Week 8 - Top Performers

10/25/2020 |  Ben Johnson

Choctaw

Julius Pruitt - 3 sacks, 2 hurries, 5 tackles, 2 TFL

Verdigris

Reese Roller - had 5 tackles, 1tfl, 3 sacks, 1 hurry. Also had 2 catches for 80 yards and 1 TD. Gives him 21 sacks on the season and 4 straight games with at least 3 sacks.

Colcord

Stormy Odle 225 total offense 2 TDs

Bishop McGuinness

Luke Tarman - 27 carries for 244 yards / 12 of 18 passing for 168 yards / 5 Touchdowns - 4 passing 1 rushing

Berryhill

Chase Burke - 22 carries for 210 yards and 5 TD’s. 8 tackles and one sack on defense.

Broken Bow

CJ Whitfield - 12 carries for 100 yards / 13 tackles 1 int for a TD

Plainview

Morgan Pearson 3 receptions 109 yds 1 TD 

Caden Pickens defense- 15 tackles 5 TFL   

Del City

Sevaughn Sephus - senior defensive end - 5 sacks & 3 TFL & 13.5 total tackles

Weatherford

Ethan Downs -10 tackles / 9 carries 52 yards and a TD & 2 catches 19yards

Sam Hoffman - 8 tackles  / 17 carries for 131 yards & 2 catches for 31 yards

Adair

WR Garrett Long - 8 catches 140 yds 2 TD’s

QB Nate Ratcliff - 13/20 285 5 TD’s

El Reno

Dorian Plumley - 122 yards rushing & 175 yards passing & 4 rushing tds & 1 passing 

Came in on defense and got a pic and 2 pass break ups.

Mounds 

Taylor Wortman - 16 carries for 174 yards and 3 TDs on offense and 8 tackles with 2 tackles for loss on defense 

Mason Coddington - 58 yards passing with 1 TD, 54 yards rushing with 1 TD, 1 fumble recovery for a TD, and 2 Interceptions

Yale

Kail Williams- 4 for 6 passing for 222 yards 3 TDs / 3 carries 37 rushing 2 TD.

Dale Coffman - 1 reception, 95 yards & 1 TD / 4 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries(recovered both fumbles he caused) returned one 64 yards for a defensive TD 

Eufaula

Nick jones - 2 INTs & one returned 99 yards for TD to end 2nd half with no time on clock. And another returned 38 yards to the one yard line

Beggs

CJ Brown - 1 rec 48 td / 17 rushes 127 1 td / 4 ko ret 119 / 294 all purpose yds

Hilldale

Eric virgil - 23 carries 285 yards 3TD / 2 catches 48 yards 1 TD

Wewoka

Kobey Stephens - Passing- 6 for 10 -81yds -2 TD / Rushing- 10 for 97yds 3TD / 1 punt return for 41 TD.

Okemah

Mikey Cruz - rushing 28/234 yds 5 TD

Kurtis Wilson - passing 8/14 144 yds 3 TD

Claremore

Brooks Sherl - 3catches 140 yards and 3 TD's

Kellyville

Trevor Jones - 22 carries 161 yards 1 td and 1 int on defense 

Jeremy Hicks - 11 carries 132 yards and 3 tds plus had 8 tackles and a sack 

Wagoner 

Braden Drake - 10 carries for 210 yds and 4 TD / Also had an INT

(All in the first half)

Lawton

Donovan Dorsey - 7-9 192 yards passing 2 tds

Union

Matthias Roberson - 10 tackles 2 sacks, 3 tfl, fumble cause and recovered 

Pryor

Ben Ward - 105 passing & 1 TD / 44 rushes, 265 yards, 4 TDs

Week 1 - OKpreps Standouts

9/7/2020 |  Ben Johnson

Top performers 

Dewar

Joey Fowler - Passing 20 of 22 for 252 yards and 4 TD’s 0 int’s / Rushing 19 for 156 yards and 1 TD / 11 tackles on defense

Vian

Javyn Wright - 24 rushes 249 yards 3 tds / 1 passing td

Grove

Emmanuel Crawford - 29 rushes, 197 yards, 1 TD / 2 receptions, 33 yards

Lawton Mac

Nasir Kemper - 4TDs / Kickoff return TD / 98 yard TD run / 2 yard TD run / 21 yard TD reception / 250+ all purpose yards

Tonkawa 

Tristan Burdick - 231 yds on 15 carries for 4 tds

Kellyville

Trevor Jones - 19 carries for 236 yds and 3 tds

Durant

Fransisco Avila - 19 rushes, 332 yards, 5 TDs

Stillwater

Qwontrel Walker - 29 carries, 228 yards, 5 TDs

Chelsea

Cash Ramsey - 23 carries, 300 yards, 4 TDs

Bixby

Mason Williams - 26/40 passing, 5 TDs, 231 yds

Honor roll

McLoud 

Clint Campbell - Soph. RB - 15 carries for 121 yards, 2-TD’s, 2-2 pt. conv.

3 catches for 67 yards. 1 TD

Holland Hall

Owen Ostroski: 9 solo tackles/2 assisted/6.5 for loss/ 4 QB hurries/2 sacks/ 1 forced fumble

Depew

Tavin Hunt - 10 carries 117 yards and 2 rushing TDs. 2 catches for 25 yards. 15 tackles and 2 picks (1 being a pick 6)

Tulsa Memorial 

Elvis Grayson: Senior - 2 rushing TDs / 1 catch for a 2pt Conv. / 8 Tackles 1 TFL

Scored 14 of team’s 15 points

He helped stop Central on 4th and inches late in the fourth quarter and got the first down to seal the game! 

Inola

Landon Prows was 20-33 for 345 yards, 3 td's and 0 picks.

Gavin Williams caught 4 passes for 165 and 2 td's.

Thomas

Ethan Hamberlin 15 carries 211 yards 2 TD

Jayce Miller 8 tackles- Int- blocked punt

Cache 

Hunter Tate. 6 carries 118 yards 2TDs, 2 receptions 63 yds 1TD / 7 Tackles / He only played first half

Dewar

Ty Whitlow - 11 catches for 193 yards and 3 TD’s

Lawton 

Christian Houston - 20 carries 150 yards 2 tds

Ardmore

Anton Scallion - 16 carries for 190 yards & 3 TDs

Wagoner

Braden Drake - 159 yards on 18 carries with 2 tds.  Also had 8 tackles

Isaac Smith - 8 tackles, 3 sacks, and a fumble recovery

Christian Heritage

Kye Davis - 10/17 passing, 262yds. 3 TDS and 1 int / 3 carries, 47 yds

Cade Hale - 5 receptions, 186 yds, 1 TD / 4 tackles

Cashion

Brexton Green - 7-198-4TDs receiving

Purcell

Sam Wofford - 12 tackles, 1 sack

Kody Kroth - 19-34 for 339 2tds no Ints 

Crescent

Hunter Wilmoth - 10 rushes 150 yds 3 rushing td. 1 passing td

Chandler

Casmen Hill - 10 carries for 143 yds, 2 TD / 95 yard kick return for a TD / 4 receptions for 53 yds

Frederick

Adrian Gaytan - 9-14 passing, 167 yds 2 td’s

Pawnee

Trevor Mitchell - 19 rushes, 144 yards, 1 TD

Blake Skidgel - 20 rushes, 109 yards, 3 TDs

Carl Albert

Noah Dobson (offensive tackle) - Coaching staff graded him at a 90 percent

Antlers

Isaac Sorrells - Kick return for a TD / Rushing TD / two 2pt conversions / 48 yards receiving / 12 tackles 

Grove

Greg McCurdy - 4 catches, 124 yards, 2 TDs

Weatherford 

Sam Hoffman - 14 carries 174yds 4 TD’s / 7 tackles

Piedmont

Caden Hendren - 3 catches for 100 yards 2 TDS / 11 tackles on defense.

Collinsville

Oscar Hammond (WR/FS  Junior) - 3 catches for 119, 2tds / 6 tackles

Verdigris

Alec James - 117 rushing yards and 2 TD / 40 receiving yards and 1 TD  / 4 tackles

Checotah 

Dontierre Fisher  - 11 carries 156 yards, 3 tds

Washington 

Luke Hendrix - 4 receptions 132 yards and 2 td

Atoka

Andrew McCall - 3 carries 158 yards rushing, two touchdowns

Salina

Jack Wilkins soph QB - 17 carries 157 yds rushing long of 66, 2 TD, 1 pass TD

Skiatook

Jace Woodrow (Corner) - 2 interceptions, 1 pick 6, 4 tackles. 

Barnsdall

Hunter Auschwitz - 13 carries, 128 yards, 3 TDs / 4 tackles, 1 sack

Carson Auschwitz - 12 tackles, 5 for loss / 1 rush, 25 yards / 5 catches, 38 yards

Enid

Nate Gamble - 5 pancake blocks after rehabbing sprained ankle all week long

Porter

Caleb Brewer - 14 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery

East Central

Cunu Fields - 6/10 passing, 241 yards, 5 TDs + 1 67-yard rushing TD

Stigler

Ridge McClary - 14 rushes, 115 yds, 1 TD

Bruce Engle - 12 tackles, 2 sacks

Chelsea

William Hampton - 4/9 passing, 63 yards, 2 TDs + 12 rushes, 121 yards, 2 TDs

Tahlequah 

Malik McMurtrey - 26 rushes, 135 yards, 1 TD

Have a player of the week candidate? Let us know. Email Ben Johnson at  benjohnsontdp@gmail.com 

**PHOTO CREDIT - JASON ELMQUIST - STILLWATER NEWSPRESS

Week 5 rankings

9/30/2019 |  Ben Johnson

(___) - previously ranked

Class 6AI

1. Owasso (1) - 4-0
2. Broken Arrow (2) - 3-1
3. Union (3) - 1-3
4. Jenks (4) - 1-3
5. PC North (5) - 4-0
6. Norman (6) - 4-0
7. Westmoore (7) - 4-0
8. Moore (9) - 2-2
9. Edmond Santa Fe (10) - 3-1
10. Mustang (8) - 2-2

Class 6AII

1. Bixby (1) - 4-0
2. Stillwater (2) - 4-0
3. Booker T. Washington (4) - 2-2
4. Del City (5) - 3-1
5. Sapulpa (3) - 3-1
6. Muskogee (7) - 4-0
7. Choctaw (6) - 2-2
8. Midwest City (9) - 2-2
9. Lawton (8) - 3-1
10. Ponca City (10) - 2-2

Class 5A

1. Carl Albert (1) - 4-0
2. Bishop McGuinness (2) - 3-1
3. Edison (4) - 3-1
4. Bishop Kelley (5) - 2-2
5. Tahlequah (6) - 4-0
6. Collinsville (7) - 3-1
7. El Reno (8) - 4-0
8. Duncan (3) - 2-1
9. Pryor (9) - 3-1
10. Piedmont (NR) - 3-1

Class 4A

1. Bethany (1) - 4-0
2. Tuttle (2) - 4-0
3. Wagoner (3) - 3-1
4. Weatherford (5) - 3-1
5. Poteau (6) - 3-1
6. Bristow (7) - 3-1
7. Broken Bow (8) - 3-1
8. Clinton (4) - 2-2
9. Central (NR) - 4-0
10. Cache (NR) - 2-2

Class 3A

1. Heritage Hall (1) - 3-0
2. Lincoln Christian (2) - 4-0
3. Plainview (3) - 2-1
4. John Marshall (4) - 4-0
5. Berryhill (5) - 4-0
6. Sulphur (6) - 4-0
7. Perkins-Tryon (7) - 4-0
8. Lone Grove (8) - 4-0
9. Seminole (NR) - 3-1
10. Stigler (9) - 3-1

Class 2A

1. Metro Christian (1) - 4-0
2. Sperry (2) - 4-0
3. Vian (3) - 3-1
4. Millwood (4) - 3-1
5. Holland Hall (5) - 3-1
6. Washington (6) - 4-0
7. Jones (7) - 3-1
8. Beggs (9) - 3-1
9. Kingston (10) - 3-1
10. Adair (8) - 4-0

Class A

1. Cashion (1) - 4-0
2. Stroud (2) - 4-0
3. Pawhuska (3) - 5-0
4. Rejoice Christian (4) - 4-0
5. Thomas (6) - 4-1
6. Pawnee (8) - 4-0
7. Minco (9) - 5-0
8. Christian Heritage (7) - 4-1
9. Colcord (10) - 4-0
10. Tonkawa (5) - 4-1

Class B

1. Shattuck (1) - 4-0
2. Regent Prep (2) - 4-0
3. Cherokee (3) - 4-0
4. Davenport (4) - 3-1
5. Dewar (5) - 4-0
6. Burns Flat-Dill City (7) - 3-1
7. Laverne (8) - 3-1
8. Weleetka (6) - 2-2
9. Canadian (9) - 4-0
10. Snyder (NR) - 4-0

Class C

1. Southwest Covenant (1) - 3-0
2. Pond Creek-Hunter (2) - 4-0
3. Tyrone (4) - 4-0
4. Covington-Douglas (5) - 3-2
5. Maysville (6) - 4-0
6. Coyle (7) - 3-1
7. Midway (8) - 5-0
8. Boise City (9) - 4-0
9. Graham-Dustin (10) - 3-1
10. Buffalo (3) - 3-1

WHAT WE'VE LEARNED SO FAR

9/26/2019 |  Ben Johnson

It’s time for most teams to embark on district games. Let’s take a look at what’s become apparent so far…

Mansfield, Texas teams stink

Everyone hypes up Texas football, but wow, the teams in Mansfield are ……. ungood. I mean, sure, Union lost in one of the only competitive games between five Oklahoma teams and the Mansfield clubs. But I watched Mansfield Legacy with my own eyes, and I watched Jenks to shove it down their throat all game long. That’s all I needed to know about the caliber of teams down there.

6AI runs through Owasso (so far)

We’ll find out who the best team is in 6AI-2 on Friday night, but it appears as though Owasso is on track for its second title in three years. And hot take: If Blankenship wins another title at Owasso, he becomes the best high school football coach this state has ever seen.

Bixby might be the best team in the state

Notice above I said “6AI-2” because the state’s best team could be in 6A Division II. Bixby is that good. If you’ve never watched Brennan Presley or any of his superstar teammates in Bixby, do yourself a favor and go see them before the Spartans’ season ends in another 6AII championship game.

Bishop Kelley has had the worst injury luck so far

The Comets had a chance to stand toe to toe with Carl Albert in Class 5A. Then Bishop Kelley lost defensive lineman Montrell Cozart, receiver Cori Lewis and Oklahoma State commit Zach Middleton to various injuries. Now Bishop Kelley will have to dig deep and grind its way through District 5A-3 until Lewis and Middleton maybe (possibly) come back.

We need to start using common sense when it comes to weather

One coach texted me and was pissed about a having a game cut short due to weather to close out non-district play. Someone happened to let the officials know that lightning was 32 -- THIRTY-TWO -- miles away. That’s outrageous. Look, I get it, safety is the name of the game. But let’s use some common sense. We all live in Oklahoma; we all know how to read radars. Just because you see lightning doesn’t always mean there’s imminent danger. Take the 6AI title game last year …. We endured a long delay and were just about to get back to the game when a stray lightning strike flashed east of Tulsa. There was no chance it was coming back toward Chapman Stadium, and yet, the clock was reset to 30 minutes before teams could warm up. All I’m asking for is some common sense to be applied. 

Sam Brandt & Asher Link need to be getting more attention

Mason Williams is putting up silly numbers at Bixby, but there’s plenty of QB talent around. Sam Brandt is a menace on both sides of the ball for Bethany, and Asher Link has Metro Christian in position to be the favorite in 2A. More college coaches should be taking notice in these guys.

Dorian Plumley could lead El Reno to special things


If El Reno’s junior quarterback were two inches taller, college coaches would be knocking down his door. Some things never change on the recruiting trail.

Dae Dae Leathers might be the best RB you don’t know about

Dominic Richardson, Sevion Morrison, Qwontrel Walker and Tristan Truelove are notable running backs in this state, but Leathers is putting up solid numbers every week in far eastern Oklahoma.

Bristow & Mannford have a fantastic rivalry trophy

The Battle for the Boat trophy played for between the two Keystone Lake rivals KICKS ASS!

Heritage Hall remains good

Take a moment, allow the shock to wear off. OK, let’s continue….

Mike Snyder is about to be the king of coaching in Oklahoma

Might not be another guy in the state who remains so quiet and just continues to get the job done. And he’s a win shy of tying the state’s record for all-time coaching wins.

Classes 2A & A are extremely deep

As many as a dozen teams (if not more) could win the gold balls in 2A or A.

A really good team from District A-5 will miss the playoffs

Pawhuska, Barnsdall, Pawnee and Tonkawa are all unbeaten. Hominy is 3-1 and Morrison is 2-2. Only four of these teams will escape A-5 and venture into the playoffs. Buckle up!

WEEK 4 RANKINGS

9/22/2019 |  Ben Johnson

(____) - previous rank

Week 3 scoreboard
6AI

6AII

5A

4A

3A

2A

A

B

C

Class 6AI

1. Owasso (1) - 3-0
2. Broken Arrow (2) - 2-1
3. Union (3) - 1-2
4. Jenks (4) - 1-2
5. PC North (5) - 3-0
6. Norman (6) - 3-0
7. Westmoore (7) - 3-0
8. Mustang (8) - 2-1
9. Moore (9) - 1-2
10. Edmond Santa Fe (10) - 2-1

Class 6AII

1. Bixby (1) - 3-0
2. Stillwater (2) - 3-0
3. Sapulpa (3) - 3-0
4. Booker T. Washington (4) - 1-2
5. Del City (6) - 2-1
6. Choctaw (5) - 2-1
7. Muskogee (7) - 3-0
8. Lawton (9) - 3-0
9. Midwest City (8) - 1-2
10. Ponca City (10) - 2-1

Class 5A

1. Carl Albert (1) - 3-0
2. Bishop McGuinness (2) - 2-1
3. Duncan (3) - 2-0
4. Edison (4) - 2-1
5. Bishop Kelley (5) - 1-2
6. Tahlequah (6) - 3-0
7. Collinsville (7) - 2-1
8. El Reno (NR) - 3-0
9. Pryor (NR) - 2-1
10. Claremore (8) - 1-2

Class 4A

1. Bethany (1) - 3-0
2. Tuttle (2) - 3-0
3. Wagoner (3) - 2-1
4. Clinton (4) - 2-1
5. Weatherford (5) - 2-1
6. Poteau (7) - 2-1
7. Bristow (8) - 2-1
8. Broken Bow (9) - 2-1
9. Elgin (10) - 1-1
10. Hilldale (NR) - 2-1

Class 3A

1. Heritage Hall (1) - 2-0
2. Lincoln Christian (2) - 3-0
3. Plainview (3) - 1-1
4. John Marshall (4) - 3-0
5. Berryhill (5) - 3-0
6. Sulphur (6) - 3-0
7. Perkins-Tryon (7) - 3-0
8. Lone Grove (9) - 3-0
9. Stigler (10) - 3-0
10. Kingfisher (8) - 1-2

Class 2A

1. Metro Christian (1) - 3-0
2. Sperry (2) - 3-0
3. Vian (4) - 2-1
4. Millwood (5) - 2-1
5. Holland Hall (3) - 2-1
6. Washington (7) - 3-0
7. Jones (9) - 2-1
8. Adair (10) - 3-0
9. Beggs (6) - 2-1
10. Kingston (8) - 2-1

Class A

1. Cashion (1) - 3-0
2. Stroud (2) - 3-0
3. Pawhuska (3) - 4-0
4. Rejoice Christian (4) - 3-0
5. Tonkawa (5) - 4-0
6. Thomas (6) - 3-1
7. Christian Heritage (7) - 4-0
8. Pawnee (8) - 3-0
9. Minco (9) - 4-0
10. Colcord (NR) - 3-0

Class B

1. Shattuck (1) - 3-0
2. Regent Prep (2) - 3-0
3. Cherokee (3) - 3-0
4. Davenport (4) - 2-1
5. Dewar (7) - 3-0
6. Weleetka (8) - 2-1
7. Burns Flat-Dill City (NR) - 3-1
8. Laverne (5) - 2-1
9. Canadian (NR) - 3-0
10. Seiling (NR) - 4-0

Class C

1. Southwest Covenant (1) - 2-0
2. Pond Creek-Hunter (2) - 3-0
3. Buffalo (3) - 3-0
4. Tyrone (4) - 3-0
5. Covington-Douglas (5) - 2-2
6. Maysville (7) - 3-0
7. Coyle (8) - 2-1
8. Midway (9) - 4-0
9. Boise City (10) - 3-0
10. Graham-Dustin (NR) - 3-0

**Photo credit: Von Castor / Von Castor Photography

WEEK 3 Rankings

9/16/2019 |  Ben Johnson

(___) - previous rank

Week 2 scoreboard
6AI

6AII

5A

4A

3A

2A

A

B

C

Class 6AI

1. Owasso (2)
2. Broken Arrow (1)
3. Union (3)
4. Jenks (4)
5. PC North (5)
6. Norman (6)
7. Westmoore (8)
8. Mustang (9)
9. Moore (10)
10. Edmond Santa Fe (7)

Class 6AII

1. Bixby (1)
2. Stillwater (2)
3. Sapulpa (3)
4. Booker T. Washington (3)
5. Choctaw (6)
6. Del City (4)
7. Muskogee (8)
8. Midwest City (7)
9. Lawton (9)
10. Ponca City (NR)

Class 5A

1. Carl Albert (1)
2. Bishop McGuinness (2)
3. Duncan (4)
4. Edison (5)
5. Bishop Kelley (3)
6. Tahlequah (7)
7. Collinsville (6)
8. Claremore (8)
9. Noble (10)
10. Lawton MacArthur (NR)

Class 4A

1. Bethany (1)
2. Tuttle (5)
3. Wagoner (2)
4. Clinton (3)
5. Weatherford (4)
6. Blanchard (6)
7. Poteau (8)
8. Bristow (7)
9. Broken Bow (9)
10. Elgin (NR)

Class 3A

1. Heritage Hall (1)
2. Lincoln Christian (2)
3. Plainview (3)
4. John Marshall (5)
5. Berryhill (4)
6. Sulphur (6)
7. Perkins-Tryon (8)
8. Kingfisher (9)
9. Lone Grove (NR)
10. Stigler (NR)

Class 2A

1. Metro Christian (1)
2. Sperry (2)
3. Holland Hall (4)
4. Vian (3)
5. Millwood (5)
6. Beggs (6)
7. Washington (7)
8. Kingston (8)
9. Jones (9)
10. Adair (10)

Class A

1. Cashion (1)
2. Stroud (2)
3. Pawhuska (4)
4. Rejoice Christian (5)
5. Tonkawa (6)
6. Thomas (3)
7. Christian Heritage (7)
8. Pawnee (9)
9. Minco (10)
10. Morrison (8)

Class B

1. Shattuck (1)
2. Regent Prep (2)
3. Cherokee (3)
4. Davenport (4)
5. Laverne (5)
6. Keota (6)
7. Dewar (7)
8. Weleetka (8)
9. Snyder (9)
10. Seiling (NR)

Class C

1. Southwest Covenant (1)
2. Pond Creek-Hunter (2)
3. Buffalo (3)
4. Tyrone (5)
5. Covington-Douglas (4)
6. Tipton (6)
7. Maysville (7)
8. Coyle (8)
9. Midway (9)
10. Boise City (10)

Photo cred: Byron Beers/Tahlequah Daily Press

Week 2 rankings

9/8/2019 |  Ben Johnson

(__) - previous rank - Week 1 result

Class 6AI

1. Broken Arrow (1) - Beat Union, 14-0
2. Owasso (3) - Beat Fayetteville (Ark.), 51-19
3. Union (2) - Lost to Broken Arrow, 14-0
4. Jenks (4) - Lost to Bixby, 57-7
5. PC North (5) - Beat Putnam City, 50-0
6. Norman (6) - Beat Norman North, 31-24
7. Edmond Santa Fe (7) - Beat Edmond North, 41-14
8. Westmoore (9) - Beat Moore, 44-35
9. Mustang (10) - Beat Yukon, 38-0
10. Moore (8) - Lost to Westmoore, 44-35

Class 6AII

1. Bixby (1) - Beat Jenks, 57-7
2. Stillwater (2) - Beat Edmond Memorial, 42-7
3. Booker T. Washington (3) - Beat Bishop Kelley, 33-14
4. Del City (4) - Beat Bishop McGuinness, 20-17
5. Sapulpa (5) - Beat Edison, 21-13
6. Choctaw (7) - idle
7. Midwest City (6) - Lost to Carl Albert, 31-0
8. Muskogee (8) - Beat McAlester, 43-7
9. Lawton (9) - Beat Burkburnett (Texas), 56-21
10. Deer Creek (NR) - Beat Southmoore, 45-14

Class 5A

1. Carl Albert (1) - Beat Midwest City, 31-0
2. Bishop McGuinness (4) - Lost to Del City, 20-17
3. Bishop Kelley (2) - Lost to Booker T. Washington, 33-14
4. Duncan (7) - Beat Putnam West, 59-35
5. Edison (5) - Lost to Sapulpa, 21-13
6. Collinsville (3) - Lost to Oologah, 13-12
7. Tahlequah (8) - Beat Fort Gibson, 42-21
8. Claremore (10) - Beat Bartlesville, 40-28
9. Guthrie (6) - Lost to Shawnee, 33-23
10. Noble (NR) - Beat Newcastle, 41-12

Class 4A

1. Bethany (1) - Beat Elk City, 41-20
2. Wagoner (3) - Beat Coweta, 36-27
3. Clinton (4) - Beat Woodward, 49-14
4. Weatherford (5) - idle
5. Tuttle (6) - Beat Kingfisher, 41-18
6. Blanchard (2) - Lost to Elgin, 35-20
7. Bristow (7) - Beat Cushing, 19-16
8. Poteau (8) - Beat Durant, 40-13
9. Broken Bow (9) - Beat Idabel, 41-0
10. Cache (NR) - idle

Class 3A

1. Heritage Hall (1) - Beat Millwood, 34-0
2. Lincoln Christian (2) - Beat Jones, 49-14
3. Plainview (3) - bye
4. Berryhill (4) - Beat Mannford, 35-7
5. John Marshall (5) - Beat Classen SAS, 48-0
6. Sulphur (6) - Beat Madill, 49-21
7. Seminole (8) - Beat Harrah, 40-8
8. Perkins-Tryon (10) - Beat Hennessey, 35-0
9. Kingfisher (7) - Lost to Tuttle, 41-18
10. Cascia Hall (9) - Lost to Holland Hall, 28-7

Class 2A

1. Metro Christian (2) - idle
2. Sperry (3) - Beat Verdigris, 49-13
3. Vian (4) - Beat Eufaula, 14-2
4. Holland Hall (5) - Beat Cascia Hall, 28-7
5. Millwood (1) - Lost to Heritage Hall, 34-0
6. Beggs (7) - Beat Okmulgee, 39-0
7. Washington (8) - Beat Hobart, 42-7
8. Kingston (9) - Beat Hugo, 44-22
9. Jones (6) - Lost to Lincoln Christian, 49-14
10. Adair (NR) - Beat Commerce, 46-16

Class A

1. Cashion (1) - Beat Prague, 28-0
2. Stroud (2) - Beat Okemah, 40-38
3. Thomas (3) - Beat Newkirk, 41-0
4. Pawhuska (4) - Beat Okla. Union, 60-18
5. Rejoice Christian (5) - Beat Crossings Christian, 48-6
6. Tonkawa (6) - Beat Newkirk, 41-0
7. Christian Heritage (7) - Beat Mount Saint Mary, 30-7
8. Morrison (9) - Beat Crescent, 24-10
9. Pawnee (10) - idle
10. Minco (NR) - Beat Dibble, 14-6

Class B

1. Shattuck (1) - Beat Destiny Christian, 44-8
2. Regent Prep (2) - Beat Prue, 53-6
3. Cherokee (4) - Beat South Barber (Kan.), 44-8
4. Davenport (3) - Lost to Weleetka, 32-28
5. Laverne (5) - Beat Alex, 28-22
6. Keota (6) - idle
7. Dewar (7) - Beat Strother, 46-0
8. Weleetka (8) - Beat Davenport, 32-28
9. Snyder (9) - Beat Waukomis, 44-6
10. Wetumka (10) - Beat Depew, 40-6

Class C

1. SW Covenant (1) - Beat Central Marlow, 52-28
2. Pond Creek-Hunter (3) - Beat Kremlin-Hillsdale, 54-0
3. Buffalo (4) - Beat Medford, 40-12
4. Covington-Douglas (6) - Beat Garber, 64-62 (4OT)
5. Tyrone (8) - Beat Turpin, 56-22
6. Tipton (2) - Lost to Burns Flat-Dill City, 54-6
7. Maysville (NR) - Beat Paoli, 52-6
8. Coyle (5) - Lost to Pioneer, 48-20
9. Midway (NR) - Beat Gans, 64-48
10. Boise City (NR) - Beat Beaver, 48-0

Photo credit - David Stacy

WEEK 1 RANKINGS

9/1/2019 |  Ben Johnson

Class 6AI

1. Broken Arrow (2)
2. Union (1)
3. Owasso (3)
4. Jenks (4)
5. PC North (5)
6. Norman (6)
7. Edmond Santa Fe (7)
8. Moore (8)
9. Westmoore (9)
10. Mustang (10)

Class 6AII

1. Bixby (1)
2. Stillwater (2)
3. Booker T. Washington (3)
4. Del City (4)
5. Sapulpa (5)
6. Midwest City (6)
7. Choctaw (7)
8. Muskogee (8)
9. Lawton (9)
10. Bartlesville (10)

Class 5A

1. Carl Albert (1)
2. Bishop Kelley (2)
3. Collinsville (3)
4. Bishop McGuinness (4)
5. Edison (5)
6. Guthrie (6)
7. Duncan (7)
8. Tahlequah (8)
9. Ardmore (9)
10. Claremore (10)

Class 4A

1. Bethany (1)
2. Blanchard (2)
3. Wagoner (3)
4. Clinton (4)
5. Weatherford (5)
6. Tuttle (6)
7. Bristow (7)
8. Poteau (8)
9. Broken Bow (9)
10. Cache (NR)

Class 3A

1. Heritage Hall (1)
2. Lincoln Christian (2)
3. Plainview (3)
4. Berryhill (4)
5. John Marshall (5)
6. Sulphur (6)
7. Kingfisher (7)
8. Seminole (8)
9. Cascia Hall (9)
10. Perkins-Tryon (10)

Class 2A

1. Millwood (1)
2. Metro Christian (2)
3. Sperry (3)
4. Vian (4)
5. Holland Hall (5)
6. Jones (6)
7. Beggs (7)
8. Washington (8)
9. Kingston (9)
10. Eufaula (10)

Class A

1. Cashion (1)
2. Stroud (2)
3. Thomas (3)
4. Pawhuska (4)
5. Rejoice Christian (5)
6. Tonkawa (6)
7. Christian Heritage (7)
8. Crossings Christian (9)
9. Morrison (10)
10. Pawnee (NR)

Class B

1. Shattuck (1)
2. Regent Prep (2)
3. Davenport (3)
4. Cherokee (4)
5. Laverne (5)
6. Keota (6)
7. Dewar (7)
8. Weleetka (8)
9. Snyder (9)
10. Wetumka (10)

Class C

1. SW Covenant (2)
2. Tipton (1)
3. Pond Creek-Hunter (3)
4. Buffalo (4)
5. Coyle (5)
6. Covington-Douglas (6)
7. Fox (7)
8. Tyrone (8)
9. Sharon-Mutual (9)
10. Medford (10)

*** Big thanks to Caleb Williams, whose work is the cover photo for this post. Check out his work here: https://www.photosbycaleb.com/

Class 6AII SEASON PREVIEW

8/27/2019 |  Ben Johnson

STATE OF THE PROGRAM

BIXBY SPARTANS

If it’s another year of Class 6AII football, you can bet that Bixby will be in the mix. The Spartans secured another 6AII title in 2018 -- their fourth overall.

However, Bixby did lose several key pieces from last year’s team. Cade Cavender will need to be replaced at receiver and in the secondary; Clayton Barbour was an interception machine on defense and he’s now gone; Ryan Kerr kept the defense intact at middle linebacker and he graduated; and Noah West and Ethan Hall -- two outstanding defensemen -- also exhausted all their high school eligibility and graduated to college football.

But at Bixby, it’s always “plug and play” on the roster, so never count out the Spartans.

“Our team has been really focused,” Bixby head coach Loren Montgomery said. “We graduated some great players, but we have a great nucleus of leaders coming back.”

That spells trouble for the rest of 6AII.

Biggest on-field question: Who fills the void on the offensive and defensive lines?

Montgomery with a simple breakdown.

“The offensive and defensive lines will be a work in progress,” he said. “We graduated all three defensive linemen, but we have some great prospects coming back.”

Tallon Javersak and Hayden Haynes were key up front on defense, much like Cavender was an integral part of Bixby’s offensive and defensive game plans. But Montgomery has a player in mind to ease the pain of losing Cavender to Oklahoma State.

“I would keep an eye out for Luke Creeger,” Montgomery said. “He’s a senior wide receiver who we think will have a breakout year.”

Depth chart breakdown

Offense: Where to start?

There’s Mason Williams on offense, after he passed for 3,225 yards and 36 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2018.

“Mason continues to grow in our offensive system,” Montgomery said. “he had a great summer, and we are hoping he can only improve on last year’s performance.”

Braylin Presley is just now a sophomore and already has 743 yards and 12 touchdowns to his credit for the Spartans.

Then there’s Brennan Presley (Braylin’s older brother) at wide receiver, and he caught 67 passes for 1,081 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. And Montgomery already mentioned Creeger.

The offensive front figures to feature Kobe Williams and Matt Doyle as key figures in creating running lanes and keeping Williams upright in the pocket.

Defense: It’s Presley again! Brennan Presley, an Oklahoma State commit, has turned plenty of heads in the secondary leading up to his senior season.

Add in Jordan Reagan, another Oklahoma State commit, at cornerback, and the Spartans secondary is quite dangerous.

Key linebackers will include Zach Blankenship (state champion in wrestling), Brody Sartin, and Nick Wedel.

The defensive line could be more like a jigaw puzzle and figuring out where to place everyone early on.

Missed the most: Kerr, Hall, West and Cavender combined for 318 tackles last season. That kind of production can’t just be replaced overnight.

2019 schedule

Aug. 30 - @ Mansfield Timberview (Texas)

Sept. 6 - @ Jenks

Sept. 13 - bye

Sept. 20 - @ Putnam City

Sept. 27 - Sapulpa

Oct. 4 - @ Booker T. Washington

Oct. 11 - Ponca City

Oct. 17 - @ Bartlesville

Oct. 25 - Sand Springs

Nov. 1 - @ Shawnee

Nov. 8 - Muskogee

*District 6AII-2 games

The 2018 season for Bixby was nothing but pure domination. Lost the season opener to Jenks but then rattled off 12 straight wins -- with most not being particularly close. This season’s schedule offers plenty of challenges, including six road games. But if the Spartans are able to plug in new faces along the offensive and defensive fronts, it could end up being another trophy-raising season for Bixby.

Class 6AII preview

Rankings

**1. Bixby - Guys like Cade Cavender and Ryan Kerr are gone, but the Spartans still have talent all over the field with Brennan Presley, Jordan Reagan, Mason Williams and so much more.

2. Stillwater - The three-headed monster (Gunnar Gundy, Qwontrel Walker, Anthony Bland) is back for the Pioneers. Just have to wait and see who fills the voids left on offensive and defensive fronts.

3. Booker T. Washington - Sophomore quarterback Gentry Williams -- whose recruiting is accelerating by the day -- has perhaps the state’s top two targets in the passing game: JJ Hester and Keuan Parker.

4. Del City - The Foreman brothers graduated but Quinlan Ganther is back to lead the charge at quarterback.

5. Sapulpa - Expectations are high for the Chieftains with Eli Williams at quarterback and Te’Zohn Taft on both sides of the ball. If the defense is sound, it could be a big year for Sapulpa.

6. Midwest City - Bombers need to replace Preston Colbert at quarterback, who passed for 2,427 yards and 31 TDs last season.

7. Choctaw - Linebacker Jeff Roberson has committed to Oklahoma State, and he provides the Yellowjackets with an anchor on defense after collecting 117 tackles at Harrah in 2018.

8. Muskogee - Plenty of weapons returning for the Roughers this season, including junior quarterback Ty Williams, senior running back Jimmie Coleman and junior safety Caleb Webb.

9. Lawton - Wolverines have their hands full trying to replace Miles Davis’ production at running back last season.

10. Bartlesville - Bruins lost head coach Lee Blankenship to Mustang, but Jason Sport takes over with the luxury of having quarterback Ben Winters and safety Taton Hopkins returning in key spots.

** 2018 state champion

Premier players

District 6AII-1

- Qwontrel Walker (Stillwater): Has compiled 3,060 rushing yards in two varsity seasons, and could finish on the state’s top 20 all-time rushing yards list if we doubles that over his next two years. Ran for 1,739 yards and 26 touchdowns during his sophomore campaign in 2018.

- Gunnar Gundy (Stillwater): Completed 143 of 226 passes last season and now has more than 4,000 career passing yards. Currently holds offers from Eastern Michigan and Toledo.

- Corey Williams (Choctaw): Split carries alongside Blake Muse last year, but now this year could see the bulk of the load after logging 778 yards and nine touchdowns.

- Gavin Houska (Deer Creek): Threw for 1,119 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2018.

- Eric Wiley (Lawton): Could become the focal point of the offense after the graduation of Miles Davis. Wiley threw for 1,424 yards and 18 touchdowns last season.

- Quinlan Ganther (Del City): Completed 59 percent of his passes and threw for 1,193 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior last season.

District 6AII-2

- Ty Williams (Muskogee): Churned out a solid sophomore season with 1,046 passing yards and nine touchdowns, in addition to 1,147 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. Also picked off two passes on defense.

- Ben Winters (Bartlesville): Deferred to running back DeAndre Young a lot last year, but still threw for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns.

- Krishawn Brown (Booker T. Washington): Kansas commit enters his senior season after 119 tackles, 14 sacks and an interception last season.

- Mason Williams (Bixby): Somehow gets overlooked on a roster full of star power. Williams completed 68 percent of his passes last season for 3,225 yards and 36 touchdowns.

Our best guess(es)

MIcahel Swisher: Bixby -- Stillwater has all of the tools just as it did a year ago. But Bixby - like Bama in the NCAA and New England in the NFL - seems to just have that formula. Spartans do it again when it matters.

Whitt Carter: Bixby -- To say that Bixby has dominated this class since the inception of 6A-2 would ultimately be an understatement. The Spartans won it all again in 2018 and are surely the heavy favorite for their 5th title in six years. I think the talent of Booker T can certainly get it done, but I’ll go with the Spartans, who have it up front and out at the skill spots, as well as tradition.

Ben Johnson: Stillwater -- I’ll mix it up a bit. Hard not to go with Bixby, but I’ll side with Qwontrel Walker and his crew in 2019.

NEW PODCAST: Football is back

8/22/2019 |  Ben Johnson

STATE TOURNAMENT WRESTLING: Weight by weight predictions

2/21/2019 |  Ben Johnson

State tournament wrestling is back. It's the weekend that every high school wrestler circles on the calendar. Now time to make predictions for every single weight class inside Jim Norick Arena.

Class 6A

Brackets posted here
106: Cruz Aguilar (Edmond Memorial): Spent his freshman season at Heritage Hall, where he finished second at 106 in 2017. Almost went with Owasso’s Jared Campbell or Sand Springs’ Brendon Wiseley, but opted for a Bulldog to win a title for the first time since Johny Hendricks in 2002.
 
113: Tucker Owens (Mustang): Finished second as a freshman last season at 113. A title for Owens would be the first for the Broncos since 2005 -- and only the second since 1999.
 
120: Zach Blankenship (Bixby): Has burst onto the scene as a freshman for the Spartans this season. Blankenship’s only loss of the season was to Sand Springs’ Seth Jones, when Bixby bumped Blankenship up a weight class for a regular-season dual. Blankenship is 27-0 at 120 pounds this season, including a dominant run through last week’s regional in Jenks. Nic Roller (220 pounds in 2016) won Bixby’s last state championship, but before him was Shane Roller in 1998.
 
126: Carter Young (Stillwater): Upended Yukon’s Studd Morris for the 106 crown in 6A last season. But he did it at Sand Springs. Now at 126, Young has potential obstacles in his way, like Broken Arrow’s Blazik Perez (27-9) and Bartlesville’s Laif Jones (last year’s 6A champion at 120). Should mention, Stillwater also has gone two years without a state champion. Young could bring that to a halt.
 
132: Reece Witcraft (Broken Arrow): Went from second at 126 with Coweta in 2017 to state champion last year with Broken Arrow at 126. Witcraft, ranked fifth in the nation on InterMat, pinned Choctaw’s Colt Newton in the finals last year, and this year it could be a semifinals matchup. The two didn’t clash at dual state, so a semifinal showdown would be the first in a year. The 132 field is loaded, for sure. Edmond Memorial’s Jackson Oplotnik (20-5), Mustang’s Keegan Luton (33-10) and Owasso’s Zeke Washington (34-4 and 6A’s runner-up at 120 last season) all share space on the top half of the bracket. Witcraft has been hobbled by a bum ankle, but he beat Washington 7-2 in the regional finals so there’s little doubt he’ll be ready to go in Oklahoma City.
 
138: Peter Rolle (Edmond Memorial): There was some personal anguish in making a selection here. So many qualified wrestlers in this field that it was hard to pick who might finish above the fray. Ultimately, sided with Rolle, because why not? The Edmond Memorial senior is 30-5, and he’s got Deer Creek’s Parker Wright (32-8) and Broken Arrow’s Blake Gonzalez (21-7) on his side of the bracket. Then there’s Mustang’s Cameron Picklo (41-3) and Ponca City’s Spencer Schrickram (39-2) on the bottom half of the bracket. This weight will be a gauntlet to get through.
 
145: Gabe Johnson (Choctaw): Went from not placing as a freshman at 106 in 2017 to a runner-up spot at 132 last season for the Yellowjackets. Lost in last year’s finals to Ponca City’s Dylan Schickram, 7-3. And another tough field awaits Johnson, including Edmond North’s Jaxon Randall (24-11) on Johnson’s half of the bracket. Then there’s Deer Creek’s Micah Lugafet (21-3), Enid’s Chance Davis (21-5) and Ja’len Hernandez (35-5) in the bottom half of the bracket. Would be Choctaw’s first championship at 145 since Jaryn Curry in 2016.
 
152: Drake Vannoy (Jenks): This one was tough to pick. Sand Springs’ Scott Patton beat Vannoy for last week’s regional crown, but Vannoy was last year’s champion at 152. A championship for Vannoy would be Jenks’ first back-to-back champion since Justin DeAngelis won in 2008 through 2010.
 
160: Tate Picklo (Mustang): Went 35-4 as a freshman en route to a second-place showing at 145 last year in 6A. Now Picklo is 40-0 and ranked 11th in the country at 160. Putnam City’s Rene Martinez might be Picklo’s biggest challenge in the field, and Picklo beat Martinez in an 18-6 major decision to win last week’s regional crown.
 
170: Zane Coleman (Choctaw): Ranked sixth in the nation and looking to join the four-timers club. After two suspenseful championships during his freshman and sophomore years, Coleman cruised to last year’s title at 170 by pinning Broken Arrow’s Bryce Mattioda in the first period. Coleman, an Arizona State signee, enters his final state tournament with a record of 145-8 -- and only two losses in the last two seasons. Coleman’s only loss this year was in the 170 finals of the Geary Tournament, when he lost to Blair Academy’s Peyton Craft.
 
182: JT Stambeck (Norman North): Narrowly missed out on the 170 finals last season after enduring a 3-2 loss to Mattioda. Enters this year’s state tournament at 29-1. Would be the Timberwolves’ first state champion since Levi Berry (160) in 2013.
 
195: Carson Savage (Deer Creek): Entered last year’s state tournament as the No. 4 seed out of the West at 182. This season, Savage is 35-2 and the top seed from out west. He’ll have to contend with a deep field, though. Broken Arrow’s Gavin Potter (last year’s champion at 195), Sand Springs’ Kaden Glass (31-9), Union’s Elijah Tomlin (36-7) and Mustang’s Judson Rowland are all contenders. Took Savage over Potter after Savage picked up a 9-2 win over Potter at dual state a couple of weeks ago.
 
220: Zach Marcheselli (Broken Arrow): Another wrestler in 6A aiming to be a member of the four-timers club. Marcheselli, ranked ninth in the country, has been on cruise control for most of the season. After guiding the Tigers to their first football championship, Marcheselli, a Texas Christian University signee for football, could add to his collection of hardware in a 220 field that could end up seeing a rematch of the east regional last weekend. Marcheselli knocked off Edmond North’s Jake McCoy 8-2 for the regional crown, and both appear to be on a collision course for the finals in Oklahoma City.

 
285: Noah Cortes (Broken Arrow): Jenks’ Caleb Orr beat Cortes for the regional crown last week, but it was a 3-2 decision in an ultimate tiebreaker. This could go any direction, including Choctaw’s Marquan Journey (33-6) and Yukon’s Ashton Aldridge (32-7) vying for the title. Last year, Cortes didn’t even make it out of the pigtail round of the state tournament.
 
 

Class 5A

Brackets posted here
106: Cameron Steed (Collinsville): Should come as no surprise that Collinsville has yet more freshmen contending for championships at the lower weights. This year it’s Steed and Jordan Williams (below) as favorites in their respective fields. Steed tech-falled Coweta’s Brody Gee, 16-1, in the regional finals and don’t see any reason to think he won’t do the same to anyone he comes across in Oklahoma City.
 
113: Jordan Williams (Collinsville): Previously ranked sixth in the nation at 106 pounds, Williams has been unbeatable at both 106 and 113 this season. And this is a weight Collinsville has controlled for several years in recent memory with four championships since 2013 -- Davion Jeffries (2013), Christian Moody (2014), Caleb Tanner (2017) and Rocky Stephens (2018).
 
120: Rocky Stephens (Collinsville): Turned a third-place finish as a freshman into a state championship last year at 113 pounds. Could be stream-rolling straight ahead to a solid showdown in the finals between Stephens and Carl Albert’s Jayston Cato (33-2).
 
126: Josh Taylor (Skiatook): Surprising turn of events at the east regional last week with Collinsville freshman Jordan Cullors knocking off Taylor, 2-1. But that loss for Taylor puts him on the top half of the bracket, and he avoids Tahlequah’s Jakob Lyons, who has routinely wrestled Taylor tough these past two seasons. Don’t be surprised if it’s a Taylor-Cullors rematch -- but this time for a state championship.
 
132: Caleb Tanner (Collinsville): Last year’s champ at 126, Tanner could put himself in position for a special senior year if he wins this year’s state championship at 132. It would be Tanner’s third state championship, and he would be a season away from joining Gary Wayne Harding and Will Steltzlen -- who both became four-time state champions at the 2014 5A state tournament.
 
138: Kobi Gomez (Altus): Someone other than a Collinsville wrestler will win a state championship in Oklahoma City this weekend. It just won’t feel much like it through the first handful of weights. Collinsville’s Connor Henson certainly has a shot at claiming the 138 crown, but I’m going with the reigning state champion here to win his second title. Could pave the way for two more special years for Gomez.
 
145: Gage Hight (Glenpool): It’s now or never for Hight. He’s knocked on the doorstep twice, but in back-to-back state tournaments he’s had to settle for second place. Last year, Coweta’s Ricky Turner who upended Hight, 3-2, in the finals after Hight had won the reginal matchup between the two. Durant’s Cody Hicks (32-3) and El Reno’s Jacob Catagas (22-3) are lurking, but surely it’s going to be Hight’s year.
 
152: Cougar Anderson (Skiatook): If the Bulldogs are going to challenge Collinsville for the team title, Anderson winning at 152 could be key. Anderson, a sophomore, is 35-0, and he’s on the same side of the bracket as El Reno’s Cole Thomas (28-3). Anderson was dominant last year en route to his first title, and expect him to be ready to roll in Oklahoma City.
 
160: Hunter Jump (Duncan): After second-place finishes as a freshman and sophomore at Lawton MacArthur, Jump picked up a title for the Highlanders last season at 160, and he did so in convincing fashion. Now at Duncan, Jump will enter a stout field that includes Skiatook’s Richie Lee (37-1) and El Reno’s Kord LaFoe (24-5). A title for Jump would be Duncan’s first since 2011 (Markwae Sanders and Justin Hughes).
 
170: Christian Maldonado (Lawton Mac): This is a wide open field. Maldonado was second to Coweta’s Talon Borror last season, and Maldonado is a week removed from knocking off Piedmont’s Braden Culp, 7-4. But Culp is more than capable to make a run at a championship. Same goes for Skiatook’s Hunter Hall. This is about as wide open as it gets.
 
182: Talon Borror (Coweta): In 2016, Lawton MacArthur’s Nick Mahan beat Borror in the 160 quarterfinals. Since then, Borror hasn’t lost inside Norick Arena. Borror stormed to titles in 2017 and 2018. He’s 35-2 and looking for a third title to cap his high school career. Standing in his way could be Lawton Ike’s Muhammad A Al Zeragi (23-1) and Piedmont’s Austin Cooley (28-2).
 
195: Cabe Dickerson (Altus): It was Piedmont’s Will Heindselman that knocked off Dickerson, 8-7, in an ultimate tiebreaker in last year’s state finals. It was a crushing end to Dickerson’s sophomore season, and then he followed it up with an elbow injury that’s limited him to 12 matches this season. But if Dickerson is a full strength, the 195 crown should be his to lose.
 
220: Korbin McLaughlin (Skiatook): This is could make things interesting late into the state tournament. If Skiatook is coming down to the wire against Collinsville or Piedmont for the team crown, the Bulldogs will need McLaughlin to pick up as many points as possible. McLaughlin has posted two fourth-place finishes, but if he captures a championship it could propel Skiatook to a title.
 
285: Josh Heindselman (Piedmont): It was a Heindselman party at last year’s state tournament with Josh (220) and Will (195) both capturing gold. Now Josh will aim for Piedmont’s second-ever title at heavyweight, despite being possibly the smallest guy in the field. Lawton Mac’s Montana Phillips is a two-time state champion, and he’ll be out for some revenge after getting pinned at 2:15 by Heindselman at last week’s regional tournament.
 
 

Class 4A

Brackets posted here
106: Eli Griffin (Cascia Hall): Ranked 15th in the country, Griffin is aiming for his second championship in as many years. In order for the sophomore to do so, he’ll have to navigate a field that looks a lot like it did in 2018. Returning as qualifiers at 106 are Tuttle’s Ashton Grounds (35-8) and Cushing’s Luke Ahrberg (31-3) -- and they share space in the top half of the bracket. One way or another, the finals in 106 will be extremely entertaining.
 
113: Garrett Steidley (Tuttle): After grabbing his first title as a sophomore last season, Steidley is a heavy favorite at 113. Steidley rolled through regionals last week, but he enters a field with some solid contenders from the east -- Sallisaw’s Kaleb Harris (25-6) and Mannford’s Wade Landrum (28-8).

 
120: Reese Davis (Tuttle): With some big wins under his belt as a freshman, perhaps none were bigger than his rally at dual state against Wagoner in the finals to keep the Tigers’ unbeaten streak intact throughout the entire weekend. That win was against Wagoner’s Braden Drake, and Davis breezed past Harrah’s Breaden Williams in the regional semifinals. Then he did the same against Heritage Hall’s Cole Allen in the regional finals. Davis could be hitting his stride at the right time as a freshman.
 
126: Thaddeus Long (McLain): This time there’s no Ryder Ramsey in Long’s way. Long was second to Ramsey at 126 last season, and before that he finished third at 106 for Union in 2017. If Long captures a title for the Titans, it would be the school’s first since Greg Hawkins won at 178 in 1977.
 
132: Ryder Ramsey (Tuttle): Picking up his first title as a sophomore last season, Ramsey entered the state tournament 36-9. Now he heads to Oklahoma City at 43-3 and another key cog in Tuttle’s deep lineup.
 
138: Val Park (Heritage Hall): Since 2012, the Chargers have produced 17 state champions, including Kaden Gfeller’s four-year run from 2014 to 2017. And while he might not join the four-timers club, Val Park has been a staple of consistency for Heritage Hall at the lower weights since teaming with Gfeller during his senior season in 2017. Park will be after his third title in as many years, winning previously at 113 (2017) and 132 (last season).
 
145: Brady DeArmond (Tuttle): Despite Tuttle being so utterly dominant across the board in 4A for quite some time now, last season’s state tournament felt a little off with Tuttle only claiming three state titles. And DeArmond was one that settled for third place after losing to Heritage Hall’s Carson West in the 145 semifinals. DeArmond enters a field that could pose some challenges, including Fort Gibson’s Cade Waltman, but DeArmond appears poised to snare his first title during his junior season.
 
152: Luke Surber (Tuttle): Elgin’s Jacob Butler dashed any hopes that Surber had of becoming a four-time state champion with a sudden victory win against Surber in last year’s 138 finals. Since then, Surber has been nearly unbeatable on the mat for the Tigers, including tournament titles at the MidCals in Gilroy, California, and an individual championship at the Geary Tournament in January. There are some quality wrestlers at 152 -- Cache’s Duncan Shafer (30-2), Bristow’s Anthony Bigpond (20-5), Catoosa’s Abel Perez (41-6) -- but good luck trying to knock off Surber this year.
 
160: Jacob Ahrberg (Cushing): It was a fourth-place finish for Ahrberg last year at 145, a year after not placing at 126. Now Ahrberg arrives in Oklahoma City at 23-0, fresh off a dominant run at the east regional in Catoosa. Madill’s Colt Crowson (26-5) could pose a significant threat to Ahrberg in the bottom half of the bracket, and then there’s Tuttle freshman Harley Andrews lurking in the top half. Also, a little surprising but a Cushing wrestler hasn’t won a title since 2014 (Gage Stallworth).
 
170: Dustin Plott (Tuttle): There might not be a better wrestler in the state right now than Plott, ranked third nationally and who has gone 88-1 over the course of his sophomore season and his current junior campaign. The lone loss was a 6-5 decision to Blair Academy’s Julian Ramirez in the Geary Tournament finals this January. Plott went fall-fall-major decision to win last year’s title at 160, so don’t be surprised this year with tech fall-fall-fall (or something impressive like that).
 
182: Gage Hockett (Cushing): There’s been a natural progression each year Hockett has been in the state tournament. As a freshman, he was third at 160 in 2017, and last season he finished second with a loss to Plott in the 160 finals in 4A. This season he returns to Norick Arena at 29-0 after taking down Cleveland’s Tyler Johnson (18-8) with an 8-5 decision in the regional finals. The winner between Anadarko’s John Mark Holton (29-6) and Oologah’s Landon Brown (30-6) could pose a threat to Hockett in the semifinals on Friday, though.
 
195: Carson Berryhill (Tuttle): A state champion as a sophomore in 2017, Berryhill lost to Heritage Hall’s Colton Denney in the 170 finals last season. But Berryhill bounced back in the fall by quarterbacking the Tigers to the 4A title, and now he sports a 37-1 mark (only loss to Mustang’s Judson Rowland at the Geary Tournament), heading into the state tournament. Berryhill has even worked his way up to 11th in the nation at 195. In Berryhill’s crosshairs in Oklahoma City could possibly be Poteau’s Nate Ulmer (32-1) and Cushing Eriq Simpson (34-2).
 
220: Luke Fortney (Bristow): Now a junior, the best Fortney has done at the state tournament was fourth at 195 last season. Now he’s 25-0 and coming off a solid weekend at regionals. He’s steamrolled his way to titles at the Chuck West Invitational and the Cushing tournament, and if Fortney can with a title he’d be Bristow’s first since 2007 (Kale Biggs at 160).
 
285: Griffon Williams (Madill): Guaranteed to not have a Tuttle winner here. It’s the one weight the Tigers didn’t qualify at. It’s a pretty balanced field that includes Wagoner’s Jaydn Marshall (31-12), Bristow’s Steven Marlow (23-7) and Blanchard’s Ryder Wiese (31-6). But this could be the year Madill wins its first individual title since 2003, when Brent Parkey picked up his third title in as many years.
 
 

Class 3A

Brackets posted here
106: Gabe Valencia (Perry): Finished fourth last year in his first crack at the state tournament. Now a junior, Valencia drops down a weight class and enters the final weekend at 44-6. At dual state, Valencia beat Marlow’s Case Rich, but the Outlaws will send Tyler Lawson (38-6) into the mix for a possible showdown against Valencia in the finals.
 
113: Ryan Smith (Perry): There’s a lot of quality depth at this weight, but none more superlative than Smith (43-2), last year’s champion at 106. Bridge Creek’s Kaden Smith (37-8) and Locust Grove’s Hunter Fitzpatrick (24-5) could make for tough semifinals draws, but Smith could be on a collusion course with Walters’ Remington White, the program’s only wrestler and a 2017 state champion. White to Plainview’s Jaxson Roney in the 113 finals, and it could be Smith standing in the way of only the second wrestling championship at Walters.
 
120: Alex Prince (Vinita): It was Perry’s Logan Smith -- the weight’s top seed from the east -- who pinned Prince in the final two seconds of their semifinal class at Perry last week. That leaves Prince (40-7) with a tough draw of Hinton’s Brian Pastrana (27-3) in the quarterfinals and possibly Smith (24-11) in the semifinals. If he advances beyond that, Checotah’s Luke Collett (28-6) or Newkirk’s Dayton Cary could be waiting in the finals. That’s quite a load for Prince in his junior season.
 
126: Kolton Smith (Bridge Creek): Two years in a row, Smith has watched while a Perry wrestler stood atop the podium. In 2017, Smith lost 7-4 to Perry’s Cale Betchan at 120, and last season Smith was on the wrong end of a 4-2 decision against Perry’s Cade Nicholas. And now, Smith enters as the top seed from the west after beating Marlow’s Anthony Orum (31-4) in the west finals. If a Bridge Creek wrestler wins a title this season, it would be the school’s first.
 
132: Dylan Avery (Perry): Now a junior, Perry will be after his second title in as many years. The field is deep at 132, though, with the likes of Sulphur’s Kolbe Madron (36-8), Marlow’s Jordan Taylor (42-5), Pawnee’s Wesley Scott (35-2) and Morris’ Kolby Adams (31-6).
 
138: Price Perrier (Pawhuska): Mike Perrier won a state championship at 136 in 1990. That’s Price’s father. Dax Perrior won a state championship at 160 in 2010. That’s Price’s brother. Price could be carrying on a family legacy with a title. But the field is a deep one. Plenty of candidates could snag the 138 crown -- Perkins-Tryon’s Ayron Lawson (30-7), Marlow’s Kobey Kizarr (43-4), Kingfisher’s Stone Snodgrass (29-8) and Salina’s Austin Wilkins (20-8).
 
145: Kolby DePron (Bridge Creek): Like his teammate, Kolton Smtih, DePron watched as a Perry wrestler celebrated a championship last year. As a freshman, DePron logged a second-place showing at 132. Now he’s the favorite at 145, despite plenty of qualified candidates -- Morris’ Ryan Allred (30-7), Geary’s Landon Holt (31-5) and Salina’s Brier Smith (46-3).
 
152: Hadyn Redus (Perry): A title would be Redus’ second in as many years. Redus pinned Little Axe’s Alec McDoulett in the third period of last year’s 138 finals, and sure enough, McDoulett is back in the same state tournament field as Redus again. Mangum’s Daelin Stacy (24-7), Pawnee’s Blake Skidgel and Comanche’s Gage Miller (33-5) all pose serious threats, too.
 
160: Cade Shrosphire (Checotah): The only state champion in the history of Checotah Public Schools will go for his second straight title as a senior now. This time the field is a tad deeper. Barnsdall’s Joe Smith (31-3) is on the top half of the bracket with Shrosphire, and Marlow’s Tyler Lavey (38-3) occupies the bottom half. And Shrosphire narrowly edged past Lavey in the regional finals, 3-2.
 
170: Bryce Carter (Sperry): The returning champion at this spot is Comanche’s Cade Cook (35-4), and he’s back as the top seed out of the west for his junior year. He could pair up with Jay’s Zach Coy (46-1) in the semifinals, and that could end up being a coin toss -- which is basically was when Cook beat Coy, 2-1, in last year’s quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Carter is up from 160 at this time last year, and he enters the state field at 33-2. And much like Tuttle’s Carson Berryhill, he’s going for the one-two punch of football-and-wrestling championships. And never count out Perry’s Jace Burdick (34-13), who finished second to Cook in last year’s 170 finals.
 
182: River Simon (Vian): Only two wrestlers have ever won state championships at Vian, and one just so happens to be Simon (2017 at 170; the other is Landon Decker in 2012). Simon, an Army signee, missed last year’s state tournament due to various injuries, and he hasn’t wrestled a full schedule to this point (only 22-1). But when he’s on the mat, he’s tough to beat. Sulphur’s Trey Kiser (36-7) is on the bottom half of the bracket, and he gets Vinita’s Zach Wattenbarger (43-3) in the quarterfinals. Then there’s Perry’s Kohl Owen (37-10), last year’s champion at 182.
 
195: Drake Barbee (Blackwell): What a story Barbee is. Endured a horrifying car accident two years ago, and now he’s back in the state tournament field as the top seed from the east. Barbee is 34-4 and he finished second at 182 at his last state tournament in 2017 -- when he wrestled for Stilwell. Already signed to wrestle at Arkansas-Little Rock in college, Barbee motored through the regional field, including a win by fall over Tonkawa’s Simeon Shepherd in the third period. The 195 field also features Little Axe’s Caeden Guthary (30-5), Hinton’s Denver Dahlenburg (29-3) and Perry’s Brandon Speikers (44-8).
 
220: Konner Doucet (Comanche): Already halfway to the four-timers club, Doucet, for the first time, enters the state tournament unbeaten in a season. He is 37-0 cruised through the regional tournament last weekend. Last year, he knocked off Sperry’s A.J. McEntire in the finals, 4-2, and as a freshman he was pegged as the 195 champion when Sulphur’s Dan Baker was disqualified in a controversial ending in extra time. Now Doucet is ranked sixth nationally at 220. Some of the others at 220 include Vinita’s Brodie Miller (39-6), Vian’s Cruz Partain (34-2) and Berryhill’s Nico Lopez.
 
285: Cooper Webb (Davis): Looking for his second straight title, Webb is 29-1 this season. He’ll have his work cut out for him against the likes of Geary’s Chase Merkey (33-3), Perry’s Teaguan Wilson (30-6) and Locust Grove’s Dalton Shatto (26-1). In fact, it was Webb who beat Shatto, 9-5, in last year’s heavyweight finals. Fun fact: Cooper’s brother, Conner Webb, won three titles for Davis from 2015 to 2017, and Cooper could still tie him with a championship this year and next.

**Photos courtesy of Austin Bernard/Owrestle.com
 

Have your own predictions or have feedback? Email me at ben@skordle.com

CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEWS: Classes 6AI & 6AII

11/27/2018 |  Ben Johnson

Not to worry, the track is not set to repeat. It only feels like that.
Jenks is going after another Class 6AI gold ball this Friday. This time, it’s not against Union, but instead against a Broken Arrow team that was been on a roll ever since coming out of the chute in August.
It’ll be a traditional power taking on a program that is on the cusp of transforming itself into a traditional power. The Tigers could enter that lofty atmosphere, just one year after Owasso did the same thing.

Meanwhile, in Class 6AII, it’s Bixby against the revolving door. Since the Spartans made a championship game appearance an annual trip since the advent of 6AII, Bixby has taken on varying number of opponents. Twice Bixby has played Lawton, then there was Sand Springs one time and last year it was Booker T. Washington.
In 2018, Bixby will welcome Stillwater into the title fold. The Pioneers, with perhaps the best quarterback-running back duo on Gunnar Gundy and Qwontrel Walker, will chase their first state title in more than 40 years. What a job Tucker Barnard has done in Payne County.

Now, on to the game previews….


*All games scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m.

Class 6AI

No. 1 Broken Arrow (12-0) vs. No. 2 Jenks (11-1)

Where: Chapman Stadium (University of Tulsa)

Road to the title game

- Broken Arrow: 49-0 vs. Moore in the quarterfinals; 10-7 vs. Owasso in the semifinals
- Jenks: 42-12 vs. Putnam City North in the quarterfinals; 27-24 vs. Union in the semifinals

What to watch for

- Broken Arrow’s Noah Cortes vs. Jenks’ defense: Only two teams have managed to keep the Tigers’ tailback in check all season long -- Jenks and Mansfield (Texas). Cortes finished with 90 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries in Broken Arrow’s win over Jenks earlier this season. Cortes has been a man on a mission this entire season, but Jenks is bound to have a few schemes in the works to limit Cortes’ production. It will be a matter of Cortes’ finding room for a big play from scrimmage.

- Jenks’ Ian Corwin efficiency: The Trojan’s senior quarterback has not given the ball away much this season. He has completed 138 of his 226 pass attempts for 2,245 yards and 19 touchdowns. Only eight of those incompletions have gone for interceptions. One of the giveaways was to Broken Arrow’s Bryce Mattioda in the fourth quarter of the game between the two teams in September. In Corwin’s last game -- Jenks’ 27-24 win over Union -- he completed 20 of 34 passes for 344 yards and three touchdowns.

- Championship game comfort: Neither team played in last year’s 6AI title tilt, but Jenks’ roster is littered with players used to playing for golden supremacy. The prevailing question is, how will Broken Arrow’s players handle the spotlight? Despite Jenks’ early score to put the Trojans up 7-0 in the matchup in September, Broken Arrow owned much of the first half, and Jenks coach Keith Riggs admitted it. “They played well and got after us, especially in the first half,” he told the Tulsa World after the game. So can Broken Arrow strike early again, or will both teams be forced to grind it out early and often?

Random facts

- On Sept. 20, Broken Arrow beat Jenks, 28-13. The Tigers’ defense stifled Jenks throughout the game and limited the Trojans to 135 yards on offense.
- According to Broken Arrow’s stat tracker, the Tigers managed only seven “chunk” plays against Jenks on Sept. 20. Four of the seven plays came in the second quarter, highlighted by Quintevin Cherry’s 20-yard TD run that gave the Tigers a 14-7 lead. Tate Robards hit Matt Kaiser for two of the plays -- a 25-yard completion in the first quarter and a 15-yard completion in the second period. Noah Cortes had three of the plays with rushes of 13, 16 and 11 yards.
- This will be the second time for Broken Arrow and Jenks to meet in a championship game. The Trojans beat the Tigers, 35-14, in 2015.
- Broken Arrow has never beaten Jenks twice in one season.
- Head coach David Alexander, in his fifth season at Broken Arrow, is 43-16; This is Keith Riggs’ first year as head coach at Jenks after replacing Allan Trimble and his 22-year tenure.
- Jenks is 16-8 in championship games; Broken Arrow is 0-3.
- A title would be …… Jenks’ 17th; Broken Arrow’s first.

Prediction panel

Michael Swisher: Broken Arrow over Jenks - No reason to believe this won't hold true. Sure, BA looked less-than-stellar in its semifinal win over Owasso. However, many a title run have included games where the eventual champ had to win when it wasn't at its best (even in a three-game march to a title). The Tigers are still the most complete team and will send the Jenks-Union drought to a catastrophic second year.
Ben Johnson: Jenks over Broken Arrow - I’ve seen this script before. There was Spencer McIllwain in 2002, then there was Coleby Evans in 2011 and recently it was Cooper Nunley and Dillon Stoner in 2015. I grew up on the Tigers falling short in championship games. This Tigers team is different, from Matt Kaiser to Noah Cortes to Zach Marcheselli to Bryce Mattioda to Andrew Raym. This Broken Arrow roster is loaded. I believe Broken Arrow is fully capable of winning its first gold ball. But I also believe Jenks will give the Tigers all they want in the second meeting between these two this season. I’ve operated under the umbrella that I can’t pick Broken Arrow until I see it win a championship -- just like last year, I wasn’t going to pick against Union or Jenks until I saw someone beat them in a title game. Plus, I’ve been so bad at picking this year that I’m really doing Broken Arrow a solid here.
Whitt Carter: Broken Arrow over Jenks - This was my pick at the start of the playoffs and I'll stick with it. I've been on the Broken Arrow train since August and was feeling great about it, until last week. The Tigers were seriously challenged by an Owasso team they had already beaten by four touchdowns earlier this season. The Tigers will have an even tougher test in a Jenks squad that has rolled since Broken Arrow beat them 28-13 in September. I think it'll be another close one this week and like last week, I think the Broken Arrow defense comes up with a big play or turnover late in the game that turns out to be the difference.

Class 6AII

No. 2 Bixby (11-1) vs. No. 1 Stillwater (12-0)

Where: Owasso Stadium (Owasso High School)

Road to the title game

- Bixby: 70-14 vs. Lawton in the quarterfinals; 24-21 vs. Midwest City in the semifinals
- Stillwater: 48-13 vs. Muskogee in the quarterfinals; 38-28 vs. Booker T. Washington in the semifinals

What to watch for

- Qwontrel Walker against Bixby’s defense: Qwontrel Walker -- 1,968 yards and 33 touchdowns on 254 carries in 11 games -- has been slowed down in only one game this season. Oh, also, that was a game he didn’t play in. Walker was forced to sit out the Lawton contest after some shenanigans in the Choctaw game in the week. But the point remains, Walker has been a force with the ball in his hands. Also a force? Bixby’s defense. The Spartans were able to slow down Midwest City’s Preston Colbert and Co. just enough to advance out of the semifinals. Prior to that, the Spartans’ defense had made life miserable for offenses at Booker T. Washington, Bartlesville, Sand Springs, Muskogee and Lawton. Brody Sartin leads in tackles (127), Ethan Hall has 12 sacks and Brennan Presley has snagged the most interceptions (six).

- Mason Williams’ big stage: Tanner Griffin handed the torch off to Staton King, and now Mason Williams is driving the Bixby quarterback bus. And what a sophomore season he’s had. All he’s done is complete 67.8 percent (198 of 292) of his passes for 3,140 yards and 36 touchdowns. And just eight interceptions. The Spartans offense is full of youngsters, but Williams has taken the reins and commanded a Spartans’ offense that has averaged 43.6 points per contest.

- Stillwater’s overlooked defense: The Pioneers’ offense features Gunnar Gundy, Anthony Bland and Qwontrel Walker. But Stillwater’s defense has managed to limit Midwest City to 13 points and Del City to 21. Winston Watkins leads with 119 tackles and 17 tackles for loss. Then there’s Kobe Holley, Garrick Martin and Cedrik Frazier, all of whom have four interceptions apiece.

Random facts

- Bixby head coach Loren Montgomery took over in 2010. He’s gone 67-38 over the course of nine years now.
- Stillwater head coach Tucker Barnard took over in 2011. He’s gone 50-37 over the course of eight years now.
- Bixby’s leading rusher this season is a freshman, Braylin Presley, who has collected 716 yards and 12 touchdowns on 94 carries.
- Stillwater quarterback Gunnar Gundy has thrown for 2,348 yards and 25 touchdowns while completing 135 of his 208 pass attempts this season. He’s only thrown four interceptions, and he’s only been sacked three times.
- Stillwater wideout Anthony Bland is 74 yards away from 1,000 this season. He has 926 yards and 10 touchdowns on 51 catches -- and none bigger than his game winner against Lawton to wrap up Stillwater’s 23-20 win on Oct. 12.
- Not long ago it seemed like Bixby might never win a title, going 0 for 8 in championship games after a loss to Carl Albert in the 2009 Class 5A title game. Then the Spartans won the 6AII title game in 2014, and now they are going for their fourth in five seasons.
- Stillwater’s last appearance in a championship game was in 1977 in the 3A title game against Duncan. The Pioneers’ last victory in a title game was in 1967.
- A title would be ….. Bixby’s fourth; Stillwater’s second.

Prediction panel

Michael Swisher: Bixby over Stillwater - Just like 6A-I, I see no reason to change my prediction from the beginning of the playoffs. If Qwontrel Walker can have a massive game, I give the Pioneers a puncher's chance. But I think Bixby still has the best defense of the two and that's what it will come down to. Spartans reclaim their throne.
Ben Johnson: Bixby over Stillwater - We a have a rarity -- the two teams I picked to be in the title game are actually here. What’s crazy is Stillwater has the star power in Qwontrel Walker, Gunnar Gundy and Anthony Bland, but this could be Mason Williams’ true coming out party. He’s been great for the Spartans, but this will be one everyone around the state takes notice. Another scary fact about both of these teams: neither team graduates a lot of players, so I may go ahead and predict a repeat title game for this time next year.
Whitt Carter: Bixby over Stillwater - This was another one I picked before the playoffs and I'll stick with it. I think Stillwater has a great chance with the weapons they possess on offense. But Bixby has been in this position every year since the start of 6A-2 and I think that means something. The Spartans have turned heads all year long with their consistency. They have the ability to score with just about anyone and their defense makes life tough on people, even Stillwater. I think it will be close in the third quarter, but look for Bixby's experience and coaching to rise up late in the game and give the Spartans another 6A-2 state title.

PLAYOFF PICKS: Week 1 edition

11/9/2018 |  Ben Johnson

All hail Randy Turney and his picking skills. He made it look easy while beating the snot out of Swisher, Whitt and myself. He spent 11 weeks picking games and gradually putting all of us away -- well, most of us. Swisher might have an outside shot of catching him. We'll see how it plays out. Me, on the other hand, I have to face the music and wave the white flag. Picking for pride now! 

Week 10 picks - Coach Turney 19-7 | Whitt 19-7 | Swisher 18-8 | Ben 13-13

Overall - Turney 158-52 | Swisher 151-59 | Whitt 148-58 | Ben 140-70

Now I present picks for the first round of the playoffs:

Norman at Owasso

Michael Swisher: Owasso 38, Norman 24

Ben Johnson: Owasso 33, Norman 31

Whitt Carter: Owasso 34, Norman 24

Randy Turney: Owasso 28, Norman 7

Edmond Santa Fe at Union

Michael Swisher: Union 31, Edmond Santa Fe 21

Ben Johnson: Union 31, Edmond Santa Fe 13

Whitt Carter: Union 37, Edmond Santa Fe 13

Randy Turney: Union 32, Edmond Santa Fe 14

Del City at Booker T. Washington

Michael Swisher: Del City 33, Booker T. Washington 20

Ben Johnson: Del City 23, Booker T. Washington 19

Whitt Carter: Del City 27, Booker T. Washington 21

Randy Turney: Booker T. Washington 21, Del City 20

Lawton at Bixby

Michael Swisher: Bixby 28, Lawton 13

Ben Johnson: Bixby 28, Lawton 7

Whitt Carter: Bixby 41, Lawton 21

Randy Turney: Bixby 42, Lawton 20

Sapulpa at Midwest City

Michael Swisher: Midwest City 39, Sapulpa 24

Ben Johnson: Midwest City 36, Sapulpa 20

Whitt Carter: Midwest City 35, Sapulpa 14

Randy Turney: Midwest City 42, Sapulpa 7

Altus at Bishop McGuinness

Michael Swisher: Bishop McGuinness 28, Altus 14

Ben Johnson: Bishop McGuinness 24, Altus 16

Whitt Carter: Bishop McGuinness 37, Altus 24

Randy Turney: Bishop McGuinness 24, Altus 14

Guthrie at Duncan

Michael Swisher: Duncan 14, Guthrie 12

Ben Johnson: Duncan 20, Guthrie 13

Whitt Carter: Duncan 28, Guthrie 27

Randy Turney: Guthrie 21, Duncan 14

Claremore at Edison

Michael Swisher: Edison 24, Claremore 22

Ben Johnson: Claremore 29, Edison 23

Whitt Carter: Edison 34, Claremore 28

Randy Turney: Claremore 23, Edison 21

Coweta at Tahlequah

Michael Swisher: Tahlequah 27, Coweta 23

Ben Johnson: Tahlequah 30, Coweta 27

Whitt Carter: Tahlequah 30, Coweta 21

Randy Turney: Tahlequah 30, Coweta 16

Hilldale at Bristow

Michael Swisher: Bristow 38, Hilldale 30

Ben Johnson: Bristow 29, Hilldale 18

Whitt Carter: Bristow 37, Hilldale 31

Randy Turney: Bristow 42, Hilldale 10

Catoosa at Broken Bow

Michael Swisher: Broken Bow 30, Catoosa 12

Ben Johnson: Broken Bow 20, Catoosa 10

Whitt Carter: Catoosa 27, Broken Bow 24

Randy Turney: Broken Bow 38, Catoosa 20

Blanchard at Cache

Michael Swisher: Blanchard 31, Cache 30

Ben Johnson: Cache 37, Blanchard 32

Whitt Carter: Cache 21, Blanchard 20

Randy Turney: Blanchard 32, Cache 14

Seminole at Berryhill 

Michael Swisher: Berryhill 28, Seminole 20

Ben Johnson: Berryhill 36, Seminole 27

Whitt Carter: Seminole 37, Berryhill 35

Randy Turney: Berryhill 28, Seminole 14

Stigler at Locust Grove

Michael Swisher: Locust Grove 19, Stigler 16

Ben Johnson: Locust Grove 23, Stigler 22

Whitt Carter: Stigler 28, Locust Grove 26

Randy Turney: Locust Grove 24, Stigler 16

John Marshall at Plainview

Michael Swisher: John Marshall 22, Plainview 20

Ben Johnson: John Marshall 30, Plainview 26

Whitt Carter: Plainview 35, John Marshall 31

Randy Turney: John Marshall 27, Plainview 20

Victory Christian at Metro Christian

Michael Swisher: Victory Christian 30, Metro Christian 24

Ben Johnson: Metro Christian 42, Victory Christian 27

Whitt Carter: Metro Christian 34, Victory Christian 21

Randy Turney: Metro Christian 30, Victory Christian 24

Kellyville at Perry

Michael Swisher: Perry 24, Kellyville 21

Ben Johnson: Perry 24, Kellyville 17

Whitt Carter: Perry 27, Kellyville 20

Randy Turney: Perry 34, Kellyville 20

Spiro at Eufaula

Michael Swisher: Eufaula 20, Spiro 19

Ben Johnson: Eufaula 32, Spiro 22

Whitt Carter: Spiro 21, Eufaula 18

Randy Turney: Eufaula 24, Spiro 23

Okemah at Oklahoma Christian School

Michael Swisher: OCS 38, Okemah 20

Ben Johnson: OCS 43, Okemah 32

Whitt Carter: OCS 35, Okemah 28

Randy Turney: OCS 34, Okemah 21

Chisholm at Meeker

Michael Swisher: Meeker 30, Chisholm 28

Ben Johnson: Meeker 31, Chisholm 19

Whitt Carter: Chisholm 24, Meeker 20

Randy Turney: Meeker 32, Chisholm 14

Christian Heritage at Ringling

Michael Swisher: Ringlng 30, Christian Heritage 22

Ben Johnson: Ringlng 26, Christian Heritage 21

Whitt Carter: Ringling 31, Christian Heritage 28

Randy Turney: Ringling 28, Christian Heritage 7

Thomas at Frederick

Michael Swisher: Frederick 24, Thomas 14

Ben Johnson: Thomas 26, Frederick 22

Whitt Carter: Thomas 37, Frederick 24

Randy Turney: Thomas 14, Frederick 13

Central Sallisaw at Wayne

Michael Swisher: Central Sallisaw 34, Wayne 32

Ben Johnson: Wayne 33, Central Sallisaw 27

Whitt Carter: Wayne 42, Central Sallisaw 38

Randy Turney: Wayne 28, Central Sallisaw 18

Wynnewood at Gore

Michael Swisher: Gore 31, Wynnewood 28

Ben Johnson: Wynnewood 34, Gore 31

Whitt Carter: Gore 35, Wynnewood 31

Randy Turney: Wynnewood 20, Gore 18

Yale at Foyil

Michael Swisher: Foyil 30, Yale 22

Ben Johnson: Yale 44, Foyil 29

Whitt Carter: Yale 44, Foyil 36

Randy Turney: Yale 42, Foyil 12

Pioneer at Seiling

Michael Swisher: Seiling 24, Pioneer 21

Ben Johnson: Pioneer 45, Seiling 19

Whitt Carter: Seiling 42, Pioneer 40

Randy Turney: Pioneer 27, Seiling 22

Covington-Douglas at Paoli

Michael Swisher: Paoli 38, Covington-Douglas 28

Ben Johnson: Paoli 39, Covington-Douglas 28

Whitt Carter: Paoli 42, Covington-Douglas 32

Randy Turney: Paoli 34, Covington-Douglas 22

Medford at Graham-Dustin

Michael Swisher: Graham-Dustin 50, Medford 33

Ben Johnson: Graham-Dustin 49, Medford 32

Whitt Carter: Graham-Dustin 38, Medford 34

Randy Turney: Medford 34, Graham-Dustin 20

Tyrone at Fox

Michael Swisher: Tyrone 40, Fox 35

Ben Johnson: Tyrone 38, Fox 37

Whitt Carter: Fox 46, Tyrone 38

Randy Turney: Tyrone 38, Fox 20

Midway at Coyle

Michael Swisher: Coyle 39, Midway 30

Ben Johnson: Coyle 55, Midway 22

Whitt Carter: Coyle 36, Midway 30

Randy Turney: Coyle 48, Midway 12

Let us know what you think. Tweet your predictions to us at @Skordle.

Class 6AII playoff preview

11/5/2018 |  Ben Johnson

Players to watch

- Miles Davis (Lawton): Win or lose, there has been a constant for Lawton this season and it's been Davis' playmaking ability on the ground. The senior tailback has piled up 1,911 yards and 20 touchdowns on 280 carries.

- Qwontrel Walker (Stillwater): Part of the three-headed monster for the Pioneers on offense. The sophomore tailback has churned one monster game after another this season, including last week's 268-yard, four-touchdown effort in a win over Del City.

- Jeff Foreman (Del City): Senior wideout has hauled in 61 catches for 1,167 yards and 15 touchdowns for the Eagles this season.

- Thomas Grayson (Booke T. Washngton): With the Hornets' passing game struggling at times, Booker T. Washington could turn to Grayson to shoulder the load on the ground. With his recruitment reopened, some monster games in the playoffs could coincide with some high-level offers.

- Mason Williams (Bixby): Staton King graduated and the questions were whether the Spartans could find reliable quarterbacking help. They did so and then some. Williams has burst onto the scene, completing 166 of 246 passes for 30 touchdowns.

- Eli Williams (Sapulpa): Dual-threat quarterback has the Chieftains back in the playoffs for the first time since 2013.

- Preston Colbert (Midwest City): Bombers' quarterback has passed for 1,900 yards and 24 touchdowns this season. And out of 219 pass attempts, only three have turned into interceptions.

Don't overlook... Stillwater

Sounds silly to say not to overlook the No. 1 team in Class 6AII, but this class if full of premier individual talent. Stillwater has plenty of it, but no one to the level of Booker T. Washington's Dax Hill or Midwest City's Preston Colbert. What the Pioneers do have is Gunnar Gundy at quarterback, Qwontrel Walker at tailback and Anthony Bland at wide receiver. And we should create a subcategory here saying not to overlook Stillwater's defense, which has been stout enough to keep the Pioneers unbeaten through a rigorous 6AII-1 slate.

Favorite (potential) matchup - Bixby vs. Midwest City

A high-powered offense (Midwest City) against a shutdown defense (Bixby). Sign me up. The Spartans' defense going against Preston Colbert and his dynamic offense would be one heckuva show. Of course, a Stillwater-Del City rematch or Stillwater-Booker T. Washington game on the other side of the bracket wouldn't be bad either. 

Coaching candor

How do other high school coaches see the 6AII postseason playing out? We asked and they made their predictions (after being granted anonymity, of course). 

Coach One: "I think Bixby will be the only team from the east to win (in the quarterfinals). They should win it all. They have a lot of depth and are very well coached. Their outside linebackers are as good as I've seen. The team as a whole is very talented and disciplined."

Coach Two: "My winner is Bixby. Most complete team. Was very young at the beginning of the year, and now they are playing like an experienced team."

Prediction time

Michael Swisher: Bixby over Stillwater - While Stillwater has - rightfully - received a lot of attention for its 10-0 season, Bixby has quietly, at least on this side of the state, racked up a 9-1 record. Now that it’s playoff time, the Spartans will make all the noise. Stillwater can hurt you in multiple ways and its ground game is a great formula for success in the postseason, but Bixby will find a way. It’s the 6A-II playoffs. It’s just what Bixby does. The Spartans have given up more than seven points once in their last eight games. They’ll find a way to frustrate Stillwater and score just enough points to win the class they own yet again.

Ben Johnson: Bixby over Stillwater - Much like Class 6AI, the semifinals in this class will be off the charts. Stillwater, should it reach the semifinals, will have its hands full with either Del City or Booker T. Washington. Meanwhile, Bixby would have to overcome Lawton's Miles Davis in the quarterfinals and then Midwest City's slew of talent in the semifinals. But the Spartans are good enough to overcome all of that with Mason Williams at quarterback, Braylin Presley at running back and a host of wide receivers, including Cade Cavender and Brennan Presley. And that Sparans defense, yowza. Oh, should also mention that Braylin Presley is a freshman for the Spartans, so have fun with him for three more years, other 6AII teams.

Whitt Carter: Bixby over Stillwater - Some wondered if Bixby would continue their reign on 6A-2, but the Spartans picked right up where they left off and are one of the favorites heading into the playoffs. Bixby is 9-1 and has played for the 6A-2 state title all four years since the inception of the class in 2014. Mason Williams has thrown for 30 touchdowns and 2,621 yards on the year to go with the usual stellar Bixby defense, allowing just over 10 points per game. Stillwater, on the other hand, has been arguably the state's biggest surprise this season. The Pioneers are loaded with offensive talent, led by star running back Qwontrel Walker and rock-solid quarterback Gunnar Gundy. I think this is the matchup everyone wants to see, but this class is loaded. It should be a fun few weeks no matter who plays for the title, but I'll take Bixby to win its' fourth state championship in five years.

Week 10 rankings

10/29/2018 |  Ben Johnson

Here's the top 10 in each class heading into Week 10

Class 6AI

1. Broken Arrow (1) - 9-0

2. Jenks (2) - 8-1

3. Union (3) - 7-2

4. Edmond Santa Fe (4) - 7-2

5. Putnam City North (6) - 8-1

6. Moore (8) - 5-4

7. Owasso (5) - 5-4

8. Yukon (9) - 5-4

9. Norman (10) - 5-4

10. Westmoore (7) - 5-4

Class 6AII

1. Stillwater (1) - 9-0

2. Bixby (2) - 8-1

3. Midwest City (4) - 7-2

4. Del City (5) - 7-2

5. Booker T. Washington (6) - 6-3

6. Lawton (4) - 5-4

7. Muskogee (8) - 6-3

8. Sapulpa (7) - 6-3

9. Choctaw (9) - 4-5

10. Sand Springs (NR) - 3-6

Class 5A

1. Carl Albert (1) - 9-0

2. Ardmore (2) - 9-0

3. Collinsville (3) - 9-0

4. Bishop McGuinness (4) - 8-1

5. Altus (5) - 8-1

6. Bishop Kelley (8) - 7-2

7. Tahlequah (8) - 8-1

8. Guthrie (6) - 7-2

9. Claremore (9) - 6-3

10. Duncan (10) - 8-1

Class 4A

1. Poteau (1) - 9-0

2. Tuttle (2) - 9-0

3. Wagoner (5) - 8-1

4. Blanchard (3) - 7-2

5. Bristow (4) - 8-1

6. Bethany (6) - 8-1

7. Broken Bow (8) - 7-2

8. Hilldale (9) - 8-1

9. Catoosa (8) - 7-2

10. Clinton (10) - 8-1

Class 3A

1. Heritage Hall (1) - 8-1

2. Berryhill (2) - 9-0

3. John Marshall (3) - 8-1

4. Sulphur (4) - 8-1

5. Lincoln Christian (5) - 8-1

6. Plainview (6) - 7-2

7. Kingfisher (7) - 6-3

8. Seminole (8) - 7-2

9. Stigler (10) - 7-2

10. Locust Grove (NR) - 7-2

Class 2A

1. Millwood (1) - 9-0

2. Sperry (2) - 9-0

3. Jones (3) - 8-1

4. Beggs (4) - 8-1

5. Holland Hall (5) - 7-2

6. Vian (6) - 7-2

7. Washington (7) - 7-2

8. Kingston (8) - 8-1

9. Meeker (9) - 8-1

10. Coalgate (10) - 8-1

Class A

1. Hooker (1) - 9-0

2. Cashion (2) - 9-0

3. Minco (3) - 8-1

4. Rejoice Christian (4) - 9-0

5. Ringling (6) - 9-0

6. Stroud (7) - 8-1

7. Tonkawa (8) - 8-1

8. Crossings Christian (5) - 8-2

9. Morrison (9) - 8-1

10. Frederick (10) - 8-1

Class B

1. Shattuck (1) - 8-0

2. Davenport (2) - 9-0 

3. Regent Prep (3) - 8-0

4. Snyder (4) - 8-0

5. Laverne (5) - 7-2

6. Dewar (6) - 8-1

7. Waurika (8) - 8-0

8. Yale (7) - 7-2

9. Weleetka (NR) - 7-2

10. Keota (10) - 6-1

Class C

1. SW Covenant (1) - 8-0

2. Tipton (2) - 7-2

3. Buffalo (3) - 9-0

4. Coyle (4) - 6-2

5. Pond Creek-Hunter (5) - 8-1

6. Tyrone (6) - 6-2

7. Paoli (7) - 9-1

8. Graham-Dustin (9) - 9-0

9. Medford (10) - 5-3

10. Covington-Douglas (9) - 6-4

() - Last week's ranking

*Photo courtesy of Jason Elmquist/Stillwater

               

Week 9: Top 10 games

10/24/2018 |  Ben Johnson

We are two weeks away from playoff games starting. But for now, it's time to hand out playoff berths and district titles.

Here's what's on tap for week nine:

1. 5A No. 4 Bishop McGuinness (7-1) at 5A No. 6 Guthrie (7-1): Laying low and waiting for the final two weeks of the season -- that's been Bishop McGuinness for about a month now. The playoffs essentially start now for the Irish with Guthrie in the crosshairs, followed by Carl Albert. The winner all but secures a home playoff game in the first round, whereas a Bishop McGuinness win sets up a showdown for the district title next week against the Titans. Should mention that Bishop McGuinness has won four of the past six matchups against Guthrie since 2012.

2. 6AI No. 2 Jenks (7-1) at 6AI No. 4 Edmond Santa Fe (7-1): The Wolves had a chance to make a splash against Broken Arrow two weeks ago and got beat 35-7. But Edmond Santa Fe can still earn a home playoff game and all but wrap up second place in 6AI-1 with a victory. Jenks, meanwhile, has been on a roll since losing to Broken Arrow on Sept. 20

3. A No. 2 Cashion (8-0) at A No. 5 Crossings Christian (8-1): Another week, another District A-3 game in the top 10. This time, it's the top two teams clashing for the district title. This is it for Crossings Christian in the regular season; a win and the Knights enjoy a bye week in week 10 with the playoffs around the corner. A victory for Cashion will be followed by a another interesting matchup with Minco next week. Never a dull moment in A-3.

4. 4A No. 7 Catoosa (7-1) at 4A No. 5 Bristow (7-1): For the first time since 1989, these two I-44 establishments will square off, and thanks to Oologah and Wagoner it's a glorified mess atop 4A-3. Wagoner, Oologah, Bristow and Catoosa are all 4-1 in district play, so the winner of this one at least feels better about staying home for a first-round playoff matchup. Plus, Bristow's Tyler Wayland and Catoosa' Daniel Queen sharing a field is exciting within itself.

5. 6AII No. 5 Del City (6-2) at 6AII No. 4 Lawton (5-3): The Wolverines had Stillwater on the ropes, and they flat out gave up too many points against Midwest City. Del City was throttled last week by Midwest City. Needless to say, one of these two desperately needs a victory. The winner likely finishes third and earns a date at Booker T. Washington in the opening round of the playoffs. That's a much better option than venturing to Bixby.

6. 3A No. 5 Lincoln Christian (7-1) at 3A No. 9 Idabel (6-2): Raise your hand if you have a firm handle on how things are playing out in District 3A-3. Now put it down, because no one knows what's happening in that chaotic mess. Both Lincoln Christian and Idabel seem likely to be playoff representatives from 3A-3, so this one is more about district supremacy. It's likely the result will be whatever further creates havoc in that bizarro district.

7. Hominy (6-2) at A No. 9 Morrison (7-1): Class A has itself some stacked districts -- A-3 and A-5 come to mind. Here we have more A-5 hijinks afoot. Morrison has been dominant this season, outside of its loss to Tonkawa. Hominy's only district loss was a six-point setback against Pawhuska. Morrison's rushing attack against Hominy Hipp brothers (Blake and Mike) should be fun to watch. All eight clashes between these two have occurred since 2008, and Morrison has won six of them.

8. Skiatook (6-2) at 5A No. 3 Collinsville (8-0): A few weeks ago, this one looked like it had all the makings of a week nine district clash for the 5A-4 title. Then Skiatook went and lost to Tahlequah and Claremore and now appears to be almost assuredly locked into the No. 4 spot in the district. The Bulldogs, though, can claim some Highway 20 bragging rights with a win. Neither defense has given up more than 69 points this season, so expect plenty of carries and a quick game.

9. B No. 6 Dewar (7-1) at B No. 10 Keota (6-1): Perhaps the best defense not mentioned in the state resides in Keota this season. The Lions have given up only 58 points and only 14 in their last four games. Then there's Dewar, a team that's averaging 47.6 points per contest. Winner here claims the B-6 crown.

10. 4A No. 4 Blanchard (6-2) at Cushing (4-4): Upon further review, Cushing might have been overlooked early on this season. But the Tigers continue to churn out points, much like they've done in recent seasons. Bryce Madron is a running machine for the Lions, and Cushing's Wil Moyer continues to rack up passing yards every week. Expect some offensive fireworks in this one.

Honorable mention

Westmoore at Norman: Fourth place in 6AI-1 is up for grabs here. Of course, being in the playoffs will mean a trip to Union in the first round. But, better to have a shot than closing up shop after the regular season.

Midwest City at Choctaw: Choctaw in desperate need of a win to keep its playoff hopes alive. Any letdown from the Bombers after torching Del City last week?

Coweta at Bishop Kelley: The Comets have been coasting along in 5A-3 play this year. Their defense, though, should get a challenge from Coweta quarterback J.D. Geneva this week.

Perkins-Tryon at John Marshall: In a different district in 3A, Perkins would be competing for a district title. But the Demons' have the misfortune of being paired with Heritage Hall, John Marshall and Kingfisher. Still, though, don't sleep on Perkins-Tryon against the Bears this week.

Pauls Valley at Plainview: Winner likely finishes second in 3A-2 and welcomes Kingfisher to town in the first round of the playoffs. That's no picnic, but seems like a better option than traveling to John Marshall.

Verdigris at Locust Grove: Berryhill is the class of 3A-4, but Verdigris has worked itself into position to possibly host a playoff game. The Pirates' defense has been stingy this season, but next up is Verdigris quarterback Brant Hager and running back Hayden Hutchinson.

Okemah at Jones: The Longhorns haven't been challenged much this season. The Panthers need a win to keep playoff hopes alive in 3A-2.

Prague at Meeker: Staying in 3A-2, Meeker can solidify its spot in the No. 2 spot with a win. Prague is tussling with Kellyville and Okemah just to get into the playoffs.

Shattuck at Seiling: A victory for Shattuck wraps up the B-1 crown.

Tyrone at Pond Creek-Hunter: Buffalo has reigned supreme in C-1, so it's now down between PC-Hunter and Tyrone to claim the second spot.

So who wins all the matchups? Check back for our weekly picks on Thursday.

*Photo courtesy of Coweta football

Week 9 rankings

10/22/2018 |  Ben Johnson

Here's the top 10 in each class heading into Week 9

Class 6AI

1. Broken Arrow (1) - 8-0

2. Jenks (2) - 7-1

3. Union (3) - 6-2

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

5. Owasso (5) - 5-3

6. Putnam City North (6) - 7-1

7. Westmoore (7) - 5-3

8. Moore (8) - 4-4

9. Yukon (9) - 4-4

10. Norman (NR) - 4-4

Class 6AII

1. Stillwater (1) - 8-0

2. Bixby (2) - 7-1

3. Midwest City (4) - 6-2

4. Lawton (5) - 5-3

5. Del City (3) - 6-2

6. Booker T. Washington (6) - 5-3

7. Sapulpa (7) - 6-2

8. Muskogee (8) - 5-3

9. Choctaw (9) - 4-4

10. Bartlesville (NR) - 3-5

Class 5A

1. Carl Albert (1) - 8-0

2. Ardmore (2) - 8-0

3. Collinsville (3) - 8-0

4. Bishop McGuinness (4) - 7-1

5. Altus (5) - 7-1

6. Guthrie (7) - 7-1

7. Tahlequah (8) - 7-1

8. Bishop Kelley (10) - 6-2

9. Claremore (NR) - 5-3

10. Duncan (6) - 7-1

Class 4A

1. Poteau (1) - 8-0

2. Tuttle (2) - 8-0

3. Wagoner (5) - 7-1

4. Blanchard (3) - 6-2

5. Bristow (4) - 7-1

6. Bethany (6) - 7-1

7. Catoosa (8) - 7-1

8. Broken Bow (7) - 6-2

9. Hilldale (9) - 7-1

10. Clinton (10) - 7-1

Class 3A

1. Heritage Hall (1) - 7-1

2. Berryhill (2) - 8-0

3. John Marshall (3) - 7-1

4. Sulphur (4) - 7-1

5. Lincoln Christian (5) - 7-1

6. Plainview (7) - 6-2

7. Kingfisher (6) - 5-3

8. Seminole (9) - 6-2

9. Idabel (NR) - 6-2

10. Stigler (8) - 6-2

Class 2A

1. Millwood (1) - 8-0

2. Sperry (2) - 8-0

3. Jones (4) - 7-1

4. Beggs (5) - 7-1

5. Holland Hall (6) - 6-2

6. Vian (3) - 6-2

7. Washington (7) - 6-2

8. Kingston (8) - 7-1

9. Meeker (9) - 7-1

10. Coalgate (10) - 7-1

Class A

1. Hooker (1) - 8-0

2. Cashion (2) - 8-0

3. Minco (3) - 7-1

4. Rejoice Christian (4) - 8-0

5. Crossings Christian (5) - 8-1

6. Ringling (6) - 8-0

7. Stroud (7) - 7-1

8. Tonkawa (8) - 8-1

9. Morrison (9) - 7-1

10. Frederick (10) - 7-1

Class B

1. Shattuck (1) - 7-0

2. Davenport (2) - 8-0 

3. Regent Prep (3) - 7-0

4. Snyder (5) - 7-0

5. Laverne (6) - 7-1

6. Dewar (7) - 7-1

7. Yale (8) - 7-1

8. Waurika (9) - 7-0

9. Seiling (4) - 7-1

10. Keota (10) - 6-1

Class C

1. SW Covenant (1) - 8-0

2. Tipton (2) - 6-2

3. Buffalo (3) - 8-0

4. Coyle (4) - 5-2

5. Pond Creek-Hunter (5) - 7-1

6. Tyrone (6) - 6-1

7. Paoli (7) - 8-1

8. Graham-Dustin (9) - 8-0

9. Covington-Douglas (8) - 6-3

10. Medford (NR) - 4-3

() - Last week's ranking

               

Week 8 rankings

10/15/2018 |  Ben Johnson

Here's the top 10 in each class heading into Week 8

Class 6AI

1. Broken Arrow (1) - 7-0

2. Jenks (2) - 6-1

3. Union (3) - 5-2

4. Edmond Santa Fe (4) - 6-1

5. Owasso (5) - 4-3

6. Putnam City North (6) - 6-1

7. Westmoore (7) - 5-2

8. Moore (8) - 4-3

9. Yukon (9) - 4-3

10. Mustang (10) - 3-4

Class 6AII

1. Stillwater (1) - 7-0

2. Bixby (2) - 6-1

3. Del City (3) - 6-1

4. Midwest City (4) - 5-2

5. Lawton (5) - 4-3

6. Booker T. Washington (6) - 4-3

7. Sapulpa (7) - 5-2

8. Muskogee (8) - 5-2

9. Choctaw (9) - 4-3

10. Shawnee (NR) - 2-5

Class 5A

1. Carl Albert (1) - 7-0

2. Ardmore (2) - 7-0

3. Collinsville (3) - 7-0

4. Bishop McGuinness (4) - 6-1

5. Altus (5) - 6-1

6. Duncan (6) - 7-0

7. Guthrie (7) - 6-1

8. Tahlequah (8) - 6-1

9. Skiatook (9) - 6-1

10. Bishop Kelley (10) - 5-2

Class 4A

1. Poteau (2) - 7-0

2. Tuttle (3) - 7-0

3. Blanchard (4) - 6-1

4. Bristow (5) - 7-0

5. Wagoner (1) - 6-1

6. Bethany (6) - 6-1

7. Broken Bow (7) - 6-1

8. Catoosa (8) - 6-1

9. Hilldale (9) - 6-1

10. Clinton (10) - 6-1

Class 3A

1. Heritage Hall (1) - 6-1

2. Berryhill (3) - 7-0

3. John Marshall (2) - 6-1

4. Sulphur (5) - 6-1

5. Lincoln Christian (7) - 6-1

6. Kingfisher (9) - 5-2

7. Plainview (4) - 5-2

8. Stigler (NR) - 6-1

9. Seminole (6) - 5-2

10. Cascia Hall (8) - 5-2

Class 2A

1. Millwood (1) - 7-0

2. Sperry (2) - 7-0

3. Vian (3) - 6-1

4. Jones (4) - 6-1

5. Beggs (5) - 6-1

6. Holland Hall (6) - 5-2

7. Washington (7) - 5-2

8. Kingston (8) - 6-1

9. Meeker (10) - 6-1

10. Coalgate (NR) - 6-1

Class A

1. Hooker (1) - 7-0

2. Cashion (2) - 7-0

3. Minco (4) - 6-1

4. Rejoice Christian (5) - 7-0

5. Crossings Christian (7) - 7-1

6. Ringling (9) - 7-0

7. Stroud (10) - 6-1

8. Tonkawa (NR) - 7-1

9. Morrison (3) - 6-1

10. Frederick (NR) - 6-1

Class B

1. Shattuck (1) - 6-0

2. Davenport (2) - 7-0 

3. Regent Prep (3) - 6-0

4. Seiling (4) - 7-0

5. Snyder (5) - 6-0

6. Laverne (6) - 6-1

7. Dewar (7) - 6-1

8. Yale (8) - 6-1

9. Waurika (10) - 6-0

10. Keota (NR) - 5-1

Class C

1. SW Covenant (2) - 7-0

2. Tipton (3) - 5-2

3. Buffalo (4) - 7-0

4. Coyle (5) - 4-2

5. Pond Creek-Hunter (1) - 6-1

6. Tyrone (6) - 5-1

7. Paoli (8) - 7-1

8. Covington-Douglas (7) - 6-2

9. Graham-Dustin (9) - 7-0

10. Boise City (NR) - 4-3

               

Week 7 picks

10/10/2018 |  Ben Johnson

Well, what we have here is two hotly-contested showdowns for first and third place. Swisher and Coach Turney are locked in a battle for first place, while Whitt and myself charge hard after the bronze.

Week 6 picks - Coach Turney 14-4 | Whitt 13-5 | Ben 13-5 | Swisher 13-5

Overall - Swisher 91-35 | Turney 91-35 | Ben 84-42 | Whitt 84-42

And per usual, my apologies in advance to the teams I pick below:

Carl Albert at Guthrie

Michael Swisher: Carl Albert 33, Guthrie 17

Ben Johnson: Carl Albert 30, Guthrie 16

Whitt Carter: Carl Albert 28, Guthrie 21

Randy Turney: Carl Albert 31, Guthrie 14

Broken Arrow at Edmond Santa Fe

Michael Swisher: Broken Arrow 38, Edmond Santa Fe 14

Ben Johnson: Broken Arrow 41, Edmond Santa Fe 19

Whitt Carter: Broken Arrow 34, Edmond Santa Fe 14

Randy Turney: Broken Arrow 28, Edmond Santa Fe 7

Stillwater at Lawton

Michael Swisher: Stillwater 35, Lawton 21

Ben Johnson: Stillwater 23, Lawton 22

Whitt Carter: Stillwater 42, Lawton 34

Randy Turney: Stillwater 35, Lawton 20

Cascia Hall at Berryhill

Michael Swisher: Berryhill 24, Cascia Hall 12

Ben Johnson: Berryhill 20, Cascia Hall 19

Whitt Carter: Cascia Hall 32, Berryhill 28

Randy Turney: Berryhill 28, Cascia Hall 20

Victory Christian at Beggs

Michael Swisher: Beggs 28, Victory Christian 10

Ben Johnson: Beggs 33, Victory Christian 24

Whitt Carter: Beggs 35, Victory Christian 27

Randy Turney: Beggs 21, Victory Christian 20

Plainview at Sulphur

Michael Swisher: Plainview 24, Sulphur 22

Ben Johnson: Plainview 29, Sulphur 23

Whitt Carter: Sulphur 28, Plainview 24

Randy Turney: Sulphur 34, Plainview 31

Buffalo at Pond Creek-Hunter

Michael Swisher: PC-Hunter 30, Buffalo 14

Ben Johnson: PC-Hunter 43, Buffalo 22

Whitt Carter: PC-Hunter 31, Buffalo 12

Randy Turney: PC-Hunter 34, Buffalo 22

Booker T. Washington at Sapulpa

Michael Swisher: Booker T. Washington 31, Sapulpa 30

Ben Johnson: Booker T. Washington 27, Sapulpa 24

Whitt Carter: Booker T. Washington 42, Sapulpa 28

Randy Turney: Booker T. Washington 31, Sapulpa 22

Stigler at Seminole

Michael Swisher: Seminole 34, Stigler 17

Ben Johnson: Seminole 23, Stigler 20

Whitt Carter: Seminole 34, Stigler 21

Randy Turney: Seminole 34, Stigler 20

Tonkawa at Morrison

Michael Swisher: Morrison 18, Tonkawa 14

Ben Johnson: Morrison 26, Tonkawa 16

Whitt Carter: Morrison 27, Tonkawa 21

Randy Turney: Morrison 38, Tonkawa 14

Yukon at Westmoore

Michael Swisher: Yukon 17, Westmoore 16

Ben Johnson: Yukon 21, Westmoore 17

Whitt Carter: Westmoore 21, Yukon 20

Randy Turney: Westmoore 24, Yukon 17

El Reno at Duncan

Michael Swisher: Duncan 24, El Reno 21

Ben Johnson: Duncan 32, El Reno 17

Whitt Carter: Duncan 28, El Reno 14

Randy Turney: El Reno 28, Duncan 21

Bethany at Cushing 

Michael Swisher: Bethany 31, Cushing 17

Ben Johnson: Bethany 33, Cushing 27

Whitt Carter: Bethany 35, Cushing 13

Randy Turney: Bethany 30, Cushing 24

Catoosa at Cleveland

Michael Swisher: Catoosa 36, Cleveland 25

Ben Johnson: Catoosa 28, Cleveland 18

Whitt Carter: Catoosa 37, Cleveland 21

Randy Turney: Catoosa 20, Cleveland 14

Kingfisher at Perkins-Tryon

Michael Swisher: Kingfisher 31, Perkins-Tryon 28

Ben Johnson: Kingfisher 27, Perkins-Tryon 21

Whitt Carter: Kingfisher 35, Perkins-Tryon 21

Randy Turney: Kingfisher 34, Perkins-Tryon 20

Okemah at Meeker

Michael Swisher: Meeker 33, Okemah 21

Ben Johnson: Meeker 34, Okemah 24

Whitt Carter: Okemah 33, Meeker 24

Randy Turney: Meeker 28, Okemah 12

Stratford at Washington

Michael Swisher: Washington 27, Stratford 23

Ben Johnson: Washington 32, Stratford 19

Whitt Carter: Washington 28, Stratford 20

Randy Turney: Washington 38, Stratford 20

Hooker at Okeene

Michael Swisher: Hooker 31, Okeene 13

Ben Johnson: Hooker 29, Okeene16

Whitt Carter: Hooke 35, Okeene 13

Randy Turney: Hooker 34, Okeene 7

Covington-Douglas at Southwest Covenant

Michael Swisher: SW Covenant 48, Covington-Douglas 30

Ben Johnson: SW Covenant 44, Covington-Douglas 25

Whitt Carter: SW Covenant 45, Covington-Douglas 31

Randy Turney: SW Covenant 42, Covington-Douglas 20

Let us know what you think. Tweet your predictions to us at @Skordle.

Week 7: Top 10 games

10/9/2018 |  Ben Johnson

Some rock-solid games this week as district races tighten up.

Here's what's on tap this week:

1. 5A No. 1 Carl Albert (6-0) at 5A No. 7 Guthrie (6-0): Bluejays beat Carl Albert every year from 2010 to 2015, but the Titans have posted back-to-back blowouts over Guthrie, including last year's 55-10 contest. Carl Albert running back Dadrion Taylor is also expected back after suffering a knee injury earlier in the season.

2. 6AI No. 1 Broken Arrow (6-0) at 6AI No. 4 Edmond Santa Fe (6-0): Tigers have been machine-like all season long. The Wolves pulling the upset would be one to send shockwaves throughout 6AI.

3. 6AII No. 1 Stillwater (6-0) at 6AII No. 5 Lawton (4-2): Pioneers are 0-4 against Lawton since the two clubs started playing district contests in 2014. And this one was going to feature a stellar running back showcase, but Stillwater tailback Qwontrel Walker was ejected in the fourth quarter against Choctaw last week, leaving his status for this week up in the air. Meanwhile, the Wolverines will ride the hot hand of Miles Davis at tailback.

4. 3A No. 8 Cascia Hall (5-1) at 3A No. 2 Berryhill (6-0): These two teams have met 10 times since 1999 and Cascia Hall is one nine of those games. The Chiefs' lone victory in the series was in 2004. Winner all but locks up the District 3A-4 crown.

5. 2A No. 9 Victory Christian (6-0) at 2A No. 5 Beggs (5-1): Former district mates are reunited in 2A-3 play this year. From 2010 to 2015, the two teams split the series 3-3. Winner here still has to tangle with Sperry to claim the district title.

6. 3A No. 4 Plainview (5-1) at 3A No. 5 Sulphur (5-1): Sulphur beat Plainview 35-12 last season, but prior to that Plainview had won the last eight clashes between the two teams.

7. C No. 4 Buffalo (6-0) at C No. 1 Pond Creek-Hunter (6-0): Winner all but wraps up the District C-1 championship. And to this point, Pond Creek-Hunter opponents are averaging four points per game.

8. 6AII No. 6 Booker T. Washington (3-3) at 6AII No. 7 Sapulpa (5-1): Chieftains came up with an overtime win over Muskogee last week, and a win over the Hornets would be a massive statement. One advantage Sapulpa does have is at the quarterback position with Eli Williams.

9. Stigler (5-1) at 3A No. 6 Seminole (5-1): All of a sudden everyone in District 3A-3 is chasing after Idabel. And it's looking more and more like a quality team will be left out of the playoff picture in the suddenly-deep 3A-3. The winner here at least feels somewhat more at ease with a postseason spot more obtainable.

10. Tonkawa (6-1) at A No. 3 Morrison (6-0): Tonkawa has a two-game winning streak going against Morrison, but it's the Wildcats who are ranked heading into this one. District A-5 is deep, so a win here moves one of these two closer to the district title.

Honorable mention

Yukon at Westmoore: Top three spots in 6AI-1 appear to be spoken for among Broken Arrow, Jenks and Edmond Santa Fe. So for a regular season matchup, it all but serves as a "win and you're in; lose and you're out" tilt. And Westmoore is 6-0 against Yukon since 2006.

El Reno at Duncan: The Demons are unbeaten but now the schedule tightens up. A win for Duncan sets up an epic showdown against Ardmore next week for 5A-1 supremacy. A win for El Reno has the Indians feeling better about securing a postseason spot. El Reno beat Duncan 41-40 last season.

Bethany at Cushing: Despite a minus-nine scoring margin in six games this season, the Tigers are 3-0 in District 4A-2. A win for Cushing could work toward some must-see games against Blanchard and Tuttle to close out the regular season in a few weeks.

Catoosa at Cleveland: District 4A-3 looks like it'll come down to Bristow or Wagoner at the top. So that leaves three -- maybe four (Catoosa, Cleveland, Grove and Oologah) -- competing for the final two playoff spots.

Kingfisher at Perkins-Tryon: We're finding out that a lot of districts have some solid depth, and 3A-1 falls in that category. Heritage Hall and John Marshall are locks for playoffs spots, so it's up to Kingfisher, Perkins, Mannford and Mount Saint Mary to challenge for the final two spots.

Okemah at Meeker: Since 2008, Okemah has won seven of the last eight matchups. Both of these clubs need a win to have a shot at possibly winning or finishing in the top two spots of 2A-2.

Stratford at Washington: Washington pushed Millwood to the limit last week. And despite a 1-2 mark in 2A-7, Stratford has to be taken seriously in the playoff mix.

Hooker at Okeene: Winner here gets a chance to challenge Oklahoma Bible Academy for District A-1 bragging

Covington-Douglas at Southwest Covenant: Winner all but wraps up the C-3 title.

So who wins all the matchups? Check back for our weekly picks on Thursday.

*Photo courtesy of Guthrie Booster Club