The Oklahoma City Area Baseball Coaches Association will play its annual all-star game at 6 p.m. Thursday at Palmer Field at Dolese Park.

An all-star team made up from these two rosters will play a Tulsa-area all-star team in a doubleheader at noon Saturday at Bishop McGuinness. OCS’ Ken McQueen and Tecumseh’s Chad Trahan will coach the Oklahoma City team.

NORTH
Starters
Pitchers: Brock Stuber, Piedmont; Parker Rigler, Edmond Memorial; Kyle Stephens, Edmond North
Catchers: Mike Hale, Putnam City North; Jon Denney, Yukon
First baseman: Cody Daylor, Edmond North
Second baseman: Daniel Costello, Edmond Santa Fe
Third baseman: Bryan Dutton, Guthrie
Shortstop: Dalen Edgar, Piedmont
Outfielders: Landon Eason, Yukon; Jack Hale, Edmond Memorial; Cole Lindley, Deer Creek
Utility: Austin Brooks, OCS
Desgnated hitter: Jacob Jerome, Edmond Santa Fe

Reserves: Chiante’ McKee, Star Spencer; Bradley Fitch, Bishop McGuinness; Reed Brooks, Putnam City; Jonathan Sergent, Classen

Coaches: Ken McQueen, OCS; Kory Williams, Piedmont

SOUTH
Starters
Pitchers: Alexander Svetgoff, Westmoore; Gage Trahan, Tecumseh; Nick Ward, Southmoore
Catchers: Lane Paul, Tuttle; Cameron Knight, Westmoore
First baseman: Dylan Mauk, Blanchard
Second baseman: Daniel Herron, Norman North
Third baseman: DJ Gasso, Norman North
Shortstop: Tre Edwards, Southmoore
Outfielders: Chevin Noone, Carl Albert; Hunter Heath, Bethel; Quade Nelson, Blanchard
Utility: Damion Orr, Midwest City
Designated hitter: Joel Davis, Midwest City

Reserves: Cooper Owens, Putnam City West; Colin Webb, Moore; Matt Foster, Norman; Casey Bowlan, Shawnee; Jovanny Hernandez, U.S. Grant; Zack Howry, Capitol Hill; Landon Vodka, Mustang.

Coaches: Chad Trahan, Tecumseh; Travis Owen, Tuttle

The Oklahoma Coaches Association announced its All-State tennis teams Tuesday. The OCA All-State tennis event will be held July 30 at Tulsa Union.

BOYS
EAST
Jayden Black, Henryetta
Josh Ellis, Ada
Chase Gordon, Jenks
Levi Kerr, Grove
Andreas Kutt, Tulsa Union
Cameron Schuessler, Durant
John Stour, Ada
J.T. Tasker, Metro Christian

WEST
Andrew Ahshapanek, Anadarko
Oakes Arceneaux, Heritage Hall
Tanner Chambers, Edmond North
Riley Hale, Bishop McGuinness
Seth Moore, Yukon
Nathan Roper, Edmond North
Matt Taber, Carl Albert
Sylvester Yo, Westmoore

GIRLS
EAST
Mariah Burke, Jenks
Olivia Charvat, Metro Christian
Reynolds Chew, Metro Christian
Courtney Coon, Broken Arrow
Piper Huey, Jenks
Abby Jordan, Cascia Hall
Margo Martin, Ada
Lauryn Sullins, Perry

WEST
Samantha Cassidy, Duncan
Alexandra Dick, Enid
Kathryn Dillingham, Enid
Alex Morales, Ardmore
Ann Pepper, Edmond North
Shali Schoepflin, Edmond Memorial
Brittany Toone, Duncan
Lacie Unah, Anadarko

The Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association released the state tournament brackets Monday and Tuesday.

CLASS 6A
At Shawnee
Thursday
Tulsa Kelley at Norman North, 11 a.m.
Jenks vs. Yukon, 1:30 p.m.
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Owasso, 4 p.m.
Edmond North vs. Broken Arrow, 6:30 p.m.

Friday
Tulsa Kelley/Norman North winner vs. Jenks/Yukon winner, 4 p.m.
Edmond North/Broken Arrow winner vs. Edmond Santa Fe/Owasso winner, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday
Championship game, 6 p.m.

CLASS 5A
At Edmond Santa Fe
Thursday
Noble vs. Deer Creek, 11 a.m.
Guthrie vs. Coweta, 1:30 p.m.
Carl Albert vs. Pryor, 4 p.m.
Chickasha vs. Claremore, 6:30 p.m.

Friday
Noble/Deer Creek winner vs. Carl Albert/Pryor winner, 4 p.m.
Guthrie/Coweta winner vs. Chickasha/Claremore winner, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday
Championship game, 2:30 p.m.

CLASS 4A
At Edmond Memorial
Thursday
Piedmont vs. Byng, 11 a.m.
Tuttle vs. Weatherford, 1:30 p.m.
Plainview vs. Catoosa, 4 p.m.
Berryhill vs. Dewey, 6:30 p.m.

Friday
Piedmont/Byng winner vs. Plainview/Catoosa winner, 4 p.m.
Tuttle/Weatherford winner vs. Berryhill/Dewey winner, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday
At Shawnee
Championship game, 3:30 p.m.

CLASS 3A
Thursday
At Deer Creek
Verdigris vs. OCS, 11 a.m.
Stroud vs. Vian, 1:30 p.m.
Salina vs. Spiro, 4 p.m.
Marlow vs. Kingston, 6:30 p.m.

At Edmond Santa Fe
Friday
Verdigris/OCS winner vs. Salina/Spiro winner, 11 a.m.
Stroud/Vian winner vs. Marlow/Kingston winner, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday
Championship game, noon

CLASS 2A
Thursday
At Dolese Park
Dale vs. Alva, 11 a.m.
Caney Valley vs. Latta, 1:30 p.m.
Colbert vs. Tushka, 4 p.m.
Silo vs. Ketchum, 6:30 p.m.

At Shawnee
Friday
Dale/Alva winner vs. Colbert/Tushka winer, 11 a.m.
Caney Valley/Latta winner vs. Silo/Ketchum winner, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday
Championship game, 1 p.m.

Carl Albert’s Gioya Carter was named the Suburban Conference’s MVP. (Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman)

BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com

Carl Albert’s Gioya Carter was named the Suburban Conference’s Most Valuable Player.

Carter, an Oklahoma signee, helped the Titans reach the semifinals of the Class 5A state tournament before losing to fellow Suburban Conference member Shawnee.

El Reno sophomore Sheridan Grey was named Newcomer of the Year and Deer Creek’s Whitney Jones the Defensive Player of the Year. Shawnee’s Wendi Wells was named the Coach of the Year.

Deer Creek’s Ashley Gibson, Piedmont’s Sarah Parker, Guthrie’s Melinda Murillo and Shawnee’s Micaela Yu and McKenzie Cooper were named to the first team.

Carl Albert’s Jordan Gilbert, Deer Creek’s Alexa Adair, Chickasha’s Dominique Golightly, Shawnee’s Bailey Taylor and Piedmont’s Ashley Almond were named second team.

El Reno’s Regan Owen, Noble’s Lauren Brown, Deer Creek’s Bayli Blanchard, Chickasha’s Sierra Hamilton and Guthrie’s Micayla Haynes were on the third team.

Class 6A
BOYS
EAST
At Tulsa Rogers
Friday
Winner’s Bracket
Owasso vs. Broken Arrow, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Stillwater vs. Bixby, 8 p.m.

At Catoosa
Winner’s Bracket
Tulsa Union vs. Jenks, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Tulsa Washington vs. Bartlesville, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Catoosa
Stillwater/Bixby winner vs. Owasso/Broken Arrow loser, 8 p.m.
Tulsa Washington/Bartlesville winner vs. Tulsa Union/Jenks loser, 6:30 p.m.

WEST
At Choctaw
Friday
Winner’s Bracket
Midwest City vs. Edmond Santa Fe, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Edmond North vs. Putnam City

At Norman North
Winner’s Bracket
Edmond Memorial vs. Putnam City West, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Putnam City North vs. Lawton Eisenhower, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Norman North
Putnam City North/Lawton Eisenhower winner vs. Edmond Memorial/Putnam City West loser, 6:30 p.m.
Edmond North/Putnam City winner vs. Midwest City/Edmond Santa Fe loser, 8 p.m.

GIRLS
EAST
Thursday
At Catoosa
Winner’s Bracket
Muskogee vs. Tulsa Washington, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Jenks vs. Tulsa Union

At Tulsa Rogers
Loser’s Bracket
Broken Arrow vs. Mustang, 6:30 p.m.
Winner’s Bracket
Bartlesville vs. Bixby, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Catoosa
Broken Arrow/Mustang winner vs. Bartlesville/Bixby loser, 1:30 p.m.
Jenks/Tulsa Union winner vs. Muskogee/Tulsa Washington loser, 3 p.m.

WEST
Thursday
At Choctaw
Winner’s Bracket
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Putnam City, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Norman vs. Southmoore, 8 p.m.

At Harrah
Loser’s Bracket
Lawton Eisenhower vs. Choctaw, 6:30 p.m.
Winner’s Bracket
Norman North vs. Edmond Memorial, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Harrah
Lawton Eisenhower/Choctaw winner vs. Norman North/Edmond Memorial loser, 1:30 p.m.
Norman/Southmoore winner vs. Edmond Santa Fe/Putnam City loser, 3 p.m.

CLASS 5A
BOYS
EAST
Friday
At Bixby
Winner’s Bracket
Tulsa Memorial vs. Tulsa Kelley, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Chickasha vs. Guthrie, 8 p.m.

At Sapulpa
Winner’s Bracket
Coweta vs. Tulsa Edison, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Skiatook vs. Noble, 8 p.m.

At Bixby
Saturday
Skiatook/Noble winner vs. Coweta/Tulsa Edison loser, 6:30 p.m.
Chickasha/Guthrie winner vs. Tulsa Memorial/Tulsa Kelley loser, 8 p.m.

WEST
Friday
At Edmond North
Winner’s Bracket
Bishop McGuinness vs. Lawton MacArthur, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Del City vs. Capitol Hill, 8 p.m.

At Edmond Memorial
Winner’s Bracket
Carl Albert vs. Southeast, 6:30 p.m.
Western Heights vs. Piedmont, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Edmond Memorial
Western Heights/Piedmont winner vs. Carl Albert/Southeast loser, 6:30 p.m.
Del City/Capitol Hill winner vs. Bishop McGuinness/Lawton MacArthur loser, 8 p.m.

GIRLS
EAST
Thursday
At Bixby
Loser’s Bracket
Chickasha at Tulsa Edison, 6:30 p.m.
Winner’s Bracket
Tulsa East Central at Collinsville, 8 p.m.

At Sapulpa
Winner’s Bracket
Tahlequah vs. Tulsa Memorial, 6:30 p.m.
Loser’s Bracket
Grove vs. Tulsa Kelley, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Sapulpa
Grove/Tulsa Kelley winner vs. Tahlequah/Tulsa Memorial loser, 1:30 p.m.
Chickasha/Tulsa Edison winner vs. Tulsa East Central/Collinsville loser, 3 p.m.

WEST
Thursday
At Edmond North
Loser’s Bracket
Del City vs. Ardmore, 6:30 p.m.
Winner’s Bracket
Shawnee vs. Piedmont, 8 p.m.

At Edmond Memorial
Loser’s Bracket
El Reno vs. Lawton MacArthur, 6:30 p.m.
Carl Albert vs. Deer Creek, 8 p.m.

Saturday
At Edmond North
El Reno/Lawton MacArthur winner vs. Carl Albert/Deer Creek loser, 1:30 p.m.
Del City/Ardmore winner vs. Shawnee/Piedmont loser, 3 p.m.

LARGE EAST
P: Whitney Whitehorn, Owasso
C: Nicole Nease, Owasso
1B: Macklin Hitz, Jenks
2B: Sam Reiss, Broken Arrow
3B: Paige Luellen, Jenks
SS: Madison Vaughan, Coweta
OF: Hannah Stirton, Owasso; Britney Johnson, Tahlequah; Samantha Smith, Collinsville
P: Elena Gambill, Broken Arrow; Jessica Walker, Grove
C: Ashleigh Tramel, Grove
U-3B: Taylor Dodson, Grove
U-C: Allie Alvstad, Bixby; Theresa Collins, Broken Arrow
U-1B: Paige Gan, Muskogee
U-SS: Shannon Driggers, Collinsville; Taylor Perdue, Sand Springs
Coach: Shane Eicher, Owasso

LARGE WEST
P: Jordan Dixon, Edmond North
C: Shelbie Smith, Edmond Memorial
1B: Lindsay Littles, Edmond Memorial
2B: Haley Wells, Deer Creek
3B: Madi Ellis, Yukon
SS: Madisyn Long, Carl Albert
OF: Kierra Miles, Mustang; Abby Taliaferro, Edmond North; Rachel Cooper, Duncan
P: Maddy Ellis, Yukon; Summer Leitka, Norman
C: Braden Bradshaw, Southmoore
U-3B: Courtney Moore, Duncan
U-SS: Mariah Peace, Westmoore
U-2B: Caitlynn Hall, Moore
U-OF: Brianna McComas, Edmond Santa Fe; Courtney Chelf, Enid
U-1B: Hannah Lynch, Moore
Coach: Erin Regier, Deer Creek

MIDDLE EAST
P: Jayde Hansen, Perry
C: Kaci Trentham, Coalgate
1B: Anna Crawford, Adair
2B: Kara Lynch, Sequoyah-Tahlequah
3B: Brenna Vise, Poteau
SS: Taylor McElhaney, Oologah
OF: Shelby Standridge, Poteau; Kassi Yazel, Morris; Audrianna Hooks, Bristow
P: Madison Boyd, Chelsea; Jessica Bluebird, Sequoyah-Tahlequah
C: Shyanna Sigman, Tecumseh
U-SS: Sutv Meely, Tecumseh
U-P: Kylar Foshee, Valliant
U-2B: Bailey King, Morris
U-SS: Ashley Williams, Berryhill; Raven Campos, Adair; Ryan Martin, Beggs
Coach: Tommy Howard, Valliant

MIDDLE WEST
P: Andee Frazier, Little Axe
C: Jacie Stephens, Washington
1B: Shelby Robinson, Newcastle
2B: Megan Sanders, Weatherford
3B: Jordan Chism, Piedmont
SS: Samantha Leising, Little Axe
OF: Kaylin Taylor, Purcell; Nikki Horton, Cache; Emma Nelson, Piedmont
P: Shea Coats, Tuttle; Tate Landmark, Cache
C: Kaitlyn Holmes, Harrah
U-3B: Dani Warren, Cache; Tiphani Napier, Plainview; Annamarea Combs, Tuttle
U-OF: Bryanne Knox, Dickson; Ashley Savage, Newcastle
U-2B: Avery Walker, Marlow
Coach: Rodney DeLong, Cache

SMALL EAST
P: Jalissa Gum, Frontier
C: Casey Kelley, Roff
1B: Jadyn Gibbs, Rattan
2B: Cheyenne Been, Dewar
3B: Kelby Alexander, Drumright
SS: Samantha Berry, Dale
OF: Kelly Easterling, Oktaha; Sericca Rider, Red Oak; Sarah Morrison, Caney Valley
P: Kendra Coleman, Red Oak; Taylor Canida, Roff
C: Danielle Dockrey, Dale
U-SS: Kendra David, Caney Valley; Jill Shipman, Stroud
U-P: Taylor Eaves, Panama; Jill Roye, Red Oak; Jaimie Williams, Rattan
U: Victoria Stambaugh, Davenport
Coach: Casey Butcher, Red Oak

SMALL WEST
P: Peyton Walker, Hammon
C: Kori Barrios, Hammon
1B: Selika Shives, Binger-Oney
2B: Sydney Harrel, Leedey
3B: Danielle Hammons, Fort Cobb-Broxton
SS: Kayla Wilson, Mooreland
OF: Larissa Tate, Binger-Oney; Carly Farmer, Pond Creek-Hunter; Bailey Carnes, Merritt
P: Taya Haney, Leedey; Emily Wasinger, Frederick
C: Harli Ridling, Sentinel
U-3B: Jenna Trissel, Leedey
U-P: Ashton Lierle, Fort Cobb-Broxton; Jaci Booker, Cyril; Lakeyna Forsythe, Fletcher
U-SS: Olivia Mason, Fairview
U-2B: Casey Redus, Wayne
Coach: Scott Brewer, Wayne

Cashion’s Cayden Cochran ran for 70 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 173 yards and a score in Valdosta State’s 58-10 win over Edward Waters.

Early in the second quarter, Cochran broke off a 59-yard run.

—
Ohio kept its hopes of being a BCS buster alive with a 37-34 win over UMass at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.

Former Norman North standout Beau Blankenship ran for a career-high 269 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the win. Both of Blankenship’s touchdowns came in the fourth quarter. The first tied the game while the second put Ohio ahead by 10.

Blankenship tied a school records with 43 carries and his 269 yards is the third-highest in school history.

After missing last week’s game, Norman North’s Tyler Tettleton threw for 229 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Tettleton has not thrown an interception in 156 attempts dating back to last year.

Guthrie’s Donte’ Foster had four catches for 55 yards.

—
Sam Houston State didn’t need huge numbers out of Midwest City product Timothy Flanders in a 50-6 win over Texas Southern.

Flanders had 10 carries for 49 yards and caught two passes for six yards in the win.

—
Millwood’s Josh Turner had seven tackles, four solo, in Texas’ 41-36 win over Oklahoma State.

Tulsa Central’s Demarco Cobbs had three tackles for the Longhorns, getting the start at SLB.

—
Carl Albert’s Christian Smith had two tackles and a pass breakup and Jenks’ Orion Jones had a tackle for a loss in Toledo’s 37-17 win over Western Michigan.

—
Lawton’s Cornelius Douglas had  two interceptions and three tackles as Texas Tech’s surprising defense helped the Red Raiders to a 24-13 win over Iowa State.

Douglas returned his second interception 40 yards to the Iowa State 9 with the Red Raiders up by one. Two plays later, Texas Tech extended the lead.

Carl Albert’s Tre’ Porter had four tackles and a pass breakup

Owasso’s Jacques Washington led Iowa State with 12 tackles and had an interception.

—
Millwood’s Davion Pierson, making the start at defensive tackle, had three tackles in TCU’s 24-16 win over SMU.

—
Former Jenks quarterback Sawyer Kollmorgen threw for 213 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Northern Iowa’s 33-21 loss to North Dakota State.

Del City’s Tim Clark had a pair of tackles.

—
Carl Albert’s Joe Stoner had three tackles and a 47-yard fumble return as New Mexico nearly pulled off an upset of Boise State before falling 32-29.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Stoner picked up the fumble and returned it to the Boise State 1. Two plays later, New Mexico scored to pull to within three. The fumble recovery was Stoner’s seventh of his career.

—
Lawton’s Tyrequek Zimmerman had eight tackles, Oregon State’s 38-35 win over Arizona.

Tulsa Washington’s Michael Doctor added two tackles.

Douglass’ Cayman Bundage had a tackle for Arizona.

—
Lincoln Christian’s Roman Wilson had a 44-yard touchdown reception early in the fourth quarter of Princeton’s 33-6 win over Columbia.

Wilson had three catches for 73 yards.

Tulsa Kelley’s Mark Hayes had a six-yard reception.

Edmond Santa Fe’s Brian Mills had two tackles.

—
Muskogee’s Vernon Scott ran for 26 yards in Missouri State’s 17-7 loss to South Dakota State.

Edmond Santa Fe’s Tre Kelley had a five-yard reception.

Norman North’s Nick Canavan had five tackles while Star Spencer’s Jason Fitch added four. Tulsa Union’s Howard Scarborough had three and a fumble recovery.

—
Sequoyah-Tahlequah’s Nathan Stanley threw for 187 yards and a touchdown in Southeastern Louisiana’s 31-21 win over Lamar.

—
Glenpool’s Codey Zickefoose led Arkansas Tech with seven tackles in the Wonder Boys’ 41-20 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Zickefoose also had a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry.

Claremore’s Greg Dicks also had one tackle, while Glenpool’s Tim Van Orsdol started on the offensive line.

—
Edmond Santa Fe’s Randy Ponder had three tackles, one for a loss, in Missouri’s 21-16 win over Central Florida.

Guthrie’s Kentrell Brothers had a special teams tackle as well.

—
Owasso’s Nick Rosa had an 11-yard touchdown reception for Drake in its 35-7 win over Campbell.

Rosa had seven catches for 92 yards to lead Drake in receiving.

Edmond North’s Cam Bohnert had a pair of punts for a 32.5-yard average.

Holland Hall’s Seth Hedman had four tackles.

—
Ponca City’s Brent Wilson had eight carries for 20 yards and threw for 42 yards on four completions in Emporia State’s 37-26 win over Lincoln (Missouri).

Muskogee’s Shjuan Richardson had seven catches for 66 yards and Ponca City’s Adam Schlitz had two catches for 36 yards. Richardson also had a pair of kickoff returns.

Midwest City’s Kevin Gaddis returned a kick 27 yards.

McGuinness’ Chris Poston had five tackles. Del City’s Jeff Richards had an interception, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. Luther’s Justin Wilson had one tackle.

Norman North’s Lance Uhles and Collinsville’s Trey Rodgers started on the offensive line for Emporia State.

—
Bartlesville’s Kirby Schoenthaler had a pair of catches for 14 yards and Muskogee’s Victor Williams had an eight-yard reception in Dartmouth’s 28-21 loss to Penn.

Schoenthaler also returned three kicks for 72 yards.

Verdigris’ Cohle Fowler started on the offensive line for Dartmouth.

—
Norman North’s Beau Traber had eight tackles in Bucknell’s 15-10 loss to Cornell.

—
Metro Christian’s Rylan Hess had five tackles in Colorado School of Mines’ 54-28 loss to Western New Mexico.

—
Tulsa Union’s Terrell Williams had six tackles and Muskogee’s Robert Thomas had one in Arkansas’ 58-10 loss to Texas A&M.

Broken Arrow’s Alvin Bailey started on the offensive line for the Razorbacks.

—
Carl Albert’s David Oku ran for 79 yards and  had three catches for 27 yards in Arkansas State’s 26-13 loss to Western Kentucky.

—
McGuinness’ Kris Parham ran for 36 yards and had four catches for 25 yards in Weber State’s 37-13 loss to UC-Davis.

Parham also returned four kickoffs for 76 yards.

Edmond Memorial’s Anthony Morales led Weber State with 11 tackles, including one for a loss. Edmond Santa Fe’s Willie Okwuonu had eight tackles, Edmond Memorial’s David James added four, Edmond Memorial’s Connor Myers had three. Edmond Santa Fe’s Trevor Pletcher had two tackles and a quarterback hurry.

Jenks’ Devin Pugh had a pair of tackles and an interception and Putnam City’s Robbie Diamond had one tackle.

Putnam North’s Josh Booker had one carry. Edmond Santa Fe’s Alex Land started at right guard for Weber State.

—
Midwest City’s Ricky Reeves had three tackles and a pair of pass breakups in South Dakota’s 34-31 loss to Illinois State.

—
Broken Arrow’s Rowdy Harper started on the offensive line in Houston’s 35-14 win over Rice.

Houston had 608 yards of total offense.

—
Marlow’s Colt McCauley started on the offensive line in Southeast Missouri State’s 31-16 win over Jacksonville State.

—
Bixby’s Michael Nelson started at wide receiver but had no catches in Missouri Southern’s 35-10 loss to Central Missouri.

One-third of Ohio’s Oklahoma connection missed the Bobcats’ game against Norfolk State on Saturday.

Former Norman North quarterback Tyler Tettleton, who had thrown for 781 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception in Ohio’s first three games, was held out with an undisclosed injury.

USA Today reported that Tettleton’s injury was to his abdomen.

With Derrius Vick in Tettleton’s place, though, the Bobcats didn’t skip a beat.

Norman North product Beau Blankenship ran for a touchdown and caught a touchdown pass in Ohio’s 44-10 win over Norfolk State. Blankenship ran for 109 yards, topping 100 yards for the fourth consecutive game.

Guthrie’s Donte’ Foster caught five passes, tying a career high, for 69 yards and two touchdowns, including Ohio’s first less than three minutes into the game. Blankenship’s 24-yard touchdown catch came just three minutes later.

—
Carl Albert’s David Oku ran for 92 yards and a pair of touchdowns in Arkansas State’s 56-0 win over Alcorn State. Oku also had a five-yard reception.

—
Sequoyah-Tahlequah’s Nathan Stanley hit freshman tight end Taylor Jenkins for a three-yard touchdown pass with 2:39 left to give Southeastern Louisiana a 25-24 upset win over FCS No. 17 McNeese State.

Stanley, a transfer from Ole Miss, was 21 of 35 with 247 yards passing. Stanley also rushed for 29 yards and a touchdown and had a 42-yard punt.

—
Millwood’s Davion Pierson, a redshirt freshman, had two tackles and a fumble recovery in TCU’s 27-7 win over Virginia.

—
Tulsa Washington’s Michael Doctor had a team-high nine tackles–eight solo–in Oregon State’s 27-20 upset of then-No. 19 UCLA.

Doctor, starting at weakside linebacker, had one tackle for a loss.

Lawton’s Tyrequek Zimmerman, who started at strong safety, added four solo tackles in the upset.

—
Midwest City’s Timothy Flanders kept up his big production for Sam Houston State against Central Arkansas.

Flanders ran for  125 yards and a pair of touchdowns and had one reception in the Bearkats’ 24-20 loss in Conway, Ark.

The 100-yard game was Flanders’ 17th of his career at Sam Houston State. He also moved to No. 5 in Southland Conference history in career rushing touchdowns with 39. The conference record is 52.

—
Owasso’s Nick Rosa caught a 16-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to put Drake ahead for good in its 28-25 win over Morehead State. Rosa finished with two catches for 22 yards and an eight-yard kick return.

Edmond North’s Cam Bohnert had three punts for a 34-yard average, including one inside the 20.

—
Carl Albert’s Christian Smith had four tackles, including a sack, and Jenks’ Orion Jones had three tackles in Toledo’s 38-28 win over Coastal Carolina.

—
Muskogee’s Shjuan Richardson had an 11-yard touchdown catch with less than four minutes left to help seal Emporia State’s 30-20 win over Northeastern State. Richardson had three catches for 53 yards and a 23-yard kick return in the win.

Ponca City’s Adam Schlitz had a three-yard reception, Midwest City’s Kevin Gaddis had 44 return yards and Del City’s Jeff Richards had a 23-yard kick return.

McGuinness’ Chris Poston had eight tackles, Alva’s Derek Lohmann, Gaddis and Richards had five each and Luther’s Justin Wilson had two as the Hornets improved to 4-0.

Piedmont’s Jordan McAdoo, Norman North’s Lance Uhles and Collinsville’s Trey Rodgers started on the offensive line, which helped Emporia State post 452 yards of total offense.

—
A week after being part of Pittsburgh’s upset over Virginia Tech, the Panthers rolled to a 55-10 win over Gardner-Webb.

Tulsa Washington’s Isaac Bennett scored Pitt’s final two touchdowns in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. Bennett ran for 52 yards.

—
This one has been covered a bit but Tulsa Washington’s Tyler Lockett had four catches for 37 yards and Jenks’ Tramaine Thompson had three catches for 49 yards in Kansas State’s 24-19 upset at Oklahoma.

Thompson had a third-down reception for a first down on each of Kansas State’s final two drives.

Thompson and Lockett each had one rushing attempt as well as a kickoff return each.

Tulsa Washington’s Dante Barnett had one tackle, while fellow Hornet Keenan Taylor started on the offensive line.

—
Carl Albert’s Joe Stoner had four tackles in New Mexico’s 27-14 win over rival New Mexico State. Stoner also recovered a fumble and had a pass break up. The recovery was the sixth of Stoner’s career.

—
Glenpool’s Israel Maselera returned a punt for a touchdown to start Pittsburg State’s 59-17 win over Lincoln.

Sand Springs’ Darrack Harger ran for 12 yards and threw for 34 yards.

Sand Springs’ Tyler Smith started at left guard.

Defensively, Tulsa East Central’s Dino Teague had five tackles, Tulsa Washington’s Aries Herrion and Catoosa’s Joe Uzzel had two each. Sand Springs’ Matt Anderson and Maselera had one tackle.

—
Tulsa Kelley’s Mark Hayes had a 10-yard touchdown reception but Princeton fell 21-20 to Georgetown. The catch was Hayes’ only reception.

Lincoln Christian’s Roman Wilson had two catches for a team-high 62 yards.

—
Heritage Hall’s Turner Petersen scored on a 30-yard run in the first quarter of Rice’s eventual 54-51 loss to Marshall in double overtime.

Petersen had 16 carries for 76 yards on the ground and caught a pair of passes for 20 yards.

—
McGuinness’ Kris Parham is a running back but his biggest play in Weber State’s 32-26 loss to Eastern Washington was a pass.

Parham threw a 33-yard completion in the second quarter. He finished with 31 yards rushing on three carries and had a pair of kick returns. Putnam North’s Josh Booker had a single four-yard carry.

Edmond Santa Fe’s Trevor Pletcher caught a late two-point conversion pass.

Defensively, Edmond Memorial’s Anthony Morales led the Wildcats with 16 tackles, three for loss. Another former Bulldogs standout, David James, added six tackles, as did Jenks’ Devin Pugh. Pletcher also had three tackles.

Putnam City’s Robbie Diamond, Edmond Memorial’s Connor Myers and Edmond Santa Fe’s Alex Land had a tackle each.

—
Lawton’s Sonny Puletasi had a pair of tackles, including a sack for 11 yards, in Wyoming’s 40-37 overtime win over Idaho.

Puletasi’s sack came in the closing seconds of the first half and he both forced and recovered a fumble on the play.

—
Midwest City’s Ricky Reeves had a tackle in South Dakota’s 38-7 loss to Northwestern.

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Edmond Santa Fe’s Randy Ponder had seven tackles in Missouri’s 31-10 loss to South Carolina.

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Verdigris’ Cohle Fowler started on the offensive line for Dartmouth in its 13-10 win over Holy Cross. Bartlesville’s Kirby Schoenthaler had one two-yard reception in the win.

—
Tulsa Union’s Terrell Williams had 12 tackles, one for a loss, in Arkansas’ 35-26 loss to Rutgers.

Muskogee’s Robert Thomas added four tackles and Tulsa Washington’s Eric Bennett three.

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Glenpool’s Codey Zickefoose had five tackles in Arkansas Tech’s 31-24 loss to Ouachita Baptist. Glenpool’s Tim Van Orsdol started on the offensive line for the Wonder Boys.

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Tonkawa’s Jake Love and Tulsa Washington’s John Williams had two tackles each in Kansas’ 30-23 loss to Northern Illinois. Owasso’s Gavin Howard started on the offensive line.

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Muskogee’s Vernon Scott had 14 yards rushing and a reception in Missouri State’s 14-6 loss to Southern Illinois.

Norman North’s Nick Canavan had five tackles and Tulsa Union’s Howard Scarborough had four in the loss.

—
Norman North’s Beau Traber had four tackles–assisting on a sack–in Bucknell’s 20-14 loss to Lafayette.

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Idabel’s Kevin Rucker had a tackle in Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s 24-21 win over Alabama State.

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Metro Christian’s Rylan Hess had three tackles and a pass breakup in Colorado School of Mines’ 42-37 loss to New Mexico Highlands.

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Marlow’s Colt McCauley started on the offensive line for Southeast Missouri State in its 41-38 overtime win over Tennessee Tech.

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Mustang’s Kyle Webster had two pass attempts with no completions and had 16 yards rushing in Missouri Southern’s 16-13 loss to Southwest Baptist. Bixby’s Michael Nelson had one carry for a seven-yard loss.

A look at how Oklahoma high school alums fared in out-of-state college action over the weekend:

A week before Kansas State comes to Norman, a couple of former Oklahoma high school stars turned in big performances in the WIldcats’ 35-21 win over North Texas on Saturday night.

The Mean Green took a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter when former Tulsa Washington standout Tyler Lockett returned the kick 96 yards to tie the game up.

The next two Kansas State touchdowns were scored by former Jenks standout Tramaine Thompson–one from 38 yards out and the other from 21.

Thompson finished with five catches for 102 yards. Lockett added another 23-yard kick return and a six-yard catch.

Tulsa Washington’s Keenan Taylor started on the offensive line for Kansas State. Dante Barnett (Tulsa Washington), Andre McDonald (Choctaw) and Zach Trujillo (Deer Creek) played but didn’t record any stats in the win.

—
This is becoming a weekly staple but once again the Oklahoma connection paid off for Ohio. Norman North’s Tyler Tettleton threw for 200 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 35 yards, former Timberwolves standout Beau Blankenship ran for 102 yards and Guthrie’s Donte’ Foster had three catches for 30 yards in the Bobcats’ 27-24 come-from-behind win over Marshall.

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Former Tulsa Washington standout Isaac Bennett had two rushes for eight yards and two catches for 14 yards in Pittsburgh’s 35-17 upset of Virginia Tech.

—
Not much positive came out of Arkansas’ 52-0 blowout at the hands of Alabama.
Former McGuinness standout kicker Cameron Bryan came up with a nice play on special teams, sprinting down and downing a punt inside the 5 in the first half.

Bryan handled kickoff duties in eight games for Arkansas in 2009 but after Zach Hocker continued to solidify himself in the kicker roll just prior to the season, Brayn asked to be given a chance to play on kick coverage.

You can read more about him here: http://newsok.com/mcguinness-product-cameron-bryan-joins-arkansas-kickoff-coverage-team/article/3707537

Tulsa Washington’s Eric Bennett had six tackles, Tulsa Union’s Terrell Williams had one and Muskogee’s Robert Thomas had a pair of quarterback hurries.

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Former Tulsa Central standout Demarco Cobbs had four tackles and Millwood’s Josh Turner had three tackles in Texas’ 66-31 win at Ole Miss. Cobbs got the start at strongside linebacker.

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Former Carl Albert star David Oku ran for 44 yards and had 11 yards receiving in Arkansas State’s 42-13 loss to Nebraska.

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Carl Albert’s Christian Smith had three tackles and Jenks’ Orion Jones had one in Toledo’s 27-15 win over Bowling Green.

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Metro Christian’s Rylan Hess had four tackles in Colorado School of Mines’ 42-19 win over Black Hills State. Hess also had a blocked pass.

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NCAA Division II No. 1 Pittsburg State beat Southwest Baptist 52-9 on Saturday with the help of a few Oklahomans.
Catoosa’s Joe Uzzel had three tackles and Israel Maselera and Dino Teague (Tulsa East Central) had two tackles. Teague had a sack. Darrack Harger (Sand Springs) was 2-for 3 with 18 yards passing and rushed for -6 yards.
Uzzel started at defensive end, while Collinsville’s Chance Riley started at tight end and Sand Springs’ Tyler Smith at left guard.

—
Former Millwood star Davion Pierson continues to impress at Texas Christian. Pierson started and had five tackles–1.5 for loss (0.5 sacks)–in TCU’s 20-6 win over Kansas.
Tulsa Washington’s John Williams had three tackles for Kansas. Owasso’s Gavin Howard started on the offensive line for the Jayhawks.

—
Timothy Flanders, a former Midwest City star, scored a touchdown late in the first half as Sam Houston State built a lead on Baylor. But the Bears came back to win 48-23. Flanders ran for 84 yards and had another 56 yards receiving in the loss. Former Norman North standout K.J. Williams played for SHSU as well.

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Lawton Sonny Puletasi usually starts for Wyoming at defensive end but made a mark on the other side Saturday, catching a two-point conversion pass in the second quarter of the Cowboys’ game against Cal Poly. It wasn’t enough, though, as Wyoming fell 24-22. Puletasi had three tackles, while Tulsa Washington’s T.J. Smith saw time for Wyoming as well.

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Cayman Bundage, a freshman out of Douglass, didn’t start but saw playing time in Arizona’s 56-0 blowout of South Carolina State. Owasso’s Trent Spurgeon played for the Wildcats as well.

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Brandon Swindall, a Millwood product, played for Utah State as the Aggies nearly pulled off a second consecutive upset, before falling to Wisconsin 16-14.

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McGuinness’ Kris Parham ran for 23 yards and Putnam North’s Josh Booker ran for 9 in Weber State’s 35-21 loss to McNeese State. Parham also had 72 kickoff return yards on three chances. Edmond Santa Fe’s Willie Okwuonu led Weber State with nine tackles–all solo–in the loss. Edmond Memorial’s Anthony Morales had 6.5 tackles, Edmond Memorial’s David James had three, Edmond Santa Fe’s Trevor Pletcher had two, and Putnam City’s Robbie Diamond, Jenks’ Devin Pugh and Edmond Memorial’s Connor Myers had one each.

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Bartlesville’s Kirby Schoenthaler had three catches for 27 yards in Dartmouth’s season-opening 35-7 win over Butler. Muskogee freshman Victor Williams had a carry for three yards and two catches for five yards. Tulsa Union’s Corbin Stall had a sack. Verdigris’ Cohle Fowler started on the offensive line.

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Former Muskogee standout Shjuan Richardson had seven catches for 100 yards and three touchdowns in Emporia State’s 42-14 win over UCO. Ponca City’s Adam Schlitz had four catches for 48 yards and Ponca City’s Brent Wilson had two runs for eight yards in the win.

McGuinness’ Chris Poston had three tackles and an interception, Alva’s Derek Lohmann and Midwest City’s Kevin Gaddis each had five tackles and a forced fumble, Del City’s Jeff Richards had five tackles and Luther’s Justin Wilson had a pair of tackles. Norman North’s Lance Uhles, Collinsville’s Trey Rodgers and Piedmont’s Jordan McAdoo all started on the offensive line as Emporia State racked up 538 yards of total offense. Northwest’s Andre Maupin and Broken Arrow’s Josh Moses also played.

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Lincoln Christian’s Roman Wilson caught a two-point conversion pass with about five minutes left to lift Princeton to within three but Princeton fell to Lehigh 17-14. Wilson had four catches for 40 yards to lead Princeton in receiving and added a 23-yard catch. Tulsa Kelley’s Mark Hayes started at tight end for Princeton while fellow Comet Michael Major saw action.

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Muskogee’s Vernon Scott ran for 46 yards and a touchdown, caught one pass and returned a kick in Missouri State’s 28-23 loss to Murray State. Norman North’s Nick Canavan had seven tackles and Tulsa Union’s Howard Scarborough added three in the loss. Jenks’ Ryan Boatright, Star Spencer’s Jason Fitch and Edmond Santa Fe’s Tre Kelley also saw time for Missouri State.

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Former Heritage Hall star Turner Petersen ran for 47 yards and had 13 yards receiving in the Owls’ 56-37 loss to Louisiana Tech.

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Carl Albert’s Joe Stoner had five tackles in New Mexico’s 49-14 loss to Texas Tech. Another former Titan, Tre’ Porter, played for Texas Tech but did not record any statistics.

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Norman North’s Beau Traber had six tackles in Bucknell’s 19-3 loss to Delaware.

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Owasso’s Jacques Washington had a pair of tackles in Iowa State’s 37-3 win over Western Illinois. Washington started at free safety. Jenks’ Bob Graham also saw time on the offensive line.

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Edmond Santa Fe’s Randy Ponder had five tackles in the Missouri’s 24-20 win over Arizona State. Edmond North’s Xavier Smith had one. Guthrie’s Kentrell Brothers also saw time.

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Owasso’s Nick Rosa scored on a seven-yard touchdown pass and finished with five catches for 60 yards in Drake’s 27-10 loss to Indiana State. Holland Hall’s Seth Hedman had five tackles.

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Bixby’s Michael Nelson had a nine-yard catch in Missouri Southern’s 21-14 win over Lincoln (Mo.). Norman North’s Riley Nolan also played in the win.

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Broken Arrow’s Rowdy Harper started on the offensive line for Houston in the Cougars’ 37-6 loss to UCLA. Norman’s Zach Johnson also saw time.

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Marlow’s Colt McCauley started at left guard for Southeast Missouri in its 35-14 loss to Southern Illinois.

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Glenpool’s Codey Zickefoose, who started at linebacker, had a tackle in Arkansas Tech’s 73-34 loss to Henderson State. Glenpool’s Tim VanOrsdol started at left tackle.

Know someone I missed? Let me know in the comments or with an e-mail.

A look back at the weekend in college football involving Oklahoma athletes playing out of state:

Former Carl Albert and Tennessee running back David Oku found a new home at Arkansas State just before fall practices began. Once former Auburn standout Michael Dyer was denied a request for immediate eligibility, Oku immediately shot to the top of the Red Wolves’ depth chart.

Saturday in a 33-28 win over Justin Fuente-coached Memphis, Oku ran for 130 yards and a touchdowns–the game-winner.

Oku also had an 8-yard reception while former Oklahoma signee Josh Jarboe had 101 yards receiving for Gus Malzahn’s team.

—
Former Midwest City standout Timothy Flanders became Sam Houston State’s career rushing leader, running for 120 yards and a touchdown in a 54-7 win over Incarnate Word. Flanders now has 2,709 yards for the Bearkats. He also extended his school record for rushing touchdowns to 37. Both of Flanders’ touchdowns came in the first quarter.

—
Once again, Oklahoma high school products dominated a win by Ohio, this one a 51-24 win over New Mexico in the Bobcats’ home opener after they beat Penn State a week earlier.

Norman North grad Beau Blankenship rushed for 168 yards and two touchdowns, fellow Timberwolves product Tyler Tettleton threw for 257 yards and two touchdowns and Guthrie’s Donte’ Foster had a team-high five catches for 57 yards and a score.

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A pair of former state standouts played big parts in Oregon State’s 10-7 upset over Wisconsin. Lawton’s Tyrequek Zimmerman had seven tackles, tied for a team high, while Tulsa Washington’s Michael Doctor had three tackles in the win. Both started on defense, Doctor at linebacker and Zimmerman at strong safety. Another Lawton product, Jabral Johnson, saw action for the Beavers.

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Former Tulsa Central star Demarco Cobbs had five tackles and former Millwood standout Josh Turner had two in Texas’ 45-0 win over New Mexico. Carl Albert’s Joe Stoner had three tackles for New Mexico.

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Millwood product Brandon Swindall had a pair of catches for 16 yards in Utah State’s 27-20 win over rival Utah. Another former Falcons standout, Cameron Sanders, had a tackle in the win.

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Tulsa Washington’s Tyler Lockett continues to emerge as a star for Kansas State. Lockett had three catches for 59 yards in the WIldcats’ 52-13 win over Miami. He also had two rushes for 14 yards and returned two kicks for 54 yards. Deer Creek’s Zach Trujillo had a 58-yard catch late in the blowout while Jenks’ Tramaine Thompson had three catches for 57 yards and a 12-yard punt return. Choctaw’s Andre McDonald and Tulsa Washington’s Dante Barnett also saw time.

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Former Millwood standout Davion Pierson started at defensive tackle and had a tackle for a loss in TCU’s 56-0 win over Grambling State. Del City’s Jamelle Naff also saw action for the Horned Frogs. Both are redshirt freshmen.

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Owasso’s Jacques Washington, starting at free safety for Iowa State, had six tackles and a 26-yard interception return in the Cyclones’ 9-6 win over Iowa. Jenks’ Bob Graham also saw time for Iowa State.

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Former Heritage Hall standout Turner Petersen ran for 41 yards and a touchdown in the Owls’ 25-24 win over Kansas. Petersen also had a 14-yard reception. Owasso’s Gavin Howard started on the offensive line for Kansas, while Tonkawa’s Jake Love and Tulsa Washington’s John Williams also saw action.

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Carl Albert product Christian Smith had five tackles, including two for a loss (one sack) in Toledo’s 34-31 win over Wyoming. Jenks’ Orion Jones also saw action for Toledo. Lawton’s Sonny Puletasi started at defensive end for the Cowboys while Tulsa Washington’s T.J. Smith saw action.

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Missouri didn’t have much luck in its SEC opener, losing 41-20 to Georgia but Edmond Santa Fe product Randy Ponder had four tackles. Edmond North’s Xavier Smith and Guthrie’s Kentrell Brothers also saw action.

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Houston lost again, this time 56-49 to Louisiana Tech but Broken Arrow’s Rowdy Harper started on the Cougars’ offensive line that produced 693 yards of total offense.

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Weber State didn’t do much scoring in its 45-13 loss at BYU but both touchdowns came courtesy of Oklahoma products. Putnam City North’s Josh Booker and McGuinness’ Kris Parham each found the end zone on 1-yard runs. Booker finished with 64 yards rushing, while Parham had 15. Booker also had 17 yards receiving while Parham added a 9-yard catch. Parham also had 5 kick returns for 93 yards, including one for 34 yards. On defense, Edmond Santa Fe’s Willie Okwuonu had eight tackles, Jenks’ Devin Pugh had five, Putnam City’s Robbie Diamond had five, Edmond Memorial’s David James had three, Edmond Memorial’s Anthony Morales had two, Edmond Memorial’s Connor Myers had one and Edmond Santa Fe’s Trevor Pletcher had a pass breakup. Edmond Santa Fe’s Alex Land also started on Weber State’s offensive line.

Moore qualified for the US Amateur on Monday, winning a three-man playoff for the third and final qualifying spot at Cedar Ridge Country Club in Broken Arrow.

He joined former Tulsa University player Stephen Carney and Oklahoma State’s Talor Gooch, a former Carl Albert star, as qualifiers for the event, which will be held Aug. 13-19 at Cheery Hills Country Club outside Denver.

Carney, a Tulsa Union product, was the medalist with a 137 total (69-68), and Gooch was second at 140 (72-68). Moore, who will be a freshman at Arkansas next month, shot 141 (71-70) to tie for third. He had back-to-back pars to win the two-hole playoff over Danny Funk and Jeff Coffman.

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

More than a year ago, former Carl Albert star running back David Oku announced his intentions to transfer from Tennessee.

Oku finally turned up again on the college football radar Wednesday, signing with Arkansas State.

He was the No. 1 all-purpose back in the country coming out of high school, according to Rivals.com, and chose the Volunteers over a group that included Auburn, Syracuse, Nebraska and Oklahoma State. His decision was announced more than a month after signing day in 2009.

He ran for 94 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries as a freshman, while also seeing time at kick returner. As a sophomore, he ran for 174 yards on 42 carries.

After missing last season, Oku is expected to be eligible to play for the Red Wolves this season.

Even after announcing his intention to transfer, Oku remained in Knoxville and was arrested last July on domestic assault charges.

As a senior at Carl Albert, Oku ran for 1,905 yards and 23 touchdowns and was named to The Oklahoman’s All-State team for the second consecutive season. Oku ran for 1,628 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior despite being slowed by ankle injuries.

He transferred to Lincoln (Neb.) East High School late in his senior year to finish his high school education.

A pair of city-area players were named to the ESPNHS 2012 Baseball All-American first team this week.

Carl Albert’s Taylor Hawkins, The Oklahoman’s All-State and Big All-City Player of the Year, earned first-team honors at catcher.

Hawkins hit 28 home runs this season, including one in the Class 5A championship game, to help give the Titans the state title.

Hawkins was a 12th-round pick of Tampa Bay in this month’s draft. He’s also an OU signee.

Joining Hawkins on the first team is Edmond Santa Fe right-handed pitcher Ty Hensley. Hensley was dominant on the mound, going 10-0 with a 1.52 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 55 innings. He also hit .447 with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs.

Hensley was a first-round pick of the New York Yankees and has signed with Ole Miss.

Leedey sophomore Drew Ward was named to the ESPNHS third team after hitting .541. Widely considered the nation’s top player in the 2014 class, Ward missed some time this season due to injury.

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)

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.

Monday, it was Gavin LaValley coming up big for Carl Albert against Chickasha.

Tuesday, it was Taylor Hawkins’ turn.

The Oklahoma signee was 4 for 4 with 3 home runs and 8 RBIs in the Titans’ 16-0 win.

Alex Polston, an Oklahoma State signee, added a grand slam as Carl Albert bounced back from Monday night’s loss to Shawnee.

Class 5A No. 2 Carl Albert improved to 4-0 in District 5A-2 play. The Titans step outside of district play Friday when they play at No. 4 Guthrie at 4 p.m.

Carl Albert’s Gavin LaValley had a big day at the plate Monday.
The sophomore homered three times in a 15-4 win over Chickasha, then belted another in his first at bat against Shawnee in the nightcap.
The Titans dropped the second game 3-1.
LaValley had five RBIs in the opening win, while Taylor Hawkins and Alex Polston also added home runs.
Shawnee’s Tim Perkins limited the damage after LaValley’s second-inning home run tied the game 1-1. Perkins went the distance and the Wolves scored two in the fifth to pull out the win.
The loss was No. 3 Carl Albert’s first of the season. No. 4 Shawnee is 7-4.

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

All-Suburban Conference Girls
Most Valuable Player: Kelsee Grovey, Shawnee
Defensive Player of the Year: Jalyn Jackson, Deer Creek
Newcomer of the Year: Taylor Cooper, Shawnee
Coach of the Year: Wendi Wells, Shawnee

First team
Kylie Boggess, Piedmont
Gioya Carter, Carl Albert
Ashley Gibson, Deer Creek
Antoinet Webster, Western Heights
Micaela Yu, Shawnee

Second team
Ashley Almond, Piedmont
Toni Cheadle, Carl Albert
Bailey Mack, Harrah
Melinda Murillo, Guthrie
Sheronica Swindle, Western Heights

Third team
Lauren Collyer, Harrah
Sierra Hamilton, Chickasha
Haley Hill, El Reno
Mikaela Murillo, Guthrie
Sarah Parker, Piedmont

All-Suburban Conference
Most Valuable Player: Carlbe Ervin, Carl Albert
Defensive Player of the Year: Raymond Little, El Reno
Newcomer of the Year: Cameron Peters, Piedmont
Coach of the Year: Pete Papahronis, Guthrie

First team
Garrett Hermanski, Deer Creek
Conner Haydon, El Reno
Dejoun Sanders, Shawnee
Jacobi Davis, Chickasha
Kai Callins, Guthrie

Second team
Tim Tullis, Western Heights
Cameron Peters, Piedmont
Rashaad Copeland, El Reno
Leland Palmer, Noble
Colin Jennings, Harrah

Third team
Darrain Winston, Carl Albert
Dondre Brookins, Carl Albert
Collin Bricker, Piedmont
Joel Blumenthal, Deer Creek
Dillion Mooreland, Shawnee

All-Defensive Team
Darrain Winston, Carl Albert
Shron Parker, Guthrie
Adrion Williams, Piedmont
Jose Bonilla, El Reno
Anthony Clark, Deer Creek

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.

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.

First-team
Offense
Quarterback: Raymond Little, El Reno
Running back: Nathan Blakely, Ada
Running back: Darvonte Winston, Carl Albert
Tight End: Kyle  Kanady, Deer Creek
Wide receiver: Rashad Copeland, El Reno
Wide receiver: Alex Polston, Carl Albert
Offensive lineman: RayShawn Cato, Carl Albert
Offensive lineman: Cooper Davis, Guthrie
Offensive lineman: Steve Dunham, Carl Albert
Offensive lineman: Matt Eppler, Ada
Offensive lineman: Hayden Seifert, Guthrie
Kicker: Easton Ramsey, Carl Albert
Punter: Sam McCann, Ada

Defense
Defensive lineman: Nolan Boyd, Deer Creek
Defensive lineman: Zack Brown, Guthrie
Defensive lineman: Willis Lusk, Carl Albert
Defensive lineman: Micah Tiger, Ada
Linebacker: John Clark, Guthrie
Linebacker: Kevin Jones, Carl Albert
Linebacker: Jermiah Reed, Carl Albert
Linebacker: John Whitlock, Noble
Defensive back: Tyliq Brazille, Southeast
Defensive back: Taylor Hawkins, Carl Albert
Defensive back: Darion Winston, Carl Albert

Second-team
Offense
Running back: Chase Bowker, Ada
Running back: Tyre LeBlanc, Carl Albert
Tight end: Clint Simek, Guthrie
Wide receiver: Hunter Dinkines, Deer Creek
Wide receiver: Hunter Long, Noble
Offensive lineman: Tristan Clark, Western Heights
Offensive lineman: Malachai Galbrath, Guthrie
Offensive lineman: Grant Oliver, Carl Albert
Offensive lineman: Jacob Stein, El Reno
Offensive lineman: Craig Waters, Western Heights
Kicker: Esau Perez, Guthrie
Punter: Antonio Cueto, Southeast

Defense
Defensive lineman: Darren Colquitt, Carl Albert
Defensive lineman: Clint Edgeman, Deer Creek
Defensive lineman: Michael Holder, Southeast
Defensive lineman: Josh Raper, Western Heights
Linebacker: Austin Ferguson, El Reno
Linebacker: Devonte Henderson, Western Heights
Linebacker: Gumaro Murphy, Southeast
Linebacker: Ian Smith, Deer Creek
Defensive back: Trez Jackson, Carl Albert
Defensive back: Harley Dodd, Deer Creek
Defensive back: Donte Rocco, Western Heights

McAlester had a late lead on Guthrie before losing 28-25 in the semifinals in blustery winds that severely limited their high-powered passing game. That doesn’t mean anything in relation to Guthrie. The Bluejays won the game then went on to win the title. But when put up next to Lawton MacArthur’s 24-7 loss to Guthrie in the finals, I decided McAlester’s resume was better. It was awfully close but the Buffs get the edge. Tulsa Kelley gave Lawton MacArthur all it could handle in the second round and pushed McAlester to the brink as well. The Comets’ defense was very good. Tulsa East Central entered the season as the favorites but lost to Pryor midway through the season to finish second in their district. That led to a second-round matchup at eventual champion Guthrie. Guthrie won 20-14 in another nailbiter. Ardmore was a semifinalists but lost to Duncan late in the season. They did push McAlester but were blown out twice by Lawton MacArthur. The win over Carl Albert was clearly Ardmore’s high point. Pryor was also a playoff victim to Ardmore. Carl Albert, Duncan and Coweta remained in the bottom three spots. All of Coweta’s losses came to teams ranked ahead of them (And 4A champion Wagoner). They also beat Tulsa Central, so their resume was better than any team left out.

Class 5A
1. Guthrie (1)#12-0
2. Lawton MacArthur (2)#12-0
3. McAlester (3)#12-0
4. Tulsa Kelley (4)#8-3
5. Ardmore (7)#8-4
6. Tulsa East Central (5)#10-2
7. Carl Albert (7)#9-2
8. Pryor (6)#9-3
9. Duncan (9)#8-4
10. Coweta (10)#6-5

The biggest challenge came after the top 3. I decided to keep Tulsa Kelley fourth. They lost to McAlester by one during the regular season and played Lawton MacArthur as close as any 5A team had this season. Ardmore leaped to No. 5. I considered keeping Tulsa East Central ahead of Ardmore as well but East Central fell to Pryor during the regular season while Ardmore was able to pull off the win at Pryor.

In the six days now since the news broke that Guthrie would have to forfeit eight games, I’ve had discussions with plenty of people–coworkers, other high school writers, coaches–about how I would handle the Bluejays in the Class 5A rankings.

Before the ruling came down, Guthrie was No. 1. I left them No. 1 this week and imagine, barring something wild happening in the first round (assuming Guthrie isn’t reinstated), they’ll stay there next week. That will be my last rankings until after the playoffs are concluded.

It’s not a protest vote. Far from it. I considered what I’d seen from Guthrie this year and even with the exclusion of the player ruled ineligible, the Bluejays would not only be undefeated but would still be my pick to win 5A. Their defense is outstanding, especially in the front seven. Their offense is balanced and they get excellent play from the quarterback spot.

Not everyone agreed with that stance, though many did. In The Associated Press poll of writers and broadcasters, just two of eight voters left Guthrie off their ballots. The other six voted the Bluejays No. 1. Barry Lewis from the Tulsa World also left Guthrie atop Class 5A.

Here’s the complete top 10 in 5A:

1. Guthrie (1)#2-8*

2. Lawton MacArthur (2)#10-0

3. McAlester (3)#10-0

4. Carl Albert (4)#10-0*

5. Tulsa Kelley (5)#7-2

6. Tulsa East Central (7)#9-1

7. Pryor (6)#8-2

8. Coweta (9)#6-4

9. Duncan (NR)#7-3

10. Tulsa Central (NR)#8-2

*Guthrie forfeited eight games, including win over Carl Albert, pending Wednesday appeal.

Had I dropped Guthrie out and needed another team to fill my top 10, I would’ve gone with Ardmore (6-4) over Ada (7-3). That decision would’ve been easy. Not only did Ardmore beat Ada head to head, 28-0, on the road to start the season but they played Carl Albert and McAlester much closer than Ada did.

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)

Stunning news came down Thursday night that Guthrie, the No. 1 team in Class 5A, would be forced to forfeit eight of their nine wins. The forfeits would knock the Bluejays out of the playoffs and turn the 5A bracket upside down.

Guthrie will appeal the OSSAA’s decision but, barring a reversal by the Board of Directors next week, here are the ramifications:

El Reno and Noble would be alive in the playoff race, with El Reno holding the upper hand. An Indians win over Western Heights would put them in the postseason. Noble’s playoff scenario is very slim. They’d need a win over 8-1 Carl Albert and a loss by El Reno to 1-8 Western Heights to advance.

But although El Reno’s season figures to be extended by a week, the real beneficiaries figure to be the loser of Friday’s Deer Creek-Ada game. That team was slated to go on the road to face District 5A-2 champions Lawton MacArthur, who enter Friday’s game at Northwest undefeated. Instead, the winner of that game will host Ardmore while the loser will go on the road to a Duncan team that stands 6-3 entering the season finale. That sets up a much better draw for the loser.

Carl Albert will go from having to play Pryor on the road in the second round as the No. 2 seed (assuming both teams win their playoff openers) to a likely second-round matchup with Tulsa East Central. That game, though, would be played at Carl Albert. It also puts the Titans on the opposite side of the bracket from Lawton MacArthur.

This is the second time in three years that the 5A playoffs have been thrown into turmoil shortly before the postseason began. In 2009, Tulsa Washington had to forfeit two games initially and then had a third added shortly thereafter. The forfeits left the Hornets out of the playoffs. Tulsa Washington won the Class 5A title in 2008 and again in 2010.

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.

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.

Guthrie's Demarko Jones, left, brings down Carl Albert's Herman Burge in the Bluejays' win on Oct. 19, 2001. PHOTO BY BRYAN TERRY, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE

The Oct. 19, 2001 Carl Albert-Guthrie game did two things: It created an intense rivalry that still exists today, and it put Class 5A on notice that a new power was budding.

Guthrie beat the then-four time defending champion Titans 23-22 on a late field goal. Carl Albert would still go on to win their fifth straight championship, but wouldn’t beat Guthrie again until 2004.

Here is Oklahoman correspondent Murray Evans’ game story from that night.

GUTHRIE — If the Guthrie Bluejays keep this up, these kind of football games won’t be considered upsets much longer.

The unranked Bluejays probably won’t be that way for much longer after they knocked off Class 5A’s No. 2 team, Carl Albert, by a 23-22 count on Friday night before a capacity crowd at Jelsma Stadium.

Russell Rush’s 30-yard field goal with 17 seconds left lifted the Bluejays to their biggest win since they upset then-4A No. 1 Duncan 30-6 on Sept. 20, 1991. That was also the last year Guthrie beat Carl Albert.

“I’ve tried to tell people all year long, when we play to our capabilities, we’re a pretty talented football team,” first-year Guthrie coach Rafe Watkins said. “There have been times that we sure haven’t shown it… but we’re getting better. We’re coming along.”

Guthrie is 6-2 overall and 4-1 in District 5A-2. The Titans fell to 5-2 and 3-2, and the four-time defending 5A champions likely will face a road trip in the first round of the playoffs.

“You’ve got to give (the Bluejays) credit, because they played a great game,” Carl Albert coach Gary Rose said. “But if we don’t make the mistakes we made, they don’t win the game. I’m not sure we deserved to win the game, as it is, but we did what we wanted to do well. But our tackling was atrocious. Our ball security was atrocious. We’ve just got to go back and get better.”

The Titans led 22-13 after a 59-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Andre Daniel to Brandon Smith with 11:34 left. Daniel, who completed 11 of 15 passes for 151 yards, called an audible at the line of scrimmage to take advantage of Guthrie’s 1-on-1 coverage of Smith.

Guthrie needed just six plays to score. A 78-yard pass from quarterback Michael Hayes to Andrew Knight set the Bluejays up at the Carl Albert 2. Two plays later, Hayes hit Jason Shoemaker on a 3-yard touchdown pass, making it 22-20 with 8:48 left. Hayes finished 7 of 14 passing for 211 yards.

The Bluejays re-gained possession at the 4:30 mark, and marched 57 yards in 11 plays before Rush’s field goal. Guthrie did face fourth-and-8 at its own 32, but Carl Albert’s Marcus Allen was flagged for roughing Rush as Rush punted, giving the Bluejays a first down.

Rush’s kick, out of Hayes’ hold, split the uprights.

“I was a little bit worried,” Rush said. “I just went out there and hit it. I tried not to think about it.”

On Carl Albert’s first play after the ensuing kickoff, Guthrie defensive end Robert Harmon hit Daniel as he threw, and fellow lineman Kyle Smith intercepted the pass on a play reminiscent of Roy Williams’ hit on Chris Simms and Teddy Lehman’s interception for Oklahoma in its win over Texas.

Guthrie struck on the game’s first play. The Bluejays lined up with five receivers, and Hayes hit Demarko Jones – who also plays QB at times — on an 80-yard touchdown pass. Thirteen seconds in, the Bluejays led 7-0.

“We drew that up last week,” said Jones, who had three catches for 114 yards. “We were going to come out and get right on top. That’s what it did for us. It opened up the game.”

Carl Albert coach Gary Rose.

Since Rafe Watkins became Guthrie’s coach in 2001, the team’s annual game against coach Gary Rose and Carl Albert has become one of the state’s top rivalries.

The Bluejays (No. 1 in Class 5A) and the Titans (No. 3) meet Friday at Guthrie’s Jelsma Stadium in Week 7′s top Oklahoma high school football game. Here is a quick year-by-year look at the rivalry since 2001.

2001 (at Guthrie): Guthrie 23-22
2002 (at Carl Albert): Guthrie 22-19, OT
2003 (at Guthrie): Guthrie 28-21
2004 (at Carl Albert): Carl Albert 25-7

Guthrie coach Rafe Watkins

2005 (at Guthrie): Guthrie 33-14
2006 (at Guthrie): Carl Albert 26-21
2007 (at Carl Albert): Guthrie 24-21
2008 (at Carl Albert): Carl Albert 16-13
2009 (at Guthrie): Carl Albert 40-7
2010 (at Carl Albert): Guthrie 32-14

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.

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.

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

TULSA–One of the top games in the state this week (I ranked it as the top game) is tonight’s matchup between Class 5A No. 3 Carl Albert and defending champion and No. 5 Tulsa Washington.

The Hornets have held the upper hand for much of this series but return just two offensive starters from the team that started last season beating the Titans 12-10 and then went on to win a state title for the second time in three years.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: CARL ALBERT

The Titans usually have a couple of big-time players and a lot of other guys that fill their roles to near perfection. Carl Albert coach Gary Rose and his staff have made a habit out of taking undersized but hard-working players and molding them into a championship-caliber team.

This team is no exception and no player embodies those qualities like Darren Colquitt, who’s listed at 5-foot-9 and 204 pounds and starts on both sides of the ball.

Dillan Dansby earned the starting quarterback job a year ago before going down with a knee injury as Taylor Hawkins took over.

Dansby is back and looking 100 percent, earning the official starting quarterback spot. But Rose will still work in Hawkins in situations where it merits, especially in short-yardage situations.

Another signature of Rose’s teams, especially of late, has been their standout defensive backs. Once again, the secondary will be a strength for the Titans, headed by Alex Polston.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: TULSA WASHINGTON

While just two offensive starters return from the team that went 13-1 last year, Darrell Hall’s squad isn’t short on talent.

Many of the players who are starting tonight saw playing time last year but it’s a different animal starting a game versus coming in after the starters have already built a lead.

Wide receiver/defensive back Jared Collins, an Arkansas commit, and running back Delshawn McFayden highlight players who will be starting for the first time but who aren’t lacking in experience.

One spot where the Hornets have a good group of players back is at linebackers where Jarvis Hinson and Mike Evans, a junior, return.

PREDICTION TIME

I see the roles reversed here. Carl Albert is typically the team that needs some time to get settled in early in the season before coming on strong as the season progresses. This season, the Titans, while there’s no doubt there are improvements to be made, are in good position. I fully expect Tulsa Washington to be there near the end but tonight, I’m going with Carl Albert, 22-21.

He landed a good one for the 2012-13 seasons.

Southmoore will play a home-and-home series with Class 5A power Carl Albert in back-to-back season openers, the coach told The Oklahoman this week.

Carl Albert will host the 2012 game, and the SaberCats will host in 2013.

Southmoore will return to a west district for the 2012-13 seasons, being paired with the likes of Norman, Mustang, Lawton, Edmond Memorial and Edmond Santa Fe.

Carl Albert’s new district will be very similar to the current one, with Guthrie, Deer Creek and El Reno, along with the addition of McGuinness.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

It was a good battle for as long as it lasted last year between Taylor Hawkins and Dillan Dansby for the starting quarterback spot at Carl Albert.

Dansby earned the nod and Hawkins became one of the leaders on defense. However, Hawkins was thrust back into the role when Dansby went down. The Titan offense was starting to click with Dansby. But during a dominating win at Duncan in Week 3, Dansby tore his ACL.

The whole dynamic of the offense changed, obviously. But I remember coach Gary Rose talking about how much it impacted the defense because Hawkins could no longer be that leader on that side of the ball.

So in going out to Carl Albert earlier this week, great to see Dansby doing what he does. You could tell he was happy to be moving around and feeling healthy again, too.

He’s going to have to be healthy because it might be an uphill battle initially. You don’t lose stud linemen like Kyle Croak, Anthony Frazier and Colin Walker and not miss a beat. Rose knows this and basically cut me off before I could finish the question. Rose knows how important the line is with only one returning starter.

As Rose has always done, there will be no team camps for the Titans, and CA was only out Monday-Wednesday of this week. He lets them be kids in the summer and then ready to work in August.

It will be interesting to see if Hawkins and Alex Polston decide to once again keep up with summer baseball. Rose doesn’t mind it one bit that his kids play other sports. He encourages it and says it’s a great problem to have.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

2011 Suburban Conference

All – Conference Team

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Sr. Brian Anderson- Deer Creek­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

PITCHER OF THE YEAR

Sr. Michael Fulmer- Deer Creek­­­­­­­­­­­­

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Fr. Gavin Lavalley- Carl Albert

COACH OF THE YEAR

Ron Moore- Deer Creek

After giving up football last year, former Guthrie phenom Kye Staley is back with OSU.

It was a different scene for yours truly Saturday. Initially had plans to cover the finals of the Bill Tipton VII baseball tournament at Carl Albert, I was asked instead to help cover the Oklahoma State spring football game.

And I gotta say, it was great to see former Guthrie star Kye Staley back out there. He looked great in his 11 carries for 55 yards. The Tulsa World’s Bill Haisten had a great line about Staley: ‘he should be wearing green pants.’

Quarterback Brandon Weeden was wearing a green jersey to identify that he wasn’t to be hit. Well, with all the problems Staley has had with his knee, the green pants sounded appropriate.

Staley didn’t wear green pants, however. He took some big shots to the knee. But he bounced right back up. Staley is a big boy now. He’s more fullback than running back at this point. He’s about 215 pounds, and you can see that his desire and love of the game is back.

It was tremendous to see and you can also tell how happy his teammates are for him and for the team that Staley is back.

After giving up the sport before last season, Staley’s confidence is back. And that is a good thing for the Cowboys. For my story on Staley, here ya go.

Other spring game thoughts

- They’re all wearing the orange and black of OSU, but to me, they’ll all be known as ‘former (high school) star’ when it comes to the in-state products.

- Former Carl Albert star Daytawion Lowe made a couple of nice plays. He was also beat on a touchdown by Tracy Moore, but Lowe had an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown and had a couple of nice hits.

- Speaking of Moore, the former Tulsa Union star has become a much better college player than I thought he’d be. He is definitely among the top four receivers for the Cowboys. Moore got open a couple of times and had four grabs for 128 yards and two touchdowns.

- Like Moore, former Redskins star Jeremy Smith continues to impress me. I loved watching him play in high school and that hasn’t gone away in college. He had a great touchdown run on a spin move and also caught a touchdown pass. He said his biggest improvement this spring was in the passing game.

- Lo and behold, was that Joe Aska Jr.? Yep, the former Edmond North star running back had a couple of attempts and scored a touchdown. With that loaded backfield, cannot imagine Aska seeing too much time, but it was great to see him land on his feet.

- OK, I do admit Brandon Weeden (Santa Fe), Justin Blackmon (Plainview) and Josh Cooper (Mustang) are known more as Cowboys at this point. They’ve earned it.

- But by far, the biggest change was not having to keep my own stats. I was lost. I still did, but then I was handed a packet of everything you could ask for. And it was nice to be working with fellow chum Brandon Chatmon (@BChatmon on Twitter) again. All ‘n all, a fun way to spend a Saturday.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Thursday
At Carl Albert
Duncan vs. Carl Albert, 11 a.m.
Clinton vs. Carl Albert, 1:30
Altus vs. Clinton, 4 p.m.
Altus vs. Weatherford, 6:30
At Shawnee
McGuinness vs. OKC Broncos, 11 a.m.
McGuinness vs. Ada, 1:30
Yukon vs. McAlester, 4 p.m.
Lawton Mac vs. McAlester, 6:30

Friday
At Carl Albert
Blanchard vs. Altus, 9:30 a.m.
Blanchard vs. Weatherford, noon (I’ll be there)
Duncan vs. Weatherford, 2:30
Duncan vs. Clinton, 5 p.m.
Carl Albert vs. Altus, 7:30
At Shawnee
McAlester vs. Ada, 9:30 a.m.
OKC Broncos vs. Ada, noon
OKC Broncos vs. Lawton Mac, 2:30
Lawton Mac vs. Shawnee, 5 p.m.
Shawnee vs. Yukon, 7:30

Saturday
Games at both sites at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 4 p.m. Championship game is at Carl Albert at 4 p.m.

Carl Albert's Eric Waggoner, surrounded by family and friends, signs with OCU for wrestling.

Always fun to get out to signing day ceremonies. Wasn’t able to make it out to Western Heights to see Kenneth Hartfield sign with Oklahoma City University but was able to attend Eric Waggoner’s at Carl Albert.

Yep, conference foes and state champions are both heading to the Stars. Both were also named first team All-City wrestlers in Wednesday’s paper (or you can catch it all on NewsOK).

I’ve chronicled Waggoner’s story about overcoming his svt heart condition to qualify for state last year and win it this year. His cousin, Kyle Garcia of Choctaw, was also in attendance. Garcia was named the All-City Wrestler of the Year.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Quincy Johnson and T.J. Wright bring home more powerlifting gold.

There wasn’t a more dominant powerlifter this season than Carl Albert’s Quincy Johnson. Meet after meet, Johnson was racking up the honors.

He punctuated the season last weekend by winning the national championship in the 198-pound unequipped division at the National Athlete Strength Association championships.

Johnson set the world record in the squat (518 pounds), bench (320), deadlift (524) and total (1,362). Johnson was also named the Most Outstanding Heavyweight Lifter.

Other area winners included Southmoore’s T.J. Wright in the unequipped 168-pound division and Cajun Cox of Midwest City in the equipped 168-pound division.

Wright set world records in the deadlift (573 pounds) and total (1,267). Wright won Most Outstanding Lightweight Lifter.

Unequipped means no power suits or shirts were worn. Equipped means things such as wrist wraps, knee wraps, shirts and belts are allowed.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

The last two years, the Mayor’s Cup between the three Edmond and three Moore high schools has been a regular event at the ballpark now known as RedHawks Field at Bricktown.

This season the schedule of games at the park expands with 17 high school and one college game scheduled for the park during April.

The 2011 Mayor’s Cup will be played Saturday with Edmond North and Moore at 11 a.m., Edmond Santa Fe and Westmoore at 2:30 and Edmond Memorial and Southmoore at 6 p.m. (Boneman’s note: I will be at The Brick for the Saturday games).

Crowder and Stuart will play at 7 p.m. Friday to start the series.

World Baseball Outreach will hold a baseball equipment drive during the Mayor’s Cup. Fans are asked to bring new or gently used baseball and softball equipment to help the organization provide equipment to at-risk youth in the state.

Other than the Mayor’s Cup, the other games in the series are free to the public.

Schedule (gates open an hour before game time):

Friday: Crowder vs. Stuart, 7 p.m.

Saturday: Edmond North vs. Moore, 11 a.m.; Edmond Santa Fe vs. Westmoore, 2:30 p.m.; Edmond Memorial vs. Southmoore, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: UCO vs. USAO, 7 p.m.

Wednesday: Amber-Pocasset vs. Cashion, 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 7: Yukon vs. El Reno, 7 p.m.

Friday, April 8: Sterling vs. Elgin, 4 p.m.; Purcell vs. Sayre, 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 9: Kansas vs. Westville, 5 p.m.

April 23: Stroud vs. Wellston, 2 p.m.; Cushing vs. Lone Grove, 5 p.m.

April 26: Carnegie vs. Clinton, 4 p.m.; Holdenville vs. Konawa, 7 p.m.

April 27: Carl Albert vs. Shawnee, 7 p.m.

April 28: Jenks vs. Choctaw, 7 p.m.

April 30: Midwest City vs. Muskogee, 2 p.m.; Comanche vs. Velma-Alma, 5 p.m.

He absolutely understands how to pitch right now. What I mean by that is he is able to think his way out of jams and think himself into strikeouts.

Whether or not my babbling makes sense, I’ll tell ya what does: 16 strikeouts against one of the most high-powered offenses in the state.

Fulmer was impressive in a 10-2 win at Carl Albert on Monday night.

The offense wasn’t too shabby, either, for the third-ranked Antlers. Deer Creek launched five homers and not one of them was close to not going out. Isaac Hellbusch, Ross Stracke, Chase Stephens, George Haaland and Fulmer notched a homer of his own.

Antlers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on back-to-back jacks in the top of the first. Going into the bottom of the third, it was 6-0. This game changed in the bottom of the fourth. Fulmer definitely put himself in a tough spot. With bases loaded and nobody out, Fulmer struck out the next two batters before walking in a run. He then recorded another strikeout to end the frame.

From there, well, Fulmer was nearly unhittable. Going against studs like Alex Polston, A.J. Wilson and Taylor Hawkins, among others, Fulmer did a great job of mixing up his pitches and keeping the hitters off balance.

Last year’s was a slugfest from beginning to end. We could have been down that route this year, but Fulmer didn’t allow that to happen.

Coming in relief was an eye-opening performance for Carl Albert freshman Cameron Warren. He struck out the first four batters he faced and finished with 6 Ks in 4 2/3 innings of work. Very impressed with the way he controlled his emotions against such a good team.

Look for a video with Fulmer, an Arkansas signee, on NewsOK on Tuesday.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Carl Albert's Quincy Johnson setting the state record in the deadlift.

Paced by three individual championships, the Midwest City powerlifting team cruised to its fourth state championship in a row last weekend at McLoud.

The Bombers finished with 101 points, with Southmoore a distant second with 54.

Midwest City’s Payton Richards at 132 pounds, Cajun Cox at 157 and Jesse Venzor at 242 all earned individual championships. The Bombers had seven lifters place in the event.

Carl Albert’s Quincy Johnson, who was dominant all season in powerlifting in the 198-pound division, saved his best performance for his final one. Johnson set the state record for the deadlift at 605 pounds. The previous mark was set in the 1970s.

His combined total between the deadlift, bench press and squat was 1,470 pounds, and he won Outstanding Heavyweight Lifter. He had 530 pounds in the squat and 335 for the bench.

Not recognized by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association, powerlifting is run by the Oklahoma Football Coaches Association.

***

I got a chance to cover the powerlifting event in 2008 as for some reason it didn’t conflict with state basketball. I enjoyed it. Whenever somebody would attempt to set a record, all the lifters would gather around and cheer him on. Thought that was pretty cool.

Any other powerlifters wanna let me know how they did? Go ahead. Johnson and Midwest City always kept me up to date on how things were going, but just drop me a line.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Apologize to some of the wrestlers this weekend. I shot a bunch of different videos, including with Nolan Boyd of Deer Creek and Kyle Garcia of Choctaw. However, I was told the audio was too bad because I did it too close to the public address announcing area.

I’m sorry, guys. However, one that did go off without a hitch was this one from Carl Albert and Eric Waggoner. I got to know Waggoner last year heading into the state tournament.

This year was supposed to be his year, and he made sure of it. Waggoner won the Class 5A 135-pound championship with a 3-1 decision against Harrah’s Austin Goyette.

Waggoner is also cousins with Choctaw’s Garcia, who became a three-time champion in his own right.

For the story on the cousins, go here.

Carl Albert's Quincy Johnson with all his hardware from the powerlifting meet.

He was giving up four pounds but that simply didn’t matter for Carl Albert’s Quincy Johnson at last weekend’s powerlifting meet at Anadarko.

Johnson competed in the 198-pound class despite weighing 194 and finished with a competition-best 1,385 pounds total in the squat, bench and deadlift.

His mark was 105 pounds better than the second-place finisher. He had a 500-pound squat, a bench of 330 pounds and a deadlift of 555 pounds.

Johnson won Outstanding Heavyweight Bench Press, Outstanding Heavyweight Deadlift and Outstanding Heavyeight Lifter for his efforts.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

I never want to see the same game twice in one season. There are so many good games out there that I hate to see the same teams play. But I did it Monday with Deer Creek and Carl Albert.

And you know what? Knowing what happened in the first game gave me a lot more insight into how the second game turned out.

Both the Carl Albert girls and Deer Creek boys learned from the meeting two weeks ago and figured out what to do to earn the victory.

Carl Albert 47, Deer Creek 44 (Girls)

The Titans had a 16-point lead in the first matchup. Monday night CA was up 13-3 and then it happened. The Antlers made a run. But instead of looking dumbfounded, the Titans fought back, and it led to a fun fourth quarter.

In the end, it was the Titans defense (most notably Whitney Robinson and Toni Cheadle) that helped Tim Price’s girls to the win.

CA was up eight at halftime, but Deer Creek had erased that by the end of the third quarter. There were four lead changes in the fourth quarter. The Antlers had two possessions in the final 11 seconds to try to tie it but could not get a shot off.

Great to see Ashley Gibson back for the Antlers. She was back to her normal self in the second half and finished with 15 points. You add Gibson with Jalyn Jackson and then sprinkle in Alexa Adair, this team is going to make a run in the next couple of weeks.

This was a break out game for Cheadle. Well, at least for when I’ve seen her. Price told me she still has a lot to learn on the offensive side of the ball, but she is a force on defense. Why? Because she can play up top in a 1-3-1 like she did a lot Monday and she has the size to play the post.

And Robinson, well, I’ve never seen someone love playing defense so much. It appeared DC was trying to get Adair open for a three, but Robinson would not let it happen in the final seconds.

Gibson had 15 points and Adair had 12. Cherrell Price had a game-high 16 points for the Titans, while Cheadle added 12.

Deer Creek 64, Carl Albert 59 (Boys)

The Antlers blew an 11-point lead in the first meeting. This time around it was a 15-point cushion that almost went away, but it didn’t.

CA worked it down to four on two occasions but never any closer. Heck of a game for the Antlers’ big men. I’ve been waiting for Josh Fields and Anthony Clark to assert themselves. They certainly did in this one.

And to be fair, a lot of credit has to go to Jalen Burnett, who did a great job of getting the big boys involved and made some nice passes to set ‘em up.

Fields had 14 points, while Clark had 9. Burnett and Garrett Hermanski each had 12 points. For Carl Albert, best game I’ve seen from Stetson Goss. Shot lights out in the first half with three 3s and finished with 13 points.

Antonio Marshall came up big in the rally and closed out with 12 points.

And I’m breaking my rule again Tuesday as going to see Midwest City and Del City for a second time. Scott Wright is headed to a great potential showdown between McGuinness and Ardmore.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

A lot of girls games will start between 4 and 5 and the boys games to follow to try to counteract the winter storm that is a-brewing.

But first, let’s take a look back at Monday night. Here is the video of the game-winning bucket by Carl Albert’s Chris Wooten as time expires against Piedmont.

Wooten’s shot gave the Titans a 50-48 win and a big Suburban Conference victory:

That was my story.

Until Chris Wooten. I broke one my rules of writing: never pre-write because something else will happen. And sure enough, it did on Monday night at Piedmont.

Wooten hit a jump hook in the paint as time expired to give Carl Albert a fun (my word for it) 50-48 win against the Wildcats.

“I knew we didn’t have much time, and I was just trying to make a play,” Wooten said. “It felt good when I released it.”

Just a fun night at my first time in Piedmont for basketball. Fourth quarter had two ties and six lead changes. Really, was there any other way this game was supposed to end?

Tied at 46-46, Piedmont had the ball with less than a minute left. Carl Albert stole it. Dondre Brookins missed a contested layup but Jalen Carson was there for the put back with 28.9 left.

From there, Piedmont got exactly what it wanted. In fact, it was almost too easy as Keith Vick was found on a lob that he gently put off the backboard to tie it.

Figured Carl Albert would call timeout but that didn’t happen. Jay Price let his young team just figure it out on their own. Eventually, Wooten was slashing to the paint, caught the ball and let it go. As it went on, I’m pretty sure that’s when the buzzer sounded.

Sophomore Carlbe Ervin was a monster in this one for the Titans. His three-point play tied it up 46-46 and he finished with 18 points. John Stephens had 14 for Piedmont. Brookins had the same amount for CA.

Fun stuff and that’s why I go to every game I can possibly go to. Seriously, just a regular ol’ Monday in February. And I saw that and my partner in crime Scott Wright saw Dominique Raney’s buzzer-beater to win at Mustang.

I got good, crisp video of Wooten’s shot (and Vick’s, too). I was proud of myself on this one. That gives me two buzzer-beaters this year, I had three last year.

Carl Albert 42, Piedmont 39 (Girls)

With Gioya Carter ejected after a near-fight and double technicals, I thought it might be over. Coach Tim Price almost went as far to say the same thing. But the team rallied from a 33-24 deficit to start the fourth quarter and pulled it out.

Cherrell Price came up big, scoring all 10 of her points in the second half. Included in that was the final four points of the game and the go-ahead bucket with 38 seconds left.

I liked what Kylie Boggess and Piedmont did in the first three quarters, but a combo of the Wildcats trying to survive and CA putting its foot on the gas pedal turned things around. Boggess had 14 points.

In other words, just another night in the Suburban Conference.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

And yes, I hope they do. Here’s my top 7 girls games in the OKC area that need to be made up:

1. Midwest City at Edmond Memorial – Assume this is No. 1 for both the boys and girls. Bombers are still undefeated, while Memorial has shown the ability to play with the big dogs but not yet beat MWC or Edmond Santa Fe.

2. Del City at Norman – Tigers have been lurking. Some early season losses may have had people forgetting about them. Del City was one of those teams to get Matilda Mossman’s girls early. Big statement game for either team.

3. Choctaw at Putnam North – As I’ve written about a lot the last couple of weeks, the Yellowjackets are coming on strong. But so, too, are the Panthers. Both teams are playing their best ball. Hope that delay doesn’t hurt them.

4. Millwood at Star Spencer – One more go-around for the OKCPS rivals. Millwood looks like the early favorite in 2A for the crown, while Sharane Campbell you know wants to lead one last run for the Bobcats.

5. Bethel at Dale – Ye old stompin’ grounds. Back in Shawnee, this was one of the big ones. And you know what? In the state, it’s still one of the big ones. Wildcats have rightfully earned top spot in Class 3A.

6. Shawnee at Carl Albert – Gioya Carter vs. Kelsee Grovey would be a nice matchup/shootout. But really, Tim Price’s club needs this win after losing three of its last four games.

7. Western Heights at Piedmont - Oh, another big Suburban Conference showdown. Dilan Webster is extremely talented, but I think she’s too unselfish for the Jets. Kylie Boggess has been big for the Wildcats.

Will they all get made up? I don’t know. I hope so, but we’ll have to wait and see. If you know of any confirmed makeup dates, please send ‘em this way.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

And if that’s the case, then it’s back to the hardwood with a full slate of games. I’ll admit that on paper, this doesn’t look like the most intriguing night of ball ever, but it should be interesting.

Still waiting on word about Tuesday’s games. That was a loaded schedule on both the boys and girls sides. Like I said before, just gonna be real tough to find a way to schedule these so close to the stretch run.

Back to Friday, there are a couple of big games to keep tabs on, but overall I’ll be looking for that whole rust vs. rest concept.

A lot of coaches felt this delay couldn’t have happened at a better time as a lot of the kids were sick in the last week. Not many teams were at full strength. A week later everybody should be good to go.

But it’s also been a week of no playing at all. Numerous kids on Facebook were expressing that cabin fever. “I need a gym now.”

Here are some of the top girls games Friday:

Millwood at Star Spencer
Ah, always good to see the longtime rivals go at it. Millwood has been every bit as good as anticipated. Great balance in terms of guard play and post presence. Love watching Teanna Reid play. Star is more than Sharane Campbell, but the Oklahoma signee is another player worth the price of admission.

Shawnee at Carl Albert
Don’t know if anybody is paying attention to the Wolves, but all they do is win. In fact, one of those wins was against the Titans in a 25-19 struggle. Micaela Yu came up big in a road win at Harrah last week. CA, led by sophomore Gioya Carter, is on a bit of a slide. Perhaps that week off did the team some good.

Choctaw at Edmond Santa Fe
Can you prove you’re for real in a loss? I thought that’s what Choctaw did in losing a competitive battle against Edmond North last Friday. I’m thinking about checking this one out myself. Santa Fe is still undefeated but doesn’t always look like it’s clicking on all cylinders.

Mt. St. Mary’s at OCS
I’m interested in seeing what makes this MSM team so good. I don’t know if OCS is the right gauge, but I’ve seen the Saints enough and know that with Dani Childress and Jordan Gooch, they’re never an easy out. The Rockets only have two losses but also (according to OKRankings) don’t have a win against a top-20 team.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Seriously. Carl Albert was up 17-1 and sophomore Gioya Carter was unstoppable with 15 of those points. But late in the fourth, it was 52-41 Deer Creek. Or in other words, 51-24 from that point on. The final score ended up being 54-48 for the Antlers, who bounced back nicely after a loss to Piedmont.

Freshman Whitney Jones led Deer Creek with 13 points, but this game belonged to junior post Jalyn Jackson. I call her a post, but she’s also probably the best ball handler on the team. Battling illness, Jackson gutted it out and scored nine of her 12 points in the second half. She also had three assists in the third quarter.

There really was no stopping Carter, but she wasn’t as involved in the second and third quarters. One point in the second and six in the third (though most were free throws). Carter closed the night with 30 points. The dropoff was substantial with Aaliyah Sebock next with seven points.

Cherrell Price and Alicia Frazier just couldn’t get it going on this day.

Carl Albert 60, Deer Creek 52 (Boys)

The Titans flipped the script in this one. Jay Price’s boys were down 32-20 early in the third before rallying for a much needed road victory.

First time I got to see Carl Albert, and I want to see them again. Is this team always this balanced? There wasn’t one player you have to see, but there were a handful of solid contributors from Dondre Brookins to Carlbe Ervin and Darrain Winston and Antonio Marshall. Add in the shooting of Jared Price off the bench, interesting group this season.

Eventually, Carl Albert turned up the intensity on defense and Deer Creek did not respond well to the pressure. And then Garrett Hermanski picked up two fouls in 20 seconds to give him four fouls. He never got into a rhythm.

Carl Albert was up 53-52 with 1:06 left and thought we were headed for another buzzer beater. Not to be as the Titans iced the game at the foul line and Deer Creek was never able to hit that big shot.

Jalen Burnett had a game-high 13 points for the Antlers, while Ervin led four Titans in double figures with 12 points.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Titan Classic
At Carl Albert
Thursday
Boys
Lawton MacArthur vs. Guthrie, 11:30 a.m.
Millwood vs. Wichita North, 2:30
Carl Albert vs. Harvest Life, 5:30
Del City vs. HCYA – Houston, 8:30
Girls
Del City vs. Mustang, 10 a.m.
Carl Albert vs. Putnam City, 1 p.m.
Millwood vs. Stillwater, 4 p.m.
Midwest City vs. Douglass, 7 p.m.

Oh, Mid-Del, I won’t get to see as much of you guys. Since Scott Wright is the boys writer and Justin Harper is the girls writer, your three teams are normally one of the games they wanna see. But I’ll try to get out there.

Midwest City
Boys: Scott Wright tells me this team is still searching for those two other starting spots. We know about Greg Austin and the twins (Trael and Trez Colbert). However, the Bombers need No. 4 and No. 5 to come to the surface. Dewayne Bradley will get it all figured out, though.

Girls: The most complete girls team in the state? Coach Art Bode has another dynamite squad, paced by Kaylon Williams. But you can’t key in on her, no sir. Not when you have girls like Ashley Clark and Marisha Wallace. I’m amazed at how they can make what should be competitive battles into one-sided beatdowns. Guess I shouldn’t be shocked at this point. Is MWC-ESF the best potential matchup? I say yes…for now.

Del City
Boys: Solid showings in the early part of the year under first-year coach Tim Stogsdill. A second-place showing at Ardmore was a good way to close the first part of the year. I like Chris Stevenson, but Scott Wright told me to look out for Steffon Herd and Brett Cannon. Well, will do, then.

Girls: The surprise of the first part of the year. I didn’t think Karri Sears’ girls were going to become this good this quickly. In reading Sears’ assessment of her team, umm, she did. She knew what she had coming back, and the Eagles are clearly a top-7-ish team in 6A. Toni Smith is certainly a name to watch for the next two years.

Carl Albert
Oy, not going to pretend I know much about these Titans yet (where did all the familiar names go). Unfortunately, haven’t had a chance to get a whiff of Jay Price’s boys or Tim Price’s girls. I know they’re both incredibly young, and I know the boys picked up some good early-season wins. CA is obviously on my list of teams to see as soon as it is feasible.

Thursday’s Results
Girls
Ardmore 58, Lawton 45, seventh place
Northwest Classen 64, Putnam City West 50, girls fifth place
Mustang 68, Southeast 50, third place
Fort Smith-Northside 54, Yukon 32, championship

Boys
Guthrie 45, Southeast 40, seventh place
Midwest City 62, Ardmore 58, fifth place
PC West 82, Carl Albert 67, third place
Del City vs. Yukon, 7 p.m., championship

4:05 p.m.: The Mustang girls have a 22-point lead on Southeast in the girls third-place game with just under two minutes left to play. More exciting, however, we’re running pretty well on time after a dreadfully long day yesterday that ended around midnight.

5:07 p.m.: After holding a 10-point halftime lead, Putnam City West has started the second half fast and leads 54-35 on Carl Albert midway through the third quarter in the boys third place game.

5:15 p.m.: One thing we’ve learned this week: PC West is for real. They didn’t get lucking in a couple big wins. This is a good basketball team. Kyndall Dudley has hit six 3-pointers. He and Dante Lewis could each go for 20 in this game. The Pats are up 21 as we near the end of the third quarter.

5:40 p.m.: PC West takes third in the boys tournament with an 82-67 win over Carl Albert. Dante Lewis finished with 28 and Kyndall Dudley had 25 for the Pats. The girls title game is a few minutes away.

6:07 p.m.: Northside leads Yukon 8-4 at the end of the first quarter.

6:24 p.m.: Impressive run by the Millerettes gets them a brief lead late in a wildly exciting, fast-paced second quarter, but Northside finishes strong for a 21-17 advantage at the break.

6:50 p.m.: Big third quarter from Northside for a 39-22 advantage heading into the fourth.

7:14 p.m.: Northside takes the girls title, 54-32, over Yukon. The boys title game between Yukon and Del City will get going in about seven minutes.

Here is your girls All-Tournament team: Whitney Dunn, Mustang; Mackenzie York, Yukon; Jade Hardy, Yukon; Mannasha Bell, Northside; Taylor Green, Northside; MVP: Chauntel Terry, Northside.

7:40 p.m.: The first quarter goes to Yukon with a 15-10 advantage on Del City. Yukon’s D’Anthony Perkins has shown he is as athletic as just about any guard in the city area.

7:55 p.m.: A late rally for the Millers gives them a 25-21 edge at halftime. Del City led 21-18 with under two minutes to play in the half.

8:16 p.m.: Del City keeps scoring, and Yukon keeps answering, particularly with 3-pointers — one apiece from Shon Willilams, D’Anthony Perkins and Matt Burton, while Jordan Brown added a three-point play inside. Yukon leads 43-33 after three quarters.

8:32 p.m.: Yukon pulled out to a 49-38 lead, but seven straight points from the Eagles has it down to a four-point game with just over three minutes left to play.

8:47 p.m.: It came down to free throws, and the Millers held on for a 55-52 win.

Boys All-Tournament Team: Kyndall Dudley, PC West; Steffon Herd, Del City; Brett Cannon, Del City; Shon Williams, Yukon; Jacob Koontz, Yukon; MVP: D’Anthony Perkins.

For the Millers, this will be their first time playing for a tournament championship since the current seniors were freshmen.

“It’s gonna be good,” said senior guard Shon Williams, who led the Millers with 16 points Wednesday. “We’ve been working hard, working together for the last four years. We think we can win this, so we’re gonna go out and try our hardest to play well and se if we can win it.”

Added coach Ralph Nigro: “I think it means a lot (to play for a title). We have seven seniors and they’ve been through some bad times. Last year, we won, what, five games? The year before, we won six. So it means a lot to them. I’m happy for them. I’m happy to see them smiling and winning. It’ll be a tough game tomorrow, though.”

Mike Nicholson had 13 points for Yukon, while D’Anthony Perkins and Matt Burton added 10 apiece and Jacob Koontz had nine. Kyndall Dudley led the Patriots with 15 points and Dante Lewis added 14. Kevin House had 11, hitting three of the Pats’ eight 3-pointers.

Here’s the Ardmore Holiday Classic schedule and results, with more game-by-game updates below:

Wednesday’s results
Girls
Northwest Classen 41, Lawton 38
PC West 49, Ardmore 41
Yukon 47, Southeast 28
Fort Smith-Northside 58, Mustang 39

Boys
Midwest City 63, Guthrie 41
Ardmore vs. Southeast, 3 p.m.
Del City 52, Carl Albert 46
Yukon 58, Putnam City West 48

Thursday’s games
Girls
Ardmore vs. Lawton, 11:30 a.m., seventh place (at middle school gym)
Northwest Classen vs. Putnam City West, 11:30 a.m., fifth place
Southeast vs. Mustang, 2:30 p.m., third place
Yukon vs. Fort Smith-Northside, 5:30 p.m., championship

Boys
Guthrie vs. Southeast, 1 p.m., seventh place (at middle school gym)
Midwest City vs. Ardmore, 1 p.m., fifth place
Carl Albert vs. PC West, 4 p.m., third place
Del City vs. Yukon, 7 p.m., championship

Updates below…

4:55 p.m.: Today’s winners so far are the Northwest Classen and Putnam City West girls, who will meet in the fifth-place game Thursday at 11:30 a.m. Midwest City’s boys rolled past Guthrie and Ardmore is up on Southeast 33-26 midway thorugh the third quarter.

5 p.m.: Ardmore standout Nino Jackson is sitting out again today. When I spoke to coach Mark Wilson after the game Tuesday night, he expected Jackson to play today, so I’ll see what the situation is after this game concludes. Ardmore leads 42-32 at the end of the third quarter.

5:15 p.m.: Southeast coach Walt Brewer already had one guard out with a broken foot and he lost another in Tuesday night’s game, so he has had to turn to 6-foot-5 forward Trai Jordan as one of his primary ball-handlers — and he’s doing well. It’s a tough situation for a team with a lot of talented pieces to work with. They’ve got good outside shooters, led by William Brewer, and (when he’s in the paint, not at the point) a strong post presence with Jordan. A floor general with handles is all this team really needs to make a significant jump.

5:57 p.m.: Word out of the Ardmore locker room was that Nino Jackson’s absence today was related to an illness that had him feeling pretty bad at morning shoot-around. Ardmore won by 15. Yukon has an eight-point lead on Southeast in girls winner’s bracket action right now.

6:35 p.m.: Yukon holds a 37-21 advantage on Southeast in the girls semifinals entering the fourth quarter. More stout defense today from Kelly Clarke’s Millerettes.

7:37 p.m.: Mustang trailing Fort Smith-Northside 25-16 late in the first half. We’ll need a Bronco rally if we’re going to get Canadian County Bedlam in the Ardmore final. Of course, the two teams play in Yukon next Tuesday anyway.

8:27 p.m.: FS-Northside up 16 with under a minute left to play, so it’ll be Northside vs. Yukon in the girls final Thursday night at 5:30. We should be underway with the 7 p.m. boys game between Del City and Carl Albert in 15 minutes or so.

8:56 p.m.: Del City grabs the early 13-7 lead on Carl Albert at the end of the first quarter. Six points for Anthony Holland for the Eagles.

9:19 p.m.: Carl Albert pulled back in it to give us a tight one at the break. Del City is clinging to a 25-23 lead. Dondre Brookins has three 3-pointers for the Titans and Holland has nine points for the Eagles as well.

9:50 p.m.: Del City extends its lead to 39-30 at the end of the third. Del City freshman Brett Cannon had a pair of big buckets in the third and has 11 points for the game.

10:05 p.m.: CA and DC all tied up with two minutes to play.

10:15 p.m.: The Eagles take the Mid-Del battle, 52-46. Anthony Holland finishes with 14 points to lead the way. Yukon and PC West are about to get started in our final game of the night.

10:54 p.m.: Yukon takes a 28-18 lead on PC West to halftime. Del City is waiting for the winner in the finals, set for Thursday night at 7 p.m.

Tuesday’s games
Girls
Southeast 34, Lawton 28
Yukon 45, Northwest Classen 36
Fort Smith (Ark.) Northside 69, Putnam City West 30
Mustang 66, Ardmore 27

Boys
Putnam City West 70, Midwest City 62
Yukon 41, Guthrie 34
Carl Albert 66, Ardmore 59
Del City 54, Southeast 35

Wednesday’s games
Girls
Loser’s bracket
Lawton vs. Northwest Classen, 11 a.m.
PC West vs. Ardmore, 12:20 p.m.
Winner’s bracket
Southeast vs. Yukon, 4:20 p.m.
Fort Smith-Northside vs. Mustang, 5:40 p.m.
Boys
Loser’s bracket
Guthrie vs. Midwest City, 1:40 p.m.
Ardmore vs. Southeast, 3 p.m.
Winner’s bracket
Carl Albert vs. Del City, 7 p.m.
Putnam City West vs. Yukon, 8:20 p.m.

Updates below…

2:30 p.m.: Shola Adebayo scored 20 of Southeast’s 34 points on the way to a win over Lawton. The Yukon girls played some good defense down the stretch to hold off a NWC rally. Jade Hardy led Yukon with 17 points. Meshelle Parker had 11 for the Knights and Alysia Whitaker added 10. We’re nearing halftime in the first boys game, where PC West is hanging with Midwest City, trailing 24-23. Cortrael Colbert already has 13 for the Bombers.

2:40 p.m.: PC West closes the first half with a 15-4 run to take a 27-24 lead at the half on Midwest City. Kyndall Dudley leading the Patriots with 12 points.

3:35 p.m.: PC West pulls off the upset, 70-62. Kyndall Dudley hit a pair of huge 3s down the stretch and finished with 24 points. Tavionne Pennon added 16, spoiling Cortrez Colbert’s 27-point outing for the Bombers.

4:12 p.m.: Speedy first half from Yukon and Guthrie. The Bluejays lead 13-10 at the break.

4:53 p.m.: The Millers pull away in the fourth for a 41-34 win. It’ll be Yukon and PC West at 8:20 Wednesday night in the boys semifinals.

5:20 p.m.: Not pretty in the third girls game of the day. Fort Smith-Northside leads PC West 20-2 after one quarter.

6:13 p.m.: Northside takes it 69-30 over PC West. The final girls game of the night, Ardmore vs. Mustang, is just a couple minutes away.

7:10 p.m.: Mustang girls out to a 50-20 lead midway through the third quarter. A win would put Mustang against Fort Smith-Northside Wednesday. Yukon faces Southeast in the first semifinal at 4:20 p.m.

8:20 p.m.: Ardmore and Carl Albert tied at the half, 33 apiece. Nino Jackson has not seen the floor for Ardmore so far.

8:45 p.m.: Carl Albert takes a 45-44 lead to the fourth quarter on top-ranked Ardmore.

9:32 p.m.: Sorry for the delayed update, but Carl Albert pulled off the upset of No. 1 Ardmore, 66-59. Ardmore standout Nino Jackson was held out of action by coach’s decision. He is expected to play in Wednesday’s loser’s bracket game against the Del City-Southeast loser.

9:55 p.m.: Del City boys out to a 30-14 lead on Southeast in the final game of the night.

10:38 p.m.: Del City finishes off the night with a 54-35 win over Southeast. We’ll do it all again tomorrow.

Now this list is done by me. So if you’re upset, yep, come to me on this one. I had fun doing the All-Edmond and All-Private schools team last year. This year I’ve added the Mid-Del and the Best of the Rest. One team per day.

Today, here is your All-Mid-Del football team:

All-Mid-Del team
Offense
QB — Greg Austin, Midwest City
RB — James Flanders, Midwest City
RB — Kenton Whittington, Carl Albert
RB/WR — Greg Johnson, Del City
WR — Marquis Walters, Del City
WR — Trez Colbert, Midwest City
OL — Jamelle Naff, Del City
OL — Kyle Croak, Carl Albert
OL — Anthony Frazier, Carl Albert
OL — Jesse Venzor, Midwest City
OL — Colin Walker, Carl Albert

K — Easton Ramsey, Carl Albert
P — Chazten Gonzales, Del City

Defense
DL — Trevon Lewis, Midwest City
DL — Quincy Johnson, Carl Albert
DL — Chris Stevenson, Del City
DL — Cameron Hishaw, Midwest City
LB — Zeke Lewis, Midwest City
LB — Kevin Jones, Carl Albert
LB — Quintrell Boykins, Del City
DB — Trael Colbert, Midwest City
DB — Alex Polston, Carl Albert
DB — Ricky Reeves, Midwest City
DB — Bryce Freeman, Del City
KR — Dwight Dobbins, Carl Albert

Offensive Player of the Year: James Flanders, Midwest City
Defensive Player of the Year: Trevon Lewis, Midwest City
Coach of the Year: Steve Huff, Midwest City

This felt like a breeze. The oddest choice was putting Gonzales at punter, but he did punt and it allowed Austin to make the team. Seeing this group of kids in a list like this really makes you realize how talented the Mid-Del football players were this season. No doubts on any of my three awards and strong feeling we could see the Offensive POY be a repeat potentially next year.

Thursday: All-Edmond
Friday: All-Private schools
Saturday: All-Best of the Rest

After a year of not playing a role in the 6A picture, Karri Sears’ girls are back. The Del City basketball team made a big statement by winning the Panther Classic at Harrah this weekend.

Gone are Toni Young and Desiree Jeffries that led the Eagles to the title. Now dominating the gym are Mariah Jackson and Toni Smith.

Jackson scored 24 points and Smith pitched in with 17 more as the Eagles defeated Northeast in the championship game. After a slow first quarter, Del City came on with an 18-4 advantage in the second quarter to take control of the game.

Those three wins came off the heels of beating another top 6A team in Norman on Tuesday night. There is reason to be excited once again for Del City girls basketball.

Other contenders

Cherrell Price, Carl Albert: It might take a little bit longer before Tim Price’s girls find their rhythm, but a fourth-place finish at the Panther Classic isn’t the worst result ever.

Marisha Wallace, Midwest City: In a big battle with Edmond Memorial, Wallace was dominant as Bombers blew out a solid Bulldog club.

A.J. Holland, Del City: Panther Classic was also kind to Tim Stogsdill’s boys. Holland led the charge to a third-place outing, beating a very good Woodward team Saturday.

2010 District 5A-1 All-District Team

Player of the Year—Kentrell Brothers – Guthrie

Offensive Player of the Year—Alex Christensen – Deer Creek

Defensive Player of the Year—Quincy Johnson – Carl Albert

Lineman of the Year—Kyle Croak – Carl Albert

Coach of the Year—Rafe Watkins – Guthrie

Offense

First Team                                                                  Second Team

QB-Kenneth Mayfield – W Hts                                    QB-Ridge Gargasz – ER

RB-Kenton Whittington – Carl Albert               RB-Derrik Kelly – Guthrie

RB-Devonte Moore – ER                                             RB-Anthony Frazier – SE

WR-Dwight Dobbins – Carl Albert                               WR-Christian Johnson-Ada

WR-Deonte McCully – Guthrie                         WR-Gage Anderson-Noble

TE-Austen Roselius-Carl Albert                                 TE-Payton Patton-Ada

OL-Colin Walker-Carl Albert                                       OL-Pat Elliott-Carl Albert

OL-Bryce Sullivan-Guthrie                                           OL-Andrew Scribner-Ada

C-Anthony Frazier-Carl Albert                         C-Braden Young-ER

OL-Ross Stracke-Deer Creek                                      OL-Jacob Cardenas-Noble

OL-Caleb Clary-Ada                                                   OL-Paul Kim-Deer Creek

Defense

First Team                                                                  Second Team

DL-Randy Armstrong-Ada                                           DL-Shawn Hudson-SE

DL-Feliz Scott-Guthrie                                     DL-Ryan Vick-Ada

DL-Brent Bozarth-ER                                                  DL-Tanner Dyer-Ada

DL-Cale Russell-Ada                                                   DL-Ryan Thomas-Noble

LB-Isaiah Byrd-Deer Creek                                         LB-Trey Jones-Noble

LB-Tavin Deloney-SE                                      LB-Evan Elder-Deer Creek

DB-Marcus Ware-Guthrie                                            DB-Nick Anderson-Ada                DB-A.J.Wilson-Carl Albert                                                DBEric Mahoney-Deer Creek

DB-Ronald Lucas-Ada                                     DB-Nelson Williams-SE

DB-Jay Gogue-SE                                                       DB-Diontee Albert-Ada

DB-Michael Coleman-Deer Creek                               DB-Dylan Abner-ER

DB-Travis Brown-

K-Shawn McLaws-Deer Creek

P-Brady Bowers-Ada

Only one team per class likes the way their season ends. Last year that team was Carl Albert. But this year it wasn’t meant to be for Gary Rose’s club.

It was a coming of age year for Taylor Hawkins, though. A baseball star, the Titans quarterback wasn’t able to get much time in for football during practice in August. He had found a home on defense as the Death Squad group was living up to its name.

But an injury to Dillan Dansby brought Hawkins back to the offense and to the quarterback position. Behind that offensive line and RB Kenton Whittington, the Titans looked like they hadn’t missed a beat.

However, it came to an end last week in a 21-14 loss at Tulsa East Central. A 9-3 season is great for most programs, but you know this will be motivation for the Titans next year.

Carl Albert (9-2) at Tulsa East Central (10-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
TV: Cox 3 (wish I could be there)]

Carl Albert
Why the Titans can win: I’ve been stressing it this week, but I feel last week’s second half vs. Duncan woke this team up. You cannot just go through the motions and win in the playoffs. Coach Gary Rose has this team fired up and ready to go on the road just like it did last year at Bishop Kelley.

Quote:

I don’t want this to be my last game. It’s on to the quarterfinals. We know this will be tough, but that’s what you want.” – senior Quincy Johnson

TECentral
Why the Cardinals can win: Because they have playmakers on both sides of the ball and an excellent kicker in Antonio Escobedo. I got to see a lot of Dino Teague and Ashton Dandy during the summer and figured they would be stars. Um, yep, they are.

Key matchup: Teague vs. CA secondary. Or should I say Dwight Dobbins? Either way, it will be up to the Carl Albert defensive backs to not be gashed for big plays from Teague and the rest of the Cardinals.

The pick: Carl Albert 26, East Central 22. Keeping it close until the fourth quarter, and then Taylor Hawkins and Kenton Whittington get behind that line and pull it out.

Boneman’s Titans prediction record: 10-1.
Boneman’s East Central prediction record: 10-1.

Aw heck, let’s go out on that limb. There was no evidence from Friday night that this is the right pick, none at all.

But I feel this team has been here before and done that before and will do it again. I like Carl Albert to go out on the road and take out Tulsa East Central in a marquee matchup in Class 5A.

Maybe the Titans were a little overconfident heading into the Duncan game. Tough to beat a team 42-10 in their backyard and not feel good about yourself when you have to play them again at your place.

But let’s not shortchange Duncan, who played a fantastic game in the OT loss. You would hope that it woke up Gary Rose’s kids.

I know Saturday that those kids were admitting about having that sigh of relief. You don’t get too many of those in the postseason. So we either see that the Demons were a hiccup for the team or just delayed the inevitable.

East Central has answered the bell every time this season. Good OT wins against Bartlesville and Grove. Took Booker T. to the limit. Was very efficient in a comfortable win vs. Skiatook.

Feel that the Carl Albert rushing attack, and the defense lead the win. The Death Squad got torched in the second half on the ground, gotta feel they took offense to that.

And if you’ve seen the CA rushing game in person, how could you bet against that? Simple, on this day, I won’t.

The pick: Carl Albert 26, East Central 22.

Boneman’s LOCK record: 8-3 (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, Mustang over Lawton Ike).

I focused a lot on Taylor Hawkins in my story on the Carl Albert overtime victory against Duncan. He didn’t give me much of a choice by scoring the game-winner in overtime to stave off the upset.

But running back Kenton Whittington woke this team up. After a rough first quarter, Whittington scored twice in the second quarter and rushed for more than 100 yards.

Whittington sure isn’t the biggest runner in the world, but he’s about as tough as they come and knows how to get the hard yards.

The Titans saw a 21-3 halftime lead disappear but found a way to pull it out and set the stage for a mega-showdown at Tulsa East Central.

Other contenders

James Flanders, Midwest City: The junior finished a strong season with two rushing touchdowns in the overtime loss to Westmoore.

Taylor Hawkins, Carl Albert: Got his passing game going in the second and third quarters and did the little things necessary to get the victory vs. Duncan.

Midwest City defense: I wasn’t there so I don’t know how the Jaguars pulled off that upset, but I know the Bombers defense gave it everything it had as it did all season.

Kaylon Williams, Midwest City: Just about that time again, the senior signed to play basketball for Oklahoma last week.

I’ve been accused of being too conservative with some of my picks. So I rolled the dice in the opening week of the playoffs.

I learned my lesson. So I said 52-10 Carl Albert, huh? Uh, not quite.

Carl Albert 30, Duncan 27 OT – my story on the game here.

Boneman’s Breakdown

- Hey, I thought we were headed toward 52-10 territory at the half. Quincy Johnson and the CA defense were carrying the day. It was 21-3 and things were looking great for Gary Rose’s club. But man, give Duncan all the credit in the world for the way it fought back.

- Leading that fight was QB Brandon Wilson. He set the tone early in the second half. But the best player on the field for Duncan was Jared Griffin. He ignited the spark and then let Wilson join in on the fun.

- Was still feeling pretty good at 24-10 through three quarters. But then the wind happened. Carl Albert had no answers at all when it had to go into the wind. In the first and fourth quarters, looked like a totally different team. No passing game at all, and the runs became extremely predictable.

- Predictable or not, the Titans running game is still a formidable one, paced by Taylor Hawkins and Kenton Whittington. Thought I would be writing about Whittington after his first half and two TDs, but Hawkins gutted out those tough yards in the second half, and of course, the game-winner in OT.

- Speaking of OT, something in me was saying the Titans defense wasn’t going to allow Duncan to score. Just sensed it so when the field goal was good by Jack Braught, thought it would only be a matter of time before Hawkins or Whittington scored the winner.

- Great way to kick off the playoffs. Gone are the 70 degrees with a light breeze. It’s November, and I think it was a tough adjustment for a lot of teams across the state. Not as much here because CA loves to run anyway, but Friday was a wacky night.

- Your underrated play of the night: the pass breakup by Trez Jackson of the Titans late in the fourth quarter. That was a money pass by Wilson, and he had his WR had Jackson not made a fantastic play on the ball.

- Doesn’t get any easier (never does) as the Titans (9-2) are at Tulsa East Central (10-1) on Friday night. Like I’ve said before, this is the punishment for the loss to Guthrie – a road date in the quarterfinals.

Duncan (5-5) vs. Carl Albert (8-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Jim Harris Field, CA (I’ll be there)

Duncan
Why the Demons can win: It won’t be easy, that’s for sure. This team has suffered some bumps and bruises and the loss of Domonique Petties. In its biggest challenges, Jim Holloway’s boys have fallen just short.

Carl Albert (L- BTWashington; W – Ardmore; W – Duncan; W – Western Heights; W – El Reno; W – Southeast; L – Guthrie; W – Ada; W – Deer Creek; W – Noble)
Why the Titans can win: Because like every other Gary Rose-coached team, this club is peaking at exactly the right the right time. Haven’t we seen this script before? CA was dominant at Duncan in Week 3. The team is a little different, but it’s still extremely effective.

Key matchup: Carl Albert running game vs. Duncan defense. Gets old, doesn’t it, just talking about the running game? It’s true, though. Gimme that collection of backs (Taylor Hawkins, Kenton Whittington, Darvonta Knight) and that powerful O-line, and I’ma win a lot of games…including this one.

The pick: Carl Albert 52, Duncan 10. It would take a major case of stage fright from Hawkins for this to swing the other way. Titans roll to set up showdown with Tulsa East Central.

Boneman’s Titans prediction record: 9-1.

Took too long to get rolling. Honestly, Del City has played some really good ball lately and ends the season on a three-game winning streak. No win was more impressive than the 52-36 victory against Mustang.

It was senior night, and quarterback Chazten Gonzales let it all hang out. The TCU commit threw for three touchdowns and rushed for two more in accounting for nearly 400 yards of offense.

He’s had the ability all season, and he’s put it together at times, much like the team. When this team was on, boy, were the good. Too many discipline problems (on the field), the focus wasn’t always there.

For me, though, it’s good the Eagles are gone. I expected so much from ‘em early, and I finish the year a pitiful 4-6 when it comes to Del City predictions. Was fun to watch Greg Johnson, Marquis Walters, etc. Eager to see where OL Jamelle Naff ends up.

Other contenders

The Colbert Brothers, Midwest City: Trael Colbert caught two touchdown passes and Trez Colbert had an INT return for a score in a win vs. Norman North to complete a 10-0 season.

Carl Albert defense: Did what it was supposed to do but doesn’t make it any less impressive in a 63-0 dominating outing against Noble.

Greg Austin, Midwest City: Not his most accurate game, but Austin threw for 231 yards and three touchdowns for the Bombers.

Yo, CA followers, do me a favor. If you have any stats from Friday, lemme know.

Noble (2-7) at Carl Albert (7-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Jim Harris Field, CA

Noble
Why the Bears can win: It’s been a rough year for the Bears, but there will be a lot of kids coming back. They got some valuable experience this season.

Carl Albert (L- BTWashington; W – Ardmore; W- Duncan; W- Western Heights; W – El Reno; W – Southeast; L – Guthrie; W – Ada; W – Deer Creek)
Why the Titans can win: Because the line play on both sides of the ball has been incredible all year. The variety of RBs is nice, but it only works when you have those beasts to be running behind.

The pick: Carl Albert 59, Noble 9. Taylor Hawkins, Kenton Whittington, Darvonta Knight. One after another, should be a good night for the running game.

Boneman’s Titans prediction record: 8-1.

Sorry, Mid-Del fans, I can’t give you ‘great wisdom’ about the district scenarios for your schools. Two of them can’t change regardless of what happens Friday. And the other could have its fate decided Thursday.

- Midwest City is locked in as the district champion. The Bombers will most likely face Westmoore or Edmond North in the first round at Jim Darnell Stadium.

- Carl Albert, heck, there is no drama at all. Gary Rose’s boys will meet Duncan for the second time this season in the first round. This time it will be at Jim Harris Field. This time Duncan won’t have Domonique Petties. CA also won’t have Dillan Dansby as it was against the Demons that Dansby got injured. CA won 42-10 in Week 3.

- Del City, well, better get out there and support US Grant. If Edmond North beats US Grant, then the Eagles are home once again, regardless of what happens Friday vs. Mustang. Too many uneven performances early because Del City has performed pretty well in the last few weeks. If Edmond North loses to Grant, we’ll revisit what the Eagles need to do Friday morning.

Oh baby, what a performance. I picked Midwest City to win. I picked 37-32, but I was extremely unsure about the selection. I thought the long bus ride combined with a fired up Lawton Eisenhower team was going to prove to be an extremely difficult task for the Bombers.

They showed me and made their most impressive statement of the season. Sparked by that stellar defense, Midwest City blanked Lawton Ike 28-0 at Cameron Stadium.

Eisenhower was held to less than 200 yards of offense. Midwest City picked off two passes and recovered a fumble. The Bombers were up 21-0 at halftime and never let their guard down in clinching the district championship.

Other contenders

James Flanders, Midwest City, Football: Another big night for the junior as Flanders had three rushing touchdowns. It got better Saturday as older brother John picked off a pass in the end zone to cement Tulsa’s win over Notre Dame.

Greg Johnson and Adrian Fletcher, Del City, Football: Each had a pair of rushing touchdowns as the Eagles blanked US Grant.

Carl Albert rushing game and offensive line: Darvonta Knight, Kenton Whittington and Tank Richmond all scored rushing touchdowns as Titans rushed for more than 300 yards in big road win at Deer Creek.

Shameka Sanders, Del City, Cross Country: Only Eagle runner at the state meet last week and did pretty well, placing 18th.

Carl Albert (6-2) at Deer Creek (6-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Deer Creek Stadium

Carl Albert (L-BTWashington; W- Ardmore; W – Duncan; W – Western Heights; W – El Reno; W – Southeast; L – Guthrie; W – Ada)
Why the Titans can win: Because their character and heart were tested last week, and they passed with flying colors. This is a team bred for November, and they’re ready to make that final push. Deer Creek has not seen a rushing attack like this one.

Deer Creek (W – Piedmont; L – Shawnee; W – Tecumseh; L – Guthrie; W – Southeast; W – El Reno; W – Western Heights; W – Noble)
Why the Antlers can win: Because the last four weeks have given Deer Creek the chance to find out exactly what is their best recipe for success. Namely a power running game, sprinkled in with some timely passing and a defense that flocks to the ball.

Quote:

Coach Gary Rose does a great job with his program, and he’s built something there that we’re trying to duplicate here at Deer Creek.” – coach Grant Gower

Key matchup: Deer Creek QBs vs. Death Squad. I just like saying Death Squad. No, seriously, how will Alex Christensen and Joel Blumenthal hold up against the best defense they’ve seen in a month? And if the Antlers need a big throw, is it Christensen or Blumenthal who gets the call?

The pick: Carl Albert 29, Deer Creek 19. Sounding like a coach here, but turnovers are going to be extremely important in deciding this one. I like the CA rushing attack to ice this sucker in the fourth quarter.

Boneman’s Carl Albert prediction record: 7-1.
Boneman’s Deer Creek prediction record: 8-0.

Guess James Flanders was upset with me not giving him the honor last week, huh? For the second straight week, Flanders was phenomenal. Well, for the whole season he’s been dang good, but he just happened to have this latest performance with me in attendance.

Flanders rushed for 175 yards and two touchdowns in the victory against Edmond Memorial. And those that saw his 80-yard touchdown in the first quarter won’t forget it anytime soon.

It sure looked like at least a couple of Bulldog defenders had the angle to take him down or force him out of bounds. But one Flanders put on the jets, whoop, he was gone.

I agree with one commenter said about this Bombers team. Don’t know if they’re the best, but man do they have a whole heckuva lot character and heart.

Other contenders

Taylor Hawkins, Carl Albert: Redemption is thy name. Hawkins was great on the ground and through the air in accounting for five touchdowns in a 55-12 whipping of Ada.

Chazten Gonzales, Del City: In a game the Eagles had to have, Gonzales rushed for more than 100 yards and two touchdowns and threw for more than 100 in a 14-10 win at Edmond Santa Fe.

Dwight Dobbins, Carl Albert: Had a long touchdown run and a kickoff return for a touchdown in the Titans rout.

Myles Hogg, Midwest City: I can’t quantify his stats, but if you saw him play defense in the second half against Memorial, then you know why he is here.

Andrew Thomsen, Carl Albert, Cross Country: At the 5A regional in Norman, Thomsen helped Titans to a fourth-place finish by placing seventh.

Two games left. Where do the Bombers, Eagles and Titans stand?

Midwest City (8-0, 5-0)
Games remaining: at Lawton Eisenhower, at Norman North
Prognosis: Pretty dang good. A win against Ike clinches the district. A loss, and we could be looking at a three-way district point thing with MWC, Ike and Yukon.

Think Friday’s battle with the Eagles is going to be the toughest game of the season for Midwest City. On the road against a team that is peaking right now. Whew, gonna be fun.

Del City (3-5, 2-3)
Games remaining: vs. US Grant, vs. Mustang
Prognosis: It will all hinge on the battle with the Broncos. Last year the Eagles lost their last two games of the year and missed out.

This year? Well, Del City might be able to win its final three games and finish strong. Though most likely, the Eagles would still need a little help and an Edmond North loss.

Carl Albert (6-2, 4-1)
Games remaining: at Deer Creek, vs. Noble
Prognosis: Week 9 will determine its fate. A win at Deer Creek, and the Titans assure themselves of a second-place finish. Not much of a chance to win the district unless Guthrie loses both of its final two games.

Titans are in good position, though.

Ada (4-3) at Carl Albert (5-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Jim Harris Field, CA

Ada
Why the Cougars can win: Because after a blowout loss to Ardmore, Ada has actually fared pretty well. The other two defeats are against Guthrie and McAlester, a combined 13-1. Ada has done a great job of winning the games it’s supposed to. Can it win one it’s not supposed to?

Carl Albert (L- Booker T.; W – Ardmore; W – Duncan; W- Western Heights; W – El Reno; W – Southeast; L – Guthrie)
Why the Titans can win: Because arguably no team is happier about playing on a short week than Gary Rose’s club. This group is anxious to get back out there after last week. The nerves shouldn’t be an issue this week and the focus will definitely be there.

Key matchup: Taylor Hawkins vs. Ada defense. Though I expect Kenton Whittington to get a lot more than 11 carries in this game, think this is huge for the psyche of Hawkins. He needs to rebound, and the team needs to see he can be the leader the rest of the way.

The pick: Carl Albert 31, Ada 12. At the friendly confines of Harris Field, the Death Squad defense allows the offense to relax with some big turnovers.

Boneman’s Carl Albert prediction record: 6-1.

It could have been a magical weekend for Carl Albert. A football win over Guthrie added with a state softball championship. Could have been.

Instead, the softball team redeemed the weekend. There was no better team in 5A this entire year. And the girls proved it repeatedly and emphatically at the state tournament.

Pryor was up early before CA rolled ‘em. Down 6-0 to Tahlequah, Titans came back to win 12-10. Another win against Tahlequah set up the stage against McAlester and star pitcher Taylor Dewbery.

However, CA was able to touch up Dewbery with three 2-run homers. One by Krista Waggoner and two by Madisyn Long to claim the club’s first championship since 2007 in the 6-4 victory.

Pitcher Whitney Robinson was not great in the circle, but boy was she gutty. She gave us everything she had in the final three days of her high school softball career. She is one of the most complete players in the state and had a great tournament at the plate.

First baseman Molly Davison and Jenni Lane also came up with huge hits. Coach Colin White said once his team got rolling, there was no turning back.

He’s certainly right about that.

Other contenders

James Flanders, Midwest City, Football: With Choctaw stopping the passing attack, Flanders rushed for four touchdowns in the shutout of Choctaw. Read more about Flanders in Tuesday’s paper.

Taylor Hawkins, Carl Albert, Football: It wasn’t the night the Titans were hoping for, but Hawkins threw for a touchdown and rushed for another in the loss to Guthrie.

Greg Johnson and Chazten Gonzales, Del City, Football: Each scored a touchdown though the team came up short against an inspired Lawton club.

Guthrie's Kentrell Brothers made his case for Player of the Year with 8 catches, 156 yards and 4 TDs vs. Carl Albert.

Anybody else get caught in that horrible traffic on I-40E trying to hit up the Carl Albert and Guthrie football game. After nine hours of softball (including Colin White’s CA girls), I was trying to get to Jim Harris Field.

Oy. But eventually walked through the gates at 7:20, and all my bitterness went away with the atmosphere for the Titans and Bluejays.

Bitterness was gone, replaced by egg on my face as Guthrie was a team possessed in winning against Carl Albert to maintain the best 5A team on the west side (at least).

Guthrie 32, Carl Albert 14

This game turned on one play, I tells ya. On fourth down in the first quarter, Taylor Hawkins overshot Alex Polston for what would have been an easy touchdown. It was a great call, but Hawkins was too fired up.

In fact, it was pretty incredible that Guthrie was up 6-0 at halftime. Carl Albert started three possessions in Guthrie territory and didn’t score.

Luke Davis’ 73-yard run on the first play of the second half was a sign of things to come. Then it became the Kentrell Brothers and Bryan Dutton show.

Dutton was on target all night. No play personified the game more than Dutton’s third touchdown pass, this one to Devonte’ McCully.

I wanna say it was Carl Albert’s Darren Colquitt who was inches away from a sack/fumble. Instead, Dutton hit McCully for the score and a 19-0 advantage.

And those who were there will not forget the performance of Brothers. Is that what you Bluejay fans get to see every week? Lucky. Brothers had eight receptions for 156 yards and four touchdowns. Three of them he just jumped higher and wanted it more.

He also had his first six carries of the season. I had him for 59 yards, GHS had him for 60, still impressive. On defense, he registered at least two sacks, more than 10 tackles and had a fumble recovery. He admitted he was playing his heart out. No kidding.

Hawkins found Polston for a touchdown to make it 19-7, but the Titans couldn’t stop the Jays on this night. Derrik Kelly didn’t end up with huge numbers, but he was effective running the ball in the second half.

CA couldn’t get that vaunted rushing attack going and then was forced to play catch up the rest of the second half. Still loved the atmosphere even if it did give me my first LOCK loss of the season.

Boneman’s Breakdown

- McCully is a stud. First time I’ve seen him. Wow, Dutton has the ‘easiest’ job in 5A. Just throw it up to McCully and Brothers. Honestly though, Dutton has matured so much from last year.

- Kenton Whittington couldn’t break the big for CA. He had a lot of solid runs but never that getting the crowd into it 30 or 40-yard run that could have turned the tide.

- Maybe the play of the game was after CA’s touchdown that made it 19-7. Guthrie faced a 3rd-and-1 from its 29. Play action, Dutton to Brothers, 71 yards later, touchdown.

- Guthrie defense is better than what I anticipated. Bluejays have to feel like they’re in the driver’s seat with wins over Deer Creek, Ada and Carl Albert.

- Here’s a link to my video with Dutton (17-20 for 233 yards, 5 TDs). And for coverage of the game, here ya go.

- Up next: Carl Albert takes on Ada. Guthrie welcomes El Reno.

What an incredible couple of weeks for softball. Or at least the weather for softball. Could not have asked for anything better. Know what this means? We’re screwed in spring. Update as much as possible here and on Twitter.

Class 5A
Championship: Carl Albert 6, McAlester 4 – final

- McAlester pitcher Taylor Dewbery and Carl Albert pitcher Whitney Robinson are mowing ‘em up and mowing ‘em down through two innings.
- Carl Albert’s Molly Davison hits a HR…but ruled foul. Very close. It was definitely hooking foul but don’t know if it actually was. Ump was very definitive on it, though.
- CA’s Krista Waggoner hits a two-run HR. 2-0 CA bot 4th. That thing just kept carrying. Didn’t think it would get out of here, but it kept going. Hey, who knew?
- McAlester comes back. A couple of RBI singles and the Buffs take a 3-2 lead into the fifth.
- A no-doubt-about-it two-run homer by Madisyn Long gives CA 4-3 lead.
- Rayna Smith drives in her second run of the game to tie it up. McAlester 4, Carl Albert 4 – top 7th. CA with 2-3-4 coming up.
- Wow, was that jacked. Madisyn Long hits her second two-run home run. CA 6, McAlester 4 – top 7th.

Class 6A
Championship: Yukon 11, Jenks 6 – final

- Whitney Ellis had an RBI single in the first. Yukon 1, Jenks o – top 2nd
- Erin Miller plates two with a two-run double and Jenks’ hot bats continue. Jenks 3, Yukon 1 – top 3rd
- Yukon scores two on errors, then Whitney Ellis REALLY scores two with a home run. Yukon 5, Jenks 3 – top 3.
- Gaby Cepeda had a rough top of the third behind the plate. Boom, two-run HR, all is forgiven. Jenks 5, Yukon 5 – bot 3rd.
- The back and forth continues. Two-run single by Skyler Leathers and a two-run HR by Madi Ellis. Yukon 9, Jenks 5 – top 4th.
- And for the first time today, neither team scored in the inning. In the 6th, 9-6 Yukon.

It’s here!!!

No. 2 Guthrie (5-1) at No. 3 Carl Albert (5-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Jim Harris Stadium, CA
TV: Cox 3

Guthrie
Why the Bluejays can win: Because they remember last year and frankly, they might be the better team this year. Luke Davis does all the little things on offense. Landry Chappell is a star on defense and Richard Brothers is a star in the making on defense.

Quote:

This won’t be like last year, I guarantee you that. We’re older and more mature. You hear the name Carl Albert, and it’s time to go to work.” – Kentrell Brothers

Carl Albert (L – Booker T.; W – Ardmore; W – Duncan; W – Western Heights; W – El Reno; W – Southeast)
Why the Titans can win: Because the last couple of weeks were crucial in terms of the passing success QB Taylor Hawkins had. You add that to a great running attack and the ‘Death Squad’ defense, and that’s a recipe for success every single time.

Quote:

Losing Dillan really hurt, but Taylor’s been great. We have all the confidence in him and know he will get the job done.” – senior Dwight Dobbins

Key matchup: CA running game vs. Guthrie LBs. If Kenton Whittington, Darvonta Knight and company get on track against Chappell, Brothers and John Clark, could be a long night for the Jays. For CA, Titans secondary should get a workout tonight with the improved Bryan Dutton at QB for Guthrie.

The pick: Carl Albert 30, Guthrie 29. No surprise here as it’s my LOCK. Cannot wait for the atmosphere and intensity of this game. Should be a memorable one.

Boneman’s CA prediction record: 6-0.

For even more on this game, check out my piece from Wednesday’s paper. It was really fun watching Kentrell Brothers and Dwight Dobbins interact for our photoshoot. Two days away.

No. 2 Guthrie (5-1, 3-0) at No. 3 Carl Albert (5-1, 3-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Jim Harris Stadium, CA (I’ll be there)
TV: Cox 3

How good has this rivalry been since Rafe Watkins took over at Guthrie in 2001? Watkins is 5-4 against Carl Albert coach Gary Rose, and we’ve seen some dang good games and memorable moments:

2009: Carl Albert 40, Guthrie 14
Guthrie has not forgotten about this beatdown in its backyard. Tre’ Porter had four touchdowns for the Titans, who led 33-0 at halftime.

2008: Carl Albert 16, Guthrie 13
“The Jersey Switch.” Daytawion Lowe, who normally wore No. 8, came out in No. 85 for the first play and caught a 76-yard touchdown pass from J.T. Realmuto for Carl Albert.

2007: Guthrie 24, Carl Albert 21
Carl Albert’s David Oku and Guthrie’s Kye Staley headlined the show, but it was the efforts of Keaton Callins and Clayton Smith that gave the Bluejays the win.

2006: Carl Albert 26, Guthrie 21
Carl Albert quarterback Joe Stoner converted a fourth-and-one from CA’s own 28-yard line in final minute to preserve victory.

2005: Guthrie 33, Carl Albert 14
It was the Bryce Gates show as the Guthrie quarterback threw for four touchdowns and rushed for more than 100 yards.

2004: Carl Albert 25, Guthrie 7
Titans scored all 25 points after halftime to end three-game losing streak to Guthrie. The win marked Gary Rose’s 100^th victory at Carl Albert.

2003: Guthrie 28, Carl Albert 21
Guthrie backup quarterback Josh Chappell threw for 265 yards and four touchdowns in the upset win.

2002: Guthrie 22, Carl Albert 19, OT
Guthrie kicker Russell Rush did it again. Rush converted field goal in overtime, and Kyle Smith recovered a fumble on Carl Albert’s overtime possession.

2001: Guthrie 23, Carl Albert 22
Guthrie kicker Russell Rush became a legend for the Bluejays. He booted a 30-yard field goal with 17 seconds left to give the unranked Bluejays the win in coach Rafe Watkins’ first season. It was Guthrie’s first win over the Titans since 1991.

State championships

The rivalry isn’t just big from a district and pride standpoint. Guthrie and Carl Albert have combined to win six of the last nine Class 5A state championships.

Carl Albert – 2009, 2006, 2004, 2001
Guthrie – 2007, 2002

Alright, Bluejay fans, give me your best shot

Cannot wait for this game.

No. 2 Guthrie (5-1, 3-0) at No. 3 Carl Albert (5-1, 3-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Jim Harris Stadium, CA (I’ll be there)
TV: Cox 3

Oh boy, here is where my pride is going to lead to my downfall. I really don’t want to lock this game, but it’s kinda been my tradition to LOCK Carl Albert and Guthrie.

It stems back to 2007 when I locked the Bluejays over the Titans. I just felt that Kye Staley was that rare kind of athlete that could do special things. It’s a dang shame that Staley’s legs didn’t cooperate with his skill and heart at Oklahoma State.

Anyway, Guthrie won that game. In fact, it was that game that began my whole tradition of viewing LOCKs as one of the best games out there but still making a definitive selection.

This week? Uhhh, well, I’m going with Carl Albert in an instant classic. And it won’t be a classic just because I’m there. This has all the combustible elements to be something truly memorable.

Who’s going to make the big play? Taylor Hawkins? Kenton Whittington? Darvonta Knight? Dwight Dobbins? Quincy Johnson? I don’t know, but somebody will.

The Bluejays are going to be incredibly pumped up, especially after last season. Bryan Dutton is much improved (obviously) from last year. And you know Kentrell Brothers is stoked and will wanna make a big impression on this type of stage.

In the end, I guess I’m gonna see another classic Gary Rose gamble come through. Rose isn’t afraid of putting complete trust in his boys to get the job done.

In 2006, it was Joe Stoner who got the call on a 4th-and-1 and converted. This year, behind that incredible offensive line, Whittington picks it up…and the huge win.

The pick: Carl Albert 30, Guthrie 29

LOCK record: 6-0 (Guthrie over Duncan, Heritage Hall over Clinton, Purcell over Lexington, Midwest City over Yukon, Jones over Morris, Norman over Southmoore).

No. 2 Guthrie (5-1, 3-0) at No. 3 Carl Albert (5-1, 3-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Jim Harris Stadium, CA (I’ll be there)
TV: Cox 3

The Guthrie offense has been incredibly efficient this season. Quarterback Bryan Dutton has matured so much. Luke Davis has become a solid running back.

And then, of course, there is wide receiver Kentrell Brothers. And if you try to blanket him, well, Dutton will just look to Devonte McCully.

So how do you stop them?

Oh, we’re ready for this, no doubt. This is a challenge, but it’s a challenge that we’re definitely not afraid of.” – defensive back Dwight Dobbins

At Carl Albert, they call ‘em the ‘Death Squad.’ And through six games, the group has been incredible, giving up a mere eight points per game.

Leading the way has been Kevin Jones, A.J. Wilson, Quincy Johnson and Darren Colquitt. Jones leads the team in tackles with 42 while Colquitt has the most sacks with four.

Even when the Titans were defeated by top-ranked Booker T., it sure wasn’t the fault of the defense. BTW only tallied 12 points, but it was enough on that night.

Since then, Ardmore (6), Duncan (10), Western Heights (6), El Reno (14) and Southeast (0). In the five consecutive wins, 255-36. Yea, Titans are ready.

No. 2 Guthrie (5-1, 3-0) at No. 3 Carl Albert (5-1, 3-0)
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Jim Harris Stadium, CA (I’ll be there)
TV: Cox 3

After an 0-2 start last year, Guthrie was rolling heading into the showdown with the Titans. Then what happened? An all-out blitz by Carl Albert.

Before you could blink, it was 33-0 at halftime en route to a 40-14 win that Guthre coach Rafe Watkins said “wasn’t even close to being that competitive.”

So as we head into another CA-GHS showdown, what’s Guthrie’s mentality toward that beatdown?

We’ve worn that film out. All spring, all summer, that’s what we watched. How easy that was for Carl Albert – it made us sick.” – Watkins

Quarterback Bryan Dutton was just a freshman in that one, and you know he wants this game. But might there be some deer-in-the-headlight looks Friday?

The Bluejays are starting three freshmen on defense. And as Watkins said, you can’t duplicate the atmosphere that will be Friday night.

But then again, Guthrie also has stars like Kentrell Brothers and Landry Chappell. Those kids are leaders, and they’re going to make sure it’s not a 26-point blowout this season.

How pumped are you for Carl Albert and Guthrie? I’ll tell ya right now I have a lot planned for every day this week on the blogs and in The Oklahoman.

And it starts with the Mid-Del Player of the Week. This week’s honor is going to QB Taylor Hawkins for the Titans.

He was the starting strong safety for this team when Dillan Dansby was running the show. Of course, Dansby was injured and it’s been Hawkins leading the way.

In the last two games (albeit against teams CA should have taken care of), Hawkins and the passing game have come alive for Gary Rose.

Hawkins threw for four touchdown passes as the Titans put up 30 in the first quarter en route to a 72-0 victory against Southeast.

He’s got a different skill set than Dansby, but he’s no less effective. The Titans rolled up 539 yards of offense in the blowout win. Friday night can’t get here soon enough.

Other contenders

Midwest City defense: No comebacks necessary in this one as the Bomber defense did what it needed to do in blanking Moore 32-0.

Chazten Gonzales, Del City, Football: Gonzales scored the Eagles’ lone touchdown in a disappointing 30-6 loss to Westmoore.

Dwight Dobbins, Carl Albert, Football: Dobbins is making his name on defense, but he caught a pair of touchdowns in the win Thursday.

Carl Albert softball team: Colin White’s girls are ranked No.  1 and are one of the favorites to claim the 5A championship this week.

Shameka Sanders, Del City, Cross Country: Against a good field, Sanders placed second at the pre-state meet at Oklahoma Baptist on Thursday.

Carl Albert (4-1) vs. Southeast (3-2)
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday
Where: Speegle Stadium

Carl Albert (L – BTWashington, W – Ardmore, W – Duncan, W – Western Heights, W – El Reno)
Why the Titans can win: Because as is the norm with a Gary Rose-coached club, this team is rounding into form at the right time. The lines are dominating play. The defense is creating turnovers. And the passing game came alive in a rout of El Reno last week.

Southeast (W – US Grant, W – Star Spencer, W – Capitol Hill, L – Ada, L – Deer Creek)
Why the Spartans can win: After two bad losses, Southeast wants to show they’re better than they’ve looked. I’d look for Michael Branch to have the Spartan D flying to the ball this week. Running back Jay Gogue is among the best in the state in yards per carry at 12.6.

Boneman’s key matchup: CA passing game vs. Southeast secondary. This, again, is probably a game that the Titans can win on the ground and be just fine. But with the MEGA showdown with Guthrie looming, you want your offense to be clicking on all cylinders.

Scott’s key matchup: CA offense vs. Southeast defense. The Spartan defense is in bad need of a turnaround after two rough weeks in which they gave up 110 total points.

Boneman’s pick: Carl Albert 52, Southeast 9. Titans aren’t overlooking Michael Branch’s boys heading into battle with Bluejays. Look for a big night from Kenton Whittington.

Scott’s pick: Carl Albert 44, Southeast 21. The Spartan defense has been knocked back on its heels the last two weeks and the Titan offense is heading upward. Hard to pull off an upset with those two trends in play.

Boneman’s CA prediction record: 5-0.

One solid week after another. Really, did this group give me any other choice? I have to give the Carl Albert offensive line the honor of being the Mid-Del Players of the Week.

After scoring 12 points in Week 1, the Titans have scored at least 34 in their four wins since. And they’ve had to make a transition from the quickness of Dillan Dansby to Taylor Hawkins at quarterback.

It’s been pretty seamless. The line keeps opening up holes for Hawkins and Kenton Whittington and Darvonta Knight, and the yards and Ws keep piling up for Carl Albert.

Led by All-State-caliber linemen Kyle Croak and Anthony Frazier, Carl Albert earned more than 500 yards of total offense in a blowout of El Reno.

Other contenders

Chazten Gonzales, Del City, Football: Gonzales was back to his old tricks, accounting for four touchdowns in a season-saving win against previously undefeated Putnam City.

Trez Colbert, Midwest City, Football: Another case of Bomber Magic? Colbert scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter and then topped it by catching the game-winner in overtime vs. Putnam North.

Carl Albert cheerleading: The girls earned another state championship on Saturday at Skiatook.

Jamie Lock, Midwest City, Cross Country: Lock was the Bombers’ best finisher at the Mustang meet last Thursday.

El Reno (2-2, 1-0) at Carl Albert (3-1, 1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Jim Harris Stadium, CA

El Reno
Why the Indians can win: This is a pretty big chore to ask of Tom Cobble’s team. The biggest thing that could lead to success if flustering Titans quarterback Taylor Hawkins early and forcing him into mistakes. From there, the underdog’s confidence could grow.

Carl Albert (L- BTW 12-10, W – Ardmore 34-6, W – Duncan 42-10, W – Western Heights 50-6)
Why the Titans can win: Too many weapons on offense. More specifically, too many rushing weapons. Take your pick of Kenton Whittington, Darvonta Knight, Tyre LeBlanc or Hawkins running behind what might be the best offensive line in the class.

Key matchup: El Reno offense vs. CA defense. Titans defense is no slouch, either. Indians don’t really have the offensive firepower that they’ve had in the last two years with Jakeil Everheart. CA hasn’t had a bad defensive outing yet this season.

The pick: Carl Albert 42, El Reno 17. Titans rush to big early lead and rest most of their starters late in the game and cruise to district victory.

Gonna be a rare sight this season Friday night at Jim Harris Stadium at Carl Albert HS. What do I mean by that? I mean there is actually going to be a football game going on.

Three straight weeks on the road have toughened up the Titans, made me look stupid and proved Gary Rose’s team is going to be knocking on the door for another championship.

It wasn’t just going on the road, but where they went in Weeks 2 and 3. Ardmore was coming off a huge win against rival Ada, and what did CA do? Use its patented stellar defense and running game and earn an impressive 34-6 victory.

The next week was the jaw dropper for yours truly. Going to Duncan against a team that had something to prove looked like a tough task. But behind that offensive line, not a problem in a 42-10 thumping.

Then last week the adjustment was life without Dillan Dansby, who had surgery last week. Again, just get behind the big boys and Kenton Whittington, Tyre LeBlanc, Darvonta Knight and Taylor Hawkins can find the holes. They did in the win against Western Heights.

Now El Reno comes to town. Last year this was a semifinal battle. Time has not been kind to Tom Cobble’s team this year though you know the Indians are going to give everything they got. This should be a good game for Hawkins to get better acclimated at the position.

OK, I felt a little pressure Friday night. Went out and said Midwest City was my LOCK of the week over Yukon. And when Scott Wright was keeping me posted Friday, was starting to sweat.

And then Greg Austin took over. In the blink of an eye, a 21-6 deficit became a 48-21 victory. Austin came up huge, throwing for 256 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for another.

With his performance, the Bombers showed they’re still the team to beat in the OKC area and has earned Austin the Mid-Del Player of the Week.

Other contenders

James Flanders, Midwest City, Football: After being shutdown in the first half, came alive to rush for more than 100 yards and a touchdown.

Greg Johnson, Del City, Football: Nobody played harder on the Eagles squad than Johnson, who did all he could in a 36-21 loss to Edmond North.

Carl Albert offensive line: With all those touchdown runs by the Titans last week, can’t just pick one. This line has absolutely dominated the competition the last three weeks.

Madisyn Long, Carl Albert, Softball: Titans survived another week as the top-rated team and Long had a six-RBI game against Guthrie.

Joshua Metcalf, Carl Albert, Cross Country: Metcalf was the Titans’ best finisher at the OSU Cowboy Jamboree in Stillwater.

Jamie Locke and Matt King, Midwest City, Cross Country: Top finishers for the Bombers at Oklahoma Baptist this weekend.

Carl Albert (2-1) at Western Heights
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Western Heights

Western Heights (L – Harrah 40-13, L – Tulsa Central 30-21, L – Piedmont 49-12)
Why the Jets can win: This is a team with some offensive weapons. Darius Young is a talented running back with a good mix of speed and power. Juwan Cubit is a talented wideout with sprinter’s speed. QB Kenneth Mayfield is the fuel that makes the car go. But it will likely come down to defense for the Jets, which has been shaky at times.

Carl Albert (L – BTW 12-10, W – Ardmore 34-6, W – Duncan 42-10)
Why the Titans can win: Because they should be too big and too fast for Western Heights. The loss of Dillan Dansby might hurt later in the season, but Kenton Whittington and Darvonta Knight should be more than enough to pull out the W here.

Quote:

We’re not worried about Taylor Hawkins taking over, he just hasn’t had the snaps. He’s extremely talented and we’ll be fine.” – coach Gary Rose

Scott’s key matchup: Mayfield vs. Titan DBs. Mayfield has to stay on top of his game to avoid making mistakes, because the talented Titan secondary will make him and the Jets pay.

Boneman’s key matchup: CA offensive line vs. Jets defense. If this game goes the way it should, the story of this game is going to be how powerful and dominant the lines for the Titans are. With Hawkins getting his feet wet in the position, the line needs to be at its best.

Scott’s pick: Carl Albert 42, Western Heights 20. The toughest part for the Jets will be matching the size of Carl Albert in the trenches.

Boneman’s pick: Carl Albert 49, Western Heights 12. Titans have proven they’re among the best in the class this season. Shouldn’t suffer a hiccup here.

Boneman’s Carl Albert prediction record: 3-0.

Wanna know what stood out from Week 3? Look no further than teams like Deer Creek, Carl Albert and Lawton. Last week was the week of the torn ACL.

Deer Creek has lost RB Colten Sander for the season. The same rings true for the Titans with QB Dillan Dansby. And Lawton will have to make a run without top QB prospect Cody Miller.

Deer Creek (2-1)
Last year this would have been a death blow to the team. This year? Eh, not so much. Spoken to coach Grant Gower at length about this. He’s sad and feels for Sander because Colten did so much to get himself back into top shape after last year’s injuries.

With Sander out, I think you’re going to see a lot more of Alex Christensen burrowing his way through tacklers. He is a beast. Also, sophomore Brennan Miyake is going to play a bigger role in the offense.

The Antlers offense is all about packages. Gower said the staff spent all weekend making tweaks after finding out about what happened to Sander.

Gonna find out real early how those tweaks will work as Antlers are at Guthrie on Friday.

Carl Albert (2-1)
The emergence of Dansby was incredible in the last two weeks. I was shortchanging the offense the last two weeks in my predictions. Dansby made so much progress in the first three weeks that all the sudden 42 points at Duncan didn’t seem that crazy.

Coach Gary Rose is very confident that Taylor Hawkins is going to be just fine. The problem, of course, was that Hawkins was playing baseball all summer. Hawkins has been a big part of the defensive success, but now must make the transition to defense.

The defense is incredible. Led by Quincy Johnson and Dwight Dobbins, this is an elite group. The offense will be able to have at least one week for a trial process.

That offensive line is a great group, and the Titans could lean on Kenton Whittington and Darvonta Knight and be just fine. However, think it’s important that Hawkins have some success against Western Heights.

Lawton (3-0)
I will update this later in the week as coach Randy Breeze said right now it is a competition between Brandon Bartlett and Kyle Fultz.

Miller tore his ACL and meniscus in the third quarter of a win against Altus. This is a huge blow and will definitely make me re-evaluate the Wolverines No. 3 ranking.

Lawton still has offensive firepower in Tyrequek Zimmerman and RB Deaquan Wojciechowski. And the defense, led by Carter Grigg and Richard Sheridan, is a solid bunch.

Bartlett and Fultz are going to be thrown right into the fire with a showdown against Mustang. With the Broncos offensive weapons like Brandon Taylor and David Glidden, Lawton is going to need points to win this one. We shall see.

District openers didn’t need any added storylines, but these are three teams that will have to adjust in a hurry.

I don’t like giving out ‘season’ honors, but Midwest City running back James Flanders has earned that honor through the first three games.

Adding another 170 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 41-6 victory against the Wolves, Flanders is my Mid-Del Player of the Week.

Flanders has been incredible in the last two weeks, leading the charge in the comeback win against Enid. And sparking the team to the win vs. Santa Fe.

Midwest City has a big test Friday night against fellow undefeated Yukon (Scott Wright will be there).

Other contenders

Kenton Whittington and Darvonta Knight, Carl Albert, Football: One’s got the power (KW), the other has the speed and the moves. Together they’re a big reason why the Titans are 2-1.

Larry Long, Del City, Football: In a tough game for the Eagles, Long caught the only touchdown of the night in a 41-6 loss to Norman.

Brooke Hand, Midwest City, Softball: After a big week at a tournament at OU, the Bombers continued their success with a win against top-ranked Edmond North at the Putnam City Tournament.

A couple of the Mid-Del teams are sitting pretty as we begin district action this week. Let’s take a little look at what’s happened.

Midwest City (3-0)
In between two blowouts was a really good win at Enid. All the expected stars have stepped up for Steve Huff’s club on both sides of the ball.

Quarterback Greg Austin has made some huge throws when he’s needed to. And we knew junior RB James Flanders was going to play a big role, but he’s been even better than expected so far.

The defense is being anchored by Trevon Lewis, but the one name I keep seeing is Carlos Morales. And that’s kinda the theme of the Bombers: Someone new is always going to step up. Morales leads the team in tackles. Lewis has six sacks.

Week 4: The No. 1 game of the week (in my opinion), vs. Yukon on Friday night (Scott Wright will be there).

Carl Albert (2-1)
Was a little skeptical of this team after the 12-10 loss to Booker T., but the offense has shut me up in the last couple of games in dominating 34-6 wins at Ardmore and 42-10 whipping of Duncan.

Problem is this Titans team is going to have find out what life is like without junior Dillan Dansby. Coach Gary Rose said Dansby was coming along beautifully but suffered a knee injury in the third quarter Friday.

Rose isn’t worried about Taylor Hawkins taking over. Hawkins spent most of the summer playing baseball so it will take a while for him to find his groove. He’s got good backs in Kenton Whittington and Darvonta Knight to lean on.

No questions at all about the offensive and defensive lines. And certainly no questions about this defense with Dwight Dobbins and Quincy Johnson leading the charge.

Week 4: vs. Western Heights on Friday.

Del City (1-2)
Coach Nick Warehime said this might be a week-to-week season. So far it has been. One bad week, one great week, one bad week.

In the two losses, the Eagles have scored 19 points. In the one win, put up 41. So which one is a better indication of what we should see the next seven weeks?

I don’t have that answer. Love what DC has with Chazten Gonzales, Greg Johnson and Marquis Walters, but it’s all about execution.

Week 4: at Edmond North on Thursday (I will be there).

Carl Albert (1-1) at Duncan (1-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Duncan HS

Carl Albert (L – Booker T. 12-10, W – Ardmore 34-6)
Why the Titans can win: Because it was a pretty big statement made by Carl Albert in a tough road environment at Ardmore. The offense was able to take much better care of the ball while the defense was as solid as ever. The running game is coming alive.

Quote:

I like where we’re at. We just have to keep improving. We can’t get too high about one win. It’s about getting better each game.” – coach Gary Rose

Duncan
Why the Demons can win: Maybe it’s too harsh, but Jim Holloway’s boys were embarrassed at Jelsma Stadium against Guthrie. It’s not often you get a second chance to make a first impression. However, if Duncan can beat a team like Carl Albert, you start to forget that Week 1 loss. Putting up more than 50 vs. Noble was a good start.

Key matchup: Carl Albert running game vs. Duncan defensive line. I do think it’s this simple. If Dillan Dansby and Kenton Whittington are able to run through holes created by that stellar offensive line, Carl Albert is going to earn another big road victory.

The pick: Carl Albert 16, Duncan 13. I would be shocked if either team topped the 20-point mark. It will appear to be close, but I really think the Titans are going to be in firm control for most of the game.

Boneman’s Carl Albert prediction record: 2-0.

The faces have changed, but the formula hasn’t for Carl Albert. It was an impressive performance for the Titans to go into Ardmore and handle the Tigers like they did.

But I was more impressed with the play of junior Dillan Dansby. He had a rough season opener, but those problems were fixed in Week 2. The combo of Dansby and Kenton Whittington running the ball gashed the Ardmore defense time and time again.

Both rushed for more than 100 yards and each scored at least a touchdown. Being physical vs. Ardmore is one thing, doing it against Duncan is going to be the real key.

The Demons, still smarting after the Guthrie thumping, responded with 56 points against Noble. Now for the second time in three weeks, Jim Holloway’s club has a chance to make a big statement.

And this time it’s at home.

Duncan’s strength is obviously its line with the Dylans, Dismuke and Laurens, but I think Carl Albert can match up with them there.

Either way, Friday night’s battle combined with Thursday’s Booker T. and Tulsa East Central contest should help us sort who the class of 5A is heading into district play.

I guess 525 total yards and 5 TDs is worth a Player of the Week honor for Del City's Chazten Gonzales

What a tough, tough choice this week in the Mid-Del sector. And honestly, it became a battle of three Eagles. Del City’s Chazten Gonzales, Greg Johnson and Marquis Walters are all deserving of being named the Mid-Del Player of the Week.

But Johnson and Walters couldn’t have done what they did without Gonzales. And Chazten added more than 100 yards on the ground, too, in accounting for more than 530 total yards and five touchdown passes.

That Eagles attack just couldn’t be stopped Thursday against Norman North. Gonzales looked so calm, so relaxed and so confident. He is so comfortable doing what he’s doing right now, it’s ridiculous.

Del City finally gets to play on its new turf with undefeated Norman coming to town.

Other contenders

Greg Johnson and Marquis Walters, Del City, Football: Both had more than 100 yards receiving and two touchdowns and are dynamic playmakers.

James Flanders, Midwest City, Football: After being down 17-0, spurred by Flanders and an INT return by Trevon Lewis, the Bombers came back and won 34-27.

Dillan Dansby, Carl Albert, Football: With one more week under his belt, Dansby started to show what he can do. He scored twice as Titans won an impressive 34-6 game at Ardmore.

Shameka Sanders and Brian Wilke, Del City, Cross Country: Sanders was second and Wilke was third at the Deer Creek event this weekend.

Molly Davison, Carl Albert, Softball: The Titans finally lost a game but are still an incredible 22-2. Davison leads the team in doubles (11) and is tied in RBIs (28).

Know any more nominations? Send ‘em this way.

Carl Albert (0-1) at Ardmore (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Ardmore HS

Carl Albert (L – Booker T. 12-10)
Why the Titans can win: Because they showed despite all the losses from last year’s team that they’re still going to be around. A two-point loss to the Hornets is no reason for concern. The defense played superb in the defeat.

Quote:

We know Ardmore is a lot better than what they were last year. They’re bigger, and it’s going to be a challenge. But we’re pumped for it.” – senior Quincy Johnson

Ardmore
Why the Tigers can win: Because Ardmore made me look extremely stupid with a 28-7 whipping of rival Ada. Coach Larry McBroom is finding his groove with this team and a 4-7 season looks like to be a thing of the past for this year’s group.

Key matchup: Carl Albert offense vs. Ardmore defense. I don’t have one question about the Titans defense, but the offense is going to need to wake up. The four lost fumbles really hurt against BTW, and the running attack needs to find some holes.

The pick: Carl Albert 16, Ardmore 13. Still going to be a struggle for the Titans offense against a good Ardmore defense, but CA is able to squeeze this one out.

I actually felt a little stupid Friday night. I chose to go to the Midwest City-Del City game because I thought it would be a lot more competitive than Carl Albert-Booker T.

Still had fun with the Bombers and Eagles, but the Titans and Hornets turned out to be a much better game.

Thought Carl Albert would have a lot of difficulty with a loaded team like Booker T. You don’t lose players like J.T. Realmuto and Tre’ Porter and just pick up where you left off.

Speaking of Porter, did it freak anybody else out to see Porter have an INT for the Red Raiders on Sunday? A year before, we were still watching him in HS. Now he’s making picks on ESPN.

But I digress. Liked what I heard about how Carl Albert fared against such a vaunted attack despite the 12-10 loss.

Spoke to senior Quincy Johnson, and he seemed to be in high spirits as well. He felt the team did a lot of good things on both sides of the ball.

Dillan Dansby got the start at quarterback and had some ups and downs. Taylor Hawkins came in around the goal line (much bigger than Dansby) and scored the team’s sole TD.

Was surprised the Titans defense held the Hornets to just 12 points. I expected a lot more so think that says a lot about the quality of the D. Jordy Albert didn’t play for BTW so that obviously played a role but still…not bad.

Not a big deal about the loss as CA lost to BTW at this point last season. Titans will get things figured out (if there is even anything to figure out).

Tough chore to go to Ardmore, though. Tigers are fired up after the domination of Ada last week and are much improved. We shall see.