Class 2A playoff preview
by Ben Johnson (@BenJohnsonTUL)
11/8/2018 8:55:25 AM
posted in: Articles | 4,032 views

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Players to watch

- Laike Wilhelm (Newkirk): Perhaps the most widely unknown player to put up the best numbers this season. The senior tailback has rushed for 2,051 yards and 21 touchdowns on 261 carries this season.

- Jaxon Canard (OCS): Junior tailback has only rushed 133 times this year, but he's piled up 1,207 yards and 18 touchdowns in the process.

- Korbin Cox (Jones): Another year, another offensive standout for Jones. This time it's a sophomore running back who has collected 1,007 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground this season.

- Lance Spaulding and Trevor Stuever (Washington): The running duo has teamed up for 2,108 yards and 22 touchdowns this season.

- Taryn Kesler (Lindsay): Sophomore QB has thrown for 1,635 yards and 18 touchdowns this season. Also completed 91 of 150 attempts.

- Asher Link (Metro Christian): Junior quarterback has thrown for 2,037 yards and 21 touchdowns, and he's done a lot of that by not even playing in the second half during most district games.

- Austin Hines (Adair): The Bradbury family passed the torch to Hines last season at quarterback, and Hines has filled the void with big numbers. This season, Hines has passed for 1,746 yards and 17 touchdowns.

- Dalton Spring (Beggs): Senior quarterback is an exceptional athlete who can beat opponents through the air or on the ground. He's passed for 1,377 yards and 21 touchdowns this season while completing 74 of 128 pass attempts.

- Beau Teel (Sperry): Much like Spring at Beggs, Teel has a dual-threat QB for defenses to have to try and wrangle. He's passed for 1,365 yards and 14 touchdowns, and he also has a stout offensive line to allow him to run around on the ground, if necessary.

- Blade Horton and Austin Lambert (Coalgate): One of 2A's top rushing and passing duo this season. Horton has rushed for 1,500 yards and 30 touchdowns, and Lambert has completed 128 of 203 passes for 2,065 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Don't overlook... Sperry

The Pirates had things rolling up until the final week of the regular season when they lost an emotional roller coaster of a game against Beggs. Sperry still has a loaded roster with the likes of Beau Teel, Jacob Sutherland, Hayden Borth, Clay Johnson, Cooper Park, Walker Niver and plenty more. Sperry's road to the 2A semifinals is perhaps easier than some others since the Pirates could potentially be back at home for the quarterfinals with Coalgate arriving. Of course, that's subject to change. What's not changing is Sperry's roster that is talented enough to make a long run in the playoffs.

Favorite (potential) matchup - Holland Hall vs. Jones

Stage is set for a potentially intriguing matchup in the quarterfinals. The Dutch had its postseason halted in a road loss at Davis last season, so Holland Hall is out to rectify last year's outcome. Meanwhile, Jones is loaded yet again and the Longhorns took John Marshall to the wire before losing in last year's semifinals.

Coaching candor

How do other high school coaches see the 2A postseason playing out? We asked and they made their predictions (after being granted anonymity, of course). 

Coach One: "I'll take Millwood because they have all the pieces. They have a very good O-line and a very good D-line. They have great skill kids on both sides of the ball. They have speed and power. They have it all. Plus, they don't seem to care how you try and stop them. They adjust and play. Don't think anyone will really play them close unless they have injuries."

Coach Two: "I'm picking a Millwood-Beggs championship with Millwood winning the gold ball. Millwood is experienced and has athletes all over the field. They are big up front with great skill kids. Not much to say on them except they are good. I would pick Millwood 34, Beggs 13."

Coach Three : "Millwood and Beggs in the finals. I am curious if emotions can get Beggs over Millwood."

Prediction time

Michael Swisher: Millwood over Beggs - First of all, Beggs is a good football team. Now the Demons are riding a wave of emotion that can carry them a long way in the 2A bracket. They’ll no doubt be the darlings of the state as everyone outside of Millwood (and their weekly opponent) will be sentimentally pulling for them. But Millwood is also a really good football team. The Falcons aren’t quite the dominant force defensively they were a year ago and Washington proved they are susceptible earlier this year. However, Millwood will get it done yet again.

Ben Johnson: Millwood over Metro Christian - Yeah, I should probably take Beggs here, but it doesn't really matter who ends up in the title game opposite of Millwood. The Falcons are too good. Did you see what other 2A coaches had to say above? The bottom half of the bracket is pretty spread out when it comes to equal talent, but the same can't be said for the top half of the bracket. Millwood is just too good. Falcons win another gold ball. Book it!

Whitt Carter: Millwood over Beggs - Arguably the school with the most talent from Class 4A on down, Millwood has been everything you had hoped for in 2018. They have won 38 straight games and are looking for their third straight gold ball. The Falcons are loaded, featuring Oklahoma commit Marcus Major and Texas signee De'Maryion Houston, along with several others. They beat Class 3A favorite Heritage Hall to open the season and have only been tested once since. Meanwhile, Beggs has played a tough schedule and been through unbelievable circumstances, losing starting running back Kayson Tolliver tragically last week. The Demons rallied for a huge win over Sperry last week to win the district title. Beggs has more to play for than any team you will ever see. They have quarterback Dalton Spring and talented players around him. And it would be incredible to see them make another run to the state title game. But Millwood is too good, and the Falcons make it 43 in a row, hoisting their third straight gold ball.

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