Class 6A-2 Championship Preview
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The Class 6A-2 state championship game is set for Friday afternoon at 1PM in Edmond as #1 Stillwater squares off with #2 Choctaw. These two teams have been #1 and #2 for the majority of this season and will now square off for the gold ball. In this post, we’re taking a more in-depth look at this match-up. From how they got here to the biggest keys to the game and even a championship pick, we’ll get you ready for Friday’s showdown. Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma for more 6A-2 state championship content before, during and following the game on Friday afternoon!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
HOW THEY GOT HERE
#1 Stillwater Pioneers (12-0)
Aug. 26 – Beat Greenwood, AR. 41-27
Sept. 9 – Beat Yukon 55-9
Sept. 16 – Beat Norman 36-33
Sept. 23 – Beat US Grant 85-0
Sept. 30 – Beat Booker T Washington 38-6
Oct. 7 – Beat Sand Springs 58-7
Oct. 13 – Beat Bartlesville 55-7
Oct. 21 – Beat Putnam City West 49-7
Oct. 28 – Beat Tahlequah 55-0
Nov. 3 – Beat Muskogee 38-21
Quarterfinals – Beat Bartlesville 56-0
Semifinals – Beat Deer Creek 33-28
It didn’t take long for the Pioneers to rise to the top spot in 6A-2 this season. They took over at #1 early on in the season and they are one win away from not only a state championship, but a perfect season as well. The Pioneers have been dominant with the exception of two games. They got a scare in week three against Norman but would survive 36-33. The would then have to hold off a furious second half rally from Deer Creek in the semifinals. The Pioneers are battle-tested as arguably their two toughest district games both were on the road. They would beat Booker T Washington and Muskogee and look impressive doing so. They’re playing for the state title for the third time in five years.
#2 Choctaw Yellowjackets (11-1)
Aug. 26 – Lost To Del City 38-34
Sept. 2 – Beat Edmond Santa Fe 37-20
Sept. 9 – Beat Westmoore 47-20
Sept. 23 – Beat Putnam City North 64-14
Sept. 30 – Beat Capitol Hill 56-6
Oct. 7 – Beat Deer Creek 28-16
Oct. 13 – Beat Northwest Classen 63-6
Oct. 21 – Beat Lawton 49-12
Oct. 28 – Beat Putnam City 37-6
Nov. 3 – Beat Ponca City 42-13
Quarterfinals – Beat Sand Springs 48-29
Semifinals – Beat Muskogee 45-20
Choctaw would drop their season opener to Del City in a shootout and wouldn’t lose again the rest of the way. The Yellowjackets were dominant once they got into district play. They would beat Deer Creek in week six with a 28-16 victory and that would be the only team that really challenged the Yellowjackets in district play and that was a game where Choctaw was in control from start to finish. Choctaw would continue their dominant play in the playoffs by beating up on Sand Springs and then won a semifinal clash with Muskogee by 25 points. The Muskogee game was labeled as the present versus the future of 6A-2 and the present won as the Yellowjackets will now play in the title game for the second time in three years.
HOW THEY MATCH UP
On paper, this is probably the most competitive state championship game as it features #1 VS #2 and two very evenly matched teams. For Choctaw, they are incredibly experienced on the offensive side of the ball. Several of their top players on offense are three-year starters. But on the defensive side of the ball, they’ve been snake-bit by injuries. Compared to the start of the season, the Yellowjackets have six new starters on that side of the ball. And that is shown by their ability to bend but not break. They have found ways to be successful.
Stillwater will counter with a defense that has to be considered the best in 6A-2 and one of the better units in the state, regardless of class. They have forced nearly 40 turnovers on the season and have done a great job shutting down opposing offenses. And then you flip it around and look at their offense and they are very similar to the Yellowjackets. They have a very efficient quarterback and a strong running game and playmakers at wide receiver. We mentioned how close this game looks on paper and when you break down the different positions, it’s hard to find a spot where one team has the edge over the other.
Both teams come into this game with plenty of momentum and the usual suspects for what decides championship games will be important in this one. Turnovers, unforced errors, untimely penalties and special teams are usually important in a game like this. Stillwater definitely feels confident coming into this match-up after having a 39-4 turnover ratio on the season. And if you take out the Norman game, that’s only one giveaway all season. If we had to pick a shootout or a low-scoring affair, we will probably lean to shootout just from the standpoint that each offense has so much experience on that side of the ball.
MATCH-UP HISTORY
As we mentioned above, these two teams are very familiar with one another as many of the top players on each side have played with each other on Sooner7 during the offseason. They also are familiar after being district opponents from 2014-2019. Stillwater dominated the match-up during that time frame, but the Yellowjackets did get a win in their last meeting. That came in the 2020 semifinals as the Yellowjackets would stun Stillwater on a last second field goal to advance to the championship game. They would deny Stillwater a shot at a third straight state championship game and there are a few players who played key roles on both sides who will have major roles on Friday afternoon, including Choctaw’s kicker who made that game-winning kick.
CRYSTAL BALL
Choctaw Over Stillwater
This game definitely has the makings of a potential instant classic. Both teams are so evenly matched coming in and we could honestly see this game going either way. Out of the five championship games taking place this week in Edmond, this is by far the hardest to make a solid pick on. And this pick is anything but solid. But we’re going with the Yellowjackets to win a very close one. As long as they can avoid turning the ball over and any unforced errors, they seem to have the firepower to get the job done and bring home a state title for the first time in a long time. And just in case we need to hammer this thought down some more, we have no idea who’s going to win. This game is the true definition of a toss up.