by Ben Johnson (@BenJohnsonTUL)7/6/2018 1:19:01 AM
posted in: Articles | 1,812 views
Look back at 2017
6AI-1: Jenks - It
was a brutal stretch for the Trojans to start the 2017 season. They
suffered stinging defeats at the heads of Owasso, Bixby, Union and
Springdale Har-Bar (Ark.), but working in Jenks' favor was none of those
setbacks cost them in the 6AI-1 race. District play is where Jenks
turned it around, promptly dismantling Norman before knocking off Broken
Arrow, which proved to be the deciding game in 6AI-1. The Trojans
marched through district play 6-0, and they opened the playoffs with a
rout of Moore. But a 21-0 loss against Owasso in the semifinals ended
Jenks' hopes of claiming another championship in Allan Trimble's final
year as head coach.
6AI-2: Union - It
was business as usual for Union in 2017. Pile up a ton of wins and
cruise to the program's 19th district championship. Owasso was the only
team to present the Redskins with any kind of challenge in league play,
and Union prevailed in overtime. However, after Union reeled off 12
straight wins, its winning streak was snapped in the state championship
with a 21-14 loss to Owasso.
Talking title game: Owasso 21, Union 14
Some
figured it would never happen. Most believed the championship in the
state's largest classification would just continue to be shared between
Union and Jenks. Then Owasso came along and dispatched that notion. The
Rams jumped out in front on Bryce Cabrera's 1-yard touchdown run in the
first quarter, and from there Owasso and Union alternated touchdown
scores. But there wasn't enough time for Union to come back, ending
Jenks and Union's stranglehold on championships since 1995.
On to 2018...
Players to watch
- Darius Boone Jr. (Union): Eastern Michigan commit rushed for 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns for a Union offense that was not short on weapons in 2017.
- Noah Cortes (Broken Arrow): Nearly doubled his offensive production from his sophomore to junior seasons. Last year, Cortes rushed 225 times for 1,580 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also mixed in 15 catches for 128 yards and a score.
- Daniel Hishaw (Moore): As
a sophomore last season, Hishaw passed for 1,027 yards and six
touchdowns, and he ran for 755 yards and 13 touchdowns on 162 carries.
On defense, he collected 25 tackles and two interceptions.
- Will Kuehne (Owasso): North
Texas commit was instrumental in the Rams' march to the 6AI title.
During his junior season in 2017, Kuehne passed for 2,788 yards and 24
touchdowns while completing 199 of 298 passes. Kuehne also protected the
ball and limited his interceptions to only three.
- Kanan Hansen (Edmond Santa Fe): Passed for 1,524 yards and 12 touchdowns while completing 138 of 252 attempts.
- Ian Corwin (Jenks): Trojans may have loads of talent from the 2016 team, but Ian Corwin was a steady contributor at quarterback for the Trojans in 2017. He passed for 3,018 yards and 23 touchdowns last season.
- Zach Marcheselli (Broken Arrow): The
anchor on Broken Arrow's defense last season with 111 tackles, one sack
and two interceptions last season. Committed to TCU in the offseason.
- Andrew Raym (Broken Arrow): Perhaps
the most sought-after offensive lineman in the state. Heading into his
junior season, he is already fielding interest in high-level Division I
programs, including Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and
Alabama. Goes without saying that Raym will be key to the Tigers'
offensive success.
- Trace Ford (Edmond Santa Fe): Dynamic
playermaker for the Wolves on defense. Had 47 tackles and one sack last
year, and he's now contemplating offers from a variety of schools,
including Florida State, Arizona State, Oklahoma State and Arkansas.
District debriefs
6AI-1:
New year, same old 6AI-1. The only exception is instead of it just
being seven teams, Enid is now added into the group. It'll be Edmond
Memorial, Broken Arrow, Yukon, Edmond Santa Fe, Jenks, Norman and
Westmoore all competing against the Plainsmen.
6AI-2: Unlike
6AI-1, this district isn't adding anyone new for the next two years.
It's Edmond North, Southmoore, Mustang, Union, Putnam City North,
Owasso, Norman North and Moore to compete for the district crown.
What’s new? (coaching moves)
- Justin Meredith stepped down after nine seasons at Edmond Memorial, and in steps Luke Orvis as the Bulldogs' new head coach.
- Justin Jones left Bishop McGuinness to become the Irish's new head coach after Brent Barnes left to take a job in Arizona.
Prediction time
Swisher - Nothing but broken record time when it comes to 6AI | Who's ready to make a move in the West? The only school that's made a consistent challenge is Norman North | New coach Justin Jones' (McGuinness) team looked far from a contender at the Skordle Showdown, but that was several weeks ago. We'll see if they've progressed enough to put a scare into the east | Was last year the beginning of a downward slide for the Jenks program? The entire state is watching that closely | Bill Blankenship put the exclamation point on his legendary coaching career in 2017, but what's old is new again in 2018. Union wins the title.
Guest picker - Hall of Fame coach Randy Turney - Going to stick with Union in 6AI this season.
Whitt Carter - It's always been about the east in the state's largest class this year is no different, as there is a definite drop-off after the top four | The Moore Lions? I think they continue to surprise people with another step forward | Will Kuehne needs more love and will give Owasso a great shot to repeat | Don't think Jenks will be going anywhere, as there is a lot back for the Trojans, especially at the skill spots | Death, taxes and Union being the favorite | But I think Broken Arrow has the most talent. The Tigers are loaded in the trenches, have a great secondary and weapons all over on offense. It'll be all about QB play for the Tigers, and I think they will get it either from Tate Robards or Quintevin Cherry -- both move-ins | The Tigers finally get the monkey off their back and BA brings home their first title.
*Photos courtesy of Joey Johnson
