Week One Top Ten Games
Week one is here for high school football teams all across the state. For some teams, they opened up their seasons last week. For others, that season opener comes this week. It’s time to take a look at the best…
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Continue ReadingWeek one is here for high school football teams all across the state. For some teams, they opened up their seasons last week. For others, that season opener comes this week. It’s time to take a look at the best match-up’s in the state of Oklahoma this week with our top ten games.
1) DEL CITY (0-0) AT BOOKER T WASHINGTON (1-0)
In our game of the week, Booker T Washington will host Del City. For those who will be in attendance on Friday, you’ll see something pretty special. At least ten players between the two schools will go on to play D1 college football. Both teams are absolutely loaded with talent in all classes. So talent-wise, this will be one of the best head to head match-up’s that we see all season long. Not to mention both teams have 6A-D2 state championship aspirations. Also throw in the fact that it’s a top five showdown between #2 Del City and #4 Booker T Washington. And finally, these two are very familiar with one another after meeting in the playoffs the last two seasons, splitting those meetings. Del City beat Booker T Washington last year after losing to the Hornets in 2017 and 2018.
2) EL RENO (1-0) AT PIEDMONT (0-0)
In another playoff rematch, Piedmont will host El Reno. Piedmont ended the Indians’ season last year, on their way to an appearance in the semifinals. El Reno beat Piedmont in the regular season but fell short when it mattered most in November. The Indians will certainly be out to get a little revenge, but they’ll also want to finish strongly in the second half. On Friday, they avoided an upset to Cache, winning 42-35 in overtime. They led 35-14 before Cache made a furious comeback, forcing overtime. For Piedmont, this is the season opener and they’re hoping for a big 2020, building off a breakout season last year. These two teams are two of the best in Class 5A and this could end up being another playoff preview as #4 Piedmont hosts #2 El Reno.
3) JENKS (1-0) AT BIXBY (1-0)
The only reason this game isn’t #1 is because the two games above feature two teams in the same class. That’s it. Otherwise, this game is going to be one of the best in week one. It wasn’t a great game in 2019 as Bixby absolutely shredded the Trojans in a 57-7 blowout. However, that was a year ago. And all Jenks has heard since then was the 50-point beatdown at the hands of the Spartans and you know they’ll be ready to go on Friday. Jenks opened up their 2020 campaign dominating Springdale Har-Ber, forcing six turnovers in the win. Bixby started their season in style with a dominating 34-0 win over Union. Bixby has certainly closed the gap in this rivalry with Jenks. We aren’t expecting a blowout for either side, but we are expecting a very good game.
4) EUFAULA (0-0) AT VIAN (1-0)
2A’s top ranked Vian opened their season with a win over Gravette out of Arkansas last week. Now they turn their attention to a Eufaula team that comes into Friday night ranked #4 in our most recent 2A rankings. This is going to be a very good test for a Vian team that has state championship aspirations. Eufaula certainly wants to get into that conversation and a good showing, or better yet, an upset of the top ranked Wolverines would certainly send some shockwaves around Oklahoma. Eufaula is going to want to run the football and try to control the game. That’s easier said than done. That tactic plays right into the strength of Vian, which is in in the front seven. The Wolverines have one of the better defensive units in the state. This makes for an absolute slugfest.
5) HERITAGE HALL (0-0) AT MILLWOOD (0-0) (Thurs.)
This match-up between Heritage Hall and Millwood has become one of the better early games on the scheudle. Both teams are perennial powerhouses and this will be the third straight time that they’ve opened the season against one another. Both teams have serious championship aspirations. Heritage Hall is determined to get back on the mountain top of 3A and come into this game as the top ranked team in the class. Millwood is always in the conversation in 2A and comes in ranked #3. Heritage Hall beat down Millwood in the season opener last year. The Falcons were torn apart by serious injuries to some of their best players. However, the Falcons come into this season more experienced with players that had to step up earlier than expected.
6) UNION (0-1) AT BROKEN ARROW (1-0)
Both teams come into this annual rivalry clash after very different season openers. Broken Arrow shined on Saturday afternoon with a runaway win over Bentonville West. Union went on the road and were shutout by Bixby. So for Union, it’s time for a bounce back and it’s not going to be easy. Broken Arrow played fantastic on both sides of the ball and Union will have to improve quickly in order to get the win. Historically, this series has been completely one-sided, in Union’s favor. However, over the last five years or so, it’s pretty even and the games have been very competitive. Broken Arrow ended Union’s 2019 campaign in the first round. The Redskins certainly remember that and will not only look for some revenge, but will also look to make a statement.
7) HOLLAND HALL (0-0) AT CASCIA HALL (1-0)
It’s time for the annual “Hall Brawl” and this one is going to be good. The only thing that would make this match-up higher on the list is if Holland Hall hadn’t moved up to 3A as Cascia moved down to 2A. Despite that, both teams find themselves ranked in the top five of their respective classes and this is a perfect game to see where each team is at early on in the season. Cascia Hall looked good in a season opening win over Victory Christian. And on the other side, Holland Hall is ready to begin a 2020 season that they hope ends with a gold ball. Holland Hall has one of their better teams in recent memory and Cascia looks great, now that they have some key pieces that have returned from injury.
8) COWETA (0-0) AT WAGONER (0-0)
In another big rivalry clash, Wagoner will host Coweta. Wagoner comes in as the top dog in 4A and Coweta is looking to make some noise in Class 5A. The Tigers have had Wagoner on the ropes in several of their annual meetings but haven’t been able to get over the hump. Wagoner will be determined to make sure that doesn’t happen in 2020 either. Both teams are loaded with talent. Wagoner has a great senior class and they won’t settle for anything less than a state title. Coweta will be a team to watch, not only this season, but for the next few years with a great blend of experienced and youthful talent. The fact that this game comes in at #9 just shows you how fantastic the slate of games are this week.
9) EDMOND SANTA FE (0-1) AT STILLWATER (0-0)
Edmond Santa Fe was in our game of the week in week zero. In the blink of an eye, they were trailing Owasso 28-0 in that game of the week. The Wolves will need to bounce back and it’s not going to be easy as they once again hit the road, this time to face 6A-D2’s #1 Stillwater. Santa Fe has to avoid those mistakes on offense and special teams that doomed them in the game against Owasso. If they avoid those, this will be a great match-up between two teams that have a ton of talent. Stillwater is excited to get their season started and obviously have the goal of getting back to the championship game and winning it all. Both teams have a lot of firepower on both sides of the ball and this will be fun to watch play out.
10) MIDWEST CITY (1-0) AT CARL ALBERT (0-0)
Defending 5A champion Carl Albert opens their season looking to make history in 2020. They’re going for their fifth straight state championship. They open against rival Midwest City on Friday night. The Bombers opened their season last week, when they went on the road and knocked off Westmoore. The Bombers can take plenty of momentum into their rivalry clash with the Titans after the win last week. For Carl Albert, they’ll want to get out to a fast start as they have big goals for 2020. The senior class has been one of the most successful classes in school history. Then throw in the fact that these two schools do not like each other and you have the makings for a good game on Friday night. These kids grew up playing with and against each other. Expect a back and forth game, especially early on.