5 of The Most Highly Anticipated Games of 2020

With every new season comes a new, fresh start for many teams. For some it’s an opportunity to forget about last season and begin a new legacy, for some it’s a chance to build on a promising end from the previous season, and for others, it is a chance to return to their former glory or prove that they are here to say. Last season we saw 3 teams at the highest level of Oklahoma high school football either repeat as champions or win their 2nd title in 3 years. This season they will look to defend their titles from some of the teams they defeated last year, and from others who have been building over previous years to make a big run at the title in 2020.  With that being said, here are 5 of the most highly anticipated regular-season games that could shape the state title race in their classes this season. <strong>5. Edmond Santa Fe vs. Stillwater (September 4th)</strong> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">This early-season matchup features two teams who fell just short of winning the state title in their respective classes last season. In 6A-I, Santa Fe was a favorite to go to the championship game before being upset in the first round, as their path included a 5-5 Moore team, and a Jenks team that they had already defeated in the regular season. In 6A-II, Stillwater went undefeated through 12 games and dominated all of their opponents before losing in the title game to Bixby 40-36. Both teams return a handful of starters on both sides of the ball that should make this game a great back and forth battle. On offense, Stilwater returns 6A-II’s top RB in [player_tooltip player_id="38521" first="Qwontrel" last="Walker"], as well as OL [player_tooltip player_id="38513" first="Lance" last="Petermann"] and WR [player_tooltip player_id="38522" first="Steven" last="Brown"]. On defense, the Pioneers return 4 defenders who are all top 10 at their positions in their classes, including their star LB [player_tooltip player_id="38676" first="Gabe" last="Brown"] and DB [player_tooltip player_id="38495" first="Tevin" last="Williams"]. On the other side, Santa Fe returns one of the best WRs in the state, [player_tooltip player_id="38667" first="Talyn" last="Shettron"], top 10 DB and do it all offensive swiss army knife [player_tooltip player_id="38505" first="Angelo" last="Rankin"], and all-state LBs [player_tooltip player_id="38512" first="James" last="Burnett"] and [player_tooltip player_id="38489" first="Collin" last="Oliver"] (Oklahoma State Commit). This game will certainly be close and could very well be decided by how much of an impact [player_tooltip player_id="38521" first="Qwontrel" last="Walker"] can have on the ground against Oliver and Burnett.</p> <strong>4. Jenks vs. Union (September 11th)</strong> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">If you are familiar with 6a football in Oklahoma, then you know that these two teams hold almost every record in the book. From 1996-2016, Jenks and Union were the only teams to win a 6a state title. However, since then, the teams have combined for 3 state runner up finishes, Union in 2017, and Jenks in 2018 and 2019. Every season this game has the potential of producing the state champion and this year is no different. Both teams have clear identities that will most likely decide the outcome of this matchup. For Union, their identity is their running attack, led by [player_tooltip player_id="38703" first="Rovaughn" last="Banks"], and [player_tooltip player_id="38488" first="AJ" last="Green"]. For Jenks, it is their defense, led by Jayden Patrick, [player_tooltip player_id="38677" first="Ryker" last="Colemon Thurber"], and [player_tooltip player_id="38569" first="Waylon" last="Adams"]. If Jenks can slow down Union’s offense enough down the stretch then they have a shot, but if they do not come to play for all 4 quarters than they may be going home with a loss for the second straight season.</p> <strong>3. Choctaw vs. Bixby (October 9th)</strong> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">If you were to predict this game just off these teams’ performances the last couple of seasons, it would seem as if Bixby would roll right through Choctaw. However, Choctaw is not the same team they’ve been the past couple of seasons. With a plethora of starters returning and maturing this season, Choctaw could be a force to be reckoned with in 6A-II. They return one of the best receivers in the state in TCU commit [player_tooltip player_id="38496" first="Chase" last="Jackson"], 4 starters on their offensive line, including [player_tooltip player_id="38673" first="Cade" last="McConnell"], and their young Sophomore phenom QB [player_tooltip player_id="38780" first="Steele" last="Wasel"]. On defense, they are bolstered by star DL [player_tooltip player_id="38572" first="Donnie" last="Wingate"], and Oklahoma commit [player_tooltip player_id="38492" first="Jordan" last="Mukes"]. However, while Choctaw will be a much-improved team this year, Bixby still comes in as the 2-time defending state champions, led by their 3-year starting QB [player_tooltip player_id="38531" first="Mason" last="Williams"] and electrifying young RB [player_tooltip player_id="38679" first="Braylin" last="Presley"]. If Bixby can generate some pressure and disrupt Wasel, than Williams and company will be able to put up enough points come out with a victory. However, if Choctaw’s line can hold up for 4 quarters, Bixby’s defense will be in major trouble with a QB as talented as Wasel having all day to throw.</p> <strong>2. Del City vs. Booker T Washington (September 4th)</strong> <p style="padding-left: 40px;">This game features two teams with incredible defenses. Booker T brings two of the states best DBs in <span style="font-size: 1rem;">[player_tooltip player_id="38668" first="Gentry" last="Williams"], and </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Arkansas commit [player_tooltip player_id="38494" first="Keuan" last="Parker"], as well as some up and coming DBs, Ahmad Scott, and Korbyn Green. On the other side, Del City may very well have the best defense in the entire state in 2020, every one of their starters has the potential to play at the Division 1 level. With stars such as [player_tooltip player_id="38497" first="Donovan" last="Stephens"], [player_tooltip player_id="38498" first="Rejhan" last="Tatum"], [player_tooltip player_id="38507" first="Kevin" last="Green"], and the young [player_tooltip player_id="38778" first="Kanijal" last="Thomas"], it will be difficult for anyone, let alone Booker T to get any real momentum on offense. However, unlike last season when they met in the playoffs, Booker T may have the advantage on offense this season as Del City will be without their former QB Quinlan Ganther, while Booker T returns many of their key skill position players such as [player_tooltip player_id="38574" first="Jalen" last="Teague"] and [player_tooltip player_id="38668" first="Gentry" last="Williams"], who is still raw as a true QB, but has the athleticism to take over a game at any time. Del City will be the favorite, and this game will certainly be a defensive struggle, but don’t be surprised if Booker T and Wiliams pull off the upset last minute.</span></p> <span style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong>1. Owasso vs. Broken Arrow (September 11th)</strong></span> <p style="padding-left: 40px;"><span style="font-size: 1rem;">It is not often that you get a regular-season matchup with this much hype and talent on both sides. Last season, these two teams met in the state semi-finals where </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Broken Arrow kept things close early on before</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;"> Owasso pulled away in the second half and continued on their way to their second state title in three years. This year Broken Arrow might be favored however because of their experience and prestige on defense with [player_tooltip player_id="38511" first="Darryan" last="Moss"], [player_tooltip player_id="38681" first="Javion" last="Franklin"], and [player_tooltip player_id="38672" first="Maurion" last="Horn"], and because Owasso will come in with a new QB as their former starter is now graduated and moved on. All while Broken Arrow returns both [player_tooltip player_id="38538" first="Jake" last="Raines"] and [player_tooltip player_id="38633" first="Seth" last="Dodd"] along with their highly productive 1-2 combo of [player_tooltip player_id="38550" first="Sanchez" last="Banks"] and [player_tooltip player_id="38672" first="Maurion" last="Horn"] at RB. Make no mistake though, while Broken Arrow has a little more experience on the offensive side, Owasso returns many players from their nasty defense such as [player_tooltip player_id="38573" first="Gage" last="Laney"], [player_tooltip player_id="38516" first="Emaud" last="Tripplett"], and [player_tooltip player_id="38563" first="Michael" last="Jamerson"], that allowed only 13.5 points per game last season. This game will be a dog fight from start to finish and very well could be a matchup we see a second time in the playoffs, potentially for the state championship.      </span></p>