6A-2 Quarterfinal Preview
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The Class 6A-2 quarterfinal round kicks off this week and we’re taking a look at all four match-ups. For the first time since the split in Class 6A, we had a 12-team playoff in 6A-1 and 6A-2. Which meant we had four teams with bye weeks last week and all four home teams this week will be taking the field after taking last week off. Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma throughout the week for more quarterfinal previews in the various classes.
#9 BARTLESVILLE (5-6) AT #1 STILLWATER (10-0)
Our first quarterfinal is the only rematch from the regular season as Stillwater will play host to Bartlesville. The Pioneers beat the Bruins 55-7 in week seven and that was part of their perfect 10-0 regular season. The Pioneers came into the playoffs as the top-ranked team in Class 6A-2 and they appear to be the favorite in the playoffs. The Pioneers are looking for their fifth consecutive trip to the semifinal round and they are one of several teams in 6A-2 that are glad that Bixby moved up to 6A-1. The Spartans beat Stillwater in four of their last five playoff trips, including in the semifinals a year ago. The Pioneers have been as close to perfect as you can be this season. While the offense gets a lot of the pub and attention, you can’t overlook how dominant the defense has been throughout the season. They look to continue that this week.
The Bruins are definitely an underdog heading into Friday’s quarterfinal match-up. But Bartlesville is playing with borrowed money at this point. In the old playoff format, the Bruins would have been on the outside looking in on the playoffs. But now with six teams from each district making it in, not only did Bartlesville make the postseason, but they scored their first playoff win since 2015 when they went on the road and knocked off Lawton in overtime. The Bruins were led by their sophomore running back PJ Wallace, who is experiencing a breakout season at the running back position. And he showed last week that he can be a workhorse back if he needs to be with over 40 carries on the night. And facing off with a Stillwater offense that is one of the best in 6A-2, the Bruins will lean on Wallace and the running game to keep Stillwater’s offense off the field.
#5 BOOKER T WASHINGTON (7-4) AT #4 DEER CREEK (9-1)
Last year was the first year Deer Creek experienced true playoff success since moving up to Class 6A-2. They won their first playoff game last year and actually ended up making it all the way to the state championship game before settling for the silver ball against Bixby. Deer Creek is ready to get back onto the field after taking last week off. The Antlers have been one of the best teams in 6A-2 all season. The only blemish on the season was a midseason loss to Choctaw in district play. The Antlers were on a roll on both sides of the ball to close out the regular season. On offense, they were on a roll and on defense, they haven’t given up any points since week seven on the road in Lawton. The Antlers will certainly be tested by Booker T Washington’s speed. But it will be strength on strength as the Antlers are led by their secondary.
On the other side of the match-up, you have Booker T Washington, who is led by their passing offense with dynamic duo Lathan Boone Lathan Boone 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Booker T Washington | 2023 State OK at quarterback and Arkansas commit Micah Tease Micah Tease 6'1" | WR Booker T Washington | 2023 State OK at wide receiver. The Hornets have been lights out on that side of the ball throughout the season. But they are still looking to find success against some of the better teams in the class. The Hornets are 7-4 on the season but their two district losses came to #1 Stillwater and #3 Muskogee. If the Hornets can go on the road and pull off the big quarterfinal win over Deer Creek, that will definitely put Booker T Washington in the conversation as a true state championship contender. We listed them as a dark horse coming into the playoffs. It’s not very often that you see the Hornets listed as a dark horse but until they win a game like they have this week, that’s where they’re at.
#6 SAND SPRINGS (7-4) AT #2 CHOCTAW (9-1)
On the bottom half of the bracket, #2 Choctaw begins their playoff journey by hosting Sand Springs in the quarterfinal round. The Yellowjackets have won nine games in a row after dropping their season opener in a shootout to Del City. Choctaw definitely comes into the playoffs as one of the top championship contenders, but they also have plenty of unfinished business. They were upset by Deer Creek in the quarterfinals a year ago. They were able to get a little revenge earlier this season when they knocked off the Antlers at home. The Yellowjackets have a special senior class that is led by quarterback Steele Wasel Steele Wasel 6'4" | 210 lbs | QB Choctaw | 2023 State OK , who has been one of the best quarterbacks in the state over the last several years. Wasel and the Yellowjackets are determined to make another run to Edmond and this time, they want to finish the job with the state title.
On the other side of this match-up, you have a Sand Springs team that is looking to pull the upset and punch their ticket to the semifinals for the second consecutive season. Last year, they came up just short of making it to the title game as they fell to Deer Creek by a field goal. In our opinion, the Sandites are one of the teams to watch in 6A-2 moving forward. They have some really talented young pieces. While it might not be their year this season to truly contend for the state title, we do think this is a team to watch in the next few years. Sand Springs advanced to this week’s quarterfinal round with a 31-21 win over Putnam City in the first round a week ago. Similar to Booker T Washington, the Sandites have looked really good this season, but they are still looking for their first win over a top five team in 6A-2 this season.
#8 PONCA CITY (6-5) AT #3 MUSKOGEE (9-1)
Similar to Choctaw, the Muskogee Roughers are hungry to get back on the field, but for different reasons. In the regular season finale, the Roughers dropped their first game of the season in a week ten clash of unbeaten teams against Stillwater. After getting last week off, the Roughers will return to the field and look to turn things around in a big way. Another similarity to another 6A-2 team is Muskogee and Sand Springs. Like the Sandites, Muskogee is going to be one of the top teams in 6A-2 over the next few seasons with some big names in their younger classes. That group is led by sophomore quarterback Jamarian Ficklin Jamarian Ficklin 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Muskogee | 2025 State OK , who has turned into an absolute star this season. The Roughers also have some big names in their junior class. Now, the Roughers look to win their first playoff game since making it to the 2016 semifinals.
And the Roughers will be looking to bounce back against one of the hotter teams in 6A-2 over the last month or so. Ponca City began the season with an 0-4 start but would immediately turn things around in week five. They would beat Lawton and that would begin a streak of five consecutive victories. And following a week ten loss on the road against Choctaw, Ponca City immediately bounced back in the first round a week ago when they beat Tahlequah 35-7. That win was the first playoff victory for Ponca City since 1986. This is also the first time that Ponca City has qualified for the playoffs since 2005. Head coach Scott Harmon has turned around the Wildcats and is determined to help lead them to new heights in 6A-2. He has championship experience as he helped lead Hominy to a Class A title a few years ago. Now he aims to do it on a larger stage.