3A Semifinal Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 50% off your subscription by entering Savings50 in the coupon code area for our special early Black Friday deal! Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's officially Thanksgiving week and we're down to the final four teams in Classes 6A-1, 6A-2, 5A, 4A and 3A. We're taking an in-depth look at every single semifinal match-up and the teams that are preparing for them. In this post, we're taking a look at the Class 3A final four as the top four teams in the 3A rankings all advanced to this week's semifinal round and will now square off for a chance to go to Edmond next week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#1 LINCOLN CHRISTIAN (11-1) VS #2 METRO CHRISTIAN (12-0)<br><em>Friday, 7PM @ Oologah HS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>THE MATCH-UP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first semifinal here feels like the main event of the week in Class 3A as we have #1 Lincoln Christian facing #2 Metro Christian. Lincoln has been #1 in our 3A rankings since the preseason rankings came out in June and Metro is the last remaining unbeaten team in Class 3A. Lincoln Christian's only loss came on the road in late September to Arkansas powerhouse Shiloh Christian when they lost 42-35 in a shootout. From that point on, the defense reached new heights. Over the next six games, the defense gave up just one touchdown and they shut out four of their final five opponents. And so far in the playoffs, the Bulldogs have continued to blow out everyone they've come up against. It seems safe to say that Friday night's game will more than likely be a game that goes deep into the fourth quarter. Lincoln Christian hasn't had to do that in two months. That's always an interesting dynamic coming into a game. That same dynamic is going to be in place for Metro Christian as well. Class 3A's last remaining unbeaten team hasn't had a game go deep into the fourth quarter since they went on the road and beat 4A semifinalist Poteau in the final minute. Other than that, all of Metro's wins this year were by 20 points or more. Something will have to give on Friday night as neither team is likely to get blown out and this game is going to go for all 48 minutes. They both have outstanding offenses that can light up the scoreboard and then turn around and play defense that simply does not get enough credit around the state. It's a championship-quality match-up and we're getting it in the semifinals. As just a general fan of Oklahoma high school football, it doesn't get much better. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LINCOLN CHRISTIAN PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["268323"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"On an offense that has weapons everywhere, senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='268323' first='John' last='Washington'] might be the best of the bunch. Last year, Washington was used sparingly and had some nice numbers as a running back and wide receiver but this year, he's been one of the breakout stars following an injury to fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='155258' first='Easton' last='Rogers']. Washington had to move over to running back and became a versatile playmaker within this Lincoln offense. He's run for nearly 1,200 yards. He has nearly 700 yards receiving and he's scored 29 touchdowns on the season between the two. This Lincoln Christian offense has several playmakers that can go off on any given night, but more times than not, it's been Washington that has been the star of the Lincoln offense and he'll look to continue that this week.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["276646"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Whenever we've talked about Lincoln Christian, a lot of the attention usually goes to the offensive side of the ball and some of the skill players that they have on that side. This year, this Lincoln team is perfectly balanced between high-scoring offense and shutdown defense. It could be one of the better defensive units that has come through the school and that includes the last three teams that all made it to state title games. Leading the defense is senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='276646' first='Tyler' last='Johnson']. We knew that Johnson was one of the better linebackers in the state's 2023 class coming into this season but he continues to back it up every time he steps on the field. He's second on the team in tackles and lives in the opponent's backfield and is up there in tackles for loss. He leads a defense that swarms to the ball on every play.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637e2e92c3199"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>METRO CHRISTIAN PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["38790"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"We've been talking about and writing about Metro Christian quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='38790' first='Kirk' last='Francis'] since the end of his freshman season. Francis has been one of the best quarterbacks in the state over the last three years and he's been outstanding once again this year. He's helped lead the Metro offense to an unbeaten record and has reached new heights within the Metro offense. He gets the ball out so quickly and can make passes down the field that no other quarterbacks in the state can make. Francis is a big reason why Metro is one win away from making a return trip to Edmond. He's going to need to be quick in his decision making on Friday and continue to be accurate. Because the Lincoln defense will try to put pressure on him. Nobody has been able to yet this season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["38802"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"While Francis is the leader of this offense, you can make the argument that Metro Christian senior [player_tooltip player_id='38802' first='Tagg' last='Campbell'] has been the most important part of this year's team. On offense, Campbell has been a standout running back and can also be a threat in the passing game out of the backfield. On defense, Campbell is Metro's best player on that side of the ball. We wrote about this over the weekend following their quarterfinal win over Cascia but it deserves to be repeated. Cascia was driving and Campbell came up with an interception near the goal line to keep Cascia off the scoreboard. On the very next play, Campbell would take a carry 96 yards for a Metro Christian touchdown. That's just one example of the kind of full game impact that Campbell can have and he'll look to do it again this week.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637e2e92c3310"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite being less than 15 miles away from one another, Lincoln Christian and Metro Christian haven't faced off in football since 2005. They met two times in 2004 and 2005 and Lincoln Christian swept the two-game series with a 28-24 win in '04 and a 44-0 shutout win the next year. This is an underrated topic coming into this week's semifinal games. Because when you look at just about every other sport, including the lower level football programs like junior varsity and on down, Lincoln Christian and Metro Christian have faced off. But for whatever reason, they haven't played each other on the varsity level in nearly two decades. And I'll be honest, that surprises me quite a bit. These have been two of the better Tulsa programs in the last decade. It seems like they always have marquee quarterbacks. If they aren't playing every year, at least rotate a home and home non-district series every once in a while. Maybe it happens in the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>EXPERIENCE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lincoln Christian:</strong> Lincoln Christian has been one of the top Class 3A powers over the last several years and it's been a safe bet to just pencil them in for a deep playoff run each season. This will be the eighth semifinal in school history and the fifth straight year they've made it to this round but this is the first time during that stretch where they didn't run into Heritage Hall in this round since the Chargers are on the other side of the bracket. The Bulldogs hold a 6-2 record in the semifinal round and are looking to punch their ticket to the state championship game for the fourth straight year. Lincoln captured the 2019 state title game but had to settle for silver the last two years against Holland Hall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Metro Christian:</strong> Despite moving up to Class 3A this season after four years in Class 2A, Metro Christian finds themselves in the semifinals for the fourth time in the last five seasons. It's just the sixth time in school history that the Patriots have made it to the final four. They hold a 2-3 record all time when they make it to this round. But history is on their side coming into this week. The Patriots have won their last two semifinal appearances and then they would go on to win the state championship each time with a gold ball in 2019 and another in 2020. This is just the second time that Metro has made it to the semifinals while in Class 3A, with the first time coming back in 2010. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#3 HERITAGE HALL (11-1) VS #4 VERDIGRIS (11-1)<br><em>Friday, 7PM @ Prague HS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>THE MATCH-UP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the other Class 3A semifinal on Friday night, it's not #1 vs #2 but it's close as #3 Heritage Hall faces off with #4 Verdigris. Out of the three classes that are in the semifinal round this week, Class 3A is the only class that features all four district champions. The Chargers and the Cardinals will meet in the playoffs for the second time in the last three years and both are incredibly hungry to punch their ticket to Edmond. Both teams have dealt with missing some of their best players this season but they appear to be getting back to full strength at the perfect time. First, Heritage Hall has been a completely different team since senior [player_tooltip player_id='155875' first='River' last='Faulkner'] rejoined the lineup. After losing to defending 4A champion Clinton back in September, the Chargers haven't lost again this year. Their closest game was a week ten win on the road against Marlow by 24 points. Safe to say, the Chargers are playing some of their best football at the right time, which they are accustomed to at this time of the year. On the other side, you have a Verdigris team that is so determined to finally break through and make it to the state championship game. The Cardinals ran into a Bristow-shaped speed bump in early October and suffered a district loss. But they would bounce back and capture the district title and they haven't lost since. In fact, they've been lights out over the last month and a half and they are doing it behind a defense that is shutting down opponents. For each team, Friday's semifinal contest will be arguably the toughest game that they've played all season. The Chargers are desperate for a state title game appearance. The same can be said for Verdigris. Only one can punch their ticket to Edmond on Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>HERITAGE HALL PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["207182"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Last year, we heard from several people that one of Heritage Hall's best players actually wasn't on the field as he had to sit the year out. That was quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='207182' first='Andy' last='Bass'] and so far this season, he's lived up to all the hype. The junior quarterback has been an instant impact player for the Chargers. From the first game of the season, Bass has been one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in Class 3A this season. As a quarterback, Bass has continued to improve his passing throughout the season and has become incredibly efficient. Then you turn around and look at what he's able to do when he tucks the ball and run and there's no surprise that he was one of the better track athletes back in the spring. Bass and the Heritage Hall offense will look to continue their momentum this week against Verdigris.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["155875"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"When senior running back and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='155875' first='River' last='Faulkner'] returned to the lineup after sitting out the first three games of the year, the Chargers reached new heights on both sides of the ball. First, on the offensive end, Faulkner added another layer to the Heritage Hall offense and made the Charger backfield one of the best in the state with him and Bass making things happen on that side of the ball. Then you turn around and look at the impact he's had on the defensive side of the ball as a linebacker and the Chargers have their best defensive player back on the field, leading the way in the middle. Faulkner has been such an underrated part of the Chargers over the last few seasons but his full impact on the team has been felt this season when you look at what Heritage Hall was without him and what they've been since.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637e2e92c3429"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>VERDIGRIS PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378271"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Verdigris has several standouts on the offensive side of the ball but we're putting a spotlight on senior [player_tooltip player_id='378271' first='Caden' last='Parnell'], who will mostly make an impact as a running back on Friday night. Parnell has been playing some of his best football at the running back position over the last two weeks. Coming into the playoffs, Parnell had just 391 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. In their first two playoff games alone, Parnell has run for 345 yards and six touchdowns. He's scored three touchdowns in each of the first two playoff games. The Cardinals will look to Parnell to continue his hot streak this season. Parnell has also filled in at quarterbacks at times this season and he's turned around and led the team in interceptions on defense. Parnell will look to continue impacting the game in every phase this week.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["38813"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"You can't argue with the fact that Verdigris senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='38813' first='Reese' last='Roller'] has been the most productive linebacker in the state over the last three seasons. In the last three years, Roller has 54 sacks and comes into this week with four games in his career where he has at least five sacks. In Verdigris' shutout win over Cascia Hall, Roller finished with a career-high six sacks on the night. Roller has also been a goal line threat at the running back position. Over the last two seasons, Roller has 22 touchdowns on the ground. Roller is going to be incredibly important to slowing down Heritage Hall's offense. The Chargers have the dynamic duo in the backfield and Roller's ability to keep them in front of him is going to be huge for the Cardinals to pull off the win and finally punch their ticket to the state championship game.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637e2e92c3525"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite being two of the better teams in Class 3A over the last several seasons, Friday's game will be just the second time that Heritage Hall and Verdigris have ever squared off. They were consistently on opposite sides of the bracket, until the recent redistricting shuffle coming into this season. The only other time these two teams squared off was also in the playoffs, but one game shy of the semifinals. Heritage Hall knocked off Verdigris 21-7 in the 2020 semifinals. Heritage Hall is determined to punch their ticket to the state title game for the first time since 2018. And for Verdigris, they are tired of seeing their season come to an end with a loss to a private school. The "public vs private" debate has continued to rage on in Class 3A especially considering the dominance of the private schools in this class. While it's not the only storyline coming into this week's games, it certainly is one of the main ones and that cannot be ignored. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>EXPERIENCE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Heritage Hall:</strong> Heritage Hall has made practicing on Thanksgiving a tradition as they've spent the majority of the last decade in the semifinal round. Friday night will be their 15th semifinal in school history. The Chargers have an 8-6 record in semifinal games but they kept running into a Lincoln Christian-shaped hurdle in their last three semifinal appearances. They lost three straight to Lincoln in this round from 2019-2021. All in all, this will be Heritage Hall's sixth consecutive year in the semifinals and it's also the eighth trip to the final four in the last nine seasons. The Chargers are certainly no strangers but they're looking for their first title game appearance since 2018. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Verdigris:</strong> Unlike Heritage Hall, Verdigris doesn't have a long history of deep playoff runs but this senior class is certainly experienced in making it to the final four. Verdigris has punched their ticket to the semifinal round for the third time in school history with all three appearances coming since 2019. The Cardinals are still searching for their first state championship game appearance in school history. Standing in the way is Heritage Hall from denying this senior class a chance to go out on top. Holland Hall beat the Cardinals in the semifinals a year ago and Verdigris is determined to not let that happen again. They've been knocking on the door and it's time to kick that door in. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->