6A-D2 Championship Crystal Ball
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The Class 6A-D2 state championship is set for 7PM on Saturday night at UCO’s Wantland Stadium. We’ll see a familiar face in the Bixby Spartans but their opponent is somewhat surprising after Choctaw stunned Stillwater in the semifinals on Saturday afternoon. Prep Redzone Oklahoma has had preview content throughout the week to get you ready for Saturday afternoon’s title game. You can check out all of our content at the bottom of this post. But for now, it’s time for one final article. We take a look at the crystal ball. We’ll tell you what has to happen for each team to win the state title and we’ll make our final predictions!
HOW BIXBY WINS
The Spartans won the state championship a year ago on two plays.
Mason Williams
Mason
Williams
5'10" | QB
Bixby | 2021
State
OK
found
Braylin Presley
Braylin
Presley
5'9" | RB
Bixby | 2022
State
OK
on a bubble screen for a touchdown with just over a minute left. But they made a huge play right before that, and moved quickly to the line of scrimmage to run what would be the game-winning touchdown. Bixby has done that time after time this year. They pick up a first down and go into a hurry up offense. And a lot of times, that next play is a bubble screen to Presley, who we know is at his most dangerous on the outside and in the open field. If Bixby can do that and put drive after drive together, they’ll be raising another gold ball. On defense, they need to improve on limiting the short play that turns into a big play. Midwest City stayed in the semifinal game for a while doing just that. If the Spartans can accomplish those things, it’s hard to believe that they won’t be raising another gold ball.
HOW CHOCTAW WINS
The Yellowjackets need to pick up right where they left off in the semifinals if they are to pull off the upset on Saturday night. Choctaw played lights out against the Pioneers and they need that same mentality on Saturday. Offensively, they need to take advantage of opportunities when they get them. Sophomore quarterback
Steele Wasel
Steele
Wasel
6'4" | 210 lbs | QB
Choctaw | 2023
State
OK
did not look like a sophomore in their semifinal victory. He looked like one of the best quarterbacks in the state. He needs to do that again on Saturday. The Yellowjackets need to stay balanced on offense like they were against the Pioneers and keep Bixby on their toes. Defensively, it’s the same game plan for the Spartans. The Choctaw front seven need to get after Williams and make him as uncomfortable as
Caleb Allen
Caleb
Allen
6'4" | QB
Stillwater | 2021
State
OK
was last week. And one of the biggest keys is to not let Bixby go fast and turn one first down into another and so on.
PREDICTIONS
MICHAEL – Bixby Over Choctaw 35-20
While the final score might not indicate it, I’ve been going back all week on this pick. It’s hard not to after seeing what Choctaw did in person against Stillwater. However, when it comes down to making a prediction, it’s hard not to go with the two-time champions. Choctaw is loaded with talent and it’s not crazy to think that they’ll be back next year, and the one after that. But they certainly are young and this is a stage that they’ve never been on before. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think that means much in this one. These Yellowjackets are confident in themselves and they believe that not only do they deserve to be here, but they deserve to be the favorites. But again, it’s hard to go against Loren Montgomery and his Spartans. So I think it will be close but the Spartans pull away and get another gold ball.
JAKE – Bixby Over Choctaw 45-35
While I did not expect Choctaw to be in this game when the playoffs started, after watching them over the past couple of weeks I think they have what it takes to go toe to toe with Bixby. They have the playmakers at every level on offense and have some serious college prospects on their defense that can help them slow down some of Bixby’s playmakers. However, while it will certainly be close, I think the big game experience from guys like
Mason Williams
Mason
Williams
5'10" | QB
Bixby | 2021
State
OK
will make a huge difference in this one as most of Choctaw’s playmakers on offense are sophomores and have never played in a title game like this. I like Bixby to win their third straight in a close one, but watch out for the Yellowjackets in the years to come, they have quite the future ahead of them with all their young stars.