Football Forecast

Week 4: Second Season Begins
It's the second season for most teams across the state, and a fresh start, as district play opens in the 11-man ranks across the state of Oklahoma. Last week was more like it for our prognosticators as they shook off the early rust of the opening two weeks to notch a very respectable 78.8 percent success rate. We'll see if they can improve on that in the opening week of district action.
Last Week: 141-38 (.788); Season: 410-135 (.752)

The Big Ten

#6 Heritage Hall at #2 Kingfisher
Our Take: (Class 3A) For the first time in quite a while, it's Heritage Hall looking up at Kingfisher in the rankings. The Chargers have ruled this matchup in recent years, including three wins in the last two seasons. One of those wins was in the 2010 Class 3A championship game. However, almost all of the firepower on offense is gone from those three wins, as has been evident the last two games when Heritage Hall has been dealt losses and scored a total of 12 points. To their credit, those losses were to Clinton and Davis. No shame in that. Kingfisher outscored its first two opponents 101-0 before needing to come back from two-touchdown deficits twice last week to beat Hennessey. Don't let Heritage Hall's record fool you - the Chargers are a tough win. If Kingfisher's going to finally get it, it certainly won't be easy.
Our Pick: Kingfisher 21, Heritage Hall 19

#8 Southmoore at #6 Edmond Santa Fe
Our Take: (Class 6A) Justice Hansen gets all the pub, but Southmoore's Trey Edwards is making sure this is a showdown between two of the state's top passing quarterbacks. Hansen has thrown for 767 yards and 7 TDs for the Wolves, but Edwards is right on his tail with 695 yards and 8 scores. While Southmoore has been rolling through its schedule, including an exciting win over rival Westmoore in Week 2, the Wolves are coming off a loss to rival Edmond North. That loss probably gave the Wolves added focus this week. Expect it to pay off.
Our Pick: Edmond Santa Fe 31, Southmoore 28

#7 Carl Albert at #4 Deer Creek
Our Take: (Class 5A) Carl Albert has been among the "haves" in Class 5A. Deer Creek has been building to get there. This could be the year the Antlers get among that group. They've rolled through three opponents thus far, but those foes have a combined three wins. Meanwhile, Carl Albert, as usual, has been cutting its teeth on tougher competition, opening with losses to Southmoore and Coweta. The Titans feature 5A's top rusher in Steve Thompson (465 yards and 5 TDs) while Deer Creek has the class's top passer in Joel Blumenthal (636 yards, 9 TDs, 0 INTs). While the Titans have experience in big games year after year, we just feel this is the year for Deer Creek to begin to take the next step. In this brutal district, you can't do it without beating Carl Albert.
Our Pick: Deer Creek 24, Carl Albert 20

#7 Owasso at #1 Union
Our Take: (Class 6A) It's not often Union is looking for revenge on someone not named Jenks, but that's exactly the case here. Although the Redskins won their fourth consecutive state title last year, they were handed a 41-38 loss by Owasso in the regular season. That loss ended a 94-game win streak in district games dating back to 1997. Union is much healthier this time around and by no means wants to fall in an 0-1 district hole. Look for it to be close for a while before the Redskins pull away.
Our Pick: Union 29, Owasso 18

#5 Cashion at #9 Minco
Our Take: (Class A) This is the first in one of what's expected to be three key games to decide the pecking order in A-3. Crescent is the other team that figures to put itself in the mix. Minco won last year's matchup between these two squads 28-8, but Cashion is much healthier this time around. The combination of Ty Reasnor at quarterback (who already has one five-touchdown game this season) and T.J. Martin at running back has been nearly unstoppable. Minco counters with Tyler Mitchum at QB, who's thrown for nearly 700 yards and 7 TDs. However, he's also thrown seven picks. Expect both teams to be able to put up points. The winner could come down to who doesn't make the big mistake.
Our Pick: Cashion 28, Minco 18

#6 Sallisaw at #10 Poteau
Our Take: (Class 4A) The resurgence of the Poteau Pirates in the first year under Greg Werner has been impressive. Unbeaten through non-district play with a host of youngsters stepping up in key areas, including running back where freshman Roger Barcheers has been the catalyst with 344 yards. Jace Pitchford has also been solid at quarterback behind a physical offensive line. This could be the biggest test yet against a Sallisaw club that has posted nice wins over Sequoyah Claremore and Tahlequah in the past two weeks. Senior quarterback Ben Oberste has been a dual threat with his arm and legs and could be the difference maker.
Our Pick: Sallisaw 20, Poteau 14

#9 Mustang at Norman
Our Take: (Class 6A) Over the last several years offense hasn't been much of a problem for Mustang, which has often produced gawdy scoring numbers and yardage totals along the way. The past two weeks however defense has been the story for the Broncos with a 17-0 whitewashing of Putnam North and 36-14 win over Stillwater to push them into the Class 6A rankings. They'll look to defend that ranking against a Norman squad that looks to have turned the corner a bit after a surprising 30-20 loss to crosstown rival Norman North in Week 1. Coach Ty Prestidge's Mustang club has already surpassed last year's two victories and could take an early step toward reaching the playoffs in one of the toughest districts in the state (6A-4) with a win in this one.
Our Pick: Mustang 27, Norman 20

#4 Seminole at Perkins-Tryon
Our Take: (Class 3A) Offensive firepower hasn't been a problem for Seminole, which notched head coach Mike Snyder's 300th career victory in last week's 62-24 romp over McLoud. In two full games the Chieftains have amassed 102 points already with what has been a balanced onslaught. Trenton Newson scored three touchdowns to spearhead a 296-yard rushing barrage a week ago while Seminole was also adding 132 yards through the air. That will definitely be a major challenge for Perkins, which was an impressive 18-15 victor over Jones in Week 1 before being blitzed by Verdigris, 41-14, last Friday, including 251 yards rushing and six touchdowns to Verdigris' Tanner Smith. Doesn't bode well for this week.
Our Pick: Seminole 36, Perkins-Tryon 21

#2 Clinton at Weatherford
Our Take: (Class 4A) Clinton will be without legendary head coach Mike Lee, who must sit out the contest after being ejected from last week's victory at Southeast. That shouldn't effect the Red Tornadoes' hard-charging attack all that much however, fueled by speedy sophomore running back Marquiz Simpkins, who has rushed for 180 and 206 yards respectively in the past two weeks. In its move back to Class 4A, Weatherford has struggled offensively since an opening night 35-21 victory over Harrah, managing just seven points each of the past two outings. Each of those however has come against 5A competition. We expect the Eagles to contend for a playoff spot in District 4A-1 but it could be tough sledding against their Custer County rival.
Our Pick: Clinton 31, Weatherford 10

Del City at #3 Lawton Mac
Our Take: (Class 5A) Del City may only be 1-2 on the season thus far but you can be sure nobody is overlooking the Eagles. Not after one of their biggest wins in recent memory a week ago - 29-28 over longtime rival Midwest City. Del City dominated that contest statistically behind John McBride and Qualan Johnson and then came up with the clutch defensive plays when they needed. It will take another huge defensive performance to try and slow the athletic Highlanders and stalwart Darius Graham, who is a load to bring down out of the backfield. Much like Del City, Mac needed some late heroics a week ago in order to survive crosstown rival Lawton Eisenhower and improve to 2-1.
Our Pick: Lawton Mac 34, Del City 23

Statewide Picks

Class 6A
Thursday
Edmond Santa Fe 31, Southmoore 28
Jenks 52, Tulsa Edison 7
Moore 48, U.S. Grant 0

Friday
Broken Arrow 38, Muskogee 12
Choctaw 22, Putnam West 21
Edmond North 31, Putnam North 7
Enid 29, Bartlesville 28
Lawton 34, Edmond Memorial 7
Lawton Ike 27, Yukon 24
Mustang 27, Norman 20
Norman North 24, Midwest City 23
Putnam City 30, Sapulpa 20
Stillwater 38, Ponca City 14
Tulsa Washington 22, Sand Springs 20
Union 29, Owasso 18
Westmoore 29, Bixby 20

Class 5A
Thursday
Lawton Mac 34, Del City 23
Northwest Classen 24, Western Heights 13

Friday
Ardmore 41, Southeast 12
Chickasha 29, Altus 9
Claremore 27, Collinsville 17
Coweta 31, Pryor 13
Deer Creek 24, Carl Albert 20
Duncan 54, Capitol Hill 6
Durant 23, Skiatook 20
Grove 29, Tahlequah 14
Guthrie 66, Guymon 0
McAlester 42, Noble 13
McGuinness 31, El Reno 13
Tulsa East Central 41, Tulsa Central 9
Tulsa Kelley 38, Tulsa Hale 13
Tulsa Memorial 23, Shawnee 21

Class 4A
Friday
Ada 56, Mannford 0
Anadarko 49, Cache 0
Broken Bow 33, Muldrow 7
Cascia Hall 49, Stilwell 0
Cleveland 35, Tulsa Webster 0
Clinton 31, Weatherford 13
Douglass 34, Tecumseh 10
Elk City 21, Elgin 20
Fort Gibson 56, Tulsa Rogers 0
Glenpool 28, McLoud 14
Harrah 33, Santa Fe South 12
Oologah 28, Vinita 13
Piedmont 46, Woodward 17
Sallisaw 20, Poteau 14
Tulsa McLain 44, Miami 7
Wagoner 28, Catoosa 20

Class 3A
Friday
Beggs 24, Kellyville 18
Berryhill 31, Dewey 17
Bethany 21, Chandler 20
Blanchard 38, Little Axe 14
Bridge Creek 24, Mount St. Mary 23
Bristow 35, Morris 9
Checotah 29, Roland 14
Cushing 34, Prague 18
Dickson 35, Atoka 7
Hilldale 27, Jay 23
Idabel 27, Eufaula 20
Inola 24, Okmulgee 19
Jones 31, Marlow 14
Keys 29, Westville 14
Kingfisher 21, Heritage Hall 19
Lincoln Christian 33, Lighthouse Christian, MO 15
Madill 28, Plainview 21
Metro Christian 31, Pawhuska 20
OK Centennial 28, Bethel 18
Purcell 35, Pauls Valley 29
Seminole 36, Perkins-Tryon 21
Seq. Claremore 29, Sperry 14
Seq. Tahlequah 32, Locust Grove 22
Star Spencer 28, John Marshall 20
Stigler 27, Spiro 18
Sulphur 33, Lone Grove 20
Tuttle 35, Newcastle 7
Valliant 24, Heavener 20
Verdigris 48, Blackwell 8
Victory Christian 28, Henryetta 18

Class 2A
Friday
Adair 33, Caney Valley 13
Alva 28, Chisholm 13
Chouteau 28, Chelsea 8
Christian Heritage 31, Northeast 9
Coalgate 28, Savanna 27
Comanche 33, Riverside 20
Commerce 35, Wyandotte 13
Davis 44, Konawa 0
Dibble 31, Luther 13
Frederick 52, Washington 21
Hartshorne 30, Antlers 14
Haskell 31, Meeker 13
Hennessey 35, Tulsa NOAH 10
Hinton 28, Mangum 20
Hugo 31, Holdenville 8
Hulbert 20, Colcord 16
Kansas 34, Quapaw 9
Kingston 20, Tishomingo 13
Lexington 30, Marietta 18
Lindsay 45, Hobart 12
Millwood 42, OKC Legion 6
Newkirk 21, Pawnee 19
Nowata 22, Oklahoma Union 19
Okemah 35, Mounds 10
Oklahoma Christian 33, Crooked Oak 14
Perry 23, Tonkawa 18
Salina 22, Ketchum 14
Stroud 44, Wellston 8
Vian 38, Pocola 8
Wilburton 24, Panama 10

Class A
Friday
Apache 56, Sayre 0
Barnsdall 27, Hominy 21
Canadian 49, Haileyvile 0
Cashion 28, Minco 18
Crescent 42, Carnegie 6
Fairland 21, Afton 14
Gore 45, Central Sallisaw 18
Healdton 42, Wilson 12
Hollis 28, Cordell 7
Hooker 58, Turpin 6
Kiefer 42, Porter 0
Mooreland 36, Oklahoma Bible 0
Morrison 38, Depew 8
Okeene 20, Fairview 14
Ringling 28, Velma-Alma 20
Rush Springs 28, Empire 21
Snyder 32, Pioneer 24
Stratford 20, Caddo 18
Summit Christian 42, Liberty 18
Talihina 23, Quinton 14
Texhoma 48, Beaver 0
Thomas 35, Burns Flat 0
Walters 26, Bray-Doyle 24
Warner 31, Foyil 7
Watonga 27, Crossings Christian 18
Wayne 42, Elmore City 14
Wewoka 47, Maysville 6
Yale 22, Drumright 14

Class B
Friday
Alex 38, Waurika 18
Central Marlow 48, Allen 12
Covington-Douglas 42, Canton 20
Coyle 32, Welch 28
Davenport 54, Weleetka 6
Dewar 66, Bowlegs 18
Fox 58, Cyril 12
Gans 68, Porum 18
Garber 36, Merritt 28
Keota 62, Strother 30
Laverne 56, Ringwood 6
OCA 52, Geary 14
Paoli 48, Macomb 0
Pond Creek-Hunter 60, Medford 12
Rejoice Christian 52, Copan 0
Riverfield 34, Oaks 30
Seiling 62, Waukomis 44
South Coffeyville 64, Watts 12
Wetumka 56, Cave Springs 0
Woodland 28, Agra 20

Class C
Friday
Balko 64, Waynoka 16
Boise City 52, Goodwell 6
Carney 42, Claremore Christian 20
Cement 34, Gracemont 12
Cherokee 70, Wesleyan Christian 22
Deer Creek-Lamont 32, Bluejacket 30
Destiny Christian 38, Corn Bible 34
Forgan 52, Tyrone 6
Grandfield 38, Duke 12
Maud 48, Thackerville 34
Prue 56, Kremlin-Hillsdale 6
Ryan 46, Temple 12
Sasakwa 42, Arkoma 40
Sharon-Mutual 60, Timberlake 12
Shattuck 36, Buffalo 24
Southwest Covenant 44, Midway 6
Tipton 54, Mountain View-Gotebo 6
Webbers Falls 50, Bokoshe 0

article updated on 09/19/12 20:31