Breaking Down The 5A Semifinals

<!-- 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>While half of the classes are now thinking about the gold ball and championship week, it's still semifinal week for Classes 5A, 4A, A-1 and A-2. It's time to get you ready for those semifinal match-ups and we start today with a look at Class 5A. Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma all week for more semifinal previews, and of course, we'll have all of our championship preview content up this week as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#1 CARL ALBERT (12-0) VS #2 DEL CITY (11-1)<br>Friday - 7PM - Putnam City North</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's semifinal week in Class 5A but it certainly feels like championship week as we'll see #1 Carl Albert squaring off with #2 Del City in a rematch of last year's 5A state championship game. The Titans are looking for a third consecutive state championship and they are one win away from defending that crown. The Eagles are looking for the ultimate revenge from last season after falling to rival Carl Albert in the title game, they now have the opportunity to end Carl Albert's season before they make it back to Edmond. These two teams have felt like the two best teams in Class 5A for the last two months and now they'll face off with the winner getting to punch their ticket to the state championship game next week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defending champion Carl Albert has looked as close to perfect as you can look this season. They're unbeaten and the closest game was a 29-point win over district rival Guthrie. The defense has finished with eight shutouts this season but they'll certainly get their toughest test on Friday. Del City came into this season with a lot of unknowns after losing three D1 signee skill players from last season. They started the year with a loss but have now won 11 straight and their defense has been just as dominant. They've shut out seven opponents this season and haven't given up a point in the first two rounds. This will be a heavyweight match-up on Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>CARL ALBERT PLAYER TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='315784' first='Devin' last='Woodring'] - Senior Quarterback</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no doubt that Carl Albert has next level talent every where and on both sides of the ball. But the guy making the offense go is senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='315784' first='Devin' last='Woodring'] and he has been a breakout player for the Titans this season. Woodring has waited for his opportunity to take the keys to this offense and has taken full advantage of his one season as QB1. He's been incredibly efficient with the football and he simply hasn't made that many mistakes this fall. Now, he's going against a very athletic and talented Del City defense so he will have his work cut out for him. If he can play like he's played all year, they'll be in good shape. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DEL CITY PLAYER TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='587262' first='Ricklan' last='B Holmes II'] - Junior Running Back/Linebacker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We said this earlier in the year after watching Del City junior [player_tooltip player_id='587262' first='Ricklan' last='B Holmes II'] in person but he's definitely on the short list for most improved player in the state. Now look, he has been a good player over the last two seasons and he's earned his spot as one of the better prospects in the state's 2026 class. But this season, you can just see that he has taken the next step as a player, specifically on the defensive side of the ball. He always finds his way to the ball and is always in the right place at the right time. And while we love his dominant play on the defensive side of the ball, his abilities as a powerful running back shouldn't be overlooked on Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#4 GUTHRIE (9-3) VS #6 NEWCASTLE (9-3)<br>Friday - 7PM - Putnam City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A lot of attention will be on that Carl Albert-Del City semifinal match-up and we get it, but don't overlook this one between Guthrie and Newcastle. This is a very intriguing match-up to us for different reasons. For #4 Guthrie, the Blue Jays were supposed to rebuild this season. They lost a tremendous senior class and had to replace a lot of production and overall talent. They've done just that and are one win away from the state championship game. For #6 Newcastle, the Racers weren't even supposed to be in Class 5A until the emergency redistricting in April bumped them up. They started the year 1-3 but have won eight straight games and they are one win away from playing for that gold ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams have looked incredibly strong and resilient in the playoffs. Guthrie beat a talented Lawton Mac squad in the first round and then went on the road to Tulsa and took down district champion Booker T Washington. Newcastle took care of business in the first round but then had a scare from Pryor in the quarterfinals but escaped with a win after a back and forth contest. Again, there will be a lot of attention on that other semifinal but both of these teams are playing really good football right now. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>GUTHRIE PLAYER TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1340786' first='Kolten' last='Carlock'] - Senior Quarterback</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We mentioned earlier how Guthrie replaced a special senior class and that included a three-year starter at the quarterback position. This offseason, the Blue Jays got a boost when [player_tooltip player_id='1340786' first='Kolten' last='Carlock'] moved in and became an instant impact player for the Blue Jays in every aspect of the game. Carlock is listed here as a quarterback but he's a terrific athlete that has lined up at multiple positions and helped Guthrie in all three phases. This week, he'll look to lead the Blue Jay offense against a Newcastle defense that has given up some points this season, specifically in the pass game. If Carlock has a big night, Guthrie could be making a trip to Edmond. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NEWCASTLE PLAYER TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='482118' first='Kaden' last='Longman'] - Junior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There were a few players from Newcastle that we could spotlight but we landed on junior [player_tooltip player_id='482118' first='Kaden' last='Longman'] considering what he did in Newcastle's last win. The junior wide receiver and defensive back helped guide the Racers to the 5A semifinals with his performance against Pryor in the quarterfinals. Offensively, he had the best night of the season with six catches for well over 100 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, he came up with a clutch interception late in the game that helped propel the Racers into the semifinal round. A two-way player playing at that high of a level in the playoffs is always going to be a player to watch for us. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->