High School Football: Class 3A preview
BY MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
Sunday, August 26, 2012
8/26/12 at 6:59 AM
2012 High School Football Preview: Everything you need to get ready for the 2012 season.
The Favorite
1. Seminole
Time flies when you're having fun. Mike Snyder has 298 wins in 32 years at the Seminole helm, including a state title in 1996 and four runner-up finishes.
Snyder usually makes the most of a good thing, and 2012 could be a big year. Standout running back Trent Newson rushed for 1,476 yards and 17 TDs last season, and eight defensive starters return from a team that outscored opponents 510-200 and didn't lose until the playoff quarterfinals.
Linebacker Lane King led the team with 100 tackles, and Stan Papi heads a talented secondary and averaged eight yards per rushing attempt.
THE CONTENDERS
2. Berryhill: The Chiefs took to the air last season and averaged 33.4 points per game.
3. OKC Heritage Hall: Barry Sanders and a host of others graduated, but Chargers have tradition on their side, with two state titles in the past four years.
4. Metro Christian: Can Patriots remain an offensive juggernaut with a new quarterback (Matt Woolslayer) in harness?
5. Kingfisher: Senior tailback Landon Nault rushed for 1,517 yards and 25 TDs last season.
6. Tahlequah Sequoyah: Sequoyah is averaging 38.2 points per game in Brayden Scott's three years at the controls.
7. Tuttle: Cooper Koons is a seasoned hand at quarterback, one of 18 returning starters.
8. Plainview: James Bowker, Chase Brooks and Brandon Nowell are key returnees from last year's 9-4, state quarterfinal squad.
9. Verdigris: Senior running back Tanner Smith has 52 TDs the past two years.
10. Lincoln Christian: Bulldogs were 47-8 over four seasons in Class 2A.
GAMES TO WATCH
No. 10 Lincoln Christian at No. 1 Seminole, Aug. 31: What a way for the Bulldogs to begin competition in a new class, by taking on the team favored for the state title.
No. 3 Heritage Hall at No. 5 Kingfisher, Sept. 21: Heritage Hall beat Kingfisher for the 2010 state title and last year's District 3A-3 crown. This should again decide the 3A-3 title.
Morris at Beggs, Oct. 26: Okmulgee County rivals have met 64 times since 1946. This could have a bearing on the 3A-6 title.
No. 4 Metro Christian at No. 2 Berryhill, Nov. 2: Patriots and Chiefs battle for 3A-5 bragging rights; both should go far in postseason play.
No. 10 Lincoln Christian at No. 6 Tahlequah Sequoyah, Nov. 2: Lincoln's streak of district titles could end at four in 3A-7 shootout.
Players in the World's top 10
Brayden Scott (Tahlequah Sequoyah QB, 6-3, 205, Sr.); Zach Webb (Metro Christian, OL-DL, 6-2, 280, Sr.)
Zach Jackson (Berryhill, QB, 6-2, 190): University of Arkansas baseball commit threw for 2,750 yards and 23 TDs last year, leading Chiefs to 3A semifinals.
other players to watch
Chris Baccus (Beggs, RB-LB, 6-2, 212): Rushed for 2,109 yards and 24 TDs and had 156 receiving yards last season.
Josh Giem (Hilldale, LB, 6-0, 230): Ranked among 3A leaders in tackles with 158, including 13 behind the line.
Austin Grauer (Lincoln Christian, QB, 5-8, 175): Threw for 2,865 yards and 31 TDs, pacing Bulldogs to the 2A quarterfinals.
Adam Lomenick (Bristow, QB, 6-1, 180): Threw for 2,168 yards and 26 TDs as a junior.
Associated Images:
Berryhill quarterback Zach Jackson helped the Chiefs get to the 3A semifinals last season. MICHAEL WYKE / Tulsa World file
|
