High school football 5A playoff preview
BY MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
Sunday, November 04, 2012
11/04/12 at 6:27 AM
2011 champion
Guthrie (9-1): After winning their third state title in 10 years, Guthrie finished third in District 5A-2 and plays at Lawton MacArthur in a first-round rematch of last year's championship game, won by the Bluejays 24-7.
Team to beat
East Central (6-4): Forfeits due to an ineligible player caused the only blemishes on the Cards' record. They were unbeaten on the field, led by an explosive quartet. Stanvon Taylor, a University of Oklahoma commit, combines with Deontre Youngblood to average nearly 18 yards per catch.
Sleeper
Claremore (9-1): The Zebras have a strong defense to back up a solid running attack. They gave East Central its toughest regular-season game, falling 20-19 when they failed on a two-point conversion run in the closing seconds. Senior linebacker Jordan Cunningham averages over 15 tackles per game and sophomore defensive back Dustin Basks has five interceptions.
Players to watch
Novis Cullom, Memorial: Senior nose guard was described by McAlester coach Brian Pratt as "the best defensive lineman we've faced this year."
Brady Goforth and Austin Morris, Bishop Kelley: The Comets are 8-0 in games that the seniors have been healthy. Morris is a 1,000-yard rusher and Goforth, a quarterback, accounted for 18 TDs.
Hayden Holmes, Coweta: Senior quarterback has thrown for 1,523 yards and 14 TDs.
Zane McElroy, Collinsville: Junior quarterback is over 1,000 yards in both rushing and passing.
Marquee matchup
Kelley vs. Coweta: Teams will collide for the sixth time in three years and fifth time in the playoffs since 2005. Kelley won both games last year and won 29-25 in Week 3.
Looking ahead
Barring upsets, East Central could face defending champion Guthrie in the second round and No. 4 Deer Creek in the semifinals.
Predicted finish
East Central 24, OKC Bishop McGuinness 21
Associated Images:
Cullom
|
