Top 10 games this week in Oklahoma feature big-time matchups in state title games

By Glen Brockenbush 

Stillwater photograph by Christian Potts

We’ve reached the end line (or some groups have) of the multi-month marathon that has been the 2022 Oklahoma highschool soccer season.

Between Thursday and Saturday, six groups will enter the historical past books as state champions. For each highschool soccer participant, a state championship is the final word purpose. However, the that means behind a state championship differs from college to highschool.

For instance, some colleges, like Bixby, Wagoner, Tipton and Midwest City Carl Albert, are used to the intense lights of championship evening. Meanwhile, Cushing, for all its success, hasn’t gained a state title since 1961, and Choctaw has by no means gained a state title in soccer.

Regardless of who takes the gold ball trophies residence, it will likely be a weekend to recollect. Of course, there are three courses which are nonetheless in the semifinal stage.

With solely 12 games this week and three subsequent week, this would be the ultimate Top 10 games record of the season.

All 11-man state championship games (all of this week’s title games apart from Class C) will likely be performed on the University of Central Oklahoma’s Chad Richison Stadium in Edmond.

1. Stillwater vs. Choctaw, 1 p.m. Friday (Class 6AII championship)

Over the previous few years, these two colleges have been constant winners. However, like the remainder of Class 6AII previous to this season, they have been all principally competing for second place.

But with no Bixby in the image anymore, the door has opened for one in every of these two talent-laden applications to assert a much-longed-after title.

The quarterbacks will garner many of the headlines, with Choctaw signal-caller and Akron commit Steele Wasel having been a statewide title for about three years, and Pioneers’ set off man Gage Gundy clearly the son of a well-known father (and he can sling it like his dad and brother, too). But this recreation will doubtless come right down to what most games come right down to – errors and the conflict in the trenches.

Stillwater jumped out to an enormous early lead in opposition to Edmond Deer Creek in the semis, but nearly squandered it due to penalties and poor execution on onside kick recoveries.

Choctaw hasn’t misplaced for the reason that season opener in opposition to Del City and has largely taken care of the ball. Stillwater scored on large performs in the primary half final week in massive half as a result of Gundy had time to throw and Noah Roberts had open lanes.

Though Choctaw didn’t at all times maintain a clear pocket for Wasel in the Yellowjackets’ semifinal win in opposition to Muskogee, his mobility allowed him to nonetheless make performs. Will the Stillwater entrance seven be capable of get strain on him?

2. Cushing vs. Wagoner, 7 p.m. Saturday (Class 4A championship)

Wagoner’s 13-10 win in the bitter chilly in opposition to Tuttle in the quarterfinals felt like a really “Wagoner-y” win. The protection clamped down, the road play was bodily and offensively, they did sufficient to win.

But Wagoner confirmed a special facet in the semis, destroying Poteau 30-0. Now, the Bulldogs face the final workforce to beat them in No. 1 Cushing, and they’ll attempt to erase the reminiscences of that Oct. 7 recreation, a 42-0 thumping by the hands of the Tigers that actually made the state take discover.

Cushing’s Camden Crooks is a deadly match-up for almost anybody, however there are many different weapons for quarterback Blaze Berlowitz to get the ball to.

Cushing has regarded almost unstoppable all season. Will this be the 12 months the Tigers lastly take residence a title? Or will Wagoner declare its second championship in three years?

3. MWC Carl Albert vs. McAlester, 1 p.m. Saturday (Class 5A championship)

Both applications really feel like they’ve unfinished enterprise from a 12 months in the past.

Carl Albert’s string of 5 consecutive state titles was snapped in a semifinal loss to Collinsville final 12 months. That similar Collinsville workforce beat McAlester in an all-timer in the state championship recreation.

The Titans look as sturdy as ever on offense with Xavier Robinson running roughshod over everybody.

McAlester, regardless of not having Erik McCarty, was capable of trip the legs of Blaze Baugh and Stephen Gragg to handle Bishop McGuinness and make it to a second consecutive state championship recreation.

Which protection will step up and cease the opposite’s offense?

4. Bixby vs. Owasso, 7 p.m. Friday (Class 6AI championship)

In the lead-up to final Friday, there was one Class 6AI semifinal garnering all the eye. And by evening’s finish, it was the opposite that had the discover of your complete state (and different elements of the nation).

While Bixby finished a business-like revenge victory in opposition to Jenks, Owasso took down Union in a six-overtime thriller.

The Rams are actually taking part in the function of Cinderella, a workforce that began the season 1-4, however has rattled off eight straight wins. Those 4 losses included a season-opening loss to Bixby.

The Spartans, in the meantime, are on the lookout for a fifth consecutive state championship and eighth in 9 years, although it could be this system’s first in the state’s greatest classification after having gained the previous four state titles in 6AII.

5. Tipton vs. Waynoka, 7 p.m. Friday at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany (Class C championship)

I’m at all times trying to give the 8-man colleges some love, and whereas this one won’t garner the gang or consideration the larger colleges’ title games would possibly, it’s arduous to disregard a gathering of No. 1 vs. No. 2, each of whom are unbeaten.

Both these groups have powerhouse offenses.

For Tipton, all conversations start with the working again tandem of Dakota Sheffield (5-foot-10, 220 kilos) and Prince Dweh (6-0, 225), two huge guys to be carrying the ball (they’re additionally the workforce’s stalwart linebackers). But the Tigers even have a seasoned quarterback in Dallas Chandler and an enormous tight finish in Maxx Babcock.

Waynoka, nonetheless, has a deadly assault of its personal, with the senior pair of quarterback Teegun Allison and working again Jace Dunn, in addition to sophomore stud Landon Seiger. The X-factor for the Railroaders may be two-way large man Wyatt Atwood (6-2, 240).

6. OKC Heritage Hall vs. Tulsa Metro Christian, 7 p.m. Thursday (Class 3A championship)

The incontrovertible fact that this one is quantity 6 tells you ways intriguing a few of these different title recreation matchups are.

Heritage Hall actually appeared to be the better team in opposition to Verdigris in the semifinals, however made some errors that allowed the Cardinals to stay round. The Chargers can’t afford to do this in opposition to a lethal Patriots’ passing assault, led by star quarterback Kirk Francis.

But the Chargers have an excellent signal-caller of their very own in Andy Bass, whose run-pass mixture makes him one of many extra underrated QBs in the state. Having River Faulkner again is an enormous deal for the Hall, each on protection and offense.

7. Gore vs. Hominy, 7 p.m. Friday at Jenks HS (Class A semifinals)

The Pirates have regarded nearly as good as anybody in Class A all season, led by working again Gunner Dozier and (*10*), in addition to a stout protection.

But if there’s a workforce left that would give Gore bother, it may very well be Hominy. Quarterback Jaxon Woods is without doubt one of the extra thrilling gamers you’ll discover (at any stage), and he’ll look to steer the Bucks to a repeat of 2016, the final time Hominy took residence a state title.

8. OKC Millwood vs. Tulsa Victory Christian, 7 p.m. Friday at East Central University in Ada (Class 2A semifinals)

Millwood has had one of many extra proficient applications in Class 2A for a number of years, but it surely hasn’t translated to championships.

This could be the year for coach Darwin Franklin and the Falcons, as they’ve a punishing line, a dynamic working again in Rickey Hunt Jr., a quarterback who can throw the lengthy ball in CJ Turnbull and burners like Xzavier Thompson and Kato Sirisombath on the skin.

But earlier than they will win their first title in 5 years, they’ll must get previous Victory Christian first. The Conquerors are a workforce who likes to play bodily, as their power is probably going in the trenches.

How will the Victory protection take care of a Millwood offense loaded with playmakers?

9. Jones vs. Washington, 7 p.m. Friday at Putnam City HS (Class 2A semifinals)

Especially since Rejoice Christian went down, Washington has been seen because the no-brainer favourite of many to make it to Edmond from that facet of the bracket.

The Warriors are nonetheless unbeaten and have looked mighty impressive in opposition to all comers. Cole Scott is working like an All-Stater, Major Cantrell has regarded environment friendly at quarterback and the protection is fearsome.

But Jones is aware of all about taking part in soccer in December. The Longhorns are younger, particularly on offense, however they’ve grown up this season, and have a quarterback in Clayton Creasey who makes fast selections and may beat you together with his arm or legs.

10. Enid Oklahoma Bible Academy vs. Seiling, 7 p.m. Friday at NWOSU in Alva (Class B semifinals)

Oklahoma Bible handed Seiling its solely lack of the season again in September, 58-34.

The Trojans completed the season unbeaten and ranked No. 1. They have a number of dimension that you just don’t see at this stage, together with 6-4 quarterback Brodie Boydston. But their engine on offense is probably going going to be 5-5 Jud Cheatham.

But Seiling has some large guys of their very own in a pair of 6-2 receivers, Cody Pester and Hudson Hamar, together with a quarterback able to getting them the ball in Kaden Manuel. The Wildcats are actually aiming to maintain this one nearer.

Honorable point out: Fairview vs. Colcord (Class A semis), Laverne vs. Velma-Alma (Class B semis).