Week Eight Underdogs To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The week eight slate is loaded and there are some fantastic match-ups across the state. In this breakdown, we're putting the spotlight on five teams that might be considered underdogs in their respective games on Friday night. But just because they are underdogs, doesn't mean they can't win. These five teams could make things very interesting for the teams that they are playing on Friday night and with wins, could turn things upside down in the race for playoff seeding and district championships. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CHECOTAH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On paper, Checotah certainly comes into this week as the underdog against top-ranked Lincoln Christian. Both teams moved down from 3A to 2A-1 this season but remained district opponents. The Wildcats are very familiar with the Bulldogs after being district opponents since 2018. Checotah has struggled in this series but they might have the X-factor with their dual-threat quarterback, who has been tearing things up every single week. Even in their lone loss to Tahlequah Sequoyah, the QB played lights out and they bounced back last week with a blowout win over Victory Christian. Now, they return to Tulsa for the second straight week and they'll be ready for a slugfest with the top-ranked Bulldogs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CHICKASHA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>PRZ-Oklahoma published an article a few weeks ago counting down the days to a showdown between 4A's #1 Tuttle and #2 Ardmore in week ten. Well, Chickasha could play spoiler in that equation and it could start this week. Chickasha enters week eight undefeated under first year head coach Steve Huff. They have been dominant, they have won close games, they have rallied in the fourth quarter to win and remain perfect in 2026. They come into this week undefeated after trailing Bridge Creek heading into the fourth quarter last week but rallying to win 35-28. Chickasha is going on the road to take on Ardmore this week before hosting Tuttle next week. They could be the ultimate spoiler in 4A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>DEER CREEK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deer Creek started the season with a 3-0 record and the young Antlers were looking like a team to take very seriously in 6A-1. But they dropped three straight games to start district play and are hanging on by a thread as the #10 team in 6A-1. Deer Creek snapped that three-game losing streak last week and now goes on the road to face a red-hot Union team this week. But the Antlers are more than capable of going on the road and taking down the Redhawks. They'll certainly play this game with their backs against the wall. If they come up short, more than likely, they'll go into a week ten scenario against Edmond Santa Fe where the winner is in the playoffs and the loser is out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KINGSTON</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kingston moved up to Class 3A this season following three straight years of going 10-2 and they come into this week with a 7-0 record. The Redskins are hosting Sulphur in one of the marquee match-ups in Class 3A. On paper, the Bulldogs look like the favorite after they made it to the state title game in Class 3A the last two seasons and entered this year feeling like the team to beat with Lincoln Christian no longer in the way. Kingston is incredibly experienced and might have flown under the radar up until now and they have an opportunity to step into the spotlight and open a lot of eyes across the state in Class 3A. Not to mention that the district title is more than likely up for grabs here. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STILWELL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you've followed our coverage this season on the website or the YouTube channel, you know that we've been high on Stilwell to turn things around in a major way in 2026. They went 2-8 last season but there was an expectation for them to take a major step forward this fall. They started the season 5-0 but suffered their first loss to Sallisaw in week six, in a game they actually led at halftime. They immediately bounced back last week with their first win over Poteau since 2007. Coincidentally, that's also the last time Stilwell made the playoffs. Needless to say, the Indians are playing with a lot of momentum as they welcome in a very talented Broken Bow squad Friday. But Stilwell won't back down from the challenge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->