When taking in the Class 5A bracket it exhibits the top two ranked teams on top, but a more balance bottom half. Setting up an exciting 5A run in the next four weeks.
Prior to the season, many thought seven teams had the best chance of holding up the gold ball on the first weekend in December: Booker T, Carl Albert, Duncan, East Central, Guthrie, Lawton Mac, or McAlester. Coweta and Grove want to have a say in the matter with their 8-2 and 7-3 perspective records.
Coweta enters the playoffs with a five-game winning streak and their only losses have come to 9-1 East Central and 10-0 Wagoner. The Tigers will be a favorite to win over Bishop Kelley in the first round, a re-match of Coweta’s week three win over Kelley, 24-3, setting up a possible second round match with Guthrie.
The Tigers are led by Clint Keel, a senior tailback with 820 rushing yards and 17 TDs, and is one of the Tigers elite defensive players.
Booker T. Washington, who has been ranked No. 1 all season, may have the most direct route to the state semi’s followed by Guthrie. A possible Booker T. and Guthrie state semi final game would be a rematch of epic showdowns from 2002 and 2008. The series is tied at 1-1 since 2002.
Lawton MacArthur vs McAlester and Tulsa East Central vs Carl Albert are possible second round dream match-ups that will rival some of the better games in the state if it plays out that way.
The BlueJays were the only team a season ago to go on the road and win in the first round in 5A. However, El Reno was the only home team to win in the second round. This season, Deer Creek possess the greatest threat of going on the road and winning in the first round when they travel to Ardmore.
The Titans are the defending champions and Gary Rose’s program has won nine of the last 14 state titles. The other five championships belong to Guthrie (2002, 2007), Booker T (2008), Shawnee (2003), and East Central (2005).
If Guthrie beats Durant, the quarters will be in Guthrie, correct?
Big “upset” possibilities in Lawton, Ardmore (if this is an upset), McAlestar, and even MWC. I think Ada beats Mac, Deer Creek beat Ardmore, and Grove and Duncan will give McAlestar and CA all they want……. Not sure how Claremore and Skiatook even got in the playoffs, but it would be pretty funny for a team to have to win 2 playoff games just to get to .500. Has that ever even happened??
Yes, a Guthrie win and there will be one last game played at Jelsma for the second round.
I am going to be putting my first round predictions together today, but I am leaning toward a five TD win for Carl Albert.
Good luck to Guthrie, From a Carl Albert Fan. I will be at the Semi final game between Guthrie and T. Wash. I will be rooting for The Jays because I want to keep the Gold ball on the west side of the state.
I think it will be Guthrie Vrs Lawton Mac or Carl Albert in the title game.
The closest thing I would have to an upset would be Deer Creek winning at Ardmore. I wouldn’t consider it an upset.
Trey I would not put any money on the Duncan – CA Game, CA won at duncan 42-10, and the only player they had that could hang with CA was Petties, and he won’t make the trip.
Clarence, I wouldn’t put money on it, just think Duncan will be up for the game. They have talent, but it hasn’t gelled this year. As I said when I said “give them all they want” I really was just saying CA and McAlestar should be on their toes. The only big game McAlestar played (against TW), they lost BAD! And coming off this kind of loss, you could tend to be down. It’ll be interesting to see how they rebound.
And I also wouldn’t consider DC a big upset if they beat Ardmore. DC should be home field but they have the disadvantage of being in such a tough district. I think Ada can keep the Lawton Mac game close. I could be wrong but I don’t think Mac has really won any big games. There schedule is pretty weak and Ada has been tested thoroughly in the district. Could be interesting.
How come Guthrie and Booker T are in the same bracket. They have identical records and have been 1,2 all season? Carl Albert was 3 and gets a free ride, they’ve already gotten beat by Booker T I beleive.
Bryan that is just how the brackets are drawn up. District’s 1 and 3 winners are on top of the bracket and District’s 2 and 4 on the bottom half.
Guthrie has been in District 2 up until this year for several years. I imagine Gary Rose, Carl Albert head coach, is not all that upset that he does not have to see Booker T or Guthrie until the finals if the Titans advance that far.
You are correct, Booker T. defeated Carl Albert in Week 1, 12-10, and the Hornets were without their starting quarterback.