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

BROKEN ARROW FIRES DAVID ALEXANDER

11/30/2020 |  Ben Johnson

BROKEN ARROW -- Some results over the weekend were stunning. But none near as shocking as the news from Broken Arrow to start the week.

In a release from the school on Monday morning, Broken Arrow announced it was stripping David Alexander of his head coaching duties. A move no one saw coming, including Alexander himself.

Two years after leading the Tigers to their first state championship, Alexander, 56, now finds himself without a head coaching gig. He went 60-23 in seven seasons and finished with a state runner-up finish in 2015.

“We appreciate and thank coach Alexander for his dedication and time with the program," said Chuck Perry, associate superintendent of student services, in a statement released by the district.

"His legacy has been cemented in the fact that he came home to his high school alma mater and was the first coach to take the program to the top of the mountain. After much consideration, though, we feel the timing is right and is in the best interest of the district to move in a new direction.”

Alexander gradated from Broken Arrow in 1982.

The district said the search for the next head coach begins immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Playoff Picks - Nov. 27

11/27/2020 |  Korry Rogers

We are back! A good week for Whitt last week, who is still too far behind to matter.

We are one week closer to handing out gold balls, so let’s fire off some more picks for the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds!

Last week (overall):

Whitt: 16-3 (87-36)

Swish: 13-6 (91-32)

Ben: 13-6 (95-28)

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WEEK 3 - PLAYOFF GAMES & PICKS

Playoff picks - Nov. 20

11/20/2020 |  Ben Johnson

PLAYOFF GAMES - WEEK 2 - PICKS

Broken Arrow @ Union
Westmoore @ Santa Fe

2020 Playoff Preview

11/20/2020 |  Ben Johnson

What we saw last week was technically the playoffs. Now it starts for real and we have some thoughts to share...

Quick playoff snapshot from the Skordle guys…

 

Ben Johnson

Most dangerous team

- Bixby (Class 6AII) - Duh! Most likely the best team in the state, regardless of class. Braylin Presley is the real deal. Good luck to anyone playing the Spartans.

 

Breakout player

Class 4A: Emmanuel Crawford (Grove) - Sophomore running back should start catching eyeballs real quick. Grove has a tough path through Hilldale and potentially Weatherford, but the Ridgerunners are a team to keep an eye on moving forward.

 

Upset alert

- Kind of taking this the opposite direction because I’ve heard chatter about some thinking Central will beat Lincoln Christian. I don’t see it. KT Owens and Co. are good but not good enough to take down the Bulldogs.

 

Best mascot

Class 2A - Atoka Wampus Cats - That’s too easy! Eufaula Ironheads is always solid, too.

 

Don't count this team out

Class 2A - Kellyville - Trevor Jones is rock solid at running back and Colton Ayres is solid at QB. Ponies take on a quality OCS team, and the winner should like its chances in that quadrant of the 2A bracket.

 

Class predictions

6AI - Owasso

6AII - Bixby

5A - Carl Albert

4A - Wagoner

3A - Holland Hall

2A - Vian

A - Cashion

B - Dewar

C - Timberlake

 

 

Michael Swisher

Most dangerous team - Choctaw (6AII) - Yes, Bixby is the best team. We all know that. Nobody’s arguing it. But Choctaw has just enough talent to be that dangerous sleeper. Not upset alert…but dangerous enough. Bixby has blown out everyone this year except Jenks (not a bad 6AI team if you weren’t aware) and….Choctaw. The Yellow Jackets played them within 11 in the regular season. 

 

Best first-round matchup - Newcastle at Tuttle (4A) - Piedmont and El Reno is intriguing. So is Booker T. and Midwest City. However, this matchup between friendly(?) neighbors is Week 2 rematch that saw the Tigers escape 24-21. 

 

Upset alert - OSSAA - Yeah, I took the easy way out and didn’t pick a team. But, in all seriousness, if we are able to get through this season and these playoffs, it will be an upset of sorts for it to have been pulled off. I took an unofficial poll prior to the season starting asking some fellow media members if they felt a football season would even take place. It ranged from “no” to “probably shouldn’t, but it’s possible.” There were no straight up “yes” answers. God bless anyone who has been affected directly or indirectly by COVID, and I mean that, but we needed football.

 

Don’t count this team out - Shattuck (B) - Yes, the Indians got BLASTED by Laverne in the final week of the regular season. Sure, maybe it’s not all “sunshine and rainbows” way out west. However, it’s still Shattuck. The three-time defending state champs have pulled off the improbable before. Am I saying it’s going to happen again? No, but don’t count them out.

 

Dream matchup - Pawhuska vs. Cashion (A) - Pawhuska is putting up numbers this year that would make most basketball coaches envious. Led by Bryce Drummond, the Huskies average 69.5 - YES, 70! (rounded up of course) - points a game. Cashion, meanwhile, prefers to not surrender points and only gives up 8.5 a game. It’s strength vs. strength if these two meets - as we suspect - in the Class A semifinals. The opposite units aren’t bad either. Cashion scores 48.6 a game while the Huskies give up 15.3. It has all the makings of a matchup classic. Of course, a win only puts you in the finals. The victor could very well get defending champ Ringling the next week.

 

Class predictions

6AI - Owasso

6AII - Bixby

5A - Carl Albert

4A - Weatherford

3A - Holland Hall

2A - Vian

A - Cashion

B - Laverne

C - Timberlake

 

Whitt Carter

Most dangerous team

Sulphur’s Smith ahead of the pack in 2020

11/12/2020 |  Ben Johnson

Story by Whitt Carter

Sulphur’s Logan Smith showed early on in his career that he had a chance to be a special player.

 

The 6-foot-1, 200 lb. senior always possessed elite speed and good size for a running back at the Class 3A level.

 

But did he ever think he would join the conversation as one of the best ever at Sulphur?

 

“Being in that category with some studs is crazy to think about,” he said. “Those are the guys I looked up to as a kid.”

 

Crazy as it sounds, Smith certainly has a seat at the table, as he currently leads the entire state – all classes – in rushing through the end of the regular season.

 

Smith has carried 173 times for 2,018 yards and 27 touchdowns, which are eye popping numbers at any level.

 

He is 304 yards ahead of Luke Tarman from Bishop McGuinness, the closest rusher to the distant Bulldog leader.

 

For Smith, his success this season can be attributed to a multitude of things, especially the guys he has around him and the creative play-calling from the Sulphur coaches.

 

“I have a lot of trust in my offensive line,” he said. “And the rest of the offense, too. And believing in coach (Corey) Cole to put us in the best spot for success on that specific down.”

 

Many that watch Sulphur each year and each week have seen Smith improve each year, but especially this season, where he took a huge jump from being very good to great.

 

“I just tried to stay dedicated in the weight room and have a focused mindset on what I wanted to accomplish in football and this season,” he said.

 

Smith thinks the weight room has been his biggest friend and key to his success, as it is something he has gone all-in on each day.

 

“Getting in there and working will eventually play a tremendous role in your success,” he said. “It is a big part of my everyday life and has made the biggest impact on the field for me.”

 

Strength and conditioning, along with track, has helped the senior develop top-level speed and agility, something he puts on display seemingly each week, as he is truly a big-play waiting to happen.

 

Smith has 18 touchdowns this year of 40 yards or more, including 11 in the last four games.

He has also rushed for over 300 yards in back-to-back games, including a 312-yard, six touchdown performance last Friday night in the win over Lone Grove, which followed a win over Plainview in which Smith racked up 351 yards and four scores.

 

“I think my strengths as a runner are my size, speed and vision,” he said. “And having the awareness to know when to cut or not.”

 

He also is a big-time weapon in the passing game, catching 15 passes for 204 yards and three touchdowns this season. Smith also has a 53-yard punt return for a score.

 

The senior also has the luxury of having an offensive line that is experienced, and also, improving each week, helping pave the way for over 320 rushing yards per game as a team.

 

“I’d say the offensive line is the main reason why I have every yard I do,” Smith said. “They have done a great job and without them I wouldn’t have a single yard.”

 

Spoken like a true leader, which is something Sulphur head coach Jim Dixon has praised Smith for adopting as he has gotten older, developing into the leader for the 2020 Bulldogs.

 

“I try to focus on being a leader on an off the field and working hard no matter what happens that day,” he said. “I was fortunate enough to see guys like Trey (Kiser) lead us when I was younger and that’s just what I try to do.”

 

That’s how Smith wants to leave his legacy among the Sulphur greats, for leading the way and continuing to lead by example.

 

“I want to be remembered for my work ethic and leadership and honestly, how I impacted our team’s success,” he said.

 

What that success becomes is still yet to be determined, as the Dogs now shift focus to the playoffs.

 

But for Smith and his teammates, there is only one goal in mind.

 

“We want to win a state championship,” he said. “When you are at Sulphur, that’s the goal every year.”

 

How Smith envisions his team giving themselves a chance at accomplishing their ultimate goal is really no surprise.

 

“We have to stay true to what we do and trust in what we have been doing all year,” he said. “And we know if we keep working hard, we will give ourselves a shot.”

Photo credit: DeJay Arms

Week 10 picks

11/6/2020 |  Ben Johnson

Games

Jenks @ Westmoore

PC North @ Stillwater

Booker T @ Bixby

Lawton Mac @ Ardmore

Tahlequah @ Collinsville

Tuttle @ Blanchard

Poteau @ Broken Bow

Wagoner @ Skiatook

Lincoln @ Stigler

Kingfisher @ Anadarko

Sulphur @ Lone Grove

Vinita @ Verdigris

Adair @ Claremore Seq.

Christian Heritage @ Washington

Prague @ Chandler

Crescent @ Cashion

Thomas @ Texoma

Shattuck @ Laverne

Regent Prep @ Davenport

Midway @ Sasakwa

Whitt Carter

Jenks

Stillwater

Bixby

Ardmore

Collinsville

Tuttle

Poteau

Wagoner

Lincoln

Kingfisher

Sulphur

Verdigris

Adair

Washington

Chandler

Cashion

Thomas

Shattuck

Davenport

Sasakwa

Michael Swisher

Jenks

Stillwater

Bixby

Lawton Mac

Collinsville

Tuttle

Poteau

Wagoner

Lincoln Christian

Anadarko

Sulphur

Verdigris

Adair

Washington

Chandler

Cashion

Thomas

Shattuck

Davenport

Sasakwa

Ben Johnson

Jenks

Stillwater

Bixby

Ardmore

Collinsville

Tuttle 

Poteau

Wagoner

Lincoln

Kingfisher

Sulphur

Verdigris

Adair

Washington

Chandler

Cashion

Thomas

Shattuck

Davenport

Midway

SKORDLE SAMPLER - Week 10 (2020)

11/5/2020 |  Michael Swisher

By John Hardaway - I Even Eat BBQ on Pizza

Someplace I like to eat – Jo’s Famous Pizza

Jo’s Famous Pizza is one of my favorite pizza places in Oklahoma.

I visit the Edmond location regularly and will continue to do so forever. It’s a great place with awesome staff and service who will go beyond and above to continue earning your business. 

I have also been to the original Jo’s in Purcell a handful of times and it’s never disappointed either. 

What makes Jo’s so great in my opinion is the incredible crust that’s flaky and buttery every time. They also only use fresh ingredients for toppings. 

They have all the classic pizzas. If you like Pepperoni Pizza, you probably won’t find a better one around!

The entire top is going to be covered in pepperonis and the best part is the pepperoni grease works down into the crust. 

As for the specialty pizzas, I love the Cowboy (it’s BBQ, a shocker, I know) and the Taco. Trust me, it’s so good, but must be for dine-in only because of the cold lettuce topping it needs to be eaten immediately.