Class 6A-2 Semifinal Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong><em><strong>Get 50% off your subscription by entering BlackFriday2023 in the coupon code area for our special Black Friday Deal. Enjoy!</strong></em></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 and for the second straight year, we'll see Choctaw, Deer Creek, Muskogee and Stillwater in the final four. And we'll see a state title rematch on Friday night to determine who goes to Edmond this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#1 STILLWATER (9-2) VS #4 CHOCTAW (8-1)<br>Friday - 7PM - Edmond North HS.</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>There aren't many semifinal match-ups this week that are better than this one. #1 Stillwater squares off with #4 Choctaw in a rematch of last year's 6A-2 championship game. The Pioneers are one win away from making another trip to Edmond to defend that title from a year ago. Despite an 0-2 start, the Pioneers have been playing their best football at the right time. They knocked off a Muskogee team in week ten to capture the district championship and go into the playoffs as the top-ranked team in 6A-2 after the Roughers were in the top spot all season. On the other side, you have a Choctaw team that is right back in contention despite a tragic start to the season. Their season opener was stopped in the third quarter when a fatal shooting took place in the parking lot. Their next game was cancelled and they finally returned home in late September. The only loss on the record came in week six to Deer Creek on the road. Ever since then, the Yellowjackets have been lights out. And that includes a dominating 45-15 win over Sand Springs last week in the quarterfinal round. This game features two teams playing their best football right now. </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":["211555"],"_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":"Choctaw junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='211555' first='Cash' last='Williams'] came into this season in a battle for the QB1 spot after three-year starter Steele Wasel graduated. Williams eventually earned the position and he has been one of the breakout stars this season. Williams was a utility player for the Yellowjackets last season before his sophomore year came to an end with an injury. But Williams has become one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the class this season. Williams has been playing some of his best football at the best time right now.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["211559"],"_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":"It was only a matter of time before junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='211559' first='JuJu' last='Smith'] became one of the more electric playmakers in the class. Smith saw plenty of playing time last season but this year, he's been one of the leading receivers in the state, regardless of class. Smith has been the top option in the passing game at wide receiver and he's also a threat as a runner and in the return game on special teams. Smith has been a 2025 prospect that we've had an eye on for well over a year now and he's enjoyed a breakout season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["291011"],"_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":"After missing the first few weeks of the season, Choctaw senior defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='291011' first='Will' last='Smith'] has made up for that lost time throughout the year. Smith has been one of the top defensive prospects in the state's 2024 class for over a year now and the Yellowjackets will need that impact from him and the rest of the front seven on Friday. They are facing a Stillwater offense that has been rolling and specifically in the run game. Smith and the Choctaw defense will look to set the tone early and make them work for everything.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655b9e732dce2"} /--> <!-- 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":["375968"],"_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 quarterback position was a question mark this offseason and the Pioneers had several players battling it out for the QB1 spot. But senior [player_tooltip player_id='375968' first='Chance' last='Acord'] earned the nod after moving to Stillwater this offseason. Acord has gotten better and better throughout the year and while the running game has led the way this fall, Acord and the Stillwater passing game has elevated in the last few weeks. Acord was incredibly efficient in their quarterfinal win over Putnam City on Friday. Look for Acord to build off that performance this week.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["215207"],"_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":"Senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='215207' first='Holden' last='Thompson'] has been one of the best players in the state this season. Thompson enjoyed a breakout season as a sophomore but missed last year with a leg injury and was incredibly hungry to get back on the field. Thompson has been dominant throughout the season and it doesn't matter who the Pioneers have faced. He makes 150 yards and two or three touchdowns seem like a routine performance. We're looking forward to seeing what Thompson does against a tough Choctaw front seven.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["1086230"],"_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":"Stillwater senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='1086230' first='Trey' last='Tuck'] has been a breakout star for the Pioneers on both sides of the ball this season. On offense, Tuck has emerged as one of the leading receivers in the passing game. He's coming off a stellar performance in the quarterfinals against Putnam City. Tuck is also one of the top defenders and leads the team in interceptions. With the Pioneers losing arguably their top two-way player late in the regular season, Tuck has stepped up in the last few weeks and has taken his game to the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655b9e732de15"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Choctaw and Stillwater will square off in the playoffs for the second straight year and while last year's meeting would decide the state championship, this year's meeting will decide who makes it to Edmond. Stillwater would knock off the Yellowjackets to finish off a perfect season. Prior to last year, these two teams met in the 2020 semifinals and Choctaw would stun the Pioneers on a field goal as time expired. When the Class 6A split happened in 2014, Choctaw and Stillwater became district foes from 2014-2019. The Pioneers had a 5-1 advantage during those regular season meetings. Stillwater also beat Choctaw in the 2019 semifinals before falling to Bixby in the state championship game. </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>&nbsp;The Yellowjackets are back into the semifinals for the fourth time in the last five seasons. They are searching for their second straight state title game appearance and their third in the last four years. This is the eighth semifinal appearance for Choctaw in school history and they have a 3-4 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 but the Yellowjackets are hungry to bring home the gold ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Stillwater:</strong>&nbsp;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 17th appearance in school history and they hold a 7-9 record in semifinal clashes. Friday night will be the sixth straight year they have appeared in the semifinals and have a 3-2 record during that time. After back to back title game appearances in 2018 and 2019, the Pioneers finally got the job done last season and would capture the gold ball. Now, they're looking to add another gold ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#2 MUSKOGEE (9-2) VS #3 DEER CREEK (9-2)<br>Friday - 7PM - Ponca City HS.</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>The other 6A-2 semifinal features two teams that have been knocking on the door of capturing that 6A-2 title and want to kick the door down this year. #2 Muskogee came into this season as the top-ranked team in the class and they held on to that spot until they tripped up on the road to Stillwater in the final week of the regular season. Despite that loss to the defending champs, overlooking Muskogee here in the playoffs would be foolish. The Roughers are one of the more experienced and talented teams in the state. And they've been battle-tested coming into this week's semifinal with Deer Creek. For the Antlers, they are right back to contending for 6A-2 gold and one win away from another trip to Edmond. They dropped back to back games by a field goal in non-district play and haven't lost since. After a 1-2 start, the Antlers have won eight straight games, including the district championship. They are led by a balanced and efficient offense but their defense is going to be a big key this week. This match-up also features two of the best junior quarterback prospects in the state. But more on that below in our "Players To Watch" section. </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":["242231"],"_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":"Deer Creek junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='242231' first='Grady' last='Adamson'] is one of those two junior quarterbacks we mentioned earlier. Adamson has been considered one of the best at his position for a little over a year now. His recruitment exploded this offseason and he has taken his game to a new level this fall. He's become more of a threat as a runner this season and he has been wildly efficient throughout the season. It feels like every week, Adamson's stat line has 200+ passing yards and 100+ rushing yards and they'll need that against a talented Rougher defense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["209252"],"_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 caught the majority of the second half of Deer Creek's 35-7 win over Bartlesville in the quarterfinal round. And the thing that stood out to us was the swarming defense shutting down the Bruins and their rushing attack. It felt like the Antlers had more than 11 players on the field because they swarm to the football. And junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='209252' first='Jared' last='Kappenman'] is a good example of just that. He's been a consistent presence at our PRZ camps and routinely is among the best at his position. The Antler defense against Muskogee's explosive offense is a big key this week.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["268312"],"_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":"Adamson hasn't been alone in the backfield for the Antlers. Senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='268312' first='Mason' last='Miller'] has been a steady presence when the Antlers need to lean on the running game. The duo of Adamson and Miller has been among the best 1-2 punches when it comes to running games in 6A-2 this season. Miller had a strong performance last week against Bartlesville in the quarterfinals. We think that Miller might just be the X-factor of this Deer Creek team that could end up making a run to the state championship game.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655b9e732df37"} /--> <!-- 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":["268372"],"_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 we got a chance to see Muskogee early on in the season against Carl Albert, senior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='268372' first='Deyonn' last='Bowler'] really impressed us. Despite falling short to the Titans, Bowler was an absolute monster. It felt like every other play, Bowler was making the tackle in the open field. As the Roughers look to contain Deer Creek's balanced offense, tackling in the open field is going to be a massive key. Having a player like Bowler, who should be talked about more, will certainly help. The Roughers have talent on defense and Bowler is among the best in the secondary.","_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":"The other junior quarterback in this massive head to head match-up is Muskogee's [player_tooltip player_id='211556' first='Jamarian' last='Ficklin'] and we're looking forward to seeing what he can do on Friday night. Ficklin has been among the best quarterbacks in the state since his breakout season as a sophomore last fall. Similar to Adamson, Ficklin has reached new heights within his game this fall. He's been the team's top rusher and is a true dual-threat quarterback to look out for moving forward. Ficklin and the Roughers feel like they have unfinished business and they want to compete for the gold ball.","_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":"Muskogee senior [player_tooltip player_id='129399' first='Kayden' last='McGee'] has been one of the best wide receivers in the state over the last two seasons. Last week, McGee eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards on the year and he has been Ficklin's top target for two years now. McGee committed to UNLV this summer but he also picked up an offer from Tulsa last week. And when you're looking at the semifinal round, this is a massive stage. And McGee is one of the top playmakers in the state when it comes to making big plays. And you know what they say about big time players in big time games.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655b9e732e046"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday's semifinal contest will be the first time that Deer Creek and Muskogee have squared off. It's an interesting clash featuring two teams that both made it to the semifinal round a year ago but came up short of making it to the title game. The winner on Friday will punch their ticket to Edmond. </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>&nbsp;Deer Creek is headed to the semifinal round for the sixth time in school history and this will be their third straight semifinal appearance. After making a surprising title appearance in 2021, the Antlers have expected to be back in this position in each of the last two seasons. Since joining 6A-2 a few years ago, the Antlers have finally started finding consistent playoff success in their new class. The Antlers are 2-3 all time in semifinal match-ups. Last year, the Antlers came up short to eventual champion Stillwater in the semifinal round. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Muskogee:</strong>&nbsp;The Roughers are into the semifinals for the 16th 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 second consecutive season after going 2-8 in 2021. Before last year, the Roughers hadn't won a playoff game since the 2016 season where they made it to the semifinals. The Roughers are looking for their first state title appearance since 1986.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->