5A State: McAlester Players To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 5A state championship game is set for Saturday afternoon at 1PM in Edmond as #2 Carl Albert will square off with #6 McAlester for the gold ball. The Buffaloes return to Edmond for the second straight year while Carl Albert is hunting for their sixth gold ball in the last seven after missing out on a trip to Edmond last year. In this post, we're taking a look at some of the McAlester Buffaloes that you need to know about heading into Saturday afternoon's game. Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma for more 5A state championship content before, during and following the game on Saturday afternoon!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["520514"],"_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":"Fresh off a performance in the semifinals where he finished with over 250 yards and three touchdowns, how could you not include senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='520514' first='Blaze' last='Baugh'] in this feature? While the Buffaloes will miss senior star and Oklahoma commit [player_tooltip player_id='91049' first='Erik' last='McCarty'], Baugh was able to show that the Buffaloes can still run down hill last week against Bishop McGuinness. Before the semifinal game against the Irish, Baugh had 393 yards and three touchdowns in the previous 12 games. His season-high was 80 yards back in week two. He had 258 yards and three touchdowns in the semifinals alone. Baugh will be important to the McAlester offense in the state title game as they try to put a dent in the Carl Albert defense. The Titans are feeling confident after doing a good job containing Grove's high-powered running attack.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["460524"],"_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":"After spending last season at wide receiver, junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='460524' first='Caden' last='Lesnau'] would move over to quarterback this season, replacing Trent Boatright, who had a very successful senior season. Lesnau had a very good understanding of the offense as he moved over and the McAlester has still had plenty of success in the passing game, despite having some very talented running back play in the backfield along with Lesnau. And at the end of the day, Lesnau is still a very good athlete and even though he has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards on the season, he still has to be watched closely in terms of tucking the ball and taking off on the ground. But he's certainly more valuable to McAlester as a quarterback this season and they will need him to be on top of his game as the Buffaloes look to take down the Titans.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["38793"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"We've written about Bradley earlier this year and how his career has certainly been a roller coaster featuring several different schools. But Bradley has found his home in the McAlester secondary and has been one of the breakout stars in Class 5A football this season. While we don't have complete stats from every team, it's hard to find another player in Class 5A that has more interceptions than Bradley. He leads the team with eight interceptions on the year and then he turns around and is McAlester's leading wide receiver in all receptions, yards and touchdowns on the season. Bradley is one of the more important players in this match-up for either team because of his abilities on both sides of the ball. His impact on offense is great and then what he's able to do as a ball hawk on defense can't be overlooked.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["154211"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"One of the more intriguing prospects in Saturday's state championship game is junior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='154211' first='Malachi' last='Wrice']. We've watched Wrice since late in his freshman season and we still don't know what he is at the next level. His physical frame is one that will give him plenty of options to play college football. But where remains the question. We've seen him as a tight end, defensive end, there's even a strong belief that he could be an offensive tackle if he worked at it. But when it comes to the game on Saturday, it will be Wrice on the defensive line that will be critical for the Buffaloes. Carl Albert's running back has been one of the best in the state. Wrice and the McAlester front seven will look to set the tone and they have some momentum after doing a good job of containing the star running back from McGuinness.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["529848"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"While Baugh is replacing the production of McCarty on offense, others have had to step up to replace his production on defense. He was McAlester's leading tackler earlier this year. But now it's sophomore linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='529848' first='Will' last='Spears']. With nearly 100 tackles, Spears will be a big part of McAlester's front seven as they try to attempt to slow down Carl Albert's power running game. That's going to be arguably the biggest key to Saturday's game. If Spears and the Buffaloes are able to slow down Carl Albert's star junior running back, they'll have a shot to pull off the win and capture that state championship. In addition to leading the team in tackles, Spears is also top five on the team in tackles for loss. McAlester's tackling in the open field is going to play a big part in the outcome of Saturday's game.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6386c895b0b32"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MORE NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='406182' first='Ethan' last='Watkins'] - 2024 Wide Receiver</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garrett Shumway - 2023 Defensive Lineman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jayden Shumway - 2024 Defensive Lineman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->