Scene Setter: Carl Albert-Muskogee

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Each week on Prep Redzone Oklahoma, we'll put a spotlight on one of the top games of the week. From a match-up breakdown to looking at each team and their top players, we'll get you completely covered! This week, there is no better game in the state than what's taking place in Rougher Village. 6A-2's #1 Muskogee will play host to 5A's #1 Carl Albert on Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whenever you get top-ranked teams facing off against one another, that's a special occurrence. Then throw in the fact that both state title contenders have some of the better players in the state and this match-up has the potential to have quite a few fireworks. And to be honest, we've had this game circled on our calendar for nearly three months now. Last year, Muskogee went to Carl Albert and knocked off the Titans 35-28. That was a game in which Muskogee quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='211556' first='Jamarian' last='Ficklin'] had one of his best games and the Roughers officially became state title contenders. This year, they both find themselves at the top of the rankings in their respective class and another classic feels imminent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Roughers have gotten out to a fast start this season. They ran away from Enid in week zero before shutting out Putnam City with a 57-0 victory last week. Muskogee is looking to complete their turnaround. They went 2-8 in 2021 and would go 10-2 last season with a semifinal appearance and are now the top-ranked team in 6A-2. The Roughers are headlined by perhaps the top QB-RB duo in the state with [player_tooltip player_id='211556' first='Jamarian' last='Ficklin'] and [player_tooltip player_id='129399' first='Kayden' last='McGee']. They have plenty of other firepower as well and this 2024 class appears to be incredibly special. The Roughers opened up their new stadium last season and this will be right up there as the most anticipated home game since the new stadium opened.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carl Albert will look for a little payback when they come to Muskogee on Friday night after losing a heartbreaker to the Roughers last season. The Titans won the 5A state title a year ago and they have won 13 games in a row dating back to last season. The loss to Muskogee was the last time the Titans were tripped up. There is a lot of anticipation with this one and the match-up heated up this summer when the Titans got a notable move in from Texas in 2025 OU commit [player_tooltip player_id='432374' first='Kevin' last='Sperry'] at quarterback. This match-up will now feature two of the very best quarterback prospects in the state. But despite the wealth of talent in the 2025 class, the Titans are still headlined by the reigning PRZ-Oklahoma Player Of The Year in senior [player_tooltip player_id='360239' first='Xavier' last='Robinson'] at running back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, we put a spotlight on players to watch for each team. This is just the tip of the iceberg. These teams are absolutely loaded with talent and these players are just a handful of the potential playmakers that we'll see on Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>CARL ALBERT PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["353419"],"_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":"Carl Albert junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='353419' first='Caden' last='Davis'] leads a Titan defense that will have to be on their A game on Friday as they try to slow down Muskogee's high-powered offensive attack. Last season, Davis was one of the state's top defensive linemen and was one of the state's leaders in sacks. When we watched the Titans a few weeks ago, it looks like he's moved back to a linebacker spot but there's no doubt that he can do a little bit of both. Davis and Carl Albert's front seven is going to be critical to their success against the Roughers' talented offensive line.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["432374"],"_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":"This offseason featured plenty of player movement but one move that got everyone's attention was when junior quarterback and OU commit [player_tooltip player_id='432374' first='Kevin' last='Sperry'] moved up from Texas. Sperry has been splitting time with senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='429016' first='Kash' last='Ferris'] but there's no doubt that Sperry has some special talent when it comes to throwing the ball. And then you look around at the roster that Carl Albert has and Sperry has a wealth of skill players to use. We expect to see both quarterbacks on Friday night but when the Titans need to lean on the passing game, expect to see Sperry.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["294261"],"_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's still early, but junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='294261' first='Trey' last='Washington'] is on pace to lead the Titans once again in receiving this season. Washington is one of the best two-way players in Class 5A and in the state. Washington gives the Titans a big target in the passing game and a shutdown DB on defense. He might be the most important player in Friday's game. In addition to his play on offense and defense, he's also important in special teams. Washington serves as the team's punter and he's very good in that department, which will be important in a close and competitive game.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["360239"],"_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":"Reigning PRZ-Oklahoma Player Of The Year [player_tooltip player_id='360239' first='Xavier' last='Robinson'] has picked up right where he left off last season when he was the best player in the state. Robinson committed to OU over the summer and has been dominant so far this season. He's run for eight touchdowns already with four coming in week zero and another four last week against Midwest City. He's on pace for 40 touchdowns by the time the playoffs roll around but Muskogee's defense is definitely going to provide the toughest challenge for Robinson so far this season. We look forward to seeing how he responds.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f7c56fdc253"} /--> <!-- 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":["211556"],"_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 mentioned it earlier but there's no doubt that Muskogee junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='211556' first='Jamarian' last='Ficklin'] had his coming out party in their win over Carl Albert last season. Ficklin threw for nearly 350 yards and three touchdowns and he also added over 100 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Ficklin earned Preseason All State 1st Team honors coming into this season and he's played like one of the top quarterbacks in the state. Ficklin has had this game circled on his calendar for a while now and will be determined to make another statement on Friday night.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["129399"],"_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":"Muskogee senior standout and UNLV commit [player_tooltip player_id='129399' first='Kayden' last='McGee'] will play a pivotal role in Friday's game. There's a saying in football. Big time players make big time plays in big time games. McGee has the nickname of u0022big playu0022 and we could see him produce some fireworks on Friday night. McGee is going to be Ficklin's top target in the passing game and he'll also play an important role on the defensive side of the ball. We've made no secret about our opinion of McGee. He is one of the absolute best playmakers in the state of Oklahoma and Friday is a big platform for him to perform again.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["598826"],"_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":"Muskogee junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='598826' first='Ondraye' last='Beasley'] might be the X-Factor for the Roughers this season on the offensive side of the ball. Beasley already has over 200 yards on the ground and nearly 200 yards receiving. He's had a game of more than 100 yards rushing and another game of 100 yards receiving. Beasley gives Ficklin and the Roughers a versatile playmaker that is just as dangerous in the running game as he is in the passing game. Beasley has been very impressive so far this season and we're looking forward to seeing what he can do against a talented Titan defense.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["360246"],"_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":"Muskogee senior offensive lineman and TCU commit [player_tooltip player_id='360246' first='Wesley' last='Harvey'] is one of the state's more underrated offensive linemen. Harvey leads a Muskogee offensive line that brings back everyone from last year and they have the potential to be one of the best units in the state and certainly at the top of the list when you talk about 6A-2. There's no doubt that the Roughers have a great cast of skill position players but Harvey and the offensive line makes this thing go. They'll look to continue their dominance against a very talented Carl Albert defense that has been lights out so far.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f7c56fdc357"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->