Breaking Down The 6A-2 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 continue today with Class 6A-2.   #2 CHOCTAW (9-2) VS #4 SAND SPRINGS (8-3) Friday - 1PM - Wagoner H.S.   It's #2 Choctaw facing off against #4 Sand Springs in a semifinal that could see plenty of fireworks on a Friday afternoon in Wagoner. Both teams come into this game with offenses that can absolutely light up the scoreboard. Choctaw has been one of the more balanced offenses in the state and they have been outstanding all season. The Yellowjackets have been rolling following a 1-2 start where those two losses came against defending state champions in the largest classes in Oklahoma and Kansas. And the defense has been playing at a high level but they'll be tested this week. Sand Springs features one of the best passing offenses in the state and not just in Class 6A-2. The Sandites have been lighting up opponents through the air and even in their losses, the aerial attack still had plenty of success. Sand Springs has been here before but they're looking to finally break through and make it to their first state championship game since 2015. But they're facing a Choctaw team that has ended their season in each of the last to seasons.   CHOCTAW PLAYERS TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='211555' first='Cash' last='Williams'] - Senior Quarterback   There are a lot of underrated players across Oklahoma. Choctaw senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='211555' first='Cash' last='Williams'] is one of those players and he's near the top of the list. Over the last two seasons, Williams has helped guide this Yellowjacket offense and has been one of the better dual-threat guys in the state. This season, he's not along in the Choctaw backfield and this offense feels like a well oiled machine at this point. They are one of the top scoring units in the state and show no signs of slowing down. Williams is definitely going to have a significant impact on this game on Friday afternoon.   [player_tooltip player_id='476091' first='Mayor' last='Morgan'] - Junior Running Back   Choctaw junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='476091' first='Mayor' last='Morgan'] is the first of a few examples of breakout stars on this breakdown. Morgan emerged this offseason as a name to watch coming into this season and he's certainly lived up to the hype. The backfield combination of Williams and Morgan has been an outstanding duo to watch throughout the 2024 season. Morgan can dominate the ground game but he's also a threat as a receiver out of the backfield and he's also been able to impact the game on special teams as a returner. Morgan and the Yellowjackets will look to ground and pound their way to a win.   SAND SPRINGS PLAYERS TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='1530080' first='Dom' last='Forbes'] - Sophomore Wide Receiver   Sand Springs sophomore wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1530080' first='Dom' last='Forbes'] has been one of the top breakout stars in Class 6A-2 this season and you can make the argument he's up there regardless of class. Forbes leads the Sandites in receiving in a big way but he also leads the team in rushing touchdowns, as he's emerged as a short yardage specialist near the goal line. Forbes is definitely a player that we didn't know much about coming into the season but he has been a big part of why the Sandites are one win away from a trip to Edmond. Forbes will look to continue his big sophomore season.   [player_tooltip player_id='449993' first='Easton' last='Webb'] - Junior Quarterback   Sand Springs junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='449993' first='Easton' last='Webb'] is in his third season as QB1 of the Sandites and the light has definitely come on for him. Over the last two years, when we've written about Webb, it's featured a lot of talk about potential and how he has all the tools. This season, that conversation has shifted to him finally having that moment where you see all the tools working and the potential becoming a reality. Webb has been one of the best quarterbacks in the state this season. He leads a passing attack that is arguably the best in 6A-2 and it's definitely up there in the state, regardless of class.   #1 MUSKOGEE (11-0) VS #3 STILLWATER (9-2) Friday - 7PM - Catoosa H.S.   It's #1 Muskogee and #3 Stillwater in a rematch of last year's state championship game. This semifinal also features the last two state champions in Class 6A-2. One team will see their season end while the other moves on to Edmond to go after another gold ball. Defending champion Muskogee had an unexpected close game in the quarterfinal against Putnam City last week. But a win is a win and the Roughers are still undefeated. It wouldn't be surprising to find out that the Roughers were incredibly conservative in that quarterfinal win, knowing what they could potentially have in the semifinals. For Stillwater, they took care of business last week in the quarterfinals and they have a lot of momentum as they come into the semifinal clash with Muskogee. And the Pioneers certainly haven't forgotten how last season ended. While there are a few new names on the Pioneer roster, that Stillwater defense has a lot of experience in trying to slow down the Roughers. This is one of several semifinals that features a state championship rematch.   MUSKOGEE PLAYERS TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='1097273' first='Coda' last='Barnoski'] - Junior Linebacker   Muskogee's defense had a shutout in their quarterfinal win over Putnam City. Junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1097273' first='Coda' last='Barnoski'] is a player that definitely needs to be higher on our radar and he needs to get on the radar for some others around the state. He was incredibly productive last season as a sophomore and he's taken his game to another level this season. The Roughers will look to slow down Stillwater's passing attack on Friday but they've also shown steady improvement in the run game. That's where Barnoski and the rest of the Muskogee front seven can have a significant impact.   [player_tooltip player_id='211556' first='Jamarian' last='Ficklin'] - Senior Quarterback   Muskogee senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='211556' first='Jamarian' last='Ficklin'] came into this season on the short list of best players in the state of Oklahoma. Ficklin has showed no reason this season not to think he's just that as he's helped guide the Roughers to a perfect regular season and one win away from competing for their second straight state title. The last time we saw Ficklin go up against Stillwater was in the title game a year ago and he was absolutely dominant on the ground. Whether it's throwing the ball or tucking it and running, Ficklin has the full package to beat an opposing defense.   STILLWATER PLAYERS TO WATCH   [player_tooltip player_id='655747' first='Mason' last='Schubert'] - Senior Quarterback   Stillwater senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='655747' first='Mason' last='Schubert'] has had a monster season leading the Pioneer passing attack. Schubert is making the most of his one year with the Pioneers after moving there this offseason from Morrison. Now, it should be mentioned that the Pioneers have two of the best young wide receivers in the state and that certainly helps Schubert put up some monster numbers. But there's also no doubt that Schubert gives Stillwater a major boost at the position with his ability to push the ball down the field. And don't overlook his ability to tuck the ball and run.   [player_tooltip player_id='467410' first='Nehemiah' last='Kolone'] - Junior Defensive Lineman   After missing the first several games of his junior season, Stillwater's [player_tooltip player_id='467410' first='Nehemiah' last='Kolone'] has absolutely made up for lost time. This Stillwater defense is playing with more and more confidence and they'll need it as they go up against a Muskogee offense that might have the best backfield in the state, regardless of class. Kolone is an absolute menace coming off the edge and he's one of several names in this Stillwater front seven to keep an eye on. If Stillwater makes Muskogee uncomfortable, they could force some rare mistakes and get an opportunity to pull off the big win.

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