In a matchup of two powerful 6A teams, Bartlesville and Broken Arrow will battle for the No. 2 spot in District 6A-3. The winner gets a home playoff game, while the loser will open the postseason on the road against Owasso.

The Tigers feature star running back Steven Hopper.

In Glenpool, the Warriors are looking to finish the regular season undefeated by beating OKC Star Spencer. A victory would secure the district title and cement Glenpool as the favorite to win the 4A state championship.

To do so, the Warriors will have to stop one of the best ground games in the state and get production from its own standout tailback, Marco Nelson.

Another area star, Central quarterback Demarco Cobbs, is playing to extend his high school career. If the state’s top recruit can lead the Braves to a win over Stilwell, Central will get its first trip to the playoffs since 2003.

And the top three spots in District 4A-3 are up for grabs.

Catoosa, Jay and Oologah could all finish anywhere from first through third, depending on tonight’s games.

“It’s been a great experience for everybody, myself included,” Catoosa coach Aaron Meier said.

“It’s been a fun ride, and we’re definitely not ready for it to end.

Four Questions

No. 4 Bartlesville travels to No. 3 Broken Arrow, and the winner will lock up second- place in District 6A-3 and a home playoff game. The loser will open the postseason at Owasso.

"I think a home playoff game is very important to everybody," Bartlesville coach Ron Smith said. "No doubt about it.

Bartlesville (8-1, 5-1 district) has been one of the biggest surprises of the season thanks to a high-powered offense led by quarterback Kirby Schoenthaler and receiver Mike Thompson.

Broken Arrow (7-2, 5-1) has lived up to lofty expectations with a stout defense and great rushing attack. Tailback Steven Hopper, a Houston commit, is averaging 7.6 yards per carry and will challenge a Bruins defense that's struggled against the ground game.

"We know we've got to do a better job of stopping the run," Smith said. "That's obvious.

You're not going to go very deep in the playoffs if you can't stop the run.

"If we don't stop the run, they'll handle us.

And send the Bruins to Owasso for the first round of the playoffs.

2. Will Catoosa end up as champions in wild District 4A-3?

Catoosa, Oologah and Jay are tied atop District 4A-3, and any school could finish first, second or third in the final standings.

“That doesn’t happen very often,” Catoosa coach Aaron Meier said.

“That’s the kind of district we play in.

After finishing 2-8 last year, the Indians have turned it around under Meier. A Catoosa win and a Collinsville victory over Oologah would give Catoosa its first district championship since 1980.

“I didn’t even know that until we got close,” Meier said.

“I know there’s excitement in the community and around school, and everything’s pretty upbeat.

Jay is also in the running to take the district title for the first time since 1989. To do so, the Bulldogs need to beat Grove and have Collinsville beat Oologah and hope that the point differentials work out.

“It’s obviously the biggest game these kids have ever played because they’re playing for a district championship,” Jay coach Shane Holland said.

“If you want to win the district and have a chance to have two playoff games (at home), then it’s a game we must win.

3. Can Demarco Cobbs lead Central to the playoffs?

Central star Demarco Cobbs isn’t ready for his high school career to end. The Texas commit has a chance to lead the Braves to their first playoff berth since 2003 with a win tonight over Stilwell in District 5A-4.

“He wants us to get a shot at the state championship,” Central coach Corey Russell said. “I think that’s a viable option. It’s kind of wide open, this 5A race is. Any of these teams can be beaten.

Including Central. The Braves (7-2, 4-2 district) will face a tough Stilwell team that can make the playoffs with a win over Central and an Ada win over McAlester.

But Stilwell will have to find a way to stop Cobbs, who has racked up more than 2,000 all-purpose yards and is averaging 9.2 yards per carry.

As top college teams continued to court the quarterback/ defensive back, Cobbs said he was focused on leading Central to its first state championship since 1946. Thanks to his 25 touchdowns and an improved defense, his goal is still in sight.

“Our kids know that we have the opportunity to go to the playoffs for the first time (in a while),” Russell said. “They’re pretty fired up about it.

4. Will Glenpool rush to a district crown?

Glenpool tailback Marco Nelson has dueled against several top running backs, including Bixby’s DeWitt Jennings III earlier this year. But he’ll struggle to find a pair of backs as talented as those of tonight’s opponent, OKC Star Spencer.

“I told somebody earlier that two of the best running backs in the country, anywhere, are going to be there,” Glenpool coach Steve Edwards said.

“Nelson and the two kids from Star Spencer are going to put on a show.

Nelson, a Tulsa commit, has locked up his third consecutive 1,000-yard season and is averaging 15.5 yards per carry.

Star Spencer’s Darwin Rideau is a three-star recruit and has drawn interest from Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ohio State and Virginia Tech, according to Rivals.com. Terence Olds has also rushed for more than 500 yards.

Glenpool is aiming for its 24th consecutive win, and a victory at home would cap off a perfect 10-0 regular season.

The winner will be the champion in District 4A-2 and the favorite to win state.

“Whatever happens in this game … we could end up seeing each other in the state finals,” Edwards said. “I think it’ll be a fun one to watch.