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High school football playoffs: Five questions

Chandler Bennett and Bartlesville try to keep their season alive against Southmoore. CORY YOUNG / Tulsa World
 
By MATT BAKER World Sports Writer
Published: 11/20/2009  2:21 AM
Last Modified: 11/20/2009  5:56 PM

Are we headed to another Jenks-Union title game?

Union and Jenks have played each other for the state championship six times since 1998, including each of the last two seasons.

The two teams have been ranked in the top two all year, and it looks as if Class 6A could be set for another Jenks-Union showdown for the gold ball.

Union is the defending state champion and has beaten opponents by an average of 39 points this season.

But the second-ranked Redskins (10-1) looked vulnerable in last week's playoff opener. Union fell behind 9-0 to Claremore before rallying with 27 unanswered points to move into the quarterfinals.

Top-ranked Jenks remains undefeated and has won its 11 games by an average of 29 points. Only one game — a 27-25 win over Union in Week 2 — was by fewer than 17 points. The Trojans bowled over Yukon last week with a 44-6 win to start the postseason.

Union hosts Lawton tonight in the quarterfinals, while Jenks is at home against Edmond Memorial.

A win by each team would get them a victory away from a Backyard Bowl rematch for the state title.

Can Bishop Kelley knock off Carl Albert?

Top-ranked Bishop Kelley already has beaten Class 5A powers Booker T. Washington and Bixby in an 11-0 start.

But the Comets haven't faced a program as storied as Midwest City Carl Albert, the state champion in seven of the last 12 seasons.

"We know that in order to win a gold ball, it has to go through Carl Albert," Kelley coach J.J. Tappana said. "We've got to play them some time. Might as well do it when we get them at home in the second round."

Kelley began the season ranked 10th, but keeps finding ways to win.

The Comets have stayed healthy, Tappana said, and followed the formula for playoff success: run the ball and play strong defense.

Kelley hasn't given up more than 15 points all season and shut out Ada 25-0 in last week's first-round playoff win. Quarterback Jack Cameron and tailback Stephen Sherwood have put up big numbers behind an offensive line that matured in the season's opening weeks.

"They came of age early in the year," Tappana said of his line, "and we're still playing."

Will Bartlesville keep its surprising season alive?

Bartlesville has built a reputation as one of the top offenses in the area, racking up an average of 35 points per game this year.

Its opponent tonight, Southmoore, has been putting up great offensive numbers of its own. The Sabercats are averaging 36 points per game and lit up Lawton Ike for 34 last week.

"Boy, they are talented," Bruins coach Ron Smith said of Southmoore. "They're special. We've got to play defense like we did last week to have a chance."

Bartlesville held Owasso to one score and 260 yards in last week's 14-7 win over the Rams in the first round of the 6A playoffs.

"We certainly made the plays to stop them when the game was on the line," Smith said.

But tonight's quarterfinals opponent boasts a more potent offense with three Oklahoma commits. ESPN ranks Southmoore's Austin Haywood as the No. 3 tight end in the country, and wide receiver Julian Wilson and quarterback Kendal Thompson are among the top players in the state at their positions.

"They've got a lot of weapons," Smith said.

Can Bixby's defense stop Shawnee?

Behind a stout defense, Bixby eked out a 17-13 win over Central last week in a physical contest. The Spartans' reward: a 5A quarterfinals game at second-ranked Shawnee (11-0).

"They obviously haven't been beat," Bixby coach Pat McGrew said. "Our kids know that and understand that. They know they're going to have to play one of their best games this year to have a chance to win."

Shawnee has rolled through the season, outscoring opponents by an average of 26 points per contest and scoring no fewer than 33 points each game.

The Wolves opened the playoffs with a 43-13 win over Altus last week.

But Bixby has also been strong and looks to keep improving now that quarterback Kevin Lamb has returned from a broken hand and is regaining his accuracy.

After a few early injuries in the defense, the No. 8 Spartans (7-4) have allowed only 23 points in their last four games.

"They did a great job," McGrew said of his defense against Central. "These last two weeks have been two of the best weeks we've played defensively this year."

How will Oologah try to stop Star Spencer's tailbacks?

If Oologah hopes to continue its postseason run with a 4A quarterfinals victory tonight, it will have to do something few teams have done all season: stop Oklahoma City Star Spencer's tailbacks.

"You're not going to shut them down completely," Oologah coach Brandon Craig said. "They've got too many weapons."

Star Spencer's duo of Darwin Rideau and Terence Olds tore through a stout Glenpool defense in Week 10, rushing for 245 yards and four touchdowns.

But the Mustangs have two great weapons of their own on defense.

Inside linebacker John VanSingel's 130 tackles are third-most among area 4A players, and defensive end Josh Wilson has added 111 tackles and a team-high four sacks.

"He's played exceptionally all year," Craig said.

Oologah held Poteau to one score in last week's 35-7 win in the first round of the playoffs, and the Mustangs' defense has given up only 11 points per game in its last four contests.

"We'll have to contain them the best we can," Craig said, "and our offense is going to have to answer the bell."
By MATT BAKER World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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3 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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If you see a comment that violates our terms and conditions, please help us by clicking the "Report this Comment" link next to a comment. That will alert the web staff to review the comment. Thank you.  -- Web Editor Jason Collington
 

 
Report Comment
forkandknife, Tulsa (11/20/2009 10:44:56 AM)
Is Glenpool out?
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dcood, (11/20/2009 1:00:21 PM)
Geez, does anyone in Glenpool pay attention? Third time I've seen someone ask about Glenpool in or out... They lost their last two games of the year, to Star Spencer and in the first round to Douglass, both of OKC. Dont really believe they play better football on the eastside do we?? After Jenks and Union, westside is better from Class B on up.
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hawkdaddy, (11/20/2009 3:31:15 PM)
Don't think so dcood. Only time will tell. I believe Cascia, BTW, Glenpool and Union all won their repsective class titles last year. I know the West side is grasping for all hope, but you have to do it on the field. One upset does not prove much. Look for An all East 6A semifinal.
 

 
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