Some excellent matchups this week! Hard to pick a GOTW honestly....
Now that the non division games are over, we can get into the meat of the schedule.
BA Gold vs Union Silver- This could be a GOTW but not with the Division 2 top dawg matchup looming on the same week. Both teams had convincing wins in week one and two, and both of these squads have good size and speed combinations. I think USilver has the better offense and can sustain drives with the pass a little better than Gold. Will be decided by two scores or less in the redskins favor.
BA Orange vs Owasso Red- ORed took a hard L on Saturday night from a pissed off Jenks White squad. I expect they will get the wagons circled and iron out the kinks to take care of business by a TD or two.
BA Platinum vs Muskogee- The Gee just has too much firepower for platinum to handle. 10 and 13 are all over the place in the film I've watched. Should be a disabled scoreboard somewhere along the way for the roughers.
BA Black vs Bixby White-GOTW- Big time matchup of two very good teams right out of the gate in DIV 2. In all likelihood this game will set the 1 and 2 seeds for the playoffs, so for such an early season contest it's got a ton riding on it. BA Black seems to be very well coached, and what they run on offense they run very fluidly and consistently. Without seeing them too much I can't tell if they have that one "dude" or if they have a group of very talented athletes that each compliment the other. I do know their size and aggression up front will pose a problem for the spartans and everyone else they face off with this season. Bixby has an unmatched one two punch in the backfield that must be accounted for on every play. 1,5, 21, 3, 52 are all threats on both sides of the ball! The key to me is the Bixby passing attack against the BA defensive backfield. If Bixby can protect #1 long enough to find his targets downfield, he can distribute the ball to any one of these playmakers and take the top off. I see Bixby doing just that on the last drive of the game to win in a nail biter 30-29
Sand Springs vs Jenks Silver- Tough one to call, but I like the Sandites size across the line to be the difference. Wouldn't be surprised if Jenks proves me wrong here, but I think #11 has himself a nice day and SS takes it by two scores.
Jenks White vs Bixby Blue- This one is another intriguing matchup! Bixby has a derth of talent across the board, but I'm not sure they have that one guy who can burn you any play no matter what down and distance. That means they have to play perfect assignment football and control the clock to win a game like this, and with 30 kids I just don't know how you can do it. Especially against a well coached and disciplined Jenks football team like white. #8, #15 were visibly jacked up against Owasso Red last weekend, and it showed in how hard they fought every down. If the trojans bring that intensity every week, they will be a tough opponent against any one. #10 is tall, fast receiver with good hands, and he will make you respect the pass, but this team runs through #5. You must account for him on every play, and most of all if anyone is still reading this novel, QUIT KICKING/PUNTING THE BALL to #5. It's not a good idea. Trust me. Trojans win this one with some razzle dazzle by 3 TDs
Union Red vs Owasso Black- Somehow we got the pleasure of lining up against Red on O and D in the scrimmages, so we know all about the big time players on this squad, and they're led by an absolute beast in #10. Big test for us right out of the gate in division play at Union. Wish this game would get changed to Tuttle Field so coaches pull some strings!
Union Black vs Jenks Maroon- Union Black has some nice athletes and they can break one on ya if you don't tackle for sure. Jenks will control the ball and be more disciplined though and they'll win this one by 2 TDs