Football Forecast

Week 10: Final Countdown
Down the stretch we come with several district titles up for grabs as well as other teams trying to wrap up playoff slots. Our staff had another solid showing a week ago, including a perfect 16-0 in Class 5A and 17-1 in Class C. We'll see if they can continue their recent surge with a strong regular season finish.
Last Week: 146-27 (.844); Season: 1289-293 (.815)

The Big Ten

#4 Deer Creek at #1 McGuinness
Our Take: (Class 5A) We picked both teams to knock off Guthrie over the last two weeks. We were right half of those times. McGuinness pulled off a big shocker last week, not in that it beat the defending champ Bluejays, but that it did so in convincing 32-0 fashion. Deer Creek was close the previous week, but Guthrie somehow managed to pull out a win. That's the biggest measuring stick for these two teams - how they stack up against Guthrie. Both squads run efficient offenses as Deer Creek is led by Joel Blumenthal and his 2,000 yards passing and 26 TDs (32 TDs overall). McGuinness counters with dual-threat Jacob Lewis and his 2,500 total yards and 36 TDs. However, this game will come down to defense. McGuinness didn't allow a point in October. That meant nothing as the Irish played weak competition - until last week. That was a statement. We think it carries over.
Our Pick: McGuinness 19, Deer Creek 14

#4 Ada at #3 Douglass
Our Take: (Class 4A) Ada has opened up its offense this year resulting in one of the best Cougar seasons in decades. Ada fans have realistic hopes for a 20th state title to add to the trophy case. That said, the Cougars two closest games of the year came against 5A rivals Ardmore and Durant but have been largely unchallenged since. Overall though they average more than 48 points an outing led by QB Wyatt Robson's 1,559 yards and 22 touchdowns through the air. Mason Girdley is a solid threat on the ground as well with 1,132 rushing yards and 15 scores as well. Douglass hasn't quite put up the same staggering offensive numbers but has been dominant in its own right since early losses to Tulsa Washington and Millwood. Senior Christopher High has been the bell cow of the Trojans offense, averaging 13.7 yards per carry with 1,340 yards and 14 total touchdowns.
Our Pick: Ada 17, Douglass 14

#1 Laverne at #3 Pond Creek
Our Take: (Class B) Much awaited shootout that will decide the District B-1 title. Top-ranked Laverne has manhandled every foe in a 9-0 start, piling up a massive 500 points. The Tigers' closest outing was 62-26 triumph over Covington-Douglas in Week 3. The Tigers have a hard-nosed rushing attack fueled by Trevor Harris but have an added weapon in quarterback Tucker Rolf, who is a threat to run or pass. Pond Creek has been nearly as impressive with monster offensive totals that have produced 472 points in nine victories. Senior Brady Krittenbrink has eclipsed the 200-yard mark five times en route to a team-leading 1,736 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns. Josh Irvin has added 847 yards through the air as well as nine touchdowns. Coach David Kerr's Panthers are very good but right now we think the Tigers are just a little bit better.
Our Pick: Laverne 44, Pond Creek 34

#2 Wetumka at #5 Keota
Our Take: (Class B) One of the hottest teams in the state in recent weeks has been Keota. The Lions have won seven straight since a 50-26 loss to Davenport in Week 2. They definitely made a statement a week ago in a highly-impressive 76-28 win over Top 10 rated Dewar a week ago. The Lion offense is unbeaten when scoring at least 38 points this season but could face a stiff challenge in reaching that number against the athletic Chieftains, who yield just over 257 yards per game. Keeping up with the Wetumka offense may be another story with the Chieftains averaging a whopping 58.7 points a contest. And much of that in recent weeks has been without standout Derrick Moore in the lineup. The senior catalyst averages more than 200 yards per contest with 1,346 yards and 22 touchdowns in six games. Junior Chase Williams has taken up much of the slack with nearly 1,600 total yards and 28 touchdowns of his own.
Our Pick: Wetumka 60, Keota 28

#4 Blanchard at #7 Tuttle
Our Take: (Class 3A) There's plenty at stake here as these (not-so) friendly rivals clash in a pivotal 3A-1 showdown. Both teams have a shot at winning the district title (Blanchard merely needs to win; Tuttle needs a win and some help). However, with a loss, both teams could potentially finish as low as third in the district. There's a big difference between two guaranteed home playoff games and hitting the road for the first round. Everyone expected Tuttle to be a contender this season and for the most part, the Tigers haven't disappointed. As is always the case, they run the ball extremely well (although Cooper Koons is a threat to throw it) and play great defense. Blanchard has been a bit of a surprise. Although we had the Lions in our preseason top 10, they've exceeded even those expectations, capping them with a big win at Jones a couple of weeks ago. Going to Tuttle and leaving with a win is a huge feat. However, we think the Lions have just enough weapons on the offensive side to get it done - and come away with a district championship.
Our Pick: Blanchard 21, Tuttle 19

#9 Metro Christian at #1 Berryhill
Our Take: (Class 3A) This is another contest in which a win would be huge and a loss could mean a freefall in the district standings. Both teams have a shot at winning 3A-5 with a victory (Verdigris is also in the mix). However, both have a shot at falling all the way to third and hitting the road for the first round of the playoffs. The best measuring stick for these two teams is how they stacked up against Verdigris. Berryhill got a last-second field goal and knocked off the Cardinals 30-27. Metro, on the other hand, suffered a 23-20 defeat. What's most impressive, though, was holding Verdigris, the second-highest-scoring team in Class 3A behind Tuttle, to just 23 points (yes, we know 27 isn't much more). The Metro defense has been tremendous all season, but gets overshadowed by its high-powered offensive attack. That will be the difference this week, meaning the district title will be decided by points.
Our Pick: Metro Christian 23, Berryhill 21

#7 Morrison at #9 Kiefer
Our Take: (Class A) Kiefer has been extremely impressive in its return to 11-man football this season, running off a 9-0 record heading into this showdown. The Trojans haven't had a game closer than 28 points all season and have allowed only 51 points in nine contests. About the only downside to those numbers is that Kiefer has faced only one team with a winning record, and that was Yale at 5-4. The Trojans have a terrific backfield tandem in Trey Sneed and Blake Shadowens, who have combined for 1,662 yards and 25 touchdowns on the ground. Morrison's schedule hasn't been too much more challenging as all eight victories have come against teams with losing records besides Yale. The Wildcats' single loss came in Week 2 against Class 2A Alva (42-16). They average over 41 points a contest for the season. We see this one going to the wire.  
Our Pick: Morrison 14, Kiefer 12

Tulsa Memorial at #9 McAlester
Our Take: (Class 5A) How pivotal is this contest? The winner clinches a home playoff berth in round one and avoids having to travel to resurgent Claremore, which McAlester already knows all about from it's non-district loss early in the year. After a sensational 8-0 start Memorial may have been exposed a bit a week ago in a 25-0 shutout loss to district champ Bishop Kelley. That's the same Bishop Kelley that had to withstand a late Buff charge with a goalline stand to win at McAlester just a few short weeks ago. The Buffaloes have also dominated the Chargers in recent years, piling up 53 and 63 points in the past two meetings. This McAlester offense is not nearly as explosive but youthful QB Caden Pratt has really come into his own. The Buff defense is also fairly stingy spurred by University of Tulsa commit Devin Rolan at linebacker.
Our Pick: McAlester 28, Tulsa Memorial 25

Alva at #3 Hennessey
Our Take: (Class 2A) Although Tonkawa tried to throw a kink in the plans, most people have expected this game to decide the 2A-1 championship all season. Tonkawa figured out a way to slow down the high-powered Goldbugs offense two weeks ago and knocked them off 14-13. However, Hennessey's win over the Bucs last week ensured this Thursday night contest to settle the district title. Alva has a fantastic trio in QB Ty Hooper (28 TDs, 2,331 yards), RB Tanner McGehee (1293 yards, 14 TDs) and WR Riley Hess (1,072 yards, 18 TDs). Hennessey will rely mostly on its ground game, led by Levi Hill and Edgar Fierro. However, the passing game has improved as Dylan Hatchel hasn't thrown an INT in nearly a month. There are two areas where the Eagles should excel: With their defensive front and special teams. That should be just enough to secure the district title.
Our Pick: Hennessey 24, Alva 21

#10 Mustang at Southmoore
Our Take: (Class 6A) The scenarios are many and somewhat confusing, but the fact is, both teams are still alive for a playoff spot in 6A-4 and will greatly help themselves by winning. The two have identical records, both in district play and overall, and feature two of the more explosive offenses in the class. It could come down to which Edwards plays better. Mustang QB Frankie Edwards has thrown for over 2,200 yards and 24 touchdowns. Southmoore's Trey Edwards has contributed over 2,100 total yards and 21 TDs for his team. It should be high-scoring and we wouldn't be surprised to see multiple momentum shifts. In the end, we think Southmoore will be able to pull out the win.
Our Pick: Southmoore 35, Mustang 33

Statewide Picks

Class 6A
Thursday
Jenks 49, Putnam City 19
Norman North 39, Lawton Ike 14

Friday
Bartlesville 28, Tulsa Washington 27
Bixby 27, Muskogee 20
Broken Arrow 31, Westmoore 20
Edmond Memorial 48, Putnam West 13
Edmond North 68, U.S. Grant 0
Edmond Santa Fe 63, Choctaw 14
Midwest City 33, Moore 18
Norman 24, Lawton 21
Owasso 42, Stillwater 13
Sand Springs 37, Enid 17
Sapulpa 39, Tulsa Edison 10
Southmoore 35, Mustang 33
Union 49, Ponca City 18
Yukon 27, Putnam North 24

Class 5A
Thursday
Tulsa East Central 46, Pryor 7

Friday
Altus 56, Capitol Hill 7
Carl Albert 35, El Reno 20
Claremore 37, Grove 7
Collinsville 38, Tahlequah 14
Coweta 29, Tulsa Central 14
Del City 42, Southeast 13
Duncan 35, Chickasha 14
Durant 30, Tulsa Hale 23
Guthrie 58, Northwest Classen 6
Lawton Mac 31, Ardmore 20
McAlester 28, Tulsa Memorial 25
McGuinness 19, Deer Creek 14
Shawnee 27, Noble 19
Tulsa Kelley 49, Skiatook 7
Western Heights 23, Guymon 18

Class 4A
Friday
Ada 17, Douglass 14
Anadarko 45, Elgin 0
Cascia Hall 38, Broken Bow 0
Catoosa 27, Oologah 21
Cleveland 43, Tulsa McLain 24
Clinton 42, Woodward 13
Elk City 44, Cache 28
Fort Gibson 37, Sallisaw 16
Glenpool 56, Santa Fe South 12
Mannford 17, Tecumseh 14
McLoud 30, Harrah 14
Miami 24, Tulsa Webster 20
Muldrow 35, Stilwell 28
Poteau 58, Tulsa Rogers 0
Wagoner 42, Vinita 7
Weatherford 35, Piedmont 21

Class 3A
Thursday
Inola 39, Kellyville 14

Friday
Beggs 23, Henryetta 21
Blanchard 21, Tuttle 19
Bristow 42, Prague 9
Checotah 33, Spiro 13
Cushing 31, Bethany 14
Heavener 31, Eufaula 12
Heritage Hall 37, Star Spencer 20
Hilldale 49, Westville 7
Jay 49, Blackwell 14
Jones 45, Bridge Creek 14
Keys 34, Locust Grove 23
Kingfisher 38, Marlow 13
Madill 41, Pauls Valley 14
Metro Christian 23, Berryhill 21
Mount St. Mary 31, Little Axe 24
Newcastle 31, Bethel 20
OK Centennial 29, John Marshall 14
Perkins-Tryon 35, Okmulgee 14
Plainview 35, Lone Grove 13
Purcell 39, Atoka 12
Roland 41, Valliant 10
Seminole 38, Chandler 17
Seq. Claremore 19, Dewey 14
Seq. Tahlequah 28, Lincoln Christian 17
Stigler 34, Idabel 7
Sulphur 31, Dickson 19
Verdigris 38, Sperry 7
Victory Christian 33, Morris 13

Class 2A
Thursday
Commerce 52, Quapaw 7
Hennessey 24, Alva 21
Hulbert 28, Ketchum 14

Friday
Adair 39, Pawhuska 17
Canadian 27, Chouteau 13
Caney Valley 36, Oklahoma Union 6
Coalgate 30, Kingston 19
Crescent 42, Pawnee 8
Crooked Oak 29, Northeast 18
Davis 59, Tishomingo 7
Frederick 63, Hobart 21
Hartshorne 35, Wilburton 9
Haskell 33, Mounds 13
Hinton 31, Comanche 20
Hugo 33, Antlers 12
Kansas 35, Salina 14
Lindsay 33, Washington 31
Mangum 39, Riverside 13
Marietta 38, Konawa 17
Meeker 42, Holdenville 14
Millwood 41, Dibble 12
Mountainburg, AR 31, Pocola 28
Nowata 41, Chelsea 14
Okemah 55, Wellston 7
Oklahoma Christian 45, Luther 19
Perry 27, Newkirk 20
Stroud 38, Christian Heritage 7
Tonkawa 27, Chisholm 14
Vian 63, Panama 0
Wyandotte 28, Colcord 21

Class A
Friday
Afton 36, Summit Christian 28
Apache 39, Cordell 8
Barnsdall 46, Depew 14
Beaver 28, Turpin 13
Cashion 63, Crossings Christian 0
Elmore City 42, Stratford 27
Empire 52, Bray-Doyle 0
Fairview 63, Oklahoma Bible 6
Hollis 48, Burns Flat 0
Hominy 33, Drumright 10
Minco 42, Pioneer 21
Morrison 14, Kiefer 12
Okeene 34, Mooreland 18
Porter 34, Foyil 26
Quinton 47, Haileyville 14
Ringling 65, Walters 6
Rush Springs 46, Wilson 6
Savanna 24, Central Sallisaw 18
Snyder 26, Sayre 24
Talihina 41, Gore 20
Texhoma 60, Hooker 12
Velma-Alma 33, Healdton 24
Warner 48, Liberty 13
Watonga 55, Carnegie 13
Wayne 56, Maysville 0
Wynnewood 49, Wewoka 12
Yale 32, Regent Prep 12

Class B
Friday
Agra 42, Oaks 28
Alex 46, Macomb 0
Canton 52, Waukomis 18
Cave Springs 68, Bowlegs 44
Central Marlow 52, Cyril 46
Covington-Douglas 68, Seiling 20
Coyle 44, South Coffeyville 14
Davenport 54, Gans 22
Dewar 48, Weleetka 32
Fox 50, Allen 0
Garber 64, Medford 12
Laverne 44, Pond Creek-Hunter 34
OCA 38, Waurika 22
Paoli 72, Geary 24
Porum 54, Strother 52
Rejoice Christian 28, Woodland 24
Ringwood 38, Merritt 36
Riverfield 46, Copan 12
Welch 56, Watts 6
Wetumka 60, Keota 28

Class C
Friday
Balko 48, Tyrone 24
Bluejacket 48, Carney 44
Boise City 32, Waynoka 18
Cherokee 50, Kremlin-Hillsdale 0
Deer Creek-Lamont 58, Prue 12
Duke 18, Gracemont 12
Forgan 60, Goodwell 0
Ryan 66, Grandfield 18
Sasakwa 42, Maud 36
Sharon-Mutual 52, Shattuck 6
SW Covenant 48, Bokoshe 0
Temple 62, Mountain View-Gotebo 24
Thackerville 56, Midway 6
Tipton 46, Corn Bible 0
Webbers Falls 72, Arkoma 34
Wesleyan Christian 56, Timberlake 22

article updated on 10/31/12 20:35