ike kinda gets itself off the bubble just a tad for a playoff spot in the district.
Key matchup: Louis Durant and Adrian McDonald vs. Memorial defense. Obviously, Ike has more than just those two, but they’re the straw that stirs the drink. People like Jeff Balkenbush and Jeremy Langston, etc. are going to have to come up with the goods.
The pick: Memorial 17, Eisenhower 15. Think this is a battle to the final minute as Memorial adjusts without Cale Olbert. A big defensive stand leads way to huge road win.
Boneman’s Memorial prediction record: 5-1.
Game preview: Lawton Eisenhower at Yukon
Lawton Eisenhower (4-1, 2-0) at Yukon (4-1, 1-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Miller Pride Stadium, Yukon
Last week: Ike rolled Choctaw, 41-14. Yukon trailed Norman North in the second half, but put the T-Wolves away, 35-17.
Why Ike could win: RB Louis Durant and QB Adrian McDonald are a dangerous duo in the backfield. One Yukon coach made the comment to me this week that Lawton Ike “runs the pistol the way it’s supposed to be run.” The defense has come up with a couple big performances as well, and Yukon might be without RB Terry Jones who injured his ankle last week.
Why Yukon could win: Whether Terry Jones plays or not, the Millers still have a stout offensive line that will give them a chance to run the ball. And QB Corben Jones, with his long list of dangerous receivers, will keep the passing game going.
Key matchup: Ike run game vs. Yukon linebackers. The biggest challenge for Yukon will be keeping up with the Eagles’ speed, so guys like Kollin Retter and Eric Granado — linebacker/safety hybrid type players — will have to utilize their speed as outside linebackers at the line of scrimmage to limit the speed option and zone read plays to prevent Ike from controlling the ball and the clock.
The pick: Yukon 27, Ike 24. There’s still a lot to be decided in District 6A-1, and every win will be valuable in this playoff race.
– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com
Best of the Rest honor: John McCracken, Blanchard…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Gonna keep this one brief because you can read much more about Blanchard’s John McCracken in Tuesday’s paper as the Player of the Week.
We always have a media day for all the local teams to come in for photos and conversations and things like that. Blanchard’s Jeff Craig is one of the most consistent coaches to bring his kids.
The Lions showed up this year but not McCracken. Where did he come from? This junior has exploded through five games. He has 15 rushing touchdowns and two receiving scores.
His success is leading to a lot of team success and Blanchard is 4-1 and right on the cusp of being ranked in the crazy-deep Class 3A.
Let’s just say the key for McCracken has been mental maturity as much as anything else. Read more Tuesday.
Other contenders
Blake Henderson, Bridge Creek: The Bobcats didn’t have great success on the ground in the win against Weatherford, but Henderson did score four touchdowns.
Chase Rodgers, Chickasha: In one of the most emotional scenes of the season, Rodgers threw for five touchdowns in the Chicks’ first home game since the death of Kody Turner.
Louis Durant, Lawton Eisenhower: The Eagles haven’t lost since a Week 1 defeat to Lawton and Durant is a heckuva running back. Durant had three more touchdowns in a rout of Choctaw.
Jeremy Seaton, Cashion: The Wildcats remain the No. 1 team in Class A and Seaton notched another four touchdowns in Cashion’s win against Crescent.
