Even though it was a preseason contest, Edison took a big step with a 21-7 victory over East Central in the Grady Skillern All-City Preview on Thursday night at Webster's Milton Stadium.
Edison will play rival Memorial in the semifinals at 6 p.m. Friday at LaFortune Stadium. The winner will move to the finals at 8:30 p.m. against the B.T. Washington-McLain winner at 7:15 p.m.
Booker T. Washington and East Central have had a stranglehold on winning this event since Hale took the crown in 1997. They have been the two dominant Tulsa Public Schools teams in this century. The teams have often met in the All-City finals.
For a program that has only one regular-season win over the past two seasons, a preseason victory over 2012 5A Class runner-up East Central is a big confidence boost. I predict that Edison, under new coach D.J. Howell, could be one of the biggest surprises in 6A football this season. The Eagles have some major college talent and a new attitude. There is excitement around the program.
Here are the recaps of Edison's games on Thursday, as written by correspondent Kevin Henry:
Edison 28, Rogers 14
The story: Rogers fumbled on consecutive snaps in the early stages, giving Edison the ball deep in Roper territory. Maurico Horn took advantage, punching in two short touchdown runs to stake Edison to a 14-0 edge with less than four minutes elapsed in the contest. The Eagles led 28-0 at halftime, as Rogers was held to just two first downs.
Top performers: Edison quarterback Akylen Mayfield had 164 yards of total offense in one half, including 124 yards rushing on six carries. Alfred Lewis had a first-half interception and a second-half touchdown pass and two-point conversion run for Rogers. Devon Robinson had an 81-yard interception return for the Ropers with 8:19 left.
Quotable: "We wanted to come out, get the lead, and look strong early," said Edison head coach D.J. Howell. "I thought our first group played very well in the first half."
EDISON 28, ROGERS 14
Rogers 0 14 - 14
Edison 28 0 - 28
E: Horn 3 run (Clarke kick)
E: Horn 6 run (Morris kick)
E: Mayfield 69 run (Clarke kick)
E: Austin 3 run (Morris kick)
R: Robinson 81 interception return (pass failed)
R: Cherry 23 pass from Lewis (Lewis run)
Edison 21, East Central 7
The story: Edison eliminated East Central by dominating the second half, thanks in part to the scrambling of Mayfield and a momentum-killing interception by the Eagles' Lon'Trelle Miller. The sophomore picked off East Central quarterback Tre'von Cherry as the Cardinals were driving for what would have been the tying touchdown midway through the second period.
Top performers: Mayfield's 9-yard touchdown run gave the Eagles the lead with 10:39 to play in the game. His 14-yard scramble on third-and-1 set up Michael Austin's 1-yard plunge with 4:58 left that sealed the game. It was Austin's second touchdown of the game. Cherry connected with Victor Clark three times on the night, including a 48-yard scoring toss in the first half.
Quotable: "That interception was huge. Our defense was able to stop them and that allowed our offense to do the things that we wanted to do," Howell said. "Austin did a great job running the ball and our offensive line did a great job of blocking all night."
EDISON 21, EAST CENTRAL 7
East Central 7 0 - 7
Edison 7 14 - 21
E: Austin 23 run (Clarke kick)
EC: Clark 48 pass from Cherry (Ross kick)
E: Mayfield 9 run (Morris kick)
E: Austin 1 run (Morris kick)
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