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Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Nine Lives
Central Oklahoma, OK
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Here’s a look at the playoff fortunes of nine area football teams
Norman North Timberwolves
Who to watch: Running back Beau Blankenship. He is one of the best running backs in the state. He is small, but physical and really fast. He is tough for opponents to get ahold of because of his compact frame.
Remaining schedule: Oct. 10 vs. Mustang; Oct. 16 at. Del City; Oct. 24 vs. Southmoore; Oct. 31 at Edmond Santa Fe; Nov. 7 vs. Lawton.
Strengths: The offense is diversified and loaded with talent. The Timberwolves have possibly the most explosive offense in the state. They can pass the ball with quarterback Tyler Tettleton or pound the football on the ground with Blankenship.
Weaknesses: The defense has a lot of talent, but is inconsistent. They have shown to give up big plays and allow a lot of points against good teams in the past. While they have a high-scoring offense, the defense will have to consistently play well for this team to have a chance to win the state championship.
Prediction: Norman North will have a chance to end the East side’s streak of 12-straight 6A state championship, advancing to the title game. But Union will beat the Timberwolves for the gold ball.
Midwest City Bombers
Who to watch: Running back/defensive back Tim Flanders. He is the best all-around player in the state because he dominates on offense and defense. His speed is incredible. He runs away from defenders on offense and teams avoid throwing his way on defense.
Remaining schedule: Oct. 10 vs. Lawton Eisenhower; Oct. 16 at Edmond North; Oct. 24 vs. Putnam City; Oct. 31 at Norman; Nov. 7 at Putnam City West.
Strengths: The Bombers are the fastest team in the state. No one can match their speed. They can run passed anyone in the state and create lots of problems for teams. Midwest City has the potential to score on every snap on offense with its big play potential.
Weaknesses: The passing game, or lack thereof. Midwest City is primarily a one-dimensional team, running the ball. Although the Bombers do it well, it can’t hide the passing game problems. They are too inconsistent in the passing game.
Prediction: A big reason the West side has had trouble against East side teams is because they are usually one-dimensional, like Midwest City. So expect the Bombers to lose in the semifinals for the second straight year.
Class 5A
Carl Albert Titans
Who to watch: Running back David Oku. He is possibly the best running back in the state and one of the most highly recruited players in the country. He can carry his team single-handedly to a state championship.
Remaining schedule: Oct. 10 at Noble; Oct. 17 vs. Guthrie; Oct 24 vs. Ardmore; Oct. 31 at Durant; Nov. 7 vs. Harrah.
Strengths: The Titans can run with any team in the state. They have a powerful running game that can grind it out and keep control of the ball or score lots of points in a hurry. Oku is tough to stop and you can bet that he will get the ball a lot in the playoffs.
Weaknesses: Carl Albert can depend too much on Oku and the running game. The Titans lack a consistent passing game to stretch the field and keep defenses honest. They do not have a game-breaker in the passing game and have trouble creating a lot of offense throwing the ball. They will have a tough time winning when their running game has been slowed down.
Prediction: Carl Albert is too one-dimensional on offense and will lose in the semifinals.
Guthrie Bluejays
Who to watch: Running back/defensive back Josh King. He is one of the most exciting players to watch in the state. Every time he touches the ball, he has a chance to score. He can take over a game on offense, defensive and special teams.
Remaining schedule: Oct. 10 vs. Harrah; Oct. 16 at Carl Albert; Oct. 24 vs. Shawnee; Oct. 31 at Capitol Hill; Nov. 7 at Noble.
Strengths: Guthrie has a lot of experience back from last year’s Class 5A state title run. That is a big advantage come playoff time and in close games. The Bluejays have the experience and confidence to win in November and December. Guthrie also can get victories because of one aspect of the game that is often forgotten – special teams. The Bluejays can return kickoffs and punts for touchdowns with King and block punts as well. They have the best special teams play in the state.
Weaknesses: The 5A field is loaded with talented and powerful teams. Such a hard road to the state championship can wear down teams because every game is against a good team. It will be hard for Guthrie to matchup against bigger teams every week come playoff time.
Prediction: Guthrie will make a good run to defend its state title, but lose in the semifinals.
Class 4A
Bishop McGuinness Irish
Who to watch: Tight-end/defensive end Gabe Ikard. He is being recruited by some of the most prestigious college football teams in the country. He does more of his damage on the defensive side of the ball, but he is being recruited to play either position in college.
Remaining schedule: Oct. 10 at Woodward; Oct. 17 at Douglass; Oct. 24 vs. Guymon; Oct. 31 at Southeast; Nov. 7 vs. Elk City.
Strengths: Bishop McGuinness has more championship caliber experience than anyone in Class 4A, thanks to two straight state championships. That experience should help come playoff time and in close games.
Weaknesses: The Fighting Irish lack a strong running game like they had the previous two seasons. They do not have a game-breaking running back to hand off to and the offensive line is not as talented as in the past. So it could be tough to run against good teams.
Prediction: McGuinness has lost too much talent from last year to win another state championship. Expect the run to end in the semifinals.
Class 3A
Clinton Red Tornadoes
Who to watch: Quarterback Ryan Stringer. He is a solid leader and supplies big plays in the passing game for the Red Tornadoes. He is an accurate passer who gives his team a balanced offensive attack.
Remaining schedule: Oct. 10 at Tuttle; Oct. 17 vs. Cache; Oct. 24 vs. Blanchard; Oct. 31 at Elgin; Nov. 7 vs. Newcastle.
Strengths: The running game. Clinton has always been known for its strong rushing game, especially the toss sweep. That play has been nearly unstoppable for the Red Tornadoes in the past. They can collect big chunks of yards in a hurry through the ground game.
Weaknesses: Clinton is not very big on both lines. That can create a lot of problems against bigger and more physical teams. Chandler proved that earlier this year, overpowering the Red Tornadoes for a win.
Prediction: Clinton will advance to another state championship game, but lose to District 3A-1 rival Tuttle.
Tuttle Tigers
Who to watch: Running back Paco Moore. He is one of the best running backs in the class. He can carry his team to a state title with his speed and elusiveness. He hides behind his offensive line, then explodes through a hole for big gains.
Remaining schedule: Oct. 10 vs. Clinton; Oct. 17 at Newcastle; Oct. 24 vs. Cache; Oct. 31 at Anadarko; Nov. 7 vs. Santa Fe South.
Strengths: The Tigers have a balanced offensive attack, being able to throw and run the ball on anyone. It’s tough to stop their offense with quarterback Sterling Koons throwing the ball and Moore running the ball. Not many teams can stop such a balanced offensive attack.
Weaknesses: Tuttle has shown a tendency in the past few years to be upset by less talented teams in the playoffs. The Tigers are a good upset pick in the playoffs. They collect a lot of wins in the regular season and then fall flat in the playoffs.
Prediction: The upset bug won’t bite this Tuttle team. The Tigers will beat Clinton in the Class 3A state championship.
Class 2A
Chandler Lions
Who to watch: Quarterback/defensive back Jack Gray. He is one of the best players in the class. He has thrown for over 4,000 yards in his career and is a strong leader. He can also hit on defense.
Remaining schedule: Oct. 10 at Beggs; Oct. 16 at Holdenville; Oct. 24 vs. Morris; Oct. 31 at Okemah; Nov. 7 vs. Eufaula.
Strengths: They have an experienced team and one of the best players in the class in Gray. The Lions have 10 returning starters on offense from a team that advanced to the quarterfinals a year ago. Chandler is also a physical team that can overpower opponents on both sides of the ball. Just ask defending Class 3A champion Clinton, who the Lions beat 20-14 earlier this season.
Weaknesses: Chandler doesn’t have a lot of explosiveness on offense so if it gets down early, the Lions could be in trouble. The Lions rely a lot on the play of Gray. If he has a bad game or is injured, the team will be hampered.
Prediction: The experience and physical play will lead Chandler to the 2A championship game before losing to more explosive Heritage Hall.
Heritage Hall Chargers
Who to watch: Quarterback/defensive back Turner Peterson. He is a versatile and athletic player who does a lot of things for the Chargers. He can throw, run and catch the ball on offense while make big hits on defense.
Remaining schedule: Oct. 10 at Perry; Oct. 17 vs. Fairview; Oct. 24 at Newkirk; Oct. 31 at John Marshall; Nov. 7 vs. St. Mary’s.
Strengths: The Chargers have a lot of playmakers on both sides of the ball. They have the versatility of Peterson and the running of tailback Tanner France on offense. On defense, they have linebacker Graham King and defensive back Michael Dillard.
Weaknesses: Heritage Hall will not face a tough opponent for almost a month and half from early October until the playoffs begin the second week of November. The Class 2A playoffs are known for upsets so Heritage Hall cannot become too complacent and underestimate their opponents because of its easy late season schedule.
Prediction: Expect a lot of upsets in the 2A playoffs, but when it is all said and done, the Chargers will be left standing with the gold ball.
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