Top Games to Watch in the Second Round: Classes 5A through A

With our content on 6A just about wrapped up for the week and with kickoff just around the corner, it’s time to highlight the top games in the state for the rest of the classes tonight as there are some very interesting matchups that could shape a few regions in some brackets. Let’s take a look at the games to watch for tonight. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Class 5A</strong></span> <strong>El Reno (7-2) vs Piedmont (5-3)</strong> Our first matchup to watch is one that almost didn’t happen. Due to contact tracing and other state protocols, El Reno was initially forced to forfeit this game but then was granted clearance to suit up their players tonight earlier this week after a series of appeals. This rematch of last year’s semi-final will be much more competitive than it was earlier this year as El Reno is healthier and most importantly has [player_tooltip player_id="38688" first="Dorian" last="Plumley"] back. Look for him and the rest of the El Reno Seniors to come out fired up as ever after their final playoff run was almost taken from them before it even got started. <strong>Pryor (8-2) vs McAlester (8-2)</strong> I can’t remember the last time I saw two 8-2 schools matched up this early in the 5A playoffs but it certainly has the makings of a great game. On one side, you have a collection of senior leaders trying to make one last run at a gold ball with guys like [player_tooltip player_id="38570" first="Ben" last="Ward"]. Then on the other side, McAlester has a group of talented young guys who have really come together as of late. I picked both these teams as Bracket Busters a few weeks ago, and I could see either of them in the semifinals in a couple of weeks, regardless of the outcome between Piedmont and El Reno. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Class 4A</strong></span> <strong>Poteau (8-2) vs Skiatook (6-3)</strong> Poteau is undefeated in 4A this year, but it will not be a walk in the park fo them against Skiatook. Skiatook has had a number of games cancelled this year, explaining their low finish in their district, but they have been red hot as of late and have the talent with experienced guys like [player_tooltip player_id="38821" first="Mason" last="Willingham"] and Alex Johnson to really give Poteau a run for their money tonight. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Class 3A</strong></span> <strong>Stigler (9-1) vs Vinita (7-2)</strong> Next we have another matchup of teams with high win totals facing off in the second round. Stigler will be the overwhelming favorite in this game as their only blemish is a loss to Lincoln Christian at the end of the regular season. However, we can’t overlook the fact that they haven’t played in 2 weeks while Vinita was able to hang 35 on Westville while allowing nothing. If Stigler shows any kind of rust or comes out slow again as they did against Lincoln Christian, Vinita has the talent to pull away quickly. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Class 2A</strong></span> <strong>Idabel (6-2) vs Spiro (7-1)</strong> Believe it or not, Idabel is actually the higher seed in this game due to district standings. Spiro’s only loss came in a close one to Cascia Hall and they have looked dominant since then. Unfortunately, they had some games canceled and finished third in a very competitive district 5 that features Vian and Cascia Hall. Spiro is on a roll lately, not allowing more than 14 in each of their last 3 games, meanwhile, Idabel has not played in nearly 3 weeks due to cancellations and byes. I want to lean Spiro in this matchup but it truly is either of these teams’ for the taking. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Class A</strong></span> <strong>Hobart (6-3) vs Texhoma (8-2)</strong> Again due to district standings we have another matchup where the team with the inferior record is actually the higher seeded team in the bracket. Both of these teams have the pedigree to make a good run in the playoffs as Texhoma has only lost by a combined 7 points to the top two teams in their district, and Hobart has only lost twice in class A this year by a combined 8 points. This could be the closest game of the bunch, but the winner better come out swinging next week as they have a date with Ringling barring an upset from Oklahoma Bible. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;