Breaking Down The 6A-1 Semifinals

Get 25% Off Your Subscription By Entering Knight25 In The Coupon Code Area. Enjoy!   We've reached the semifinal round across the state and Prep Redzone Oklahoma will get you ready for all of the games coming up this week. Now, as a reminder, only six classes will play their semifinal games this week. With every state championship game being played at UCO, to make that happen, half of the classes will play this week and the other half of the classes will play their semifinal games next week. Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma all week for in-depth looks at every semifinal contest. And we start today with Class 6A-1.   #1 OWASSO (11-0) VS #2 JENKS (8-3) Friday - 1PM - Claremore H.S.   We'll see #1 Owasso facing off with #2 Jenks in the first of two 6A-1 semifinals at Claremore on Friday. This is not only the second time these two teams are squaring off this season but it's the second time that this is a 1 VS 2 match-up. However, last time, Jenks was the top-ranked team but the Trojans fell at home as the Rams dominated the second half in the runaway win. Owasso hasn't lost this season and they've looked like the top dog in Class 6A-1 since beating Bixby and Jenks in back to back weeks. For Jenks, they've been playing some of their best football at the best time of the year. And they get an opportunity to continue their "revenge tour" in the playoffs. They lost to Union in the regular season and beat the Redhawks 42-7 last week. Now, they get another shot at Owasso. This feels like a match-up with the two best teams in Class 6A-1 and the winner of this one will feel very confident as they head to Edmond Next week.   JENKS PLAYERS TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='402378' first='KD' last='Jones'] - Junior Running Back   There's a fairly strong argument that Jenks junior [player_tooltip player_id='402378' first='KD' last='Jones'] is the best player in Class 6A-1 and he might just be the best player in the state of Oklahoma this season. Jones absolutely dominated in their quarterfinal win over Union last week. He ran for over 200 yards and four touchdowns and he made it look easy at times. Jones is the complete package at the running back position because he can be a workhorse with over 30 carries in a game if he needs to be but he also gives them a threat out of the backfield in the passing game. As a sophomore and now a junior, Jones has elevated his game once the Trojans got into the playoffs. He'll look to do that again this week and lead the Trojans back to Edmond.   [player_tooltip player_id='1096341' first='Sam' last='Stone'] - Senior Linebacker   When you look at the career that Jenks senior [player_tooltip player_id='1096341' first='Sam' last='Stone'] has had and some of the numbers he's put up, it's time to start talking about him way more than we currently do. Stone is in rare air when it comes to career tackles in Jenks history. We're talking about a guy like Rocky Calmus being the only guy above Stone at this point. Owasso's offense can absolutely maul opponents so the Jenks front seven is going to be a big key on Friday. If Stone and the rest of the Trojan front seven can hold their ground against the run game and if the Jenks senior can make some big plays, the Trojans will be in a good spot. We could see some points in this one but Stone is definitely a name to know.   OWASSO PLAYERS TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='1235926' first='Drew' last='Frankenfield'] - Sophomore Quarterback   Owasso sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1235926' first='Drew' last='Frankenfield'] has definitely been one of the breakout stars of the 2024 season. We've said this before but just in case you're new here, Frankenfield is in his first year as QB1 of the Rams and at no point has he looked like a sophomore that wasn't ready for 6A-1 competition. From the opening game, the sophomore looked like he belonged and as the Rams move on in the playoffs, the lights get brighter and the pressure intensifies. So as we look at this match-up with Jenks, we can't help but wonder how the Owasso standout will look in the biggest game to date. So far, we have no reason to think he won't continue to look the part and have complete control on the offense.   [player_tooltip player_id='1566660' first='Hudson' last='Hodges'] - Senior Linebacker/Defensive Back   Owasso's defense is going to have to find a way to slow down the Jenks offense on Friday afternoon. The Rams have plenty of players on that side of the ball worth spotlighting but we're going with senior [player_tooltip player_id='1566660' first='Hudson' last='Hodges'] because he's been an underrated part of what they've done this season. And Hodges should have a ton of momentum coming into Friday's game with the Trojans. Last week, Deer Creek was beginning to come back and make it a closer game but Hodges would come up with some critical sacks that erased any hope that the Antlers had in their comeback attempt. If Hodges and the rest of the Owasso defense can limit the big plays, the Rams have a solid shot.   #4 BIXBY (9-2) VS #5 EDMOND MEMORIAL (9-2) Friday - 7PM - Claremore H.S.   In the second 6A-1 semifinal taking place at Claremore on Friday night, we'll see #4 Bixby squaring off with Edmond Memorial. And while Jenks and Owasso are very familiar with one another, this is the first time that Bixby and Edmond Memorial will face off. Now, Edmond Memorial isn't a complete stranger as they've camped at Bixby in the spring in each of the last two years. But this is also a match-up that features two programs that are in completely different spots. For Edmond Memorial, they've already made history, punching their ticket to the semifinals for the first time since Edmond became a multi-school district. Last week's quarterfinal win over Norman was also their first playoff win since 2009. And they're going up against a Bixby team that is used to being in this position. The Spartans have been to the semifinals every year since 2014 and they have never lost during this stretch. They're looking for their 11th straight championship game appearance.   BIXBY PLAYERS TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='415161' first='Braeden' last='Presley'] - Junior Athlete   It was only a matter of time before Bixby junior [player_tooltip player_id='415161' first='Braeden' last='Presley'] started making every "player to watch" list when it comes to Spartan football. After dealing with injuries and waiting for his turn, Presley has really been playing great football over the last two months. And we're talking about him having an impact in all three phases of the game. And don't just take our word for it, college coaches are starting to notice as well. Over the weekend, Presley added an offer from OU and the D1 offer list continues to grow. The Presley name has been an important one at Bixby for close to a decade now. And older brothers Brennan and Braylin always performed well in the playoffs. Now it's Braeden's opportunity.   [player_tooltip player_id='284114' first='Carson' last='Kirby'] - Junior Quarterback   Bixby junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='284114' first='Carson' last='Kirby'] is coming off another stellar performance in the quarterfinal win over Norman North last week. Kirby and the Spartan offense have been rolling for the majority of the season but this Edmond Memorial defense will definitely present a tough challenge to Kirby and company. The Bixby junior bounced back from a tough loss against Norman in week ten by throwing for nearly 300 yards and five touchdowns in their quarterfinal win over Norman North. If Kirby is accurate with the football and avoids turning the ball over, Bixby is incredibly tough to beat. We're looking forward to seeing how the Bixby signal caller attacks Edmond Memorial with his arm and his legs this week.   EDMOND MEMORIAL PLAYERS TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='209872' first='David' last='McComb'] - Senior Quarterback   Edmond Memorial senior and Kansas commit [player_tooltip player_id='209872' first='David' last='McComb'] has been one of the state's best quarterbacks for a few years now and he has his team one win away from a state championship game. McComb was a force in their quarterfinal win over Norman and was not going to be denied the school's first playoff win in 15 years. He ran for three touchdowns and also threw for a score. But the thing that we like about his performance in the quarterfinals and back in week ten, he never flinches. In the win over Norman and the week ten win over Union, the Bulldogs fell in an early hole and they kept swinging. That's critical against a team like Bixby that can overwhelm opponents. McComb and the Bulldogs won't back down.   [player_tooltip player_id='1346490' first='Leland' last='Smith'] - Senior Defensive End   Edmond Memorial senior [player_tooltip player_id='1346490' first='Leland' last='Smith'] is having an outstanding senior campaign and he should be coming into Friday night's game with a lot of juice after the way he played last week. Smith was a man on fire for the Bulldogs in a match-up against a Norman offense that has been potent this season. Smith was able to get into the backfield and cause problems for the Tigers and that's going to be a big key on Friday night. When Bixby's offense has struggled, it's been because the pass game was being harassed and could never get going. If Smith has another significant impact on the game Friday, it wouldn't be the craziest scenario to see the Bulldogs playing for a state title in their own backyard.

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