6A-1 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 6A-1 as the Tulsa-area schools headline the final four and the semifinals feature two regular season rematches. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#2 JENKS (10-2) VS #3 BIXBY (10-1)<br><em>Friday, 1PM @ Broken Arrow 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>16 days ago, these two teams met in Bixby in the regular season finale and played a classic. The two teams weren't even off the field before the excitement level started rising for a potential playoff rematch. And that's what we get as #2 Jenks will face #3 Bixby in the first of two semifinal games at Broken Arrow. In week ten, the Trojans ended Bixby's 58-game winning streak with their best performance of the season. And they've kept that momentum rolling into the playoffs. They hammered Edmond North in the opening round and then went on the road and had a comeback for the ages against Mustang. The two-time defending champs trailed by 19 points entering the fourth quarter. They would win by a field goal and avoided overtime by blocking a field goal as time expired. On the other side of the match-up, you saw Bixby have the first week of the playoffs off after capturing the district title despite losing to Jenks in week ten. They would then open up their playoff journey with a 63-0 drubbing of Enid in the quarterfinals. And despite this being their first year in 6A-1, this is a team that is used to practicing on Thanksgiving and have been as close to perfect as you can get in the playoffs. They are looking for their ninth consecutive trip to the state championship and their eighth gold ball during that nine-year span. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>BIXBY PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["197183"],"_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":"One of the things that got lost in the week ten game against Jenks was the performance of Bixby senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='197183' first='Connor' last='Kirby']. He had arguably the best game of his career in terms of throwing the ball and running it and has become a true dual-threat quarterback. His passing has been lights out this season after being primarily a running quarterback last season. Kirby was nearly perfect throwing the ball in their quarterfinal win over Enid and he looks to keep that going on Friday afternoon against the Trojans. Kirby had a great performance against Jenks earlier this season and will look to do it again and punch Bixby's ticket to the state championship game and a return trip to Edmond.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["519610"],"_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":"Bixby's leading tackler this season is junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='519610' first='Hank' last='Puckett']. The younger brother of Jack Puckett, who was an absolute star for the Spartans at linebacker during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. We were told last year that Hank would be the next guy up to make an immediate impact on the Bixby defense. Puckett will certainly be an important part of the Bixby defense on Friday afternoon. The Trojans torched the Bixby defense in week ten with the ground game. They gashed Bixby for big play after big play. Puckett and the Bixby defense will no doubt have that on their minds as they prepare for the rematch. A big key to who wins on Friday will be the Bixby front seven going against the Jenks run game.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["110743"],"_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":"It seems like we say this every time we write about Bixby junior [player_tooltip player_id='110743' first='Kordell' last='Gouldsby'] but he has the potential to be the ultimate X-Factor on this year's Bixby team. Whether he's catching the ball, running it on jet sweeps, or helping in the return game, Gouldsby is a player that can score in the blink of an eye. He made big plays in the regular season meeting with the Trojans and will be hoping to make big plays again this week. Gouldsby is a dynamic athlete that has a lot of potential and another thing that we've said about Gouldsby is that it's just good to see him back on the field. He had his first two seasons cut short to injuries when he was at Holland Hall. He's been able to put a full season of work in and isn't finished.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63799375de628"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>JENKS PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["349831"],"_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":"The X-factor in some of Jenks' biggest wins this season has been Jenks sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='349831' first='Ashton' last='Cunningham'], who is enjoying a breakout season on defense and in special teams. Cunningham sprinted off the edge and got a hand on Mustang's field goal that could have sent the game to overtime. Earlier this season, he blocked the PAT attempt from Broken Arrow in overtime that would have sent the game into double overtime. But it's not just his special team exploits that makes him one to watch. In the regular season meeting, Cunningham stood out several times at the cornerback position against the Spartans. Cunningham is turning into an absolute star and he'll look to make more big plays on Friday.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["374628"],"_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":"In addition to Bixby's QB having the best game of his career in week ten, you can make the argument that Jenks senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='374628' first='Ike' last='Owens'] did as well. Owens threw for 130 yards and a touchdown but it's what he did on the ground that got everyone's attention. Owens ran for 175 yards and a pair of touchdowns and he also broke several long runs, deep into Bixby territory, that set up Jenks touchdowns. Owens was back at it on Friday night in the quarterfinal win over Mustang when it came to the balance between the passing and running game. If the Trojans are going to pull off another win over the Spartans and look to defend their crown as 6A-1 champion, Owens will play a vital role.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["157457"],"_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":"One big question going into the Bixby rematch will be the status of senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='47955' first='Jaiden' last='Carroll']. It does not look like he appeared to play in the last two playoff games for the Trojans. In the win over Mustang, it was fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='157457' first='Jalyn' last='Stanford'] who ended up leading the Jenks rushing attack and was also a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. Stanford is also one of Jenks' best defensive players at the safety position. If Stanford has to pull double duty as a running back and safety, it could make for a long afternoon. But it's something that he's done multiple times this season when Carroll has battled nagging injuries. If Carroll is able to go, that's a player who ran for over 180 yards back in week ten.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63799375de727"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the dust settled on the Jenks win over Bixby in week ten, it was realized pretty soon after that these two could meet again just three weeks later with a spot in the title game on the line. That's what we'll see as the Spartans and Trojans will square off for the first time in the playoffs since 2010 and only the second time in series history. This series was once dominated by Jenks but now it's become incredibly competitive and things got taken to new heights this season with Bixby moving up to 6A-1 and into the same district as the rival Trojans. Then there's the streak. You have to mention it because it was one of the biggest stories during the regular season. Jenks snapped Bixby's 58-game winning streak in the final week of the regular season and they did it on a big stage on ESPN2. There is absolutely no doubt that the Bixby game was about as good as Jenks has played all season and they'll look to replicate that this week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>EXPERIENCE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bixby:</strong>&nbsp;It should come as no surprise that Bixby has plenty of experience playing in semifinal games, especially since the split in Class 6A. They'll be making their 19th semifinal appearance in school history this week and hold a 15-3 record in those semifinal contests. But this will be their first trip to the semifinals in the state's largest class. Before moving up to 6A-1 this year, the Spartans dominated 6A-2, Bixby played in every single 6A-2 semifinal contest from 2014-2021 and had a perfect 8-0 record. They'll attempt to make more history by advancing to their ninth straight state title game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jenks: </strong>It's no secret that Jenks is one of the top programs in Oklahoma football history but some of these numbers are just mind-boggling. Jenks is headed to the semifinals for the 17th consecutive season. 2005 was the last time that the Trojans did not appear in the semifinals. There are plenty of players on the Jenks football team that weren't born yet the last time Jenks didn't make it to at least the semifinals. Overall, this will be the 35th trip to the semifinals and they have a 29-5 record in semifinal match-ups. Jenks is also looking to punch their ticket to the title game for the fifth consecutive year.</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>#1 UNION (11-0) VS #6 OWASSO (8-4)<br><em>Friday, 7PM @ Broken Arrow 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 second game of the doubleheader at Broken Arrow, we'll see another rematch of a district game earlier this season as top-ranked Union squares off with #6 Owasso with a spot in the state title on the line. The Redhawks took care of business in late September to open up district play and rolled to a 35-17 win. They've been the top-ranked team in our 6A-1 rankings all season and they are the only undefeated team left in 6A-1. Owasso could change all that on Friday evening as they look to play spoiler and punch their ticket to Edmond, which would be quite the upset when you look at the entire picture. The Rams have been snakebit by injuries this season and they began the year with a 1-4 record. They haven't lost since and that includes going on the road and knocking off a Norman North team that was the favorite coming into the match-up. But Friday's semifinal with Union will provide the Rams with a much bigger challenge as they face a Union team that has been as close to perfect as you can get all season. In Union's playoff opener, the Redhawks would run away from Broken Arrow, sweeping the Tigers this season two games to none. The game was close at halftime but it was all Union in the second half as they dominated the third and fourth quarters. After sweeping the two meetings with BA, they look to do the same to Owasso. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>OWASSO PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["427388"],"_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 thought that Owasso senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='427388' first='Anthony' last='Hills'] was primed to have a breakout season this year. But we thought it was going to be as the second option behind Alabama commit [player_tooltip player_id='45651' first='Cole' last='Adams']. When Adams went down in the first game of the season, that vaulted Hills into an unpredictable position. He's become Owasso's leading wide receiver and not only has he embraced the role, he's produced in big ways as Owasso completely bounced back from that 1-4 start. Even in the games that Owasso lost, Hills still found a way to be productive and was usually one of the bright spots within the Owasso offense. Going against a very talented Union secondary, Hills will have his work cut out for him but he's answered every call so far this year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["427389"],"_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 we thought that Hills was a good candidate to be a breakout star this season, one Owasso Ram that we didn't see coming was senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='427389' first='Kunta' last='Jordan']. This linebacker has been lights out for the Rams all season and he's going to be incredibly important to their success on Friday night. He's been Owasso's most productive player on the defensive side of the ball and the Rams will need that production as they go up against a Union offense that has been one of the most balanced and high-scoring offenses in the state. Jordan and the Owasso defense had success in their regular season meeting and they'll need to see what worked well and try to build on that this week to contain the Union offense.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["38821"],"_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":"Owasso senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='38821' first='Mason' last='Willingham'] has been the one constant within the Owasso offense this season. While players around him went down with injuries, Willingham has stepped up and led the Rams to the semifinals this week. With injuries causing problems to the running back position, Willingham is Owasso's leading rusher. He's coming off a fantastic performance throwing and running the ball in the quarterfinals against Norman North. In the regular season meeting, Willingham was able to move the Owasso offense through the air. But Union did a good job of containing Willingham's ability on the ground. He'll look to have more of a balance between the two, like we saw on Friday night in their win over Norman North.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63799375de82e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>UNION PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["219073"],"_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":"You can make the argument that Union senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='219073' first='DJ' last='McKinney'] has been the best overall player in 6A-1 football this season. We've written about him quite a bit because of his stellar performances. But what has been the most impressive about McKinney is it seems like he always shines the brightest in the biggest games of the season. Helping Union make it back to a second consecutive state championship game is a pretty big moment so it seems like a safe bet that McKinney is going to perform well on Friday. In the regular season meeting against the Rams, McKinney had another stellar performance as both a running back and then catching the ball out of the backfield. There's a lot to like about his game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["110747"],"_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":"There might not be another wide receiver that has had more production over their last two games than Union junior [player_tooltip player_id='110747' first='Jino' last='Boyd']. In the regular season finale against Edmond North and then the quarterfinal game against Broken Arrow, Boyd had four touchdowns in each game and that's easy enough math for us. Eight touchdown receptions in his last two outings. Boyd is one of the top wide receivers in the state's 2024 class and he's playing like it. He's a big play threat and has been all season for the Redhawks. Last season, Boyd was Union's leading wide receiver and he's definitely up there in terms of touchdown receptions at this point. Boyd is another part of this Union offense that is so efficient and features several playmakers.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["188014"],"_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":"The third and final player to watch for Union is another offensive star with sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='188014' first='Shaker' last='Reisig']. We mentioned a few times all the different weapons that Union has on the offensive side of the ball and the balance they have between the running and passing game. Reisig is the man that makes this offensive engine go. He's an extension of the coaching staff on the field as he very rarely makes a mistake that hurts his team. And if he does, he has a quick memory and usually turns things around quickly. The quarterfinal is a good example of that. He had somewhat of a slow start but by the end of the game, the Redhawks had put up nearly 50 points as they ran away from Broken Arrow.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63799375de91b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams have been district foes since 2008 so they are very familiar with one another. However, this will only be the second time that they've met in the postseason during the last 15 years. The other time came in the 2017 state championship game when Owasso became the first school other than Jenks or Union to win the title in the state's largest class since 1995. Prior to Bill Blankenship taking over in 2017, the Rams had struggled mightily in the series against Union. But ever since, it's been much more competitive but Union still holds a 4-3 record during that time span. That includes a 35-17 victory over the Rams back in week four to open up district play. That was a game that Union dominated for three quarters, leading 28-3 after three. But Owasso would rally with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns before Union would slam the door shut on any potential for an Owasso comeback. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>EXPERIENCE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Owasso:</strong> After being upset by Broken Arrow in the quarterfinals a year ago, Owasso is returning to the semifinals for the fifth time in the last six seasons. Since taking over at Owasso in 2017, Blankenship has taken the Rams to the semifinals every year with the exception of 2021. They have a 2-2 record under Blankenship in the semifinal round. Prior to Blankenship taking over at Owasso, the Rams had lost in seven consecutive semifinal appearances. All time, they have a 3-9 record when they reach the final four. But this will be the first time they've faced rival Union in the semifinal round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Union:</strong> Just like rival Jenks, Union has played in plenty of semifinals in their history. Friday's game will be the 30th time that Union has played in the semifinal round. They currently hold a 18-11 record in semifinal contests but the majority of those losses came to the rival Trojans. Since the split in Class 6A, Union has made every semifinal except for one and that was when Broken Arrow beat them in the 2019 quarterfinals. This will be their eighth appearance in the last nine seasons. They are looking for their second straight trip the state championship game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->