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.

Can Norman running back Imond Robinson keep the Tiger offense moving again this week?

It’s hard to talk about the importance of a particular district game when neither team has played one yet, and there’s a ton of time to make up for early miscues. But I think six weeks from now, Mustang and Norman will look back at tonight’s game and see just how important it was in their postseason pursuits.

I haven’t seen Norman since the Week 1 opener against Norman North, and it appears they’ve continued to improve since that tough loss. Mustang has obviously been sharp in winning its first three games to move into the top 10.

Three Points

1. Road ‘D’. Mustang’s worst defensive performance of the year came in its only road game, giving up 28 points at Yukon. In two home games since, the Broncos essentially gave up no points when it mattered. Stillwater got on the board in the second half last week, but the game was well in hand by then. Can the Mustang defense keep it up outside Bronco Stadium?

2. Ground pounding. Running the ball will be important for both teams tonight, but for different reasons. Norman is most successful when it runs the ball well. Mustang needs to run the ball to keep the passing game open for Frankie Edwards — and he’ll do a lot of the running himself, too. Norman RB Imond Robinson was big against Yukon last week, and the Tigers will need a consistent run game to win tonight.

3. Frankie containment. I’m not ready to say Edwards is the best QB Mustang has had in the last 10 years since they’ve gone to the spread and started scoring like crazy. But as far as dual-threat guys go, only Kyle Webster has matched the skills we’ve seen from Edwards so far. If he has a big night tonight like he did against Stillwater last week, mark down ‘W’ No. 4 for the Broncos.

The Pick

Mustang 35, Norman 31: If you thought I’d pick against Mustang again this week, you haven’t been paying attention. They’ve burned me twice in a row, so I’m on board now. The score isn’t an indictment on Mustang’s defense, but I think Norman is the best offense they’ve seen so far. And I think this game will get into a bit of a shootout, because both teams have big-play threats.

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

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.

—
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.

—
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.

—
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.

—
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.

—
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.

—
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.

—
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.

—
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.

—
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.

—
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.

—
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.

Tecumseh’s Thornton hired as Norman basketball coach

Matt Thornton’s basketball coaching career is taking a trip along Highway 9.

The Tecumseh boys coach was hired by Norman this week, filling the void created when Jeff McCullough left after two years to return to Texas.

Thornton has been a head coach for five seasons at Tecumseh, reaching the state semifinals in 2011.

Thornton is originally from Moore, and worked as an assistant coach at Westmoore prior to becoming a head coach.

Tecumseh might not be a place you immediately think about for producing top-notch basketball coaches, but the school has turned out some good ones in the recent past.

Jenks’ Clay Martin was a head coach there, as was Del City’s Tim Stogsdill. In addition, Plainview head man Jeremy Stewart was an assistant for the Savages, as was former Edmond Santa Fe coach Shawn Schenk. Now, Thornton adds his name to the list after a successful five-year stint in T-Town.

He takes over a young but talented team at Norman, though the Tigers did lose some valuable, athletic players from last year’s team. On top of that, Thornton is taking over very late, meaning he missed summer leagues and won’t have a lot of time to get to know his new team.

Norman North picks Paul as new AD

In addition to the hire of Thornton, Norman Public Schools officials approved the hire of former Bethel football coach Eddie Paul as Norman North’s new site athletic director.

He will replace Jack Harvey, who has retired. Paul is a long-time coach in Oklahoma and Texas, spending the last two seasons at Bethel.

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

Tulsa continued its strong in-state recruiting earlier this week, picking up a commitment from Norman offensive lineman Zac Uhles.

Uhles (6-foot-4, 260 pounds) committed to the Golden Hurricane on Monday.

He had an offer from Texas State and was starting to draw greater attention following strong showings during the summer.

He’s the second in-state offensive lineman to commit to Tulsa, joining Vian’s Rob Boyd.

The Golden Hurricane have six in-state commitments overall.

Norman High is the latest big school in the Oklahoma City metro area looking for a new boys basketball coach. Jeff McCullough is leaving the school to become the head coach at Allen, Texas.

Jeff McCullough wasn’t looking to leave Norman. But an opportunity presented itself, and he couldn’t pass it up.

McCullough has stepped down as Norman’s boys basketball coach to accept the same position in Allen, Texas, located just northeast of Dallas.

“Someone told me it’s the third-largest school in Texas,” McCullough said. “It’s a good program and a good community, and it gets us back closer to family.”

McCullough came to Norman from his hometown of Sherman, Texas, where he coached current OU player Cameron Clark. McCullough took over a program on hard times, coming off a 4-22 season, but led them to double-digit win totals in each of his two seasons. The Tigers were 14-10 this year.

“I wasn’t trying to leave Norman,” McCullough said. “I’ve been really happy with the direction of the program, and I was excited about the team that’s coming back next year.”

Norman joins the list of quality boys basketball jobs that have been — or remain — open in the metro area. Vacancies at Edmond Santa Fe, Mustang, Edmond North, Guthrie and Mount St. Mary have been filled, and Douglass is still searching for its next coach.

Former Edmond Santa Fe head coach Shawn Schenk is still in the market for a new job, and could be a candidate at Norman.

Douglass is attracting some interesting names as well, including Hall of Famer Phil Ingersoll, according to sources. Ingersoll, who retired as athletic director of Oklahoma City Public Schools in February 2011, coached five state championship teams in 15 seasons split between Douglass and Northeast.

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

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

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

Coach of the Year: Shane Cowherd, Edmond Memorial

Newcomer of the Year: Terrell Savala, Edmond Memorial

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

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

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

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

The Oklahoma Coaches Association announced its 2012 class of inductees into the Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame this week. The induction ceremony and banquet will take place at 6:30 p.m. July 22 at the Southern Hills Marriott in Tulsa.

The inductees:
David Brese, Durant
Laura Clay, Westmoore
Nate Harris, Tulsa Washington
Richard Lemler, Stillwater
Jim Mathews, Wewoka
L.J. Powell, Chickasha
Mike Tyson, Thomas
C.L. “Cotton” Wade, Norman
Jim Walling, Earlsboro
Ted Younts, Ardmore
Distinguished service: George Hauser, Southwestern Oklahoma State

The award recognizes outstanding athletic performance as well as academics and character. The award puts him up for Gatorade’s National Boys Runner of the Year award.

Satterthwaite won the Class 6A state championship as a junior, and finished fourth at the state meet as a senior, helping Norman claim the 6A team title.

He was Oklahoma’s best finisher at the 2011 Nike Cross Nationals South Regional championships, placing 26th. He also won the Oklahoma Meet of Champions and the Oklahoma-Arkansas All-Star Cross Country Meet.

Satterthwaite remains undecided on a college choice.

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

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

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

Tight ends
Matt Gallagher, Owasso
Zac Veatch, Broken Arrow

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

Punter/kicker
Tom Carwile, Tulsa Washington

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

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

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

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

WEST
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks
Corben Jones, Yukon
Garrett Lorah, Elgin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All-District Team
Quarterbacks: Hunter Collins, Jenks; Zac Mills, Broken Arrow; Tyler Williams, Sapulpa.
Running backs: A.J. Leinewebber, Putnam West; Andrew Long, Southmoore; Bradley McGee, Muskogee; Forest Myers, Norman; Cameron Ousely, Muskogee; Donovan Roberts, Norman;
Inside receivers: Trevor Hall, Sapulpa; Victor Williams, Muskogee.
Outside receivers: Will Armstead, Broken Arrow; Levi Copelin, Broken Arrow; George Kittle, Norman; Levi Pickering, Sapulpa; Quad Ware, Broken Arrow; Isaac Whitney, Southmoore.
Tight ends: Ryan Boatright, Jenks; Kenneth Dennis, Norman; Sam Laptad, Jenks; Zac Veatch, Broken Arrow.
Offensive Linemen: Samuel Ayeni, Southmoore; Massey Barnett, Sapulpa; Tyler Davis, Broken Arrow; J.T. Dotson, Jenks; Aaron Farris, Jenks; Alex Frazier, Broken Arrow; Gintrell Frazier, Shawnee; Blake Garrity, Putnam West; Foster Hare, Norman; Tyler Loudenback, Putnam West; Harrison Madden, Norman; Sam Sabin, Jenks; Caleb Stainaker, Southmoore; Chris Tabor, Broken Arrow; David Vogt, Sapulpa; Caleb Washington, Southmoore.
Defensive tackles: Jeremy Barrientos, Shawnee; Chase Duke, Sapulpa; Jeremy Gunter, Broken Arrow; Ashton Henderson, Jenks; Orion Jones, Jenks; Kyle Lewis, Muskogee.
Defensive ends: Matt Frazier, Broken Arrow; Chandler Heath, Muskogee; Jamel Ingram, Muskogee.
Inside Linebackers: Will McDonald, Broken Arrow; Derek Morris, Broken Arrow; Dominic Rossetti, Norman; Wes Starr, Muskogee; Kaleb Thompson, Southmoore
Outside Linebackers: Levi Jennings, Southmoore; Chris Ladd, Broken Arrow; Bryan Pisklo, Jenks; Colton Shackelford, Southmoore.
Safeties: Travis Burge, Southmoore; Brad Davis, Norman; Josh Fleak, Sapulpa; Sidtrel Grayson, Muskogee; Xavier Hunter, Muskogee; Matt Linscott, Jenks; Mason Mullings, Broken Arrow.
Cornerbacks: Levi Copelin, Broken Arrow; Aaron Fowler, Muskogee; Rico Hogan, Norman; Dalton Pridemore, Sapulpa; Jaylen Rayford, Norman; Torrence Reed, Jenks.
Purple heart awards: Chris Carpenter, Shawnee; Trevor Davison, Norman; Chase Duke Sapulpa; Andrew Long, Southmoore; Derek Morris, Broken Arrow; James Richardson, Muskogee; Alex Ross, Jenks.

Honorable mention:
Broken Arrow: Calvin Mann, OL
Muskogee: Ed Baker, RB; Mikel Smith, OR; Parker Wilkerson, Muskogee
Norman: Nick Gaines, DE; Dylan Stout, DE
Sapulpa: Kegan Fox, TE; Lane Youngblood, S
Shawnee: Dillon Garcher, ILB; Andrew Smith, OLB


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

Overall:
Ryan: 65-26, 8-1
Jason: 63-28, 7-2
Scott: 60-31

Ryan
Heritage Hall 40, Kingfisher 14
Jenks 35, Norman 28
Tulsa Union 35, Stillwater 28
Lawton 26, Westmoore 21
Pryor 17, Tulsa Central 13
Deer Creek 34, Ada 7
Anadarko 42, Weatherford 7
Midwest City 42, Norman North 7
McAlester 35, Tulsa Washington 20
Blanchard 22, Bridge Creek 14
Lock of the week: McAlester over Tulsa Washington. The Buffaloes offense has been just too good this season and the Hornets have struggled at times offensively themselves. McAlester wins the district title and remains undefeated.

Jason
Heritage Hall 31, Kingfisher 17
Stillwater 42, Tulsa Union 38
Jenks 27, Norman 14
Westmoore 14, Lawton 10
Pryor 17, Tulsa Central 13
Ada 31, Deer Creek 28
Anadarko 45, Weatherford 14
Midwest City 42, Norman North 24
McAlester 24, Tulsa Washington 17
Blanchard 14, Bridge Creek 9
Lock of the week: Westmoore over Lawton. Westmoore’s defense has been
impressive all season  -  save for last week’s shootout with Mustang -
and I think the Jaguars can hold the Wolverines out of the endzone just
enough to come away with a win. A Westmoore win would likely throw the
2nd, 3rd and 4th playoff spots into a three-way tie between these teams
and Edmond North. All three teams are close in district points, so such
a scenario favors North, which ends its season with U.S. Grant.

Scott
Heritage Hall 31, Kingfisher 17
Tulsa Union 42, Stillwater 38
Jenks 28, Norman 24
Lawton 23, Westmoore 20
Pryor 28, Tulsa Central 22
Deer Creek 21, Ada 17
Anadarko 42, Weatherford 35
Midwest City 48, Norman North 21
McAlester 34, Tulsa Washington 28
Blanchard 12, Bridge Creek 8
Lock of the Week: Tulsa Union over Stillwater. Often, the loss of a key player at a key time — in this case, the suspension of RB Kendall Holmes, who was having a huge year – seems like it will be devastating for a team. And many times, it is. But many other cases, it becomes a unifying moment. This could have been the last poke the Redskins needed to wake up for a run to the state title.

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Midwest City (3)#8-0

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

2. Broken Arrow (1)#7-1

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

3. Jenks (2)#7-1

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

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

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

5. Tulsa Union (6)#7-1

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

6. Lawton (7)#6-2

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

7. Edmond North (4)#7-1

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

8. Stillwater (8)#7-1

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

9. Owasso (9)#5-3

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

10. Westmoore (NR)#6-2

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

Just outside: Norman (6-2)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Norman will honor the 1961 football state champions at halftime of Friday’s homecoming game against Sapulpa.

Norman beat Capitol Hill to win the 2A title that season. The title is one of two football championships for Norman. The Tigers also won in 1992.

Before the game, there will be a reception for the team in the Gene Corrotto Fieldhouse.

Corrotto coached the 1961 team and had a 105-40-5 record in 15 seasons with the Tigers. Corrotto was a captain on OU’s 1937 team.

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

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

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

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

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

Norman cross country runner Tanner Satterthwaite is the defending Class 6A boys individual champion.

NORMAN — The Norman boys cross country team, which was Class 6A’s runner-up last season, competed last weekend at the Greenhill Relays in Dallas.

Tanner Satterthwaite, the defending Class 6A individual state champion, and the Tigers finished fourth at the event.

“We went up against some of the best teams from Texas and still got fourth,” Satterthwaite said.

This weekend is the Brookhaven Run, a road race in Norman that also serves as a fundraiser for the team. The Brookhaven Run isn’t a high school meet; it is open to runners of all ages.

The next weekend, however, the Tigers return to high school competition in the OK Runner Classic.

Norman only lost one runner off of last year’s runner-up team, so Satterthwaite said his biggest concern in 2011 is overconfidence.

“Our team is really united,” Satterthwaite said, “but our biggest worry is overconfidence since we returned so many guys and were so close to winning it last year.”

The principals at Norman and Norman North made a wager on Thursday’s Norman Bedlam matchup between the schools.

If Norman wins, Norman North principal Bryan Young will race in Norman’s alumni 5K run Sept. 25 wearing a Norman High singlet while pushing a baby stroller carrying a replica of the school’s Tiger mascot.

If Norman North wins, Norman principal Scott Beck will sing Norman North’s fight song during halftime of the team’s basketball matchup Jan. 27.

Norman has a 10-4 edge in the series, beating the Timberwolves 24-7 last season.

Thursday’s game will be played at OU’s Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium.

Norman principal Scott Beck and Norman North principal Bryan Young make a wager on Thursday's football opener between the schools.

Norman's George Kittle

BY RYAN ABER
raber@opubco.com

After last season’s 8-3 finish, Tigers coach Greg Nation figured there’d be plenty of excitement around his program.

He didn’t know, though, how that would translate into numbers on Tuesday’s first day of practice.

Like many schools, Norman got started at 7 a.m. to try to beat the heat. Nation had 85 players out for the varsity team, plus a group of 55 freshmen.

“I was surprised and excited,” Nation said. “There were a lot of wide eyes but there were also plenty of big hopes.”

Two players Nation knows he can count on are running back Donovan Roberts and wide receiver/defensive back George Kittle.

Kittle has left Nation particularly impressed so far.

“The way he prepared himself over the summer, he was constantly going out and catching balls, the quarterbacks would go out and throw to him,” Nation said.

Both have gained speed since their breakout junior years.

“They’re what seniors are supposed to be,” Nation said. “They’ve worked hard and taken that leadership role on.”

Former Norman High coach Matilda Mossman, right, is now the women's coach at the University of Tulsa. PHOTO BY NATE BILLINGS, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE

Former Norman High girls basketball coach Matilda Mossman, who in March accepted the women’s head coaching job at the University of Tulsa, said this July has been a lot different than the past 10 for her.

“It’s July, and that used to be my month off,” Mossman said with a laugh. “This is a big recruiting time for us, so this July, I think I’ve had three days off. But I’m enjoying it; I like getting out and seeing kids.”

Mossman was a college in coach at Arkansas (1981-84) and Kansas State (1984-89). She became Norman’s girls coach in 2002.

She said the college game hadn’t changed much in her opinion, but the biggest difference for her was in the technology.

“Instead of kids writing us, they are sending us e-mails with links to watch them play on YouTube,” Mossman said.

Mossman spoke at the Oklahoma Coaches’ Association’s annual coaches clinic in Tulsa. She said her talk was about getting the little things right when running an offense.

Norman's George Kittle has gone from unknown to sought after commodity.

Saturday began our second annual summer series on the Super 30, a countdown of the top 30 football recruits for the class of 2012.

Last year we announced who they were before the series, not this year. If you wanna know who they are, keep yourself locked in at NewsOK.com/Varsity.

This is going to be a daily countdown until we reach No. 1 on July 24.

30. George Kittle, WR, Norman
Most sons of college coaches get some extra looks as a courtesy. And then when you see Kittle play, you realize it’s not a courtesy thing at all. He is Bruce Kittle’s son, but he’s a lot more than that. Kittle is the real deal on either side of the ball. At 6-4, he could be a wide receiver. He also has the intelligence to lead the defensive backfield. He was 6-0 after his sophomore season and is now 6-4 and close to 200 pounds.

For my story on Kittle, go here.

29. Marc Robinson, LB, Millwood
Just like a couple of guys last year, if Robinson was a couple of inches taller, he’d be in the top 10. No doubt in my mind about that. Nobody is going to play with a bigger chip on his shoulder than Robinson, who is getting back on the field after missing last season. A transfer from Heritage Hall, Robinson is ready to show everybody he still belongs among the elite.

For Scott Wright’s story on Robinson, go here.

And for No. 28, check out Monday’s Oklahoman.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Slowly making the rounds for spring football. We’re just about done and one of my final stops was Wednesday evening at Norman to watch the Tigers’ Orange-White scrimmage.

If you wanted to see how good running back Donovan Roberts looks, well, you were out of luck. Roberts had less than five carries. However, he did throw a touchdown pass on the first play of the scrimmage. You can’t expect Roberts to get a test in spring so that made sense.

However, if you wanted to see the development of the passing game, bingo, you were in luck. Last year I became enamored with Roberts and Jaime Myers that I didn’t really notice anybody else. This year? Um, it’s hard to not notice George Kittle.

Kittle recently earned an offer from Air Force and you can see why. Not only does he have tremendous size (6-4 and at least 200 pounds), but he is a solid athlete.

Talking with Scott Wright, and he was mentioning how Kittle is able to dunk with ease. That makes sense. Kittle made a lot of nice plays and caught a touchdown.

Kittle makes life a lot easier for quarterback Zach Long. No longer a young pup, Long looks a lot bigger and a lot more comfortable playing the part. Coach Greg Nation said Long still has aways to go, but he’s making a lot of progress.

Also my first chance to see OL Foster Hare. If you didn’t know who he was, it wouldn’t take you long to find out. At 6-7 and 300 pounds, he towers over the rest of the Norman players.

The scrimmage split up the seniors and then let the senior captains pick their players. It was a fun time, but you cannot learn too much from a spring scrimmage with the way the teams are divided.

Either way, I didn’t have Norman sniffing the top 15 yet alone the top 10 last year. This year? Um, don’t be shocked to see the Tigers in the single digits. Replacing nine of 11 starters on defense will be tough. But when you have Roberts, Kittle and Long, that will offset some of the pressure.

Norman will be a team camp in Tulsa in early June (hmm, not sure if I can get out there). Definitely would like to see this team in the summer. We’ll see.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Offensive lineman Foster Hare continues to get looked at by college coaches, while wide receiver/defensive back George Kittle picked up his first offer.

Kittle, who caught five touchdowns on offense and had five interceptions on defense, was offered by Air Force on Saturday, said Norman coach Greg Nation.

Kittle is a 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds and came onto the scene last season as part of Norman turning things around.

The Tigers will conclude their spring practices with the Tiger Tune-up scrimmage on Wednesday afternoon.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Part of me was shocked to hear that Norman running back Donovan Roberts committed to Arkansas on Wednesday. The writer in me was thrilled I didn’t have to hound the junior all summer about recruiting updates.

But the part that was shocked was because I didn’t think Roberts had reached his ceiling in terms of schools that were going to offer him. That’s just how good he can really be. With offers from nearly every big conference in the nation, I felt he could pick and choose.

However, Roberts was pretty sure about Arkansas after his first visit. He named a top four of Pittsburgh, Michigan, Arizona and the Razorbacks. And after getting the seal of approval from Mom (hey, that’s the biggest approval you need), Roberts made it official.

Did he do it too early? Not if you ask him.

“When you know in your heart that this is where you want to be, there’s no point in waiting,” Roberts said. “You want to get on that wagon before it’s too late.”

Roberts said talking to Arkansas running backs also convinced him Fayetteville was the place to be. And if you think he’s a soft commit, Roberts quickly debunked that: “I’m a Hog 100 percent. I’m done.”

Roberts is ranked No. 5 on The Oklahoman’s Super 30 for 2012 and rushed for more than 2,000 yards as a junior.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Class 6A Baseball
West
At Putnam City North
Wednesday
Game 1: Putnam North vs. Norman, 1 p.m.
Game 2: Putnam City vs. Moore, 4 p.m.
Game 3: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 7 p.m.
Thursday
Game 4: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 4 p.m.
Game 5: Loser Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 7 p.m.
Friday
Game 6: Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 4 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6, 7 p.m. (if necessary)

Norman's Donovan Roberts committed to Arkansas on Wednesday. "I can't wait to be a Hog."

Norman running back Donovan Roberts said he had no preference of when he was going to commit. He said he would know when it’s time.

His time came Wednesday as the Tigers star running back committed to Arkansas.

“This was a tough decision, but I did a lot of talking with my family and just trying to figure out what would be the best fit for me,” Roberts said. “I can’t wait to be a Hog.”

Roberts recently listed a top four of Michigan, Pittsburgh, Arkansas and Arizona. He also had offers from Iowa State, Kansas State, Tulsa and Indiana.

Roberts was making his second visit to Arkansas on Wednesday. He said he enjoyed his first visit, but he wanted to get his mother’s opinion. His parents made the trip with him this time around and everybody was in agreement.

Roberts became one of the top running backs in the state last season in helping turn around the Tigers program. Roberts rushed for more than 2,000 yards in helping Norman back to the playoffs.

“It’s a load off my shoulders and this means my senior year starts now,” Roberts said. “It’s time to get ready and do whatever I have to do to help the team do something special.”

Roberts is ranked No. 5 on The Oklahoman’s Super 30 for the class of 2012.

After getting offered by Pittsburgh late last week, Roberts was offered by Arkansas on Monday night. The Razorbacks become the eighth team from the sixth different conference to offer the junior running back.

It’s almost getting old at this juncture. I kinda reached this point last year with Guthrie’s Kentrell Brothers. Yep, another school has offered. The first offer is always kinda neat (yes, I just said neat). But after that, well, you come to expect it.

***

In other Norman news, OL Foster Hare attended the Junior Day at SMU and came away impressed with the facilities and coaching staff there. Hare is getting a lot of attention from Ivy League schools, among others.

I’ve said it before with the Heritage Hall kids that when you’re noticing someone like Roberts, you’re bound to notice some of the other guys, too. One star recruit will always help out the program as a whole as Hare is getting rightfully recognized now.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

He’s found his coach as former Mustang coach Nichole Copeland was approved by the Norman Board of Education on Monday night to take over for the Tigers.

“She’s been a successful coach everywhere she’s been, and we felt she was the best fit for our program,” Thompson said.

Copeland coached at Mustang from 2001-08 and led the Broncos to the state championship in 2006 and a state runner-up finish in 2007. She was 160-50 in her eight seasons.

Copeland is replacing Matilda Mossman, who is now the head coach at the University of Tulsa.

Thompson said he had 20-25 applicants for one of the most coveted jobs in the state. Norman reached the state tournament eight consecutive seasons under Mossman, winning the gold ball in 2005.

***

This is a great hire, if you ask me. Someone who has been away from the game and is looking to get back in. Really good pick up here. She won’t be afraid of the Norman tradition. She’ll embrace by it.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

With Alie Decker returning and a great supporting cast, Edmond Memorial is the No. 1 vacant spot in girls basketball.

We had two big shakeups in the 5A-6A girls basketball landscape with the resignations of Jennifer Burch at Bishop McGuinness and Kevin Korstjens at Edmond North.

Add those to the departure of Matilda Mossman at Norman and Shane Coffey of Edmond Memorial, and it’s a very interesting time in girls basketball. Mossman is now the head coach at Tulsa, and she took Coffey with her to be one of her assistants.

Memorial and Norman are coming down the homestretch of their coaching searches, while North and the Irish are just beginning. In my opinion, here is how I would rank the four spots.

4. Edmond North (Last year: semifinals)
Despite the fact the Huskies have reached the semifinals the last two seasons, this is going to be a whole new group of girls at North.

The Huskies’ entire starting lineup is gone. Post stars Liz Donohoe and TaNita Dewberry? Gone. Anna Kimsey, the glue of the team? Yep, graduating. Guards Ella Voss and Kayla Anderson won’t even be around. In all, North has seven seniors that are graduating. This program didn’t have a lot of tradition before Korstjens, and it will be tough to keep it up.

3. Norman (Last year: quarterfinals)
Wow, some pretty big names to follow when talking about Sherri Coale and Mossman. You can either see that as intimidating or as a chance to stamp your own name. Tiger tradition is incredible.

Good set of players coming back, such as Jordan Franks and Bethany Cox. She was just a sophomore last year, but I think Cox is going to be a star in the next two years. The Norman administration is (understandably) taking its time and is going to find the right person.

2. Bishop McGuinness (Last year: state champion)
It was surprising to me when Burch called it a day, but I know how much this last year meant to her. And also realized that her life is going in another direction.

If the Irish stay in 5A, this is a good spot. The top part of 5A is incredibly good, but the class as a whole has not had the depth that you see in 4A. McGuinness was the last team by ADM in 5A this year.

When talking who is coming back, Kate Andrews and Stephanie Milligan are a nice supporting class. However, the coach that comes in is going to have a lot of fun watching Elyse Hight do what she does. She’ll be among the best players in the state next year.

1. Edmond Memorial (Last year: semifinals)
This is based purely on the girls that are coming back. Wow, this team is top 3 before the season starts. It’s still going to be tough to compete with Edmond Santa Fe and Midwest City, but Memorial is right there as Coffey had no problem telling me throughout the season.

It starts with Alie Decker. She became one of the more complete players in the state this season and should only get better. However, you throw in Sydney Hill and Alyssa Hand? Look out for the Bulldogs.

Also look for Kelsey Glover and Alison Roy to play bigger roles next season. Edmond AD Mike Nunley said he hopes to have the Memorial coach by the end of this week and then he’ll look at filling the North spot.

It’s a race. All four spots are great, no question, so it will be interesting to see who goes where.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Um, I don’t have to wonder anymore. Pittsburgh becomes the latest big-time program to offer the Norman junior. What I find interesting has been the wide variety of schools showing interest.

He’s not just a regional prospect. In fact, Roberts wasn’t really a regional pick until just recently. It was the big uglies in the Big Ten that reached out to Roberts first. Roberts has offers from Indiana and Michigan in the Big Ten. Add in Arizona in the Pac-10. Iowa State and Kansas State in the Big 12. Pittsburgh in the Big East and Roberts also has an offer from Tulsa.

We are a long way from having to do 6A rankings for the preseason, but I admit Norman, with Roberts leading the charge, is definitely looking like it will crack my top 10.

Roberts is No. 5 on our Super 30 for the 2012 class. You’ve heard me gush about the top five enough (Barry J. Sanders, Alex Ross, Cayman Bundage, Sterling Shepard) that I don’t know if I could make a change in the top five, but Roberts is certainly showing he belongs in that top tier.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Kevin Korstjens becomes the latest big-time girls basketball coach to resign. After five years at Edmond North, Korstjens has stepped down.

And another one.

***

Every year once the season is done, coaches and players will evaluate things and look to see how they can improve.

Edmond North girls basketball coach Kevin Korstjens would do the same thing regarding his status. Was it time for a change, or was he still content? Korstjens said this time he was ready for a change.

After five seasons of leading the Huskies, Korstjens has resigned as the head coach.

“It just seems like the right time right now,” Korstjens said. “After talking with my family, we felt this would be best.”

In his five seasons, Korstjens helped turn Edmond North into one of the top teams in the state. The Huskies qualified for the state tournament the last three years and reached the state semifinals the last two seasons.

Edmond North was 6-5 this season before winning 15 consecutive games, including being the only team to beat Edmond Santa Fe, the eventual state champion. The Wolves eliminated the Huskies in the semifinals.

Korstjens said he wouldn’t rule out coaching next season but that right now the plan is to stay at Edmond North and continue teaching.

“If the right opportunity arrived, I could see myself coaching,” Korstjens said. “But we’re happy where we are. We’re not going to move to the ends of the earth for a coaching job.”

Korstjens was 86-41 in his five years with the Huskies.

“The kids are what make this job fun, and the kids are what makes these decisions so difficult,” Korstjens. “You never want to leave the kids. They’ve meant so much to me.”

Korstjens becomes the fourth girls state qualifying coach from 6A or 5A teams to resign in the last month and the second girls coach of the three Edmond Public Schools.

Former Norman coach Matilda Mossman is now the Tulsa University head coach. Mossman named former Edmond Memorial coach Shane Coffey as one of her assistants.

And in 5A, former Bishop McGuinness coach Jennifer Burch resigned Monday after 11 years and winning the school’s first girls basketball state championship.

***

But I guess you could look at each decision of the four coaches and rationalize it.

- With Matilda Mossman, she’s been in the college game before. Her son, Matt, is graduating Norman so it was time for Mossman to try something different if it was there. Tulsa was there.

- Always a dream to coach at the next level, and Shane Coffey is no different. This is a tremendous opportunity for Coffey. He’s leaving the ‘best’ team of the four squads who are coming back. Next year’s Memorial squad is a top 3 team, no question.

- Burch is something of a ‘job well done.’ I’ve seen the transformation in her life this year and what married life has given her. It’s given her tremendous balance and a new perspective. She’s fought and clawed for 11 years, reached the top and now wants to spend time with her family.

- Korstjens, well, what a special group this senior class was for North. Seven seniors who helped turn around the program. I know how much this team meant to Korstjens. That scene after the semifinal loss to Santa Fe – you could see how much of his heart and soul he had put into it.

- Well, four top-notch spots are open. Let’s the madness begin (or continue).

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Too early for 2013 class talk? Maybe, but Deer Creek's Joel Blumenthal is one to watch.

Before we get to the weekly news and notes on some of the top recruits, really think some recruiting experts are missing the boat on the class of 2012.

Heritage Hall’s Barry J. Sanders dominates the headlines and has for the last couple of years. And then when a program like Oklahoma offers players such as Jenks’ Alex Ross and Heritage Hall’s Sterling Shepard, that obviously makes people stand up and notice.

Those three again were recognized with Sanders at No. 51, Shepard at No. 85 and Ross at No. 89 of the Scout 300. And then that was it. Really?

No love for Norman RB Donovan Roberts or Douglass OL Cayman Bundage? Or an OL like Blake Belcher from Guthrie? And we might all be sleeping on just how good Ramsey Hamilton of Beggs after how well he has fared in workout/combine atmospheres.

I really like this class. Hey, maybe I’m overestimating how good this class is going to be, but I can tell you that I’m already excited for the fall. Heck, even spring practice.

With that said, more news and notes:

- Edmond Santa Fe has been off the radar lately, but that should change this year. Not only is Ty Hensley a top baseball/football prospect, defensive back Conner Bays performed extremely well at an Under Armour combine last weekend in Houston. It’s going to be a new looks Wolves team so it will be very interesting to see how this team gels together.

- When you start talking about the 2013 class, it starts in Lawton with D.J. Ward, but I’m wondering just how far up the ranks Deer Creek’s Joel Blumenthal is going to go. He performed well at a combine in Dallas in late March and has been invited to Tampa for a top camp in the summer. It is invite only with 25 quarterbacks from 15 different states.

- Mention Casady recruiting for 2011, and you go right to DL Graham Bennett and LB Garrison Lee. However, don’t forget about Mac Katigan. He’s going to Princeton’s Junior Day this weekend and has also been invited to the junior days at Yale and Dartmouth. Dartmouth seems like a natural fit considering his older brother, Austin, is a freshman on the football team.

- Incredibly busy time of year when it comes to combines. Casey Curtis of Putnam City is off to a couple more on this weekend. We won’t call Curtis ‘Scott Wright’s boy,’ but Scott is very high (rightfully so) on the ability of Curtis. With more info, read Scott’s blog.

- OKVarsity.rivals.com is going to have its in-state combines next month. The Oklahoma City area one is May 21 at Yukon, while the Tulsa area is May 28 at Broken Arrow. For much more info, here ya go. I definitely intend to attend both combines but have no idea if I’ll be able to. Justin Mitchell does a great job with the OKVarsity site, and it’s a very well-run exhibition.

- A couple of forgotten kids are starting to make some noise. Edmond North RB Jared Benway missed all of his junior season with a broken leg but is back and looking good. Same can be said for Heritage Hall quarterback Quinn Shanbour. Shanbour left Bishop McGuinness a day before the season opener. HH coach Andy Bogert said Shanbour played a vital role in helping the team practice against opposing QBs last year. Shanbour just returned from a visit to the University of Arizona.

- As always, you got info, drop me a line. You went to a camp? Let me know how it went.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Wednesday
At Memorial
Choctaw 16, Checotah 2
Norman North 7, Choctaw 4
Edmond Memorial 5, Southmoore 3
Edmond Santa Fe 17, Latta 2
At North
Moore 13, Norman 5
Westmoore 5, Moore 2
Edmond North 8, Westmoore 5

Thursday
At Memorial
Checotah vs. Norman North, 2:30
Southmoore vs. Checotah, 5 p.m.
Edmond Memorial vs. Choctaw, 7:30
At North
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Norman, noon
Norman vs. Edmond North, 2:30
Latta vs. Westmoore, 5 p.m.
Latta vs. Edmond North, 7:30

Friday
At Memorial
Southmoore vs. Norman North, noon
Edmond Memorial vs. Norman North, 2:30
Southmoore vs. Checotah, 5 p.m.
Edmond Memorial vs. Checotah, 7:30
At North
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Moore, noon
Moore vs. Latta, 2:30
Norman vs. Westmoore, 5 p.m.
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Edmond North, 7:30

Saturday
At Memorial
A5 vs. B5, noon
A3 vs. B3, 2:30
A1 vs. B1, 5 p.m.
At North
A4 vs. B4, 2:30
A2 vs. B2, 5 p.m.

Wednesday
At Memorial
Choctaw vs. Checotah, noon
Choctaw vs. Norman North, 2:30
Edmond Memorial vs. Southmoore, 5 p.m.
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Latta, 7:30
At North
Norman vs. Moore, 2:30
Moore vs. Westmoore, 5 p.m.
Westmoore vs. Edmond North, 7:30

Thursday
At Memorial
Checotah vs. Norman North, 2:30
Southmoore vs. Checotah, 5 p.m.
Edmond Memorial vs. Choctaw, 7:30
At North
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Norman, noon
Norman vs. Edmond North, 2:30
Latta vs. Westmoore, 5 p.m.
Latta vs. Edmond North, 7:30

Friday
At Memorial
Southmoore vs. Norman North, noon
Edmond Memorial vs. Norman North, 2:30
Southmoore vs. Checotah, 5 p.m.
Edmond Memorial vs. Checotah, 7:30
At North
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Moore, noon
Moore vs. Latta, 2:30
Norman vs. Westmoore, 5 p.m.
Edmond Santa Fe vs. Edmond North, 7:30

Saturday
At Memorial
A5 vs. B5, noon
A3 vs. B3, 2:30
A1 vs. B1, 5 p.m.
At North
A4 vs. B4, 2:30
A2 vs. B2, 5 p.m.

Roberts picked up an offer from Kansas State on Thursday to give him six offers. Iowa State, Arizona, Tulsa, Indiana and Michigan are the other schools that have offered the Tigers star running back.

Roberts, ranked No. 5 on The Oklahoman’s Super 30 for 2012, rushed for more than 2,000 yards last season.

One of the reasons for his success was because Roberts was running behind offensive lineman Foster Hare. The junior is 6-foot-3 and 300 pounds and attended the junior day at Tulsa and plans to attend the junior day at SMU on April 16.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Guthrie star Kentrell Brothers completed one of the more intriguing recruiting stories in the last year. The Bluejays star, who has signed with Missouri to play football, wasn’t shy to take as many different recruiting trips possible.

One Brothers down and here comes another. Sophomore Richard Brothers will be joined by Deer Creek sophomore quarterback Joel Blumenthal at the Under Armour combine in Dallas this weekend.

Richard Brothers had 83 tackles last season. Blumenthal has been a name to watch for the Antlers since his freshman season. He saw spot duty at QB last year but should be the starting quarterback for Deer Creek in 2011.

- As already reported, Norman’s Donovan Roberts nabbed two more offers with Iowa State and Arizona joining Michigan and Indiana. He’s going to get overlooked because of Jenks’ Alex Ross and Heritage Hall’s Barry J. Sanders, but Roberts is the real deal. The offers are starting to roll in, and I don’t think they’re going to stop anytime soon.

- Fellow chum Matt Baker of The Tulsa World says Cascia Hall stud LB Conner Sherwood has earned his first offer as Tulsa has offered the Commando junior. I like Sherwood and definitely think the next couple of months will see him on more people’s radar.

- Jenks defensive tackle Ashton Henderson also made news with receiving an offer from Louisville. Looking at the measureables (is that a word?), you have to like Henderson. I’ve never seen the 320-pounder play so I can’t comment too much on him. I know DT is becoming more and more important in today’s game.

- Very intrigued what is going to happen with Edmond Santa Fe’s Ty Hensley. I think he’s a solid as they come when you’re talking about a baseball prospect. However, he is not letting go of football. Might he be in the same spot as Broken Arrow’s Archie Bradley? Is it something where he’s looking for football and baseball? Hensley is getting looks in both sports, but baseball remains the sport where there is more interest.

- Anadarko’s Sheldon Wilson continues to be bombarded by schools showing interest. No official offers, but he’s getting letters from schools all over the nation. Very intrigued to see how Anadarko (as a community) handles the attention. It’s going to be a wild ride for the Wilson and the Warriors in the next 6-9 months.

- As I always say, you got news, ship it this way.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Player of the Year:  Obi Emegano (Edmond Memorial)

Defensive Player of the Year:  Trez Colbert (Midwest City)

Offensive Player of the Year: Tilford Thornton (Southmoore)

Newcomer of the Year: Jordan Woodard (Edmond Memorial)

Coach of the Year: Shane Cowherd (Edmond Memorial)

1st Team
Obi Emegano  (Edmond Memorial)
Tilford Thornton  (Southmoore)
Brandon Lucas  (Southmoore)
Trez Colbert  (Midwest City)
Trael Colbert  (Midwest City)
Patrick Schaefer  (Norman North)

2nd Team
James Woodard  (Edmond Memorial)
Dorian Gigger  (Moore)
A.J. Holland  (Del City)
Jared Jobe  (Edmond Memorial)
Jordan Woodard  (Edmond Memorial)

3rd Team
Conner Madole  (Norman)
Greg Austin  (Midwest City)
Matt Southard  (Norman North)
Blake Pullium  (Westmoore)
Drew Smith  (Del City)

Honorable Mention
Brandon Southern  (Norman)
Jacques Murray  (Norman)
Jordan Thomas  (Edmond Memorial)
Gabe Bonzie  (Norman North)
T.J. Noel  (Midwest City)
Kody English  (Moore)
Beau Palmer  (Westmoore)

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

Iowa State and Arizona are the latest schools to offer the Tigers star back.

Roberts, currently No. 5 on The Oklahoman’s Super 30 for the top football recruits for the class of 2012, said the biggest thing he is working during this offseason is his speed.

Roberts rushed for more than 2,000 yards last season in helping lead Norman back to the playoffs.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

It will feel weird to not see Shane Coffey at Edmond Memorial, but Coffey is going to be one of Matilda Mossman's assistants at Tulsa.

Incredible. In the span of three days, two of the top four coaching spots in 6A girls basketball are now open. Norman’s Matilda Mossman is headed to Tulsa to become the head coach. And she’s taking Edmond Memorial’s Shane Coffey with her. Coffey will be an assistant.

Once you get over the shock of both leaving, it makes sense as the two have tremendous respect for each other after nine years of battles.

***

For nine years they’ve been rivals on the court, but they’ve always been great friends off the hardwood.

Now Matilda Mossman and Shane Coffey are going to try to build something together. Mossman was officially named the Tulsa women’s basketball coach Tuesday and has named Coffey one of her assistants.

Coffey and Mossman have battled each other at least twice a season for the last nine years with Mossman at Norman and Coffey at Edmond Memorial. The Bulldogs and Tigers are both in the Mid-State conference.

After spending three seasons as the sophomore boys coach at Memorial, Coffey took over the reins for the girls in the 2000-01 season and has brought the program back to prominence.

“He is going to be very successful as a coach at the next level,” Edmond athletic director Mike Nunley said. “He’s going to be tough to replace.”

Coffey’s teams reached the state tournament in his first four years as coach, winning The Oklahoman’s coach of the year honor in 2001. The Bulldogs also advanced to state the last two seasons and were eliminated by Midwest City in this season’s semifinals.

Coffey was 196-86 in his 11 seasons.

Mossman set the school record for wins at Norman with 191 victories, breaking the mark set by Oklahoma women’s coach Sherri Coale.

Mossman took the Tigers to the state tournament the last eight years, including a championship in 2005.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

The Tulsa World reports Norman coach Matilda Mossman is going to become the women's basketball coach at Tulsa.

This year marked the eighth consecutive year the Norman girls basketball team reached the state tournament under coach Matilda Mossman.

It turns out it might be her final one. Sources have confirmed to The Tulsa World on Sunday afternoon that Mossman is expected to be named the next women’s basketball coach at Tulsa.

Calls to Mossman were not returned.

Mossman’s name has become synonymous with Norman in recent years. She set the school record in wins, surpassing another Norman legend, Oklahoma women’s coach Sherri Coale. Mossman began coaching at Norman in the 2002-03 season.

In Norman’s eight consecutive trips to state, the Tigers brought home the gold ball in 2005. The Tigers were eliminated in the first round this year.

Though Mossman helped continue the rich tradition at Norman, she was already a successful coach before coming to the Tigers.

She was the head coach at Arkansas from 1981-84 where her teams went 67-27. She was named the Big Eight coach of the year at Kansas State in 1987 and coached the Wildcats from 1984-89. In 1987, the team was perfect at home and won the Big Eight championship. Mossman was 83-68 in her six years at KSU.

Mossman also was an assistant at Western Kentucky in 1979 and at Illinois State in 1996.

The Tulsa World said TU has not yet scheduled a news conference. Mossman would be replacing Charlene Thomas-Swinson, whose contract was not renewed. The Golden Hurricane was 5-20 this year. Swinson was 72-103 in her six years at Tulsa.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

- College football coaches are getting real familiar about where Beggs is as star quarterback Ramsey Hamilton continues to get attention nationwide.

Hamilton, 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds, has emerged as one of the top quarterback prospects for the class of 2012.

He will compete at an Elite 11 quarterback event April 9 at TCU. Oklahoma signees Kendal Thompson and Archie Bradley were both Elite 11 quarterbacks last year.

The next day Hamilton is going to head to SMU for a Nike quarterback camp where participants made it via invitation only.

In the last couple of weeks, coaches from Missouri and Virginia Tech have visited Beggs.

- As Scott Wright had in Tuesday’s paper, Douglass lineman Cayman Bundage has listed Arkansas as his favorite at this juncture. Bundage is No. 3 on the Super 30. His future is going to be at center at the next level.

I thought it was a little weird for him to come out and say that because I don’t think the interest in Bundage has reached its highest point yet. It will be interesting to see if Bundage commits anytime soon. I do feel schools are going to be busting down his door this summer, but we’ll see.

- A lot of attention for Norman goes to running back Donovan Roberts (No. 5 on the Super 30) but offensive lineman Foster Hare is really picking up some steam here in the last month.

Hare is listed at 6-3 and 300 pounds and is starting to get some interest from some Big 12 schools and smaller Division I schools. Another case where it will be interesting to see if Hare’s stock goes up in the next couple of months.

- Guthrie offensive lineman Blake Belcher is starting to get the attention figured was coming his way. He’s picked up offers from a couple of Pac-10 schools in Arizona and Oregon State. The Beavers, of course, have made some strong strides in Oklahoma with former Deer Creek star Dax Dilbeck, Booker T.’s Michael Doctor and the Lawton boys from last year, Jabral Johnson and Tyrequek Zimmerman.

- Casey Curtis was one of several local recruits to head to a Nike camp in Houston two weeks ago. Never too early to start hitting the camp circuit. Two years ago I would have said it doesn’t matter how many camps you go to because if you’re talented, you’ll be found.

Now? My advice (for whatever it’s worth) would be to go to as many as possible. Get people to know your name and show off the talents as much as possible.

- Quarterback Brent Wilson of Ponca City has also been busy making the rounds. His latest stop was at Kansas State, where he was one of only five quarterbacks in attendance.

Wilson is an interesting case because right now he could be a quarterback or athlete. And early signs are he is OK with being classified at either spot. He can definitely make some plays, though. He is right on the fringe of the Super 30, you could argue he deserves inclusion.

- McAlester athlete Adam Boyd sent me his highlight DVD from last year. I haven’t had an opportunity to watch it but definitely looking forward to it. Boyd is right on the edge and is another kid that I think has a good chance to move up the ranks.

- Any more news and info on the top kids? Let me know.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

And Norman took full advantage.

The Tigers ignited a 16-0 run that covered nearly 10 minutes of the third and fourth quarters as they turned a 41-30 deficit into a 46-41 lead. They went on to win 50-49 in a thriller.

While Yukon was firing in 3-pointers through the first two-and-a-half quarters, Norman’s Connor Madole hit a few of his own to help keep the game close. His length and ability to play inside or out made for a tricky matchup against the Millers, and he used that mismatch well. He hit five treys on his way to 21 points, but his biggest shot came at the free throw line with 10 seconds left to give the Tigers the final margin.

The Tigers get Edmond Memorial Saturday night in the regional winner’s bracket final. Two weeks ago, the Bulldogs knocked off Norman 71-36, so the Tigers will try to change their fortunes against the state’s top-ranked team.

I’ll have a video interview with Madole coming soon, so check back for that.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

Norman's Donovan Roberts can add Michigan to his list of offers.

While Big 12 schools continue to show interest in Norman’s Donovan Roberts, Big Ten schools are ones who are giving out the offers.

Michigan joined Indiana as the two schools to offer the Tigers star running back. The Wolverines offered Roberts late Monday night, coach Greg Nation texted The Oklahoman.

Roberts, No. 5 on The Oklahoman’s Super 30 for the class of 2012 football recruits, also recently attended the Kansas junior day. Though the Jayhawks did not offer Roberts, he said he enjoyed the visit and also appreciated the honesty the Kansas staff displayed.

Roberts rushed for more than 2,000 yards last season in helping lead Norman back to the postseason.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

In Class 6A, there are three games featuring top 10 teams against each other.

No. 5 Edmond North at No. 2 Edmond Santa Fe (Friday)
This has my name written all over it. I missed Round 1 because I was at the Hennessey and Davis Class 2A football championship game. The Wolves won in the finals of the Edmond Open.

I missed round two because I hit another rivalry, this time being Heritage Hall and Casady. Santa Fe once again came out on top against North.

Round 3? Yep, not missing this one. Edmond North has really gotten into a groove. Sure the Huskies have five losses but not one of them is a bad loss. Excited to see Oklahoma State signee Elizabeth Donohoe again and really pumped for the atmosphere at Santa Fe.

No. 4 Norman at No. 3 Edmond Memorial (Saturday)
I was at Norman for the very first game of the season between these teams all the way back in November. Figured the Tigers would win, but Memorial played well in a hostile environment to open the year.

Norman, led by guard Kamra King, has won 11 of 13 games. The only two losses are to top-ranked Midwest City. Memorial, meanwhile, is 12-4 and has bounced back after suffering consecutive losses to Edlam rivals North and Santa Fe. Really feel like Alie Decker is starting to come into her own as one of the best in the state.

No. 10 Norman North at No. 7 Del City (Friday)
Intriguing matchup here as well. The Timberwolves are led by Tulsa signee Mariah Turner. However, as I’ve said before, they’re still searching for that signature win. Beating the Eagles would be a good start.

Del City, on the other hand, is coming off a solid road win at Southmoore. This is a team that I feel should be able to make it to the state tournament, especially being sent out East. Del City dominated Norman North at North in November.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

So I wondered if these Bombers would be able to get back to the same level, despite having a ton of talent and a deep bench.

But coach Dewayne Bradley pointed out back in December that McClish and Parks were basketball-only kids, and they were in the gym all year. So when football ended, and the Colbert twins and Greg Austin joined the mix, the leadership was already established.

This year, it’s Cortrez and Cortrael Colbert, along with Austin, who are the leaders, so the team got a late start in working out the chemistry with its top players in the fold.

Watching the Bombers in Tuesday night’s 65-49 win over a red-hot Norman team, you could see that this team is getting everything in order.

The Big Three have meshed well with freshman Omega Harris, who looks like he’s going to be an assist machine. And a lot of players can fill the fifth spot or come off the bench and offer some production.

Defensively, the Bombers were racking up steals and turning them into easy layups all night long. And in the first half, they had the 3-point shots falling — 6-of-10 before halftime — so it was easy work.

Despite all the steals, the Bombers weren’t necessarily happy with their total defensive performance. When Norman got into its half-court game, it found ways to score, using a lot of different people to do it.

But you can tell that MWC is getting the pieces in place to try and make another run at the gold ball.

As for Norman, I can see why it has been able to make such a drastic turnaround after the 2-8 start. The Tigers are just a well-balanced team. Decent size, good guard play, multiple scoring options and a solid coach. Once the players got comfortable in Jeff McCullough’s new system, the turnaround was easy to make, because the talent is there.

Obviously, Midwest City’s ball pressure caused them some trouble, but there aren’t a lot of teams that defend the way MWC can. So even though the eight-game winning streak ended Tuesday, look for the Tigers to stay on the upswing. Of course, matchups become so important in the postseason, and we’ll get to find out Norman’s playoff destination on Thursday, weather-permitting.

Last week, the OSSAA had to back up the release of the 2A-4A playoff pairings because of the snow, but hopefully they were able to line everything out on Tuesday, and we’ll find out all the details of who’s going where Thursday afternoon.

– Scott Wright, swright@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

The defense was exceptional, led by Greg Offenburger and Matt Connery. But Roberts’ season (and Norman’s, quite frankly) would not have been possible without the play of the big boys up front.

And one of them did do enough to get noticed as lineman Zach Johnson has committed to Houston, said Norman coach Greg Nation.

Johnson was a beast this season for the Tigers. And at 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds, he’s got the size and frame that everybody is looking for.

Not sure if it was Johnson’s commitment, but Scott Wright was telling me that Brandon Swindall is no longer looking at Houston as an option. The Cougars told Swindall that they had no more offers left.

Was Johnson the final offer? I have no idea, but it’s incredibly interesting if that is the case that two local boys ended up having their futures decided without knowing it. Johnson and the rest of the line helped Roberts to more than 2,000 yards on the ground in 2010.

***

Robert Przybylo, bprzybylo@opubco.com

For the second year in a row, McGuinness is king at its own tournament.

51st McGuinness Classic
Saturday
McGuinness 77, NW Classen 61 (championship)
Norman North 64, Deer Creek 58 (third place)
Norman 57, Edmond North 41 – consolation championship
Guthrie 49, Yukon 47 – OT – seventh place

McGuinness 77, NW Classen 61

Um, picked the right teams in the final, wrong winner. And I mean WAY off. Figured NW’s athleticism would cause problems for the Irish. However, when you shoot the way Tondrell Durham’s club did this night, not an issue.

It started in the second quarter after a crisp first eight minutes by both clubs. The second quarter was all McGuinness.

And though Matt Christiansen was clearly leading the way, this was a team effort, no doubt. Everybody was playing a part. Matt Morrissey and Miles Newcomb were draining 3s. Joe Edmonds was taking it to the hole. The defense was stellar. Best all-around performance by the Irish I’ve seen in five games this year.

And the dunk Christiansen had at the end of the first half was incredible. That got everyone up. Strong move and the finish and the foul. Shouldof had my camera working.

At one point it was actually 54-23 in the third quarter. That won’t happen again, believe me. NW is too dang good. Jamil Donovan had a big night as did Keandra Nelson but slow start doomed this one from the beginning.

Christiansen was named MVP. Quinton Hardwick lost a tooth in the fourth quarter on a drive by Edmonds but should be just fine.

Norman North 64, Deer Creek 58

Really liked this game. Two pure scorers in NNorth’s Patrick Schaefer and Deer Creek’s Garrett Hermanski. And did they ever put on a show.

However, Schaefer also had big-time assistance from Matt Southard in the post. Add it up and TWolves walk out with third.

Coach Butch Roberts was very pleased with this weekend. “If you can’t win the championship, you wanna be able to say you went 2-1. We did.”

Just an off night for the Antlers. Managed to hang around and keep it close but didn’t see the comeback coming in this one. Just took too long for Jalen Burnett and Joel Blumenthal to get in a rhythm.

Norman 57, Edmond North 41

That first half was a clinic on passing, I tells ya. Norman isn’t flashy but this team executes well and plays hard under first-year coach Jeff McCullough.

The Tigers were up 15-1 after the first quarter and kept that margin the rest of the way. Interesting team because nobody jumps out at you. Connor Madole is a solid player. Like what George Kittle brings to the table. Brandon Southern is steady.

North’s bad start was just too much to overcome. Coach Jeff Tanner is seeing some good things, especially from the likes of Ed Baker and Brandon Rolfes-Lopez. Unfortunately, it won’t get any easier with Santa Fe coming to the Siberian Gym on Tuesday.

Guthrie 49, Yukon 47 – OT

A game not worthy of a seventh-place battle. Both teams gave tremendous effort in a tight game throughout. This was finally the day where I got to see what makes D’Anthony Perkins such a threat for the Millers. He was rolling with 24 points. He’s going to be quicker than just about everybody else out there.

However, this was also the day why I believe Guthrie is still a legit state tournament-worthy club. There is too much talent for this team to not put it together.

If you have a five of Kentrell and Richard Brothers, Kai Callins, Tim Zupo and Codee Gross – you should win some games.

Balance will be key for this team, and coach Pete Papahronis said shot selection will go a long way in determining what happens with his team. On this day, Kentrell, Gross and Callins (just a freshman) all scored 11 points. That’s what you want.

All-Tournament Team: MVP – Matt Christiansen, Irish. Team – Mikey Wilson and Joe Edmonds, Irish; Jamil Donovan and Quinton Hardwick, NW Classen; Patrick Schaefer, NNorth; Garrett Hermanski, Deer Creek; Connor Madole, Norman; Brandon Rolfes-Lopez, Edmond North; Kentrell Brothers, Guthrie; D’Anthony Perkins, Yukon.

Boneman’s Super 5: Matt Christiansen, Irish; Patrick Schaefer, Norman North; Garrett Hermanski, Deer Creek; Jamil Donovan, NW Classen; Joe Edmonds, Irish.

With Heritage Hall junior running back Barry J. Sanders and the rest of the top juniors in the area in San Antonio for a national combine, I sure didn’t expect Sanders to play a role in my coverage of the 51st McGuinness Classic.

However, he sure did. More on that in a minute. Here’s your basketball results.

51st McGuinness Classic
Friday
McGuinness 54, Norman North 50
NW Classen 67, Deer Creek 56
Edmond North 65, Guthrie 55
Norman 28, Yukon 22
Saturday
Seventh place: Yukon vs. Guthrie, 1:30
Consolation champ: Edmond North vs. Norman, 3 p.m.
Third place: Deer Creek vs. Norman North, 6 p.m.
Championship: NW Classen vs. McGuinness, 7:30

Well, when the brackets were released, I told anyone that would listen (who listens to me?) that the final would be NW Classen vs. McGuinness. And sure enough, it is. This should be a great one as the last three games between the two have been decided a grand total of five points.

NW Classen 67, Deer Creek 56

This was funny because even though the Antlers got off to a good start, their transition defense was a question mark. And the Knights took full advantage.

Garrett Hermanski had another dynamite game for Deer Creek. He scored 17 in the first half and 11 more in the second for a game-high 28 points. However, the team lost some steam in the third quarter.

NW coach Leroy Combs said, ‘our players realized we were going to have to play some defense to win this one. They did.’

Junior guard Jamil Donovan once again led the way with 13 points, and he made some really nice passes in tight quarters.

DC led 23-16 before being outscored 37-14 in the second and third quarters.

McGuinness 54, Norman North 50

He was 3-of-15 through three quarters. So what? That just doesn’t mean much when it comes to the potential of McGuinness forward Joe Edmonds.

Edmonds scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to stop Patrick Schaefer and the Timberwolves. This was a crisp game, went by extremely fast.

A lot of threes in this one. Schaefer was raining ‘em down. Miles Newcomb had four for the Irish, while Matt Morrissey added three more treys.

Schaefer was incredible on this night, really had his shooting eye on and finished with a game-high 24 points. However, Matt Christiansen won the battle against Matt Southard in the paint and the Irish did a good job of dictating play.

Norman 28, Yukon 22; Edmond North 65, Guthrie 55

Wish I could tell you something about these games, but I was working on my Barry Sanders/Nick Saban story during these two encounters. In fact, I got in touch with Sanders at halftime of DC/NWC and missed the third quarter of that one, too.

Was it a violation by Saban? Maybe, but I don’t think it was a big one. And it’s not something that will play a role (I don’t think) in the recruitment of Sanders. But it might be an eye-opener to us for about what’s to come as it pertains to Sanders in the next 12 months.

Sanders said he had a few people ask about Saban’s visit in San Antonio and teammates Sterling Shepard and Markus Wakefield were asked about it. All three had no idea this was going to become a big deal.

A lot of people point to the photo of Sanders and Saban with no sign of defensive coordinator Mark Adams. Sanders said Adams was right next to them and continued their conversation after Sanders and Saban said ‘hey.’

Ready to conclude the McGuinness Classic on Saturday. And for my story on the Sanders/Saban saga, here ya go.

51st McGuinness Classic
At Bishop McGuinness
Thursday
Deer Creek 57, Yukon 49
NW Classen 58, Norman 57
McGuinness 43, Edmond North 38
Norman North 48, Guthrie 38
Friday
Semifinals
Deer Creek vs. NW Classen, 6 p.m.
McGuinness vs. Norman North, 7:30
Losers’ Bracket
Yukon vs. Norman, 1:30
Edmond North vs. Guthrie, 3 p.m.

I got spoiled. The first set of games Thursday were a couple of good ones. I thought they’d all be like that. Didn’t quite happen like that, but a good start to the McGuinness Classic.

Deer Creek 57, Yukon 49

Scott Wright told me the Millers like to make/shoot 3s. Um, I didn’t realize what that actually meant until I saw it in person. Yukon had nine 3s through the first three quarters, but the Antlers were doing enough to stay tied.

Great call by Deer Creek assistant Michael Garbutt to go to a box-and-one on Yukon’s Matthew Burton. Burton is a threat as soon as he crosses half court. With him shut down, the Millers looked a little confused as to how to attack the Antlers defense.

Another strong game by Deer Creek’s Garrett Hermanski. If he is hitting early, he’s going to have a great night. He plays with a lot of confidence when he’s rolling (though who doesn’t?). Big contribution off the bench from Joel Blumenthal.

It feels like Blumenthal should start, but he’s in the perfect role of that sixth man who comes in and lights the spark.

Miller games I imagine don’t take too long. When you’re hoisting up threes, you’re not going to get to the foul line. I’m intrigued to see how Ralph Nigro’s team responds against Norman…

NW Classen 58, Norman 57

This was one of those weird games. Though Norman led nearly the entire way, you had that feeling the Knights were going to pull it out.

With players like Jamil Donovan and T’aries Taylor, I just cannot in good conscience count this team out, not even when it was 51-40 at the end of the third quarter.

Jeff McCullough is doing a great job of getting his kids to believe in his system and executing it. Tigers got a little tight in the fourth, and NW pushed the tempo. Paco Jones ended up scoring the game-winner with 15 seconds left.

Excited to see Donovan against Deer Creek’s Jalen Burnett in the point guard battle Friday night.

McGuinness 43, Edmond North 38

Nice to see Joe Edmonds back. Still not 100 percent and cramping in the fourth quarter, Edmonds energized the Irish faithful with eight points in the second quarter.

I’ll be honest, thought the Irish were going to run away with this one in the third quarter. North coach Jeff Tanner did a good job of keeping his kids’ head in the game, and Matt Christiansen picking up his fourth foul in the third quarter for the Irish certainly helped the Huskies out.

Still, North was down 37-29 in the fourth before Ed Baker tied it up with a 3 at 38-38 with 40 seconds left. Dean Fitzpatrick scored on a nice feed and North was unable to take care of the ball.

Cameron Haley came alive in the fourth for North, but I was scratching my head about the first three quarters. He needs to be a big part. We’ll see what this team brings Friday.

Norman North 48, Guthrie 38

Oy. Not all wins are pretty. But at 24-20 at the end of the third quarter, it was tough to try to paint this into something positive.

Timberwolves’ guard Patrick Schaefer had a big night as did forward Matt Southard. Guthrie had no rhythm and too many times it was just Kentrell Brothers trying to force something in the paint.

Guarantee both teams will have a better showing Friday.

Boys

Deer Creek 57, Yukon 49

Northwest Classen 58, Norman 57

Deer Creek 57, Yukon 49

Deer Creek*15*11*17*14 — 57

Yukon*13*13*13*10 — 49

DC — Hermanski 23, Blumenthal 10, Burnett 8, Caudill 5, Blanchard 4, Clark 4, Wayant 3.

YHS — Burton 17, Perkins 11, Williams 10, Koontz 5, Craig 4, Nicholson 2.

Northwest Classen 58, Norman 57

Norman*13*16*22*6 — 57

Northwest*15*8*17*18 — 58

NHS — Madole 15, Southern 14, Saxon 10, Long 7, Kittle 5, Edington 4, Murray 2.

NWC — Donovan 16, Taylor 14, Hardwick 13, Jones 7, Arnold 4, Nelson 4.

McGuinness 43, Edmond North 38

Norman North 48, Guthrie 38

McGuinness 43, Edmond North 38

Edmond North*9*8*6*16 — 38

McGuinness*8*15*6*14 — 43

EN — Baker 11, Haley 8, Rolfes-Lopez 7, Peterson 4, Ruben 3, Carver 3, Sanders 2.

BM — Edmonds 11, Christiansen 9, Wilson 9, Fitzpatrick 6, Morrissey 5, Newcomb 3.

Norman North*3*11*10*24 — 48

Guthrie*4*8*8*18 — 38

NN — Schaefer 19, Southard 12, Roberts 11, Kaplan 6.

GHS — K. Brothers 14, Callins 7, Gross 7, R. Brothers 6, Zupo 2, McFadden 2.

It’s that time of year again. Last year’s Love’s Travel Stops McGuinness Classic final between Carl Albert and Bishop McGuinness was one of my favorite moments from last year.

Another stacked field, and I’ll be out there all three days for all 12 games.

McGuinness Classic
Thursday
Game 1: Yukon vs. Deer Creek, 1:30
Game 2: NW Classen vs. Norman, 3 p.m.
Game 3: McGuinness vs. Edmond North, 6 p.m.
Game 4: Guthrie vs. Norman North, 7:30
Friday
Game 5: Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 1:30
Game 6: Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 3 p.m.
Game 7: Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 6 p.m.
Game 8: Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 7:30
Saturday
Game 9: Loser Game 5 vs. Loser Game 6, 1:30
Game 10: Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6, 3 p.m.
Game 11: Loser Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8, 6 p.m.
Game 12: Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, 7:30

Varsity writer Robert Przybylo says Guthrie's Kentrell Brothers was the best player in the state

You’ve been on pins and needles, admit it. You’ve been wondering what my top 10 players in the state ballot would look like.

Well, wonder no more. We’ve named Aliston Cobb, Brandon Swindall, Donovan Roberts and Kentrell Brothers as Players of the Year in one form of another. David Glidden captured the NewsOK.com honor. Now here’s the even more ‘prestigious’ Boneman Award.

10. Alex Ross, RB, Jenks

Ooh, this was tough. Between Ross and QB Sawyer Kollmorgen, one of the Trojans was getting on this list. But after watching some Jenks’ games on Cox onDemand (hey, blatant plug), Kollmorgen had the consistency, but Ross had the wow factor. Where did this kid come from? Excited for his senior year.

9. Tyrequek Zimmerman, WR/DB, Lawton

For most of the year we didn’t really get to see what he could do. The Wolverines dominated the district. However, when the playoffs came around, Zimmerman was on full display on both sides of the ball. Zimmerman is headed to Oregon State (joined by teammate Jabral Johnson).

8. Donovan Roberts, RB, Norman

Take what I said about Ross and paste it here. Tremendous size, great speed, future is incredibly bright for the Tigers RB. Workhorse, doesn’t fumble, scores and gains yards against some of the toughest teams in the state. It may not be possible, but I think he might be even better next season.

7. Aliston Cobb, RB, Douglass

Not much more needs to be said about Cobb’s record season for the Trojans. All I point to is his two TDs against Wagoner. He gets hurt, team doesn’t get another first down. Now that’s an impact on a team.

6. Brandon Swindall, WR/DB, Millwood

Cannot believe schools aren’t busting his door down with offers. Some might say playing in 2A helps his numbers. I say if he was playing against bigger classes, he would have no problem adapting his game and have just as big an impact. All the great ones adjust.

5. Derrick Alexander, DL/LB, Booker T.

You could make a great argument that Alexander was the best defensive player in the state this season. The Hornets were loaded with incredible talent all over the place, but Alexander stood out. I mean you always knew where Alexander was on the field.

4. David Glidden, WR/DB/KR, Mustang

Always loved watching Glidden play. Week 2 against Edmond North last season — I was officially on the bandwagon. He was a little banged up at times this season so I don’t think we saw his full potential, but it does hurt when you’re trying to rank his season. We’ll see his full potential at Oklahoma State.

3. Christian Hood, WR/DB, Union

Now this is a kid I wish I could have seen on a weekly basis. Love the way he plays the game. And what can you say about his performance against Jenks in the championship? Another great prospect teams are sleeping on.

2. Sterling Shepard, QB/RB/WR/DB/KR, Heritage Hall

I won’t say too much here (haven’t I said enough at this point). When a play had to be made, Shepard did it — no matter what. Won’t forget that Kingfisher outing anytime soon.

1. Kentrell Brothers, RB/WR/DL, Guthrie

If I didn’t know Guthrie coach Rafe Watkins and his staff so well, I would venture to say they don’t know how to figure up stats. Those couldn’t be real numbers, right? Brothers is legit in every way, shape and form. He should make a fine transition to LB at Missouri, and I agree with Watkins who said in his All-State nomination form, “Kentrell is the best player in the state.” He was.

Norman Player of the Week: Hayley Scott, Norman North

Norman North girls basketball player Hayley Scott set the tournament single-game scoring record at the Altus Lady Bulldog Classic. The senior scored 35 points in Thursday’s first-round win over Childress (Texas). She scored 12 points in a win over Wichita Falls (Texas) and added 11 in the championship game against Western Heights. Norman North won the tournament title.

Ahhh, first taste of hoops. Kinda sweet to open the year out at Norman for a much-anticipated matchup between Norman and Edmond Memorial.

Always a good battle when the Tigers and Bulldogs go at it. Round 1 for this year (like last year) goes to Memorial.

Memorial 53, Norman 41 – Girls

- Big night for Memorial’s Brooklyn Bell. Norman had cut the margin to 40-35 midway through the fourth when Bell nailed back-to-back three-pointers. She has a real pretty shot. Coach Shane Coffey said she is one of the best shooters around…I don’t doubt him. Bell finished with 15 points.

- Alie Decker did what she is supposed to and what I’ve gotten so accustomed to seeing her do. She led the way with 19 points and cleaned up the glass for the Bulldogs.

- Great game from junior Alyssa Hand. She has to track Norman’s Kamra King all night and kept her in check for the most part. Hand also scored 11 points.

- Speaking of King, great to see her back. She scored a team-high 16 points and still showed that explosiveness and quickness that has been her trademark. Had a couple of real nice steals that led to transition buckets, but it was tough for Norman to penetrate the Memorial defense.

- Really liked what I saw from Kim Hayes for the Tigers. She poured in 10 points and looked really smooth out there

- Coffey was thrilled to get out of there with a win. Loved how his team played in the second half and showed the qualities of a championship team. Memorial isn’t there yet, but boy was Tuesday the right first step.

- Look for a video with Decker on NewsOK on Wednesday.

Memorial 78, Norman 44 – Boys

- This game was actually 36-31 a minute into the third quarter. Then, well, I don’t know, Bulldogs simply took over.

- Leading that charge was Obi Emegano. He scored 12 of his game-high 21 points in the second half. He was saddled with two fouls early in the second quarter and wasn’t much of a factor…

- …But that’s OK when you have Jordan Woodard. I’ve heard all summer about this sophomore, now I know why. We know about James Woodard, but Jordan might be better than his brother right now, which would be quite the feat.

- Norman was up 19-17 after the first quarter and played inspired ball in coach Jeff McCullough’s first game. Tigers should be OK.

Norman (8-2) vs. Owasso (6-4)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Owasso

Norman
Why the Tigers can win: I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again — this is the best team in the playoffs that has to start on the road. Coach Greg Nation said his team never really bounced back after the KO return TD to Alex Ross last week against Jenks. That’s how quickly a 17-7 game turned into 24-7 at half.

Quote:

Everybody’s 0-0 right now. You got four weeks, four games to make something special happen, and I like my team.” – Nation

Owasso
Why the Rams can win: Because they weren’t even supposed to be here. A heck of a coaching job this season by Bill Patterson. There is no Aaron Colvin or Trent Spurgeon on this team. Overcame adversity with early suspensions and have stayed in the fight.

Key matchup: Norman running game vs. Owasso defense. I was torn on whether it should be this or how Zach Long responds in the playoffs. But I think ya gotta go with what brought ya to the dance. That’s the Tigers running game, and that’s Donovan Roberts with some sprinkles of Jamie Myers thrown in there.

The pick: Norman 35, Owasso 24. Tigers get out to a nice start early to calm the nerves and then ride Roberts to the road victory and a mega-showdown with Midwest City next week.

Boneman’s Norman prediction record: 8-2.

But I’m going with Norman as my lock of the week, because after going on the road two of the last three weeks for tough games at Broken Arrow and Jenks, I think the Tigers are conditioned for this week’s trip to Owasso. Not only have they been traveling lately, they’ve been playing tougher games than just about anybody. So the Tigers are ready for this.

Opposing coaches have been raving about linebacker Greg Offenburger and running back Donovan Roberts, two huge keys to the Tigers’ playoff hopes. If the defense plays its game and the offense grinds out yards like it’s accustomed to doing, I think Norman handles its business this week.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

No. 6 Norman (8-1, 5-1) at No. 1 Jenks (9-0, 6-0)

7:30 p.m., Friday, Hunter-Dwelley Stadium, Jenks

Why bother: Norman needs a win and some help to earn the district championship, but this game is crucial to proving the Tigers belong on the same field with the tradition-rich Trojans.

Norman has been anchored by a stingy defense and star junior running back Donovan Roberts. The Tigers responded in a big way after a tough loss at Broken Arrow two weeks ago by scoring a whopping 70 points against Muskogee last week.

For Jenks, a win means another district championship. The Trojans survived their toughest test of the year last week against Broken Arrow.

Quarterback Sawyer Kollmorgen has been among the best players in the state and linebacker Trent Martin anchors a strong defense.

The pick: Jenks 42, Norman 20. The loss will make the Tigers finish third, and they’ll have to begin the playoffs on the road. But Norman will still show it belongs.

***

How fired up is Jenks after what happened last week? It was still a 16-point win, 23-7, but a lot of people looked at it like it was a loss or that maybe the Trojans aren’t THE dominant team.

The start again is going to make a huge impact once again. Jenks has been on fire early in so many games, forcing running clocks and stuff like that. Senior night will play a role as this team feels like it’s been cheated/disrespected and has played with that chip on its shoulder all year.

Norman will be the best team not hosting a playoff game, if that is any consolation. Without looking at the matchup (Enid, Bartlesville or Owasso), my gut feeling is to take Greg Nation’s club against any of them.

FIRST TEAM MID-STATE CONFERENCE
Del City = Kayla Rogers, Rachel French
Edmond Memorial = Lindsay Littles, Alexis Bracaglia, Sommer Peterson
Midwest City = Brooke Hand, Brittany Hand, Shianne Hughes
Moore = Brianna Nunley, Hannah Coker, Raegan Sampson, Caiti Hall
Norman = Caitlyn Cosme, Summer Leitka
Norman North = Andrea Smith, Shelby Tiller
Southmoore = Haley Strawn, Chelsi Hill
Westmoore = Kendra Pierce, Taylor Green, Melaney Anderson

HONORABLE MENTION
Edmond Memorial = Rachel Baker, Charli Kroeker
Midwest City = Tiana Jordan, Carly Suellentrop, Ashlee Gesell
Moore = Hannah Lynch, Tianna Gutierrez, Qiana Harrison, Stephanie Couser
Norman = Catherine Lesser, Sami Alberts
Norman North = Jacy Glover, Michaela Smith, Tanner Moody
Southmoore = Hartley Tyler, Jackie Hilterbran, Katelyn Brown
Westmoore = Destinie Lookout

Muskogee (5-3) at Norman (7-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Harve Collins Field

Muskogee
Why the Roughers can win: Because any time you have a stud athlete like Victor Williams, ‘victor’-y is never out of the question. Muskogee has been one of those teams that beats who it’s supposed to. Is this a team it’s supposed to?

Norman (W – Nnorth; W – Moore; W – Del City; W – Sapulpa; W – Shawnee; W – Southmoore; W – PCWest; L – Broken Arrow)
Why the Tigers can win: Because they’re angry about last week. Especially running back Donovan Roberts. He played well last week but not up to his standards. He is going to put a lot of this game on his shoulders, which is normally a good thing.

Quote:

Muskogee is a dangerous team, but our kids believe in themselves. This is a big opportunity for us.” – coach Greg Nation

Key matchup: Williams vs. Norman defense. The Tigers forced BA’s Archie Bradley into some mistakes. They’re going to need to do the same thing in this one. Senior night should have that defense fired up.

The pick: Norman 42, Muskogee 27. IMO, this is actually a bigger game than the BA contest. Will they respond positively, and do they show they belong? The answer is yes to both questions for Norman.

Boneman’s Norman prediction record: 6-2.

Two games left. Where do the Tigers and Timberwolves stand?

Norman (7-1, 4-1)
Games remaining: vs. Muskogee, at Jenks
Prognosis: Incredible from where we were at the start of this season. Like I said in a previous blog, the battle with the Roughers should determine who is third and who is fourth in the district.

It’s senior night, and you figure Norman’s fans are going to be going crazy. Sure gonna be interesting to see what happens between Jenks and Broken Arrow this week, too.

Norman North (3-5, 2-3)
Games remaining: at Edmond Memorial, vs. Midwest City
Prognosis: Not good. Definitely entering the final weeks as the underdogs, especially after the home loss to Choctaw. Not saying it can’t be done, but Lance Manning’s boys have an uphill climb ahead of them.

But if they do win out and Choctaw doesn’t win its final two games, then yep, Norman North would be joining the postseason party.

I get along with Norman coach Greg Nation pretty well. He’s very respectful and helpful when it comes to me bugging him.

But man, I thought he was going to come through the phone and beat me down when I asked about a moral victory against Broken Arrow. BA won 38-25.

Everybody thinks it’s Jenks, Union and Broken Arrow. But I love my team. Love my kids. There were times when we could have won that game, and we played hard the entire way.” – Nation

I asked him about the team’s demeanor on the bus ride back to Norman.

They were down, but that’s good. I want them to feel down. We lost the game. Their pride was hurt. They want to come back. This isn’t pee-wee football where you all go out for a snack. You want to win.” – Nation

Meaning in the last couple of years when the Tigers were to lose a game like that they would be happy for just being competitive. That’s not the case this year. Running back Donovan Roberts has been echoing the same sentiments on Facebook.

Nation said Norman had a couple of possessions inside the 10-yard line and didn’t punch it in. Roberts lost his first fumble of the season.

That’s remarkable for as many times as he touches it. We know Donovan is one of the best backs in the state.” – Nation

Norman plays Muskogee on Friday night. I won’t be there, but it will be covered by The Oklahoman. And really this game will determine who is third or fourth in the district. And I don’t think I need to tell you how big of a difference that will be come Week 11 and the first playoff week.

No. 6 Norman (7-0) at No. 3 Broken Arrow (6-1)

7:30 p.m., tonight, Tiger Memorial Stadium, Broken Arrow

Why bother: Norman overcame one big test against Southmoore, but this is the biggest one the team will have seen so far.

The Tigers have been paced by the production and durability of junior running back Donovan Roberts. He has had no issues carrying the ball 30 times per game and not wearing down.

The defense, led by Greg Offenburger, hasn’t seen the likes of an offense such as Broken Arrow.

With all the talk of quarterback and Oklahoma commit Archie Bradley, Broken Arrow has been able to be extremely successful on the ground. Broken Arrow has been dominant in district play.

The pick: Broken Arrow 42, Norman 27. The start of this game will be crucial. How will Norman adapt to seeing the speed and strength of Broken Arrow?

***

More thoughts that weren’t fit to print: Can’t stress enough how big I think the first 6-8 minutes of this game are going to be. Norman has to show early that it belongs on the same field as BA.

Broken Arrow has a certain kind of swagger right now and definitely feels it can beat any west side teams. For the record, they’re not wrong right now.

Names that can come up big for Norman: Jaime Myers and George Kittle. Myers is an explosive kickoff returner while Kittle has a penchant for making big plays on defense.

Of course, Norman is going to need a huge game from Donovan Roberts. I think BA is going to try to disrupt and harass QB Zach Long early and get him rattled.

Hate to say this whole game comes down to confidence, but I think it will. I’m 7-0 in picking Broken Arrow games and 5-2 with Norman (winning the last four). Anyone heading to the game, would love constant Twitter updates @BPrzybylo.

Last week: PC West ended a 28-game losing streak with a 30-21 victory over Shawnee. Norman got a key 34-28 win over Southmoore.

Why PC West could win: It’s asking a lot to expect two straight from the Pats in this situation. But momentum and confidence can do funny things in a team. Johnny Smith ran like a beast last week, and if he keeps doing that, he’ll give the Pats a chance.

Why Norman could win: Donovan Roberts and defense. Linebacker Greg Offenburger will likely find his way into some big collisions with Smith over the course of the game, and Roberts presents a tough matchup for a PC West defense that is undersized and relies on speed.

Key matchup: PC West vs. itself. The Pats let Shawnee back in the game with their own mistakes before coming back to finish it off alst week. Turnovers or giving up big plays will get PC West in a bad situation very quickly.

The pick: Norman 38, PC West 12. The Tigers are just too powerful.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

Welcome to the Saturday Morning Quarterback … Today’s Edition: Norman vs. Southmoore.

This one was viewed as one of the elite games of the week and it was. There were great swings of emotion and momentum as well as a lot of really good football to watch. Obviously, Norman prevailed on the strength of its defense and running game but Southmoore’s valiant effort in the fourth quarter showed the SaberCats could still play with the state’s top teams.

Norman breakdown: There were a lot of questions about the Norman Tigers before Friday night. Were they really that good? Who had they played? What will that defense do against a real offense? Is their offense good enough to compete at the top level?

Those answers in order are:

Yes.

Now, Southmoore — a state semifinalist from last year.

Force it into multiple mistakes and, at times, shut it down completely.

Yes.

The first thing that struck me about Norman last night was how big its entire team was. Not only in the trenches, but the linebackers, defensive backs and running backs are all big boys. When you play that style of football, size helps a lot. But when you need to drive the ball for 8 minutes, it helps a lot too.

Probably the most impressive thing that Norman did on Friday night was not defensive. It was their offense in the second half. With the lead, Norman drove 6:38 off the clock to open the second half. Then again drove the last 8 minutes off the clock. Overall, the Norman offense had possession for 18:06 of the second half. Keep in mind there’s only 24 minutes in a half. Now, that defense may have given Norman its lead, but the Tigers showed Friday that they could win a game from both sides of the ball.

Up next: Norman travels to Putnam City West looking to stay undefeated and stay atop 6A-3.

Southmoore breakdown: There were plenty of reasons for Southmoore to fold up in the first half on Friday night. The SaberCats fell in a big hole quickly and then to make matters worse, fell back in the hole in the second half.

Southmoore still battled back, and despite falling to 4-2, showed some resiliency against an undefeated team and one of the best defenses in the state. They posted a season-high 28 points on a Norman defense that had given up more than 7 points only once in a game. They also ran for 223 yards against a team that had only been giving up an average of 64.4 yards on the ground.

Aside from beating themselves in the first half on three plays, it wouldn’t be hard to make the case that Southmoore outplayed Norman at times. But like Southmoore coach Chris Jensen said after the game, when a play needed to be made, it was Norman that made it, not Southmoore.

Up next: Southmoore travels to Broken Arrow for Game 2 of its 3-week brutal stretch. The SaberCats should be expecting quarterback Kendal Thompson to return to action after missing four weeks.

Norman Tigers (5-0) at Southmoore SaberCats (4-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Moore Stadium

Norman (5-0)
Why the Tigers can win: Physicality. The Tigers play defense better than anyone. Not only that but their offense fits in perfectly with a talented defense. Norman wears you down on offense and shuts you down on defense. It’s tough to face a team that will hit you in the mouth on offense or defense, but both. That’s why the Tigers are 5-0.

Quote: “We know Southmoore’s defense likes to play hard and every play they are going to go all out, so our offensive line is doing the best they can to step up and be on top of them and hit them first before we can get hit — just try and be four steps ahead of them.” — Norman running back Donovan Roberts

Southmoore (4-1)
Why the SaberCats can win: Speed. Running back Andrew Long and quarterback Tre Edwards in the backfield and Caleb Willis and Jackson Stallings on the outside. Not to mention an unusual amount of speed in the defensive front. There’s a lot of pressure on Southmoore in this one too. This is the first of three extremely tough games for the SaberCats.

Quote: We know what’s on the line after Muskogee. We have to come out and we have to come out with the ‘W.’ — Southmoore running back Andrew Long

Key matchup: Southmoore’s backfield vs. Norman defense. If the SaberCats are going to win this game, they are going to have to outscore the Tigers. Southmoore has the guns to do it, but this is the best defense it might face all season.

The pick: Southmoore 24, Norman 21. Speed vs. power and speed takes it late. Expect this one to be physical on both sides, but the SaberCats extra bit of speed gives them the edge.

With such a big game, there was plenty to talk about. Here are just a few of some of the things players and coaches said in the lead up to Friday night:

Southmoore coach Chris Jensen on facing the Norman defense … “We’ve been pretty successful on offense up to this point. It’s another challenge. Once again, you always want to see where you stand up, where you measure up. Getting to go against a defense that has had the success that they’ve had is exciting for our program.”

Norman coach Greg Nation on the running back battle … “Southmoore knows that (Andrew) Long is their bell cow and ours is over there wearing No. 28 (Donovan Roberts).”

Norman linebacker Greg Offenburger on Class 6A-3 district play … “We are going to go out there and get a ‘W’ every week and try to win as many district games as possible to make it to those playoffs this year.”

Southmoore defensive end Jermaine Tucker about facing Norman … “When we go up against them it’s going to set the pace of playoffs and teams on down the line that we are going to have to play.”

Norman coach Greg Nation on Tigers’ linebacker Greg Offenburger … “When that cat is playing hard, he’s a go-daddy. He can take a game and turn it his way.”

Norman coach Greg Nation on his team’s surprising 5-0 start … “You want to see some good football, come out and watch us.”

In the not too distant past, Donovan Roberts and Andrew Long raced onto the field and embraced after not seeing each other for a while.

At least that’s the way Andrew’s dad tells the story of a T-Ball game when play stopped so the two could reunite.

Roberts and Long have been friends since Andrew was in Donovan’s mother’s first-grade class at Earlywine Elementary — maybe even earlier — but Friday night, they’ll face off again. The two started competing in little league nearly 13 years ago, but there won’t be any special embrace when Southmoore and Norman meet in a Class 6A-3 clash — despite facing each other for the first time in high school.

All that love will be saved for later.

“The love is still there, but once that whistle is blown, it’s game time,” Roberts said. “Put all the emotions aside. Both of us just want that win for the team, nothing else matters. After the game all that is important, but while the game is playing nothing else is.”

What makes the friendship so unique is how well each of the running backs is doing. Leading Norman’s rushing attack, Roberts is atop Class 6A in carries (143) and touchdowns (15). Long on the other hand, leads the class in yards (1,040) and per carry average (8.5).

Despite how the two are so similar, they’re also very different.

“Where Donovan has some speed, Long has more speed,” Norman coach Greg Nation said. “Where Long has some size, Donovan has a lot more size.”

Roberts is as downhill a runner as runners get. Long on the other hand can make one cut and go the distance. And despite all the time together, it makes sense that they would be different running backs.

Long: 5-foot-9, 170 pounds.

Roberts: 6-foot-2, 200 pounds.

The best part is they both seem genuinely happy to see the other succeed — as long as it isn’t Friday.

“I want to see him do well, but I want to come out on top in the end,” Long said.

There’s a different feeling around Norman this season. The players are walking through the high school halls with their heads held high and the fans are packing the stadium every week.

Not only that, but the Tigers are 5-0 and have already surpassed their win total from each of the last three seasons.

“It’s the greatest feeling,” senior linebacker Greg Offenburger said. “In the past couple years; we’ve walked around with our heads down and no support. This year, fans are coming out and more people are coming to the games. Our heads are held high in the hallway. It’s just a great feeling.”

The last time Norman won more than five games in a season was 2006. No player on that team is still on this one and Offenburger was in eighth grade — getting ready to make the jump to high school.

With a chance to take first place in Class 6A-3, there’s plenty to play for as Norman travels to Southmoore on Friday night.

“Our kids know what’s on the line and they are playing for a lot of pride right now,” coach Greg Nation said. “If you talk about ever playing for a school, these kids are doing it. They are playing for an entire school; they are playing for the entire city of Norman.”

There’s plenty on the line when Southmoore and Norman face off Friday in one of the biggest games in the state this weekend. It’s so important for both teams that the coaches don’t have to tell their players.

Coaches Chris Jensen (Southmoore) and Greg Nation (Norman) aren’t trying to hide the importance or downplay the matchup.

Norman is at the top of the district after a 5-0 start to the season and a 2-0 start to conference play. Meanwhile, Southmoore is two weeks removed from a loss to Muskogee and is tied for fourth in Class 6A-3. Only the top 4 teams will make the playoffs.

“In our district, every game is important and we’ve got to make sure that we take care of business every week,” Jensen said. “Every game, every point is important. You can’t miss an opportunity.”

If Norman wins, the Tigers stay in at least a tie for first place. If the SaberCats win, Southmoore has a chance to pull away from Muskogee and take fourth place outright.

“We know what’s at hand, that we are 5-0 and they are 4-1,” Norman running back Donovan Roberts said. “We are taking this game as any other one. We are taking every game as a hurdle. We’re going over these hurdles as it is and we’re just playing hard.”

The game might mean a little more to Southmoore. The SaberCats are only 1-1 in the district. After playing Norman, Southmoore travels to Broken Arrow and then hosts Jenks — the two teams tied with Norman atop the district.

“This is going to be really important,” Southmoore linebacker Jermaine Tucker said. “We are going to be having two pretty good teams that are coming up here pretty soon. Broken Arrow and Jenks. If we can get this win on Friday, it’s going to put us in a very good position and give us the confidence that we need to proceed on through those games.”

That’s not to say Norman doesn’t need the win too.

Call it a hunch in picking the Tigers over the SaberCats. When Norman comes to Moore Stadium to face Southmoore on Friday, I see one of two things happening.

The first is Norman freezes in a big spotlight. Greg Nation’s team has been the team under the radar all season. And with every win, they’ve turned more heads. But this time, hmm, don’t think people are underestimating this team.

Now at 5-0, no sneaking up on anybody anymore. So what happens when they’re expected to be the team to beat? Moral victories don’t mean anything in this one.

The other (what I’m seeing) is the team embraces this moment. Has been waiting for this opportunity. With offensive studs like Donovan Roberts and Jaime Myers, tough to bet against them.

The defense has been sensational. Anybody who watched the Shawnee game knows the 20 points allowed had no bearing on the game whatsoever. Paced by Greg Offenburger, that was the first game an opponent scored more than 7 points.

Southmoore needs this win in a big way. It appears it will have to do it without Kendal Thompson and that makes it an incredibly tough task.

Sophomore Tre’ Edwards is going to be a stud, but I don’t know if he’s there yet. No doubt that RB Andrew Long definitely is there. But think the Tigers will do enough to stop Long and throw off the offensive balance.

The pick: Norman 33, Southmoore 28.

Boneman’s LOCK record: 5-0 (Guthrie over Duncan, Heritage Hall over Clinton, Purcell over Lexington, Midwest City over Yukon, Jones over Morris).

In case you missed it, here’s the game story.

Norman breakdown: The game story pretty much says it all, Donovan Roberts is a stud. Big and fast, runs angry. Thursday was my first time to see him, and I’m already a fan.

You can say, ‘Oh, sure, he did it in a blowout, blah blah blah.’ But the 168 yards is actually short of the 171 he was averaging coming in, on 25 carries, five short of his season average. He’s a workhorse who is right there with any of the backs in the super-talented junior class.

As for the Tigers in general, here’s the biggest thing about them: no matter what level of football, no matter what era, no matter what other conditions, if you can play defense and run the ball, you will win games. Norman does both well.

When Roberts isn’t carrying the load, they’ve got Jaime Myers, another power-speed combo back who rushed for 43 yards on four carries and returned a kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown.

I wrote about the defense last week, and the experience that coach Greg Nation talked about in that story certainly shows through. They don’t seem to make many mistakes and they have talented players at all three levels.

Next week is a huge game against Southmoore at Moore Stadium.

Shawnee breakdown: Hunter Holley’s toughness and athletic ability certainly stood out. The senior is in a tough spot, stepping in at quarterback for Brayle Brown. He played well outside of a couple rough stretches. At one point late in the first half, he completed one of eight passes with an interception, and that’s when the Tigers really put it away.

Brown, who can’t throw but can still play receiver, had a big game, catching 10 passes for 115 yards, leading the team in receiving for the second straight week since stepping away from the QB job.

The Wolves are battling a lot more injuries besides Brown, though, and it really showed through. They just didn’t have the depth to keep up with a big 6A program.

Next week, the Wolves face a team in a similar situation, visiting Putnam City West at PC Stadium.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

Last week: Shawnee suffered a 55-0 setback at home to No. 1 Jenks in its first Class 6A district game in more than a decade. Norman coasted by Sapulpa 38-7.

Why Shawnee could win: The best thing Shawnee has going for it right now is that no one really knows what this offense is going to look like. QB Brayle Brown had to move to receiver last week because of a shoulder injury that prevents him from throwing, and Hunter Holley has taken over behind center. The offense didn’t get a chance to show itself against Jenks last week, so Norman comes into this game playing blind just a little.

Why Norman could win: DEEEEE-fense. Three teams have scored seven points against them, and the other only scored six. On top of that, the offense, anchored by the run game of Donovan Roberts, seems to be playing with greater confidence lately, scoring 79 total points the last two weeks. QB Zach Long is only a sophomore, but the son of former OU offensive coordinator Chuck Long is getting the job done. Roberts has 684 yards and 10 TDs for the season.

Key matchup: Shawnee run game vs. Norman defensive front. The Tigers have a lot of experience up front, and two good linebackers, Greg Offenburger and David Nelson, leading the charge in stopping the run. Brown was among Shawnee’s top rushers as well, so there’s some pressure to get the run game going to take some heat off Holley at QB.

The pick: Norman 17, Shawnee 7. There’s no reason to doubt that Tiger D now, especially with the injuries Shawnee is battling — three other two-way starters are out for the year.

Norman (2-0) vs. Del City (1-1)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Kalsu Stadium (Ryan Aber will be there)

Norman
Why the Tigers can win: A pleasant surprise through the first two weeks, Greg Nation’s bunch isn’t going to be sneaking up on anybody this week. The defense, led by Greg Offenburger, has been electric in the first two games. They’ve held Norman North and Moore to seven points apiece.

Del City (L – MWC 35-13, W – NNorth 41-14)
Why the Eagles can win: Because this team isn’t going to open the new field at Kalsu Stadium, black out the stadium and wear baby blue ribbons to support coach Nick Warehime and lose, right? Keeping their emotions intact will go a long way to determine how this one is going to go.

Quote:

We had to get tougher. We know we have some great playmakers who can really produce. It’s going to be a learning process each week.” – Warehime

Key matchup: Donovan Roberts and Jaime Myers vs. Del City defense. Chris Stevenson leads a strong group of Eagle defenders that get overlooked because of the high-powered offense. It was the defense that led to the blowout of the Timberwolves.

The pick: Del City 31, Norman 20. Tigers will have some success on offense, but the defense hasn’t seen a group like Chazten Gonzales and company. The speed will be too much.

Boneman’s Del City prediction record: 1-1.

Moore Lions (0-1) at Norman Tigers (1-0)
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Norman

Moore (0-1)
Why the Lions can win: The Lions showed last Friday that they could never be counted out of a game. There’s plenty of momentum to run with after nearly coming back against Westmoore. Quarterback Vova Razryvin took his game to another level in the final eight minutes of that game. If Razryvin can find that level again, there’s Moore than a chance for the Lions.

Quote: “I think we are a better football team at this point right now than we ever were last year. That’s going to continue to get better.” – Coach Scott Myers

Norman (1-0)
Why the Tigers can win: Because Greg Nation’s team showed it will be a force to contend with last week. It’s not just playmakers Donovan Roberts and Jaime Myers, either. The defense was a big reason for last week’s ‘upset’ victory.

Key matchup: Norman running game vs. Moore defensive front. Moore was cut up on the ground last week and gave up more than 300 yards. Norman ran over Norman North on the way to an upset. That doesn’t bode well for Lions, but looks good for Norman. If the front seven don’t sure up it could be a long day.

The pick: Norman 24, Moore 7. Norman will be too strong on the ground for the Lions. Don’t be surprised to see nearly 400 yards on the ground for the Tigers.

Every week I will try to have this post up by Sunday or Monday where I’ll tell you the three biggest questions I have for the week in the greater Oklahoma City area.

There are SO many questions with week 1, but here are the three that are standing out the most.

1. How much more will we know about Class 5A by this time next week?

This is the top thing on my mind this week. IMO, we have the top four teams playing against each other with both games in our backyard.

No. 1 Booker T. is at No. 2 Carl Albert while No. 4 Duncan is at No. 3 Guthrie. Both games are Friday night.

The first is a battle of the last two state champions. The Hornets never got a chance to really defend their title last season after all the forfeitures. However, when both teams were at full strength, BTW got the best of the Titans in Week 1 last year.

Carl Albert looks nothing like the team from last year. Dillan Dansby is small but quick compared to the big, rugged J.T. Realmuto. RB Kenton Whittington should have a huge season behind a solid offensive line.

It’s also a quasi-homecoming for BTW coach Darrell Hall, who won the 4A title with Star Spencer last year. Also interesting to see what the Hornets do without QB Jordy Albert, who must sit out two games.

Go north a little bit and head to Jelsma Stadium for the Bluejays and Demons. It’s being billed as Kentrell Brothers vs. Dominique Petties, but it’s a lot more than that.

How is Duncan going to handle the expectations that come with this season? How much has Guthrie QB Bryan Dutton matured?

2. Has Norman caught up to Norman North?

New Norman blogger James Corley will be at Owen Field on Thursday for Norman and Norman North, and he’s being introduced to a very intriguing matchup.

Loved what I saw from the Tigers last Thursday against McAlester. Zach Long might be a little young at quarterback, but when you have RB Donovan Roberts and WR Jaime Myers, life gets a little bit easier.

Timberwolves have all the tools for a memorable year. Daniel Davis is sensational, and I’m expecting big things from QB Brad Valentino and RBs Raymond Demby and Emilio Gatewood.

I still give the edge to the Timberwolves, but really like what Greg Nation is doing with the Tigers.

3. Will it be two years in a row for Del City over Midwest City?

The tension was there a couple of weeks ago when the Bombers were in attendance for Del City’s scrimmage at Carl Albert, so you know it’s going to be nuts Friday.

The Eagles surprised MWC last year. With this game at Midwest City, definitely expect the Bombers to be even more fired up.

I don’t know if this game is as simple as the Midwest City defense against the Del City offense matchup, but it will go a long way to determining the victor.

Regular Norman and Moore blogger Justin Harper is having to leave for personal reasons and temporarily won’t be able to clue you in with what’s going on for the Tigers, Timberwolves, Lions, Jaguars and SaberCats. We wish Justin the best during this tough time.

Starting this week, we have a couple of new bloggers to try to fill the void. For all your Moore information, Justin Hite is going to be your guy. For news from Norman, OU student James Corley will be the man in charge. Here they are in their own words.

Justin Hite, Moore blogger:

The first game I ever covered was between the Washington Capitals and the New York Rangers in 1994. I mean, I was only 8 years old and it was actually a video game I had just played on SEGA Genesis, but it was a start.

I grew up in northern Virginia and I graduated from Elon University in North Carolina. After covering the NBA, NFL, PGA Tour as well as high school and college sports, I came to Oklahoma to pursue my career. I spent 17 months in Stillwater and then moved to Oklahoma City where I did freelance work for The Oklahoman and the Associated Press.

Now, it’s time for a little high school football. Everything about Moore, Southmoore and Westmoore, you can find here. From the Moore War to the Class 6A state playoffs, I’ll be there.

James Corley, Norman blogger:

You might say football is an obsession of mine. It basically has to be because of how I was raised.

My parents never fought when I was growing up except for one day out of the year: OU-Nebraska. Mom was a Husker and Dad was a Sooner. Eventually I would have to choose sides.

I studied journalism at both schools and worked for both school papers. Now I live in Norman and work for The Oklahoman.

I’ll be all over Norman and Norman North football this season, anything Tiger or Timberwolf. Football’s an obsession and it starts on Friday nights (Boneman’s Note: Or in this week’s case, Thursday

You realize two things whenever you go to one of these eight-team scrimmages. 1. You’re going to see a lot of great stuff. You’re going to see kids surprise you with how good they are. 2. By the time you get to final one, you’re going to be so tired that you forget what happened in the first one.

With all that said, had a great time Thursday night at the Top of the World Classic at Norman’s Harve Collins Field.

Teams in this recap: Shawnee, Stillwater, Norman, McAlester.

Scrimmage No. 1: Shawnee 14, Stillwater 8

Shawnee: The first thing you noticed was the lack of Brayle Brown. He got a little banged up before the first scrimmage and coach Billy Brown kept Brayle out of this one.

You couldn’t really notice because of how well Hunter Holley played in his spot. Holley was great at both quarterback and defensive back and showed some good moves in the open field.

It’s a shame for the Wolves that Holley is also a senior, but he should be able to find other avenues to get on the field because he was good tonight.

Liked what I saw from Leon Davis and Jeremy Barrientos as well. Wolf Kienzle had a pretty big night for the Wolves. This team showed a lot as it begins its life in 6A.

Stillwater: Shaky start for junior quarterback Jerame Littell. A couple of picks and a fumble, but he really settled down after that. He hooked up with his younger brother, Jon, for a touchdown late in the scrimmage. Jon is 6-1 and only a freshman. How big do those Littell boys end up being?

Loved what I saw from junior running back Davion Carter. Broke off a couple of big runs, and the Pioneers should be set with a nice balanced attack.

Scrimmage No. 2: Norman 14, McAlester 0

Norman: Wow…Donovan Roberts…wow. Yep, some of that in-depth analysis that you can’t get anywhere else right there.

Roberts is incredible. He’s a grown man as a junior at 6-2 and 200 pounds. He was phenomenal on this night. Did everything but score a touchdown. Broke off some nice runs, including a couple of 30-yarders. He showed speed, toughness, heckuva lot fun to watch.

Then there’s Jaime Myers, another freakish athlete for coach Greg Nation. Have to believe the last couple of years’ disappointments are long gone. This team looked great tonight.

Justin Harper has much more on QB Zach Long in Friday’s paper.

McAlester: The Buffs looked a little shell-shocked early. Quarterback Tony Kiefer was picked off twice. But much like Littell, he settled down and fared just fine.

His No. 1 target on this night was Alvery Braxton, a junior wide receiver. The two were hooking up a lot late in the scrimmage when the clock ran out.

I get what the hype is for Kiefer. He definitely looked the part. Real good poise, didn’t get rattled or down on himself. Bryan Pratt’s got himself a good one.

Look for videos with Shawnee’s Leon Davis and Norman’s Donovan Roberts on NewsOK on Friday. Part two of the recap featuring Deer Creek, McLoud, Noble and Choctaw will be up shortly.

It’s not quite opening night. OK, it’s not really even close to opening night, but all the scrimmages Thursday are going to bring the intensity.

And while fellow chums Scott Wright will be at the Pigskin Preview at Mustang and Ryan Aber will help us out for one night with Carl Albert and Midwest City, I’ma be livin’ it up at the Top of the World Challenge at Norman.

This not only has a little bit for everybody, but it gives me a chance to see some teams that I’m not really going to get the opportunity to see.

Teams: Norman, Stillwater, Choctaw, Shawnee, Noble, Deer Creek, McAlester and McLoud.

- I cannot wait to watch McAlester’s Tony Kiefer. I’ve heard so much about him and he put up some crazy-good numbers last year.

The Buffs will definitely be in the hunt for the 5A title, very intrigued to see Bryan Pratt’s team and learn just what it is that makes Kifer, only a junior, one of the top all-around talents.

- Stillwater’s Jerame Littell has come a long way since being a starter as a freshman. Now a junior and a three-year starter, interested to see where his confidence level is.

- Pumped to get a chance to see Norman’s Donovan Roberts. Between Roberts and Norman North’s Emilio Gatewood, it’s going to be one heckuva battle for who is the best RB in Norman?

- At Deer Creek, I’m wondering if coach Grant Gower is going to get closer to finalizing things at quarterback with Alex Christensen and Joel Blumenthal. My gut tells me no official decision will be made for at least a couple of games with both getting good play.

- Choctaw and Shawnee both have some top recruits in Tulsa commit Hunter Davis for the Yellowjackets and Brayle Brown for the Wolves. But who else do the teams have? Wanna see what Shawnee’s Jeremy Barrientos can do now that he’s the starter at running back.

- And with the format of the night, definitely be watching to see if anybody from Noble or McLoud stands out. Expect both teams to be much better than what they were last year.

- Teams will take to the field at 4, varsity won’t start until about 6:30 or so. And now I’ll have to cross off Harve Collins Field on my list of places I haven’t been. Amazing that I’ve never been to Norman, but it’s true. Looking forward to what Greg Nation and the boys have worked up.

REGION III US Youth Soccer Championships
Baton Rouge, LA
Friday’s games involving Oklahoma teams

BOYS
U14: Lonestar (TX) 96 Red 3, TSC-96 Red (OK) 0
U15: Brentwood (TN) 95 Premier 1, OFC 95 (OK) 0
U16: TSC 94 Black (OK) 3, Dallas Texans San Antonio 94 Red (TX) 0
U17: Celtic 93 Green (OK) 4, KFC Crush 93 Blue (TN) 1; TSC 93 Red (OK) 1, DFW Tejanos 93 Premier (TX) 0
U18: 92 Louisiana Fire Red (LA) 2, Celtic 92 Green (OK) 1; OFC 92 (OK) 6, Dallas Texans Houston 92 Red (TX) 1
U19: Tulsa Soccer Club (OK) 2, Louisiana Fire (LA) 2

GIRLS
U14: East Lake Arsenal (FL) 3, OFC 96 (OK) 0
U15: Hurricane 95 Rhein (OK) 2, BUSA 95 Elite (AL) 0
U16: Solar Red 94 (TX) 2, North OKC OFC 94 (OK) 0
U17: Hurricane FC 93 Shubert (OK) 4, Mandeville Lakers (LA) 0
U18: 91 TFC Navy (NC) 4, Hurricane FC 92 Cussen (OK) 1

 Five players from the Norman North boys soccer team, which won the Class 6A state championship Saturday, were selected to the District 6A-2 West all-district team.

 Will Smith, Gus Jenson, Trevor Laffoon, JT Harrison and Taylor McCauley gave the T-Wolves the most players of any school selected to the team. All five players are juniors.

 Smith led the state in scoring with 24 goals and scored the game-winner in Norman North’s final three games, including the state final.

 Mustang had four players on the squad in Denny Landrum, Drew McElhaney, John Anderson and Jacob Strassle. Edmond Memorial’s Stuart Turnipseed, Jacob Stivers and Ty Stukey also made the team.

 The rest of the squad is made up of Joshua Garcia and Martin Ochoa of US Grant, Eduardo Caballeros of Putnam City West, Taylor Vanderford of Westmoore, Chris Issac of Lawton Eisenhower and Shawnee’s Colby Anderson.

Former Oklahoma football standout Antonio Perkins will be on hand to sign autographs.

The blood drive will be held at Dimensions Academy (1101 E Main St.) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. To donate contact Donny Griffits at 579-1880 or at donaldg@norman.k12.ok.us.

Thirteen years later, Claros will try to bring more glory to the city’s storied soccer history. This time, though, he won’t be playing, he’ll be coaching. And he won’t be wearing the orange and black of his alma mater, but the hunter green and silver of Norman North.

“It definitely feels different,” said the 31-year old of his new role. “But the goal isn’t.”

Norman North will square off with Jenks for the Class 6A championship Saturday at 3 p.m. at Broken Arrow High School.

In his first season as a head coach on the high school level, Claros has maintained the stout North soccer tradition, but he’s taken a different route than predecessors Don Rother and Bryan Young.

Young, who was an assistant under Gordon Drummond on that 1997 Norman team that Claros played for, started the North program in 1998. He delivered two state championships (2000 and 2003) before leaving and now is the Norman North principal. Rother, a player and assistant for Young, took over and took the T-Wolves to the 2008 state final.

From 2003 to 2009, North made it to at least the semifinals six of seven seasons. Still, Claros infused his own style when taking over this spring.

“There was definitely a period of the players getting used to me and the way I did things,” he said. “And it took some time before we developed that trust you need.”

The T-Wolves started the season 4-3 before embarking on a 10-game winning streak in which they have outscored foes 33-6. To make it to the final, No. 4 North beat the No. 1- and No. 2-ranked teams in 6A.

“We’ve come a long way,” Claros said. “I think we’ve gotten to where we work incredibly hard, work together and have a toughness we have to have to win the games we’ve won in the playoffs.”

But even with standout offensive play from Will Smith, who leads 6A in goals with 23, and Taylor McCauley and stout defense from players such as Trevor Lafoon and Cole Adkins, Claros knows it takes more than merely skill.

“When dealing with high school playoffs, you have to have some luck and you have to have some clutch players make big plays,” he said. “And we’ve had both.”

Perhaps the biggest change for Claros has been having to stay outside the chalk lines.

“It’s not like as a player,” he said. “You have no control. You can feed the information and put players in the right position, but you can’t execute for them. But on this run, execution has been good.”

Jenks (13-2) is ranked sixth and has won seven straight matches. The Trojans have won five state titles since 1987.

Drummond, who has coached the Tigers since the sport’s debut at the school in 1984, guided Norman to state titles in 1986, 1993, 1997 and 1999. This season, he led Norman to the 6A semifinals and an eight-game winning streak after a 2-5 start.

Norman had a team-high five players named to the all-district squad, Ray Jennings Clark, Cal Cornwell, Dacota Sanor, Alec Lee and Matt Eckart.

Putnam City North had four players chosen in Tyler Groh, Matt Bray, Bryan Byars and Kevin Cabello.

The remainder of the team is as follows  —  Spencer Falcon, Nick Lovett, Garrett Molinsky (Edmond North); Matt McClain, Kris Godwin (Yukon); Alexis Velasco (Choctaw), Anthony Buchannan (Midwest City), Cody Inger (Lawton), Zach Holetzky (Moore).

Individuals and teams have begun to tee off, though they’re going off No. 10 this morning, rather than No. 1. That decision was made to allow a little extra time for the grounds crew to get holes 5-8 cleared off after some trees were uprooted by the tornado on Monday. 

Again, the team race is led by Edmond North, with Edmond Santa Fe four back and Norman North six back. Edmond Memorial’s Taylor Moore leads the individual competition after shooting a 2-under 70. Edmond North’s Austen Fuller is a stroke back, and there’s a group of eight guys within five shots.

Most of the leaders have yet to hit the course today, other than individuals Dillion Mooreland of Shawnee, who shot 74 on Monday, as well as Jack Fiscus of Bixby and Kyle Raberding of Norman, both of whom shot 75.

The decision to wipe out between eight and 17 holes played by the entire field on Monday is a little confusing, but that was the decision made.

From a drama perspective, the unfortunate part about Tuesday’s alterations is the move to tee off on No. 10 instead of No. 1. Unlike the choice to erase the second round, this decision couldn’t be avoided without further delaying the tournament, but the 18th would have been a fun finishing hole. No. 18 is a par 5 with sand traps impacting the tee shot. Accuracy is necessary on the second shot to set up a clear look at the green, which lies over a creek to the left of the fairway.

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

Edmond North is off to a good start in its Class 6A state golf championship defense on Monday at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Course. The five-time defending champs shot a first-round 301 for a four-stroke lead over Edmond Santa Fe. Host Norman North is six back.

Edmond Memorial’s Taylor Moore finished his first round with a 2-under-par 70, one of two golfers under par in the opening round. The other was Edmond North’s Austen Fuller at 71.

Santa Fe’s Cody Reed and Norman North’s Bryce Barnard came in at 73; Tate Williamson, the No. 5 man from Broken Arrow, shot 74, along with Norman North’s Jett Johnson and Shawnee’s Dillion Mooreland, who is playing as an individual. At 75 were Broken Arrow’s Brent Williamson, Edmond North’s Alec Heinen 75, Bixby’s Jack Fiscus and Norman’s Kyle Raberding 75.

Everyone will play between 19 and 28 holes on Tuesday, with the first groups reaching No. 18 in the second round before play was halted. The last group was on the No. 9 tee.

The damage to holes 5-8 could impact play. About one-fourth of the groups still have all or some of those holes to play, because they started their rounds on No. 10.

There was a large tree uprooted on No. 7, which could change the thought process of how a player attacks the hole. Talking to some of the players, the tree prevents many players from hitting driver off the tee, because you need an accurate tee shot to have an open look at the green. Anything on the left side of the fairway was trouble. But without that tree, the hole becomes easier… basically a fairly open, straight par 4, and one of the shorter ones on the course.

But whether or not the Jimmie Austin folks can get the tree removed from the course in time for Tuesday’s action is questionable. That’s not an easy chore, so we’ll have to see what it looks like when everyone returns to the course on Tuesday morning.

Here are the team scores through the first round:

1. Edmond North 301
2. Edmond Santa Fe 305
3. Norman North 307
4. Edmond Memorial 310
5. Tulsa Union 312
6. Broken Arrow 313
7. Bartlesville 315
8. Jenks 318
T9. Putnam City North 321
T9. Stillwater 321
11. Owasso 325
12. Choctaw 326

And here’s the updated first-round individual scoring:

Top Individuals
70 — Taylor Moore, Edmond Memorial
71 — Austen Fuller, Edmond North
73 — Cody Reed, Edmond Santa Fe; Bryce Barnard, Norman North
74 — Dillion Mooreland, Shawnee; Tate Williamson, Broken Arrow; Jett Johnson, Norman North
75 — Brent Williamson, Broken Arrow; Alec Heinen, Edmond North; Jack Fiscus, Bixby; Kyle Raberding, Norman

Others
Edmond North: Eli Armstrong 77, Chase Griggs 78, Caleb Meyers 79
Edmond Santa Fe: Matt Helms 77, Landon Morgan 77, Max McGreevy 78, Brandon Stewart 78
Norman North: Drew Wright 80, Alex Newell 80, Matt Krutz 80
Edmond Memorial: Rex Greene 78, Mason Wright 81, Connor Kurtz 81. Bobby Todd 85
Tulsa Union: Bobby Goben 76, Garrett Hagood 77, Brodie Hinkle 78, Ryan Allen 81, Brady Richardson 89
Broken Arrow: Julian Rom 80, Sam Greenleaf 84, Nathan Swisher 88
Bartlesville: Brad Hager 78, Brandon Wong 78, Braxton Clopp 79, Josh Strimple 80, Clint Jones 81
Jenks: Colton Staggs 77, Brandon Jelley 79, Aaron Davis 81, Will McDonald 81, Hunter Miller 82
Putnam City North: Zach Tucker 76, Tripp Walcher 76, Sawyer McKaughan 84, Conrad Walcher 85, Terry Wiles 89
Stillwater: Tyler Grantham 76, Taylor Onley 76, Parker Dolezal 80, Skyler Patton 89, Brice Clark 91
Owasso: Zach Enzbrenner 79, Austin Clark 80, Ryan Hunninghake 81, Brad Kershaw 85, Cole Morgan 86
Choctaw: Drew Posada 77, Luke Fesner 80, Hunter Eisenhour 83, Heath Vessels 86, Taylor Gossett 93
Lawton: Russell Cozad 79
Lawton Eisenhower: Cullen Stahl 83, Tyler Jimenez 88
Moore: Ryan Harris 84
Muskogee: Stephen Allen 81
Sand Springs: Cole Stephenson 90
Sapulpa: Brody Moses 79
Southmoore: Iain Tesney 86
Westmoore: Garrett Cooley 83, Cory Montgomery 85
Yukon: Adam Cooper 79

– Scott Wright, swright@opubco.com

Friday night, for the second time this season, Norman knocked off Edmond North 1-0. The first win helped the Tigers win their first district title since 2002. Friday’s win, which came via a shootout after a scoreless regulation and two overtime periods, sends Norman to the Class 6A semifinals for the first time since the same year.

Norman keeper Ray Jennings Clark came up big in the shootout to send the Tigers into Tuesday’s match against Jenks and set up the possibility of an all-Norman state final.

The perennial power Tigers, who have four state crowns, last won the title in 1999.

The reasons Norman is being considered such a threat to bag title No. 5 are simple. First, no team is hotter than the Tigers right now. They’ve won eight straight matches to improve to 10-5 on the season. Second, coach Gordon Drummond, the dean of Oklahoma boys soccer, is renowned for his team’s staunch defense. History shows that when Norman has the ability to score goals, the Tigers are as tough of a playoff out as there is.

And with Cal Cornwell and Alec Lee leading the way offensively and keeper Ray Jennings Clark making a case as Oklahoma’s best netminder added to Norman’s always- air tight defense, the Tigers are the team that  nobody wants to play.

Will Smith added to what has been as strong of a season as anyone has had in 6A by taking a feed from T-Wolves standout JT Harrison and sending the ball past PC North’s All-American goalkeeper Bryan Byars barely two minutes into the match.

“When we scored that early in the game, it definitely got us all fired up,” said Smith, whose 22 goals leads 6A. “But we didn’t pack it in and try to make that one goal hold up, we went after more.”

In 87-plus minutes the T-Wolves never got another goal, but they never allowed one either, ending a tremendous PC North season that saw the Panthers rise to the No. 1 ranking in the country in the NSCAA/adidas poll. All the while, Norman North extended its season to the semifinals  —  the sixth time its done so in the past seven seasons, a feat no other school can match.

“Everyone on the back line played a huge part in the win and they deserve a lot of credit,” said Smith, a junior.

PC North, which closed at 13-2, with both losses coming in Norman, pressured the T-Wolves often in the second half and controlled much of the action, but couldn’t get a shot between the pipes.

“This was our best game of the season,” said Smith. “We’ve never played that well and that hard.”

Norman North, 13-3, will face Tulsa Union at home on Tuesday for a chance to play in its second state final in the past three seasons.

Bowles is the top-ranked runner in Class 6A in the 800 meters and is second in the 1,600 meters. The four-year state qualifier has the best time in the state in the 800 by two full seconds at 1:55.6 and is less than than a second off of the top time in the 1,600 at 4:25.5.

Mustang got a historical monkey off its back with a 3-1 victory over longtime nemesis Norman Tuesday in the opeing round of the Class 6A girls soccer playoffs.

Mustang moved to 14-1 and will meet Westmoore in Friday’s quarterfinal round. But to get there the Broncos had to beat a team that knocked them out of the playoffs seven times in a 10-year span and once (from 1991-1995) ended Mustang’s season five straight years by a combined score of 30-0.

Tuesday, Tyler Barajas scored a goal and had an assist, while Bailey Boulware scored her 20^th goal of the season and Alissa Jones had two assists.

Perennial power Norman stayed even with the Broncos in the first half as Lauren Goodman scored off an assist from Mackenzie Burkhart. The seven-time state champion Tigers close the season at 10-4.

Knowing that neither Norman nor Norman North had ever won a team state championship in golf, a group of parents became pro-active five years ago and instituted a middle school golf program.

The results have paid off as Norman North heads into next week’s Class 6A state tournament with a shot at the title. Adding to the teams chances is that the tournament will be held on its home course, the Jimmie Austin University of Oklahoma Golf Course.

Junior Drew Wright and senior Bryce Barnard tied for fifth place at the 6A West regional tournament Monday to lead the T-Wolves to a runner-up team finish to perennial power Edmond North at Oak Tree.

Having an organized golf team in middle school showed immediate dividends for future North golfers. This year’s group of juniors only lost one pre-high school tournament. And this year, the team has been among 6A’s best all season. Along with Wright and Barnard, Jett Johnson, Alex Newell and Matt Krutz round out the T-Wolves’ top five. All but Barnard will return next season.

The injury seemingly sidelined her for the season. However, if the Panthers reach the state final  —  which will be played on May 15  —  Bechtold would be cleared to play. PC North finished the regular season at 10-3 and oipens the playoffs Tuesday against Edmond Memorial.

Alec Lee, Norman

Boys soccer

The junior scored the game-winning goal as Norman upset a Putnam City North team that was unbeaten and ranked first in the NSCAA/adidas national rankings. Lee, who had two game-winners this season, helped the Tigers win the program’s first district championship since 2002.

The junior missed the T-Wolves’ 12-2 win over Shawnee and their regular-season finale against US Grant Tuesday.

“I may get to play some in the first round of the playoffs,” Laffoon said. “But it probably won’t be much and I’ll have to be real careful.”

Laffoon suffered the concussion going for a header when his head hit an opponent’s shoulder. The blow left him unconscious for eight minutes and required him to be transported to the hospital. When he does return, Laffoon will wear a soft protective headgear.

Ranked fifth in Class 6A boys soccer, Norman North meets No. 9 US Grant with a chance to lock up the 6A District 2 title and home-field advantage in the playoffs.

Norman North, Edmond Memorial and Mustang are all tied for the district lead and each has one win and one loss to the two other teams. However, the T-Wolves hold a three-goal lead in marginal points. If all three end up tied, marginal points will be the tie-breaker.