Week Six’s Ten Best Games
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The 2023 football season is in full swing and now we’re heading into the second half of the regular season as week six is upon us. Every single Monday, we’re taking a look at the week’s ten best games across the state. Disclaimer, these games are listed in alphabetical order. There is no specific order for the ten best games every single week. But they feature the best match-ups and all of the top teams and players.
Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma throughout the week for more preview content of this week’s top games and players to watch. This week, we’ll have two practice reports with updates on Deer Creek and Lincoln Christian. We’ll also have several midseason reports with updates on some of he surprise teams, top players and much more. And finally, we’ll have a spotlight on this week’s players to watch on Thursday and we’ll update the Player Of The Year Watchlist on Friday. And be sure to check back every Monday for another breakdown on the week’s top games across Oklahoma!
#2 CHOCTAW (3-0) AT #3 DEER CREEK (3-2)
Despite it just being week six, there are several head to head match-ups this week that feel like they could decide the district championship. The one where that feels the most prevalent is here in 6A-2 as #3 Deer Creek hosts #2 Choctaw. These two teams were the top dogs in this district last year and it doesn’t appear that anything has changed. Choctaw got the best of the Antlers last season but both teams have a new feel this season. The Yellowjackets have been rolling since returning to the field and junior JuJu Smith JuJu Smith 5'8" | ATH Choctaw | 2025 State OK has been an outstanding weapon on the offensive side of the ball. Deer Creek has leaned on junior quarterback Grady Adamson Grady Adamson 6'1" | 215 lbs | QB Deer Creek | 2025 State OK early on this season and he’s answered the call. He has this Deer Creek offense humming and they look to get a little payback on the Yellowjackets on Friday night. A win here could crown the district title.
#8 CLINTON (3-2) AT #7 WEATHERFORD (4-2)
Out in western Oklahoma, we have another showdown featuring perennial powerhouse Clinton. The #8 Red Tornadoes are coming off a 21-7 win over Elk City and now they have to hit the road to face another top ten team in #7 Weatherford. The Eagles have won two in a row after losing in a rout to 5A’s #4 Elgin a few weeks ago. Weatherford has one of the best wide receivers in the state. Junior CJ Nickson CJ Nickson 6'6" | ATH Weatherford | 2025 State OK is an absolute match-up nightmare for defenses and if he can get going, the Eagles are going to be tough to slow down. Clinton will try to slow them down by keeping the Eagle offense on the sideline. Clinton’s ground game will go to work as the Red Tornadoes will look to avoid another loss to the Eagles. Weatherford stunned Clinton last season in a game that ended up being a head-scratcher. Just like all the match-ups, this one has heavy playoff implications for these two.
#8 COWETA (3-2) AT McALESTER (3-2)
This has become one of the top rivalries in Class 5A over the last few seasons as McAlester will host #8 Coweta in a big district clash. Putting it plainly, these two teams don’t like each other and we expect that to be transparent once again on Friday night. The Buffaloes are going to come into this match-up with a hunger after losing at home to #2 Del City last week. The Buffaloes went into halftime with a 28-0 deficit and were able to rally some but that was too much to overcome and they fell 35-21. On the other side, you have a Coweta team that is back into the top ten after knocking off Sapulpa in week five. The Tigers have won three in a row after losing to the top-ranked teams in Class 5A and 4A to start the season. Coweta took advantage of five Sapulpa interceptions to get the 24-19 victory. The Tigers are looking to defend their district crown and this is the next step to doing that.
CUSHING (4-1) AT #1 WAGONER (5-0)
This 4A clash will have plenty of attention considering how the last meeting went. #1 Wagoner will host Cushing in a game that will more than likely decide the district championship here as well. The last time these two teams were on the same field, it was in Edmond and Wagoner won another state championship with a field goal as time expired. There’s no doubt that Cushing hasn’t forgotten the sour taste of leaving Edmond with a silver ball. In the regular season meeting, Cushing won 42-0 only to lose 24-21 in the rematch. Wagoner is throwing the ball around more than normal as junior quarterback Kale Charboneau Kale Charboneau 6'0" | 210 lbs | ATH Wagoner | 2025 State OK has several 300+ yard performances already in district play. Despite losing some massive production on offense, Cushing is rolling on that side of the ball as wide receiver Brady Matheson Brady Matheson 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Cushing | 2024 State OK has emerged as the big play target for the Tiger offense. We’re hoping for another classic here.
#2 DEL CITY (4-0) AT #10 SAPULPA (3-2)
Another stellar match-up in Class 5A will see #10 Sapulpa hosting #2 Del City on Friday night. As we mentioned earlier, the Chieftains shot themselves in the foot far too many times to get a win last week as they were beat by Coweta. Now, they have to regroup and hope to knock off the second-ranked Eagles on Friday night. Del City has looked great so far this season and nobody has been able to contain the weapons they have on the offensive side of the ball. The Eagles are led by a three-headed monster with River Warren River Warren 6'4" | 195 lbs | QB Del City | 2024 State OK at quarterback, Rodney Fields Rodney Fields 6'0" | RB Del City | 2024 State OK at running back and Ladainian Fields Ladainian Fields 6'2" | 180 lbs | ATH Del City | 2024 State OK at wide receiver. But Del City has much more than just those three players. Sapulpa will counter with a three-headed monster of their own on offense. Quarterback Colton Howard Colton Howard 6'1" | 195 lbs | QB Sapulpa | 2024 State OK will look to bounce back this week in a big way and he’s got the talent on the offensive side of the ball to do just that.
#5 EDMOND SANTA FE (3-1) AT #8 MUSTANG (4-1)
There’s several notable games in Class 6A-1 this week and this one featuring #8 Mustang hosting #5 Edmond Santa Fe definitely belongs on the list. The Broncos are returning home after dropping their first game of the season. They began the year 4-0 but got drubbed by Owasso last week. They face an Edmond Santa Fe team that has been rolling over the last few weeks with rivalry wins over Edmond Memorial and Edmond North in back to back weeks. The Wolves are led by a high-powered rushing attack. Junior running back Demarius Robinson Demarius Robinson 5'9" | 165 lbs | RB Edmond Santa Fe | 2025 State OK has been one of the best players in Oklahoma this season and he’ll look to continue that this week against the Broncos. We’ve mentioned this a few times this season but Mustang is one of our more intriguing teams to watch. They have some solid seniors but some of their young talent they have coming up is special and the future is bright.
#7 JENKS (2-3) AT #4 NORMAN NORTH (4-1) (THURS.)
This Thursday night match-up in Class 6A-1 was already on our radar but it got a little more interesting after last week’s results. #7 Jenks comes into this week with a losing record after being stunned by Westmoore last week 16-12. #4 Norman North appears to be the best team on the west side of the state and the Timberwolves are looking for two straight wins against the Trojans. They went into Jenks last year and got a win and they’ll get the Trojans at home this season. Junior Owen Eshelman Owen Eshelman 6'3" | QB Norman North | 2025 State OK was one of the top players in that upset a year ago on the defensive side of the ball and now he’s Norman North’s starting quarterback, and he’s having a great season. The Trojans will look to bounce back and when you have an explosive player like sophomore KD Jones KD Jones 6'0" | 170 lbs | ATH Jenks | 2026 State OK at running back, you’re going to have a good chance. The Trojans have their backs against the wall and that’s a dangerous spot.
#2 LINCOLN CHRISTIAN (5-0) AT #7 CHECOTAH (5-1)
The game of the week in Class 3A happens here as #2 Lincoln Christian hits the road to face #7 Checotah. This one could be very interesting or just another Lincoln blowout as the Bulldogs have absolutely hammered district opponents over the last five years. Checotah has been one of the surprise teams in Class 3A behind an explosive offense featuring OU commit Elijah Thomas Elijah Thomas 6'0" | WR Checotah | 2025 State OK at wide receiver. He has been incredibly productive so far this season but the Wildcats will need a stellar performance from him on Friday night if they are to pull off the upset. The Bulldogs have been rolling so far this season and they once again have one of the top offenses in the state. Senior quarterback Luke Milligan Luke Milligan 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB Lincoln Christian | 2024 State OK has been flawless so far this season and every time we think that Lincoln could be challenged in district play, they immediately remind us why they are one of the best of the best in Class 3A.
#5 SAND SPRINGS (3-2) AT #4 STILLWATER (3-2) (THURS.)
Prior to this season starting, we didn’t necessarily see this match-up featuring two of the best rushing attacks in 6A-2 but here we are. Defending state champion Stillwater will host #5 Sand Springs on Thursday night and these two teams have been riding the ground game over the first month. The Pioneers have been boosted by the return of running back Holden Thompson Holden Thompson 5'10" | 180 lbs | RB Stillwater | 2024 State OK after he missed all of 2022 with a leg injury. He’s been one of the best running backs in the state and is a big reason why they’ve won three in a row after an 0-2 start. On the other side of the match-up, you have a legitimate two-headed monster at running back with Ali McCoy Ali McCoy 5'9" | RB Sand Springs | 2025 State OK and Kenneth Page Kenneth Page 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Sand Springs | 2024 State OK for the Sandites. We knew about Page heading into this year but McCoy has been a breakout player. Both teams have excellent running games and we think this contest will be close throughout the night on Thursday.
#4 TUTTLE (4-1) AT #3 BLANCHARD (4-1)
The 4A-2 gauntlet rages on in week six as #3 Blanchard hosts #4 Tuttle in a game that we’ll be covering on Friday night. Our only hope that this season’s meeting lives up to the ending of last year’s contest. Blanchard stunned Tuttle on the road with a touchdown with no time left on the clock. This was after Tuttle scored a go-ahead touchdown with less than a minute to play. Add in the fact that this could decide the district championship, it’s a top five match-up and you have all the makings of a game of the week. Blanchard’s high-powered offense, led by Carson Cooksey Carson Cooksey 6'1" | 175 lbs | QB Blanchard | 2024 State OK at quarterback will look to continue to roll. They got a strong district win over Newcastle last week. The Tigers have bounced back from a tough loss to Guthrie with dominant wins led by junior standout Brady Mcadoo Brady Mcadoo 6'0" | 180 lbs | RB Tuttle | 2025 State OK as he continues to be the swiss army knife of this Tuttle offensive attack.
THREE MORE GAMES TO WATCH
#3 GUTHRIE (5-0) AT BISHOP McGUINNESS (4-1)
This week we’re going to have several midseason updates, including some spotlights on surprise teams in the first half of the regular season. Bishop McGuinness fits that category. After losing some productive seniors and several of their top returnees moving out this offseason, the Irish are still 4-1 and host a red-hot Guthrie team. The Blue Jays have given up just three points all year and look to continue their dominance against the Irish.
#9 PAULS VALLEY (3-2) AT #5 SULPHUR (3-2)
We’ll say this every week but 3A-2 is one of the toughest districts in the state. And once again, we have a match-up featuring two ranked opponents as #5 Sulphur hosts #9 Pauls Valley in a critical district contest. The Bulldogs will look to win their fourth game in a row after an 0-2 start. Senior Damontre Patterson Damontre Patterson 5'10" | 145 lbs | WR Sulphur | 2024 State OK just gave his verbal commitment to New Hampshire and will look to show out while Pauls Valley looks to bounce back after a loss to top-ranked Heritage Hall.
#9 PAWNEE (4-1) AT #4 WOODLAND (5-0)
District 5 in Class A is in a similar boat to 3A-2 as an absolutely brutal district. #4 Woodland will host #9 Pawnee on Friday night. Woodland has been dominant so far this season behind Jackson Rhodes Jackson Rhodes 6'3" | 185 lbs | LB Woodland | 2024 State OK and Trey Bennett Trey Bennett 6'3" | 195 lbs | QB Woodland | 2025 State OK but Pawnee is going to give them their toughest test. After losing to top-ranked Hominy in the district opener, Pawnee bounced back last week with an impressive win over Tonkawa. A loss here might put that team on the road in the playoffs.