6A-2 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-2 as the top four teams in 6A-2 all advanced and will now square off in the semifinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#1 STILLWATER (11-0) VS #4 DEER CREEK (10-1)<br><em>Friday, 7PM @ Ponca City 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>With the top four teams all advancing to this week's semifinal round, we should witness some very competitive football. We start with the game taking place in Ponca City Friday night as top-ranked Stillwater squares off with #4 Deer Creek. The Pioneers opened up their playoff journey by staying unbeaten with a 56-0 beat down of Bartlesville in the quarterfinals. The Pioneers have been absolutely dominant this season and there's a reason why they currently sit atop the 6A-2 rankings. With the exception of a week three game against Norman, the Pioneers have beaten everyone by at least two touchdowns. That includes wins against the three toughest teams in their district, all on the road, and all by at least 17 points or more. Stillwater seems hungrier than ever to punch their ticket to Edmond. They're going up against a Deer Creek team this week that feels like they have some unfinished business as well. The Anglers were one of the surprise teams in the 6A-2 playoffs a year ago as they made an unexpected run to the title game. But this year, that target was bigger than ever and not only did Deer Creek expect to be here, everyone else did as well. They have reloaded and are back in the semifinal round. They should have gotten everyone's attention, if they didn't have it already, when they beat Booker T Washington 45-6 in the quarterfinals. Since a road loss to Choctaw, the Antlers have been rolling. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DEER CREEK PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["268332"],"_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 first of a pair of standouts on the offensive side of the ball is senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='268332' first='Berkley' last='Dalton']. Spoiler, the Deer Creek offense has been led by their passing attack so the offensive players are a quarterback and wide receiver. Dalton is coming off a game where he caught three touchdowns and nearly had 100 yards receiving against Booker T Washington. Dalton and the Antlers are looking to keep that offense going in the semifinal against Stillwater. Dalton has become the leading receiver for the Antlers this season and he could certainly provide a problem for a Stillwater defense that seems to excel in the secondary.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["344120"],"_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":"Speaking of secondary, our next player to watch is the only defensive standout featured for either team with North Carolina commit [player_tooltip player_id='344120' first='Dale' last='Miller'] at cornerback. We've written about Miller and his story a few times this season and he's been a fantastic impact player for the Antlers this season. We already really liked the players that made up the Deer Creek secondary before but then they got one of the best cornerbacks in the region join the team and that made them one of the better units in the state, regardless of class. They'll need him to step up once again as they face a Stillwater team that is incredibly efficient in the passing game.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["242231"],"_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":"Speaking of secondary, our next player to watch is the only defensive standout featured for either team with North Carolina commit [player_tooltip player_id='344120' first='Dale' last='Miller'] at cornerback. We've written about Miller and his story a few times this season and he's been a fantastic impact player for the Antlers this season. We already really liked the players that made up the Deer Creek secondary before but then they got one of the best cornerbacks in the region join the team and that made them one of the better units in the state, regardless of class. They'll need him to step up once again as they face a Stillwater team that is incredibly efficient in the passing game.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637aa80fcafc5"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>STILLWATER PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["157517"],"_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":"Our first player to watch is arguably the most important player in the match-up with Stillwater senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='157517' first='Gage' last='Gundy']. We mentioned how talented the Deer Creek secondary has been this season but Gundy has been one of the more efficient quarterbacks in the state, throwing for over 2,000 yards, completing 70 percent of his passes and having an unreal touchdown to interception ratio. Something has to give when these two teams square off. One of the X-factors in this match-up is Gundy's athleticism. While almost all of his production has been in the passing game, don't overlook his ability to run the ball, especially near the goal line.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["215206"],"_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":"We first got a chance to see Stillwater junior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='215206' first='Heston' last='Thompson'] last season when he was enjoying a breakout season as a sophomore. This year, Thompson has taken his game to the next level and is Stillwater's leading receiver by a wide margin. We saw his abilities in big games last season and he's continued that so far this year, making big play after big play. And it always seems like Thompson is making his biggest plays in the bigger games. The future is bright with Stillwater as not only do the Pioneers have Heston at the wide receiver position, his identical twin Holden is an up and coming running back.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["199948"],"_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":"Speaking of the Thompson twins, our final player to watch is Stillwater senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='199948' first='Noah' last='Roberts']. With [player_tooltip player_id='215207' first='Holden' last='Thompson'] missing this season with a knee injury, Roberts emerged as the only running back to be featured in the Stillwater offense this season. He has not only answered the call, he's excelled so far this season. Roberts has been a touchdown machine and is having an outstanding senior season. This is another example of how talented the Stillwater offense is when you consider how balanced they can be on that side of the ball. It puts a lot of stress and pressure on the defense.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637aa80fcb084"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deer Creek and Stillwater were district foes from 2016-2021 before the recent redistricting shuffle put the Pioneers in the east side district of 6A-2. During that time frame, Stillwater went 5-1 against the Antlers, with all five wins coming in the last five years. They own a 6-2 record all time against the Antlers but Friday's game will be the first time that they've met in the playoffs. Last season, Stillwater survived and outlasted the Antlers with a 35-28 win in double overtime. The Pioneers scored with just a few seconds left to send the game into overtime. And after two OT's, Stillwater would escape with the win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>EXPERIENCE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Deer Creek:</strong> Deer Creek is headed to the semifinal round for the fifth time in school history and the second straight semifinal appearance. After surprising a few teams last year, the Antlers expected to be back in this position this season. Since joining 6A-2 a few years ago, the Antlers have finally started finding consistent playoff success in their new class. The Antlers are 2-2 all time in semifinal match-ups. Last year, they got their first ever playoff win in 6A-2 and they're looking to punch their ticket back to the state title game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stillwater:</strong> The Pioneers have done very well recently since the split in Class 6A and have made semifinal appearances a normal date on their schedule. This will be their 16th appearance in school history and they hold a 6-9 record in semifinal clashes. Friday night will be the fifth straight year they have appeared in the semifinals and have a 2-2 record during that time. After back to back title game appearances in 2018 and 2019, the Pioneers were beat by Choctaw and Bixby in their last two semifinal appearances. </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>#2 CHOCTAW (10-1) VS #3 MUSKOGEE (10-1)<br><em>Friday, 7PM @ East Central University</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 6A-2 semifinal, we'll see #2 Choctaw facing off with #3 Muskogee at ECU in Ada. Both teams come in at 10-1, both teams had interesting quarterfinal performances. First, for Choctaw, they had a bit of a slow start against Sand Springs, but once the flip switched, especially on offense, the Yellowjackets weren't going to be stopped. Choctaw has won ten straight games since losing the season opener to Del City. And this is a Yellowjacket team that has some real experience on both sides of the ball with two and three-year starters. They remember making it to the state title game in 2020 and they are hungry to get back there. Standing in the way is perhaps the team of the future in 6A-2 with the Muskogee Roughers. The Roughers are where Choctaw was two years ago. A potential star in a sophomore at quarterback and several big names on both sides of the ball starting out young. Two years ago, Choctaw announced their presence by upsetting Stillwater in the semifinals. Could we see history repeat itself this year with Muskogee announcing themselves to the rest of the state that they are the new kids on the block and need to be taken seriously sooner rather than later. After shutting out Ponca City in the quarterfinal, the Roughers won their tenth game of the season, continuing what has been an unbelievable bounce back season following a 2-8 year in 2021. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>CHOCTAW PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["98176"],"_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":"When you talk about the Choctaw offense, a lot of the attention can go to their quarterback, who has been one of the top players in the state since his sophomore season. But if you look at the Yellowjackets a little closer, you see fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='98176' first='La'Trell' last='Ray'] at the running back position and he's been one of the more productive players in the state over the last few years. Ray is outstanding in the run game but he's an extremely versatile athlete that is also just as dangerous as a receiver coming out of the backfield. We've written about Ray quite a bit over the last few seasons and we still don't understand why he still flies under the radar sometimes.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["51854"],"_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":"Choctaw senior [player_tooltip player_id='51854' first='RJ' last='Jackson'] has been a player that we've written about quite a bit over the last few seasons. He's been a hard player to figure out because he was a monster as a tight end during his sophomore season. He's also an outstanding baseball player. But Jackson has moved over to defensive end and things have just started clicking on the football field for him this season. Jackson makes up one half of a dominant pass rush attacks with junior [player_tooltip player_id='291011' first='Will' last='Smith']. A big key to the game on Friday will be surrounding Jackson and Smith and how much pressure they can put on Muskogee's quarterback, who is a star in the making.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["38780"],"_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":"That quarterback that we mentioned with [player_tooltip player_id='98176' first='La'Trell' last='Ray'] is senior [player_tooltip player_id='38780' first='Steele' last='Wasel'], a commit to Akron. Wasel has indeed been one of the top quarterbacks and overall prospects in the state's 2023 class for a while now. Wasel and the Yellowjacket offense are rolling and the Akron commit is coming off a performance that was one of his best of his career. He threw for nearly 450 yards and six touchdowns as they would run away from Sand Springs. With Wasel playing some of his best football right now, he and the Yellowjackets are looking forward to potentially punching their ticket to Edmond in the state championship.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637aa80fcb16e"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MUSKOGEE PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["202153"],"_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":"Our first Muskogee player to watch is 2024 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='202153' first='Anthony' last='Watson']. This is a prospect that is rocketing up the boards in terms of our 2024 prospect ranks. Watson is a tight end and full back hybrid player on the offensive side of the ball and has been dynamic near the goal line. But it's what Watson does as a defensive end that makes him one of the more intriguing prospects in the state's 2024 class. Watson is a sack machine and always finds a way into the backfield. And Watson is going to be so important to Muskogee's success on Friday. He needs to put pressure on the Choctaw passing game and not many have been able to this year.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["211556"],"_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":"A big reason that Muskogee has gone from 2-8 last season to 10-1 this year and one game away from the state championship is sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='211556' first='Jamarian' last='Ficklin']. We watched Ficklin throughout the offseason and we thought that he had the potential to be a breakout star this season, but he's exceeded even our expectations back in the summer. But what he and the Roughers are doing on the field is not surprising after knowing what they brought back and who some of these standouts are. Ficklin has been lights out throughout the season and he's looking to get the biggest win of his young career.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["129399"],"_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":"In addition to Ficklin at quarterback, on the other end of the passing game is junior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='129399' first='Kayden' last='McGee']. He's another player that we benefitted from seeing a lot throughout the offseason. Not only this year but going into his sophomore season a year ago as well. McGee has definitely also benefitted from Ficklin's breakout season because he has found the end zone week after week and has put up monster numbers as a wide receiver this season. McGee has to be considered an overall athlete in the state's 2024 class because of what he can do on offense but then his growing experience as a safety on defense.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637aa80fcb24f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similar to Deer Creek and Stillwater, Choctaw and Muskogee were district foes before the latest redistricting shuffle. They were in the same district just the last two seasons and Choctaw won both meetings. In fact, this is the third straight year that Choctaw and Muskogee have squared off after they also met in the 2019 quarterfinals. The Yellowjackets are 3-0 against the Roughers all time with all three meetings coming in the last three seasons. Both teams are very familiar with one another. In addition to having faced off the last three seasons, there are quite a few players on both teams that play together in the offseason with Sooner 7. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>EXPERIENCE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Choctaw:</strong> After getting upset by Deer Creek in the quarterfinals a year ago, the Yellowjackets are back into the semifinals for the third time in the last four seasons. They are searching for their second state title game appearance in the last three years. This is the seventh semifinal appearance for Choctaw in school history and they have a 2-4 record in their previous trips. Before they made it to the 2019 semifinals, Choctaw hadn't been in the final four since 1965. Now, the semifinals seem like a regular occurrence for Jake Corbin's program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Muskogee:</strong> The Roughers are into the semifinals for the 15th time in the last 75 years. Records before the 1940's are tough to find, but there are many that believe that Muskogee had one of the best football programs in the state prior to World War II. The Roughers are into the semifinal round for the first time since 2016. After making that trip in 2016, they haven't won a playoff game since until last week's shutout win over Ponca City. The Roughers are looking for their first state title appearance since 1986. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->