Class 6AII playoff preview
by Ben Johnson (@BenJohnsonTUL)
11/5/2018 11:34:18 PM
posted in: Articles | 2,145 views
- 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.
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.
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."
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.
by Ben Johnson (@BenJohnsonTUL)11/5/2018 11:34:18 PM
posted in: Articles | 2,145 views
