All these dog days of summer practices and it's almost here... So close I can taste it... pumpkin spice lattes coming back on the menu...
Stillwater Blue @ Edmond Wolves- Not a ton of info on either team just yet, but I'll go Edmond to win a close one- Edmond Wolves 13-12
Stillwater Gold @ Yukon White- Ditto- Stillwater Gold 13-12
Choctaw Blue @ Piedmont- Heard from a guy who knew a guy that some guy said there were 3 top 5 overall INFC teams in the west. Can't seem to find that thread though. Maybe he's from Piedmont??? Maybe not???..... - Piedmont 21-6
Norman Tigers @ Choctaw Gold- Hoping for that one dudes sanity that the Tigers get their first W here and see some success. I applaud them for keeping at it and showing up to play week in and week out regardless of outcomes. Gotta roll with Choctaw cause pickems matter around here- Choctaw Gold 18-6
Westmoore @ Norman Twolves- Keep hearing these tales of West side dominance... well I'll be the first to admit this Twolves team can do just that. Westmoore is rumored to be pretty salty, and they will blow my eyes wide open if they take this opener against a top 3 team in the INFC- Twolves 33-12
Edmond Bulldogs @ Yukon Red- Edmond split to two teams with a total redraft? Well if they had enough talent to make two equal teams we ought to be watching out for that state championship run in about 5-6 years at the high school level! Have no clue what Yukon brings to the table, just operating off past info- Edmond Bulldogs 28-6
Jenks Maroon @ Bixby Red- GOTW 1A- The champs certainly showed us we have a lot of cleaning up to do if we plan to walk off the field with our heads held high in week 4 when they mopped the floor with us in our second scrimmage. Well coached, tough as nails, and ready to fire on all cylinders would be understatements for this D. Glad we didn't have to see #5 running wild on us either. BIG RED has some unfinished business after the way the season went and the one and done playoff showing. Their studs are back and healthy, and I'm sure are prepared for most of the curveballs the champs plan to throw. I'm taking the 17' champs to come out on top in an early slugfest, and this one could be a healthy rematch in the dance later this year- BIG RED MACHINE- 21-20
Glenpool @ BA Black- GOTW 1B- Coachemup has this team operating like a formula 1 car in scrimmages, and its scary to think about what they are capable of when the lights come on and the scoreboard is working. I didn't get to witness any added wrinkles, but just the hum drum offense they showed at the scrimmages was always on schedule and they have playmakers all over the joint. #2 is an absolute weapon on either side of the ball and the QB runs that offense fluidly and flawlessly. BA Black comes in as two time runners-up and I'm positive they expect a gold ball or bust this season. Got the privilege of running D against their O and their size was impressive. What they do, they do well and I can't help but wonder if BABlackwolf and CO kept their cards close to their vest. Wouldn't surprise me in the least if a kid shows up to weigh in driving a 74' el camino with a girlfriend named Becky and runs a 4.3 40 at 109.9lbs. Whatever the case may be, its hard to pick against them but I gotta do it- Glenpool 20-14
Lincoln Christian @ Bixby Blue- GOTW 1C- Man what a good game of teams with great talent and coaching but totally different philosophies. LC has some beef on the line, and #65 will be a nightmare for all those who have to face him. If you "slip" through the line untouched as a Dlineman, you better have your head on a swivel. That qb can operate the offense with his eyes closed, and I'll be damned if I didn't think he used magic to fool us on the misdirection a couple times. Bixby Blue has a ton of talent from top to bottom on their roster. The coaches always have their boys ready for battle, and I wouldn't expect anything less. I would be lying if I said I wasn't worried about this pick but I gotta go with- BIG BLUE 19-18
BA White @ Catoosa- Man if it didn't start to water down the GOTW moniker, here's another one up for consideration. BA white has more than one great ballplayer, and the backbone of both sides of the ball Cowboy is as good as they come. Catoosa is a well coached, hard hitting, tougher than nails football team with players and coaches that leave it all on the field. Would love to see this one in person- Catoosa 14-13
BA Platinum @ Muskogee- BA Platinum has the beef! And the speed, and the coaching! I don't see them lying down in an early season match up with the roughers here. Muskogee has had its ups and downs over the last few years, but they always come ready to play- BA Platinum 21-6
Claremore @ Sand Springs- Claremore is a talented team with a ton of kids, but if the rumors are true that 23 left them after last season, then that hurts their chances at making the dance. Haven't seen Sand Springs live and in color so can't say too much about them. If coach4fun isn't leading the zebras than I'll take SS- Sandites 14-12
Wagoner @ Owasso White- Wagoner has playmakers that will stiff arm you in their nightmares. If coweta's big back has the best stiff arm in our league, this RB has number 2. Watched him punish LB after LB for trying to tackle high with bad angles. This will be a good test against a well coached team- Owasso White for the W
BA Silver @ Jenks White- BA silver has improved from what I've personally seen on film, to the point where I think they could contend with most teams this season. Jenks white on the other hand, looks like they will dominate most teams this season. Well coached, classy players with a scheme that will leave you wondering what hit you. #22 is just a prototypical stud all the way around. I see this one being over pretty early- White Trojans 28-0
Coweta Black @ McAlester- Coweta Black has hands down one of the best all around running backs in the league bar none. That kid can flat out fly and will make you look silly on game tape. Their coaches have them playing at high level if the scrimmages are any way indicative of how a team will perform, and I'm glad we don't have to face those boys. McAlester is an unkown to me, but you better believe I will be watching this film closely to prepare for that week 3 matchup. I've heard alot about the high flying offense and it will be interesting to see how Coweta reacts against an O like that. Gotta take the tigers- Coweta 20- 18
Union Silver @ Owasso Black- Union Silver looks like they are back and ready to roll, and if I had to admit they look like a team on a mission. Those boys were flying around on D and just absolutely swarming opposing backs. They have speed to burn and will hammer you down til you quit. Owasso Black has a plethora of new talent, but that new talent comes with its own challenges regarding plays and playing time. I've seen these guys putting in the work to get the season off on the right track, and I'm betting they will be! Owasso Rams- 24-21
BA Chrome @ Jenks Black- BA Chrome had a kid who made every tackle and made a couple defenses look silly! If they can block for him it could be a very surprising story by the end of the year. Jenks Black is an unkown in the INFC, but overall Jenks breeds football players! I'll roll with my HS and throw it to the -BA Tigers 12-7
Union Black @ TYAA- Ublack looked really good in the scrimmages as far as I saw. Boys run what they run and they do it well. TYAA has a distinct advantage over the rest of the INFC, and that team coming the best both would just be a cheat code. Hoping to make it through the dinner bell for this one- TYAA 21- 13
AA
Coweta White @ Berryhill- Coweta White was a big bodied powerhouse waiting to happen! I'm sure those coaches have them one step closer! Berryhill might be scrappy, but I'll take an L anyway! Coweta White 12-7
Skiatook @ Collinsville- Skiatook had #14 and if hes there they will need him to run wild but that's where they will be missing him. I believe Cards and Co ran into the buzzsaw named LC last season but that it made them better! My pick to win AA-Cardinals 21-12
Hilldale @ Sapulpa- Hilldale has the coaching and players to stay organized against any distractions... Sapulpa may be large, but they can be beat from time to time and shaffer knows what the plan is! I'd like to see this one pan out live- Hilldale- 21-7
Seqouyah @ Bartlesville White Don't know a ton about either, but Ill take - Sequoyah in a tight one 13-12
Bishop Kelley @ Verdigris- BK Comets are a well coached, disciplined ball club. My man roller will have put his stamp on this team by now, and I'm excited to see what shakes out! Verdigris- 18-12
Bartlesville Blue @ South Tulsa- Bville Blue... Could be the team with more talent than the other, and I'll go ahead and pick- Bville Blue 20-17
Holland Hall @ Pryor- Holland Hall must be a new squad so not much to say except welcome to the INFC... And thats what those pryor boys will be doing on saturday if the past is any indication of the future- Pryor 27-6