Glenpool 7-2 @ Lincoln Christian 7-2 (Thursday) Man this is the best (on paper) first round matchup in my opinion! The two losses each team has don't mean squat (even tho they all were very good/close losses against top teams). I really wish it wasn't on Halloween because I would really enjoy going to watch it. The winner of this game will have the toughest path in making it to Nov 9th, but will also be super battle tested. LC will control the los as #44 will wreak havoc, but #2 for Glenpool is a top 5 player in the grade in my opinion. Total gamechanger. LC hasn't forgot that 26-6 L they took in the 1st rd two years ago by this very Glenpool team. I expect a game of the year type performance by both teams. I must pick a winner, so I'm going with LINCOLN CHRISTIAN in a thriller! 25-24
Stillwater Gold 4-5 @ TYAA 9-0 (Tuesday) Well the good news for Stillwater is this game is being played on Tuesday, and not Thursday. The bad news is, they play TYAA. Stillwater has struggled putting points up on the board. TYAA's strength is keeping opponents out of the endzone. So one thing for certain is the Pioneers will get shutout. It's just a matter of if they're going to be able to keep the clock from running. Which I just don't think they'll be able to. TYAA 35-0
Owasso White 6-3 @ Norman Twolves 9-0 (Tuesday) The only thing worse than driving to Norman on a cold Tuesday night, is driving to Piedmont on Halloween night! I'm thinking some of these boys may have played "hooky" today and are amping up for a battle tonight!! Not much else to say about Norman. They are the real deal! Their backfield is dynamic, their line plays angry, and their defense is as stingy as it gets. This Owasso team though, they aren't no slouches themselves. A team (of 28), that improves every time they play. #4 and #7 anchor the line, while their RB's run HARD. #20 does a great job behind center. I'll be rooting for you O-White!!! Prove me wrong! I just think Norman has the complete package this year. NORMAN TWOLVES 25-7
Bixby Red 5-4 @ Jenks Maroon 9-0 (Monday) It's playoff time! You can go ahead and toss out the records, as well as that week 1 blowout (Jenks 33-0). Two of the most experienced teams in the league squaring off round 1. Both have made the playoffs every season. Both have won a chip. Bixby won it in 3rd grade. Jenks won it last year in 4th. Athletes all over the field on both sides. Jenks may be without a big piece in this one, but it's next man up. Targets have been on their backs all season, getting everyone's best shot, and they still managed to go undefeated. Bixby played a brutal schedule and was able to earn a seat at the table...Now they have revenge on their minds. Going to be a much closer game than the first time around but I still got JENKS MAROON winning by 3 scores. 28-6.
BA Silver 4-5 @ Yukon White 5-4 (Wednesday) The matchup everyone was waiting for! But seriously, congrats on earning a playoff berth. This should be a competitive game. I see both defenses holding their own making it a low scoring game. Silver makes a few big plays resulting in them picking up the W on the road. BA SILVER 12-6
Bixby Blue 7-2 @ Piedmont 8-1 (Thursday) Piedmont knew what they were doing when they scheduled this game for Halloween night. I have a feeling it is going to be a classic. Bixby hasn't been as dominant as I would've thought, after their semifinal run a season ago, but its playoff time. This is when they seem to hit that next gear. Piedmont surprised us all by beating Edmond. And they kicked a 22 yd field goal! Impressive!! BA Black will be anxiously awaiting the outcome of this one. In the end, I think the Wildcats get a playoff W in their inaugural season. #13 goes beastmode. PIEDMONT 22-7
Stillwater Blue 6-3 @ BA Black 9-0 (Tuesday) Stillwater Blue has a decent little squad. Their 3 losses were against the top 3 from the west, and they were pretty competitive in those games for the most part. They will need to play their best game of the season to have somewhat of a shot in this one. BA Black has finished the regular season undefeated for the 3rd straight season. That is super impressive! But, they are hoping for a different ending this season, as they have finished with the Silver ball in each of the previous two. No team more hungry than this one. They start their run off with a convincing W. BA BLACK 27-0.
AA
South Tulsa 6-3 @ Verdigris 7-2 (Tuesday) Time to give Verdigris their props. After an 0-2 start, they rattled off 7 straight wins, outscoring their opponents 171-31 during that span. They showed out in their biggest two games beating Hilldale and Pryor by a combined 52-7. #43 is a beast, and they have a nice supporting cast around him. #99 will always be one of my favorites! South Tulsa is a scary #4 seed. They have a good combination of size and speed. When they can get to the edge, they are hard to stop. Those two backs will need to perform well (#13/#99). If South Tulsa plays to their potential, they have a legit shot of upsetting Verdy, but there is something about playing your best football at the right time. Which is exactly what VERDIGRIS is doing. 20-6.
Hilldale 5-4 @ Berryhill 8-1 (Tuesday) Rematch from way back in week 2. Seems like forever ago. Berryhill won that game 12-0. Both teams have learned and progressed since then. Hilldale isn't a stranger to big time games, and you can bet Shaffer is in the works of devising a solid gameplan to upend the Chiefs and keep their season alive. Berryhill has a nice resume, thanks to a solid defense, and an offense that can beat you in multiple ways. I really enjoy watching their film. If Hilldale can sustain long drives and limit possessions, they have a good chance to win this game. I see this turning out fairly similar to the first go round. BERRYHILL 19-6
Coweta White 3-6 @ Collinsville 8-1 (Saturday) COLLINSVILLE.. LET'S PLAY!!!!
Bishop Kelley 8-1 @ Pryor 7-2 (Saturday) My two preseason favorites to win this AA division matching up rd 1. I expect a great game! These two played twice last year I believe, splitting those contests. Bishop Kelley is a fumble inside their 3 yd line of being 9-0. Pryor started out strong serving up a ton of doughnuts as Miyagi says, and only suffered 1 loss in division play. This will be the best 1st rd game in my opinion. If Pryor can play the type of defense they did in the first few weeks, they very well could win this game. I think BK is a veteran bunch that really plays well together. And having a kicker is HUGE in these types of games. BISHOP KELLEY 16-7