Class 6A-1 Quarterfinal Preview

Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!   The Class 6A-1 playoffs will roll on this week with the quarterfinal round. It's the east side of the state hosting the west side of the state in all four quarterfinal match-ups. This week's games are headlined by rematches from week zero and a quarterfinal rematch from a year ago. While the east side teams come into this week as favorites, crazier things have happened and we could be in for a very entertaining night of football.   #8 NORMAN (5-6) AT #1 BIXBY (10-0)   Fresh off their first playoff win since 2012, Norman now hits the road to face top-ranked and defending state champion Bixby in the quarterfinals. The Spartans were perfect during the regular season and they look like the favorites to lift another gold ball in Edmond. It's been a roller coaster year for the Tigers. They started the year 0-3 but won the games they needed to win to host a first round playoff game. Norman would then knock off Broken Arrow last week to get that first playoff win since over a decade ago. For Bixby, this is the part of the year where they shine brightest. The Spartans are looking to become the first team in state history to ever make it to ten consecutive state championship games. Since 2014, only one team has been able to beat the Spartans and that was Booker T Washington in the 2017 6A-2 state title game.   PLAYERS TO WATCH   The Spartans have arguably the most balanced offense in the state. But sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='284114' first='Carson' last='Kirby'] has gotten more and more comfortable running this Bixby attack. He's incredibly efficient with the football but the Spartans can beat you in a variety of ways. On defense, senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='519610' first='Hank' last='Puckett'] leads the team in tackles and is once again one of the top linebackers in the state, regardless of class.   On the Norman side of this match-up, look for senior [player_tooltip player_id='595764' first='Dax' last='Noles'] to continue to carry the Tigers in all aspects of the game. He is versatile on the offensive side of the ball, one of their leading tacklers on defense and a threat in the return game in special teams. Senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='386658' first='Devin' last='Alexander'] has also been having a stellar season and he's coming off a strong performance in their first round win over Broken Arrow.   #6 NORMAN NORTH (9-2) AT #3 OWASSO (8-2)   For the second straight year, Norman North and Owasso will square off in the quarterfinal round. But the roles are reversed this year. In 2022, Norman North was the home team and was upset by the Rams as Owasso made an unexpected run to the state title game. These two teams were district foes from 2014-2021. Norman North's last win over the Rams came back in 2016. Both teams come into this week with plenty of momentum. Norman North has won five in a row, including a first round win over Edmond North. Owasso began the season 2-2 with losses to #1 Bixby and #2 Union. They've won six straight since the 2-2 start. They had back to back close calls against Edmond Memorial and Edmond Santa Fe in week eight and week nine. Owasso hasn't lost to a west side team in the playoffs since Norman North beat them in the 2012 semifinals.   PLAYERS TO WATCH   It's hard not to put the spotlight on the Owasso offense and their two leading receivers who bring something different to the game. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='154214' first='Deuce' last='Chalk'] is Owasso's big play threat. He has length, speed and hands to stretch defenses down the field. Fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='115730'] is a threat after the catch. He has the ability to turn a screen or a short route into a big play int he blink of an eye. This is a very balanced Owasso offense.   Norman North junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='595685' first='Owen' last='Eshelman'] has been outstanding throughout the 2023 season. He's also coming off a first round game where he torched their opponent on the ground as well as in the pass game. On defense, keep an eye on junior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='268325' first='Garrison' last='Utley'] up front. Utley is a disruptive force that will look to set the tone on that side of the ball as they try to slow down the Owasso offense.   #7 WESTMOORE (7-4) AT #2 UNION (9-1)   Way back in week zero, the 2023 season kicked off and Union went on the road to Moore and knocked off Westmoore 49-7. The Jaguars came into this season with some serious hype and the Redhawks left no doubt in the season opener with a dominant win. Union would go 9-1 this season and have won seven in a row since tripping up at Jenks in week two. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have had a season of highs and lows. They started slow but also won back to back games against Jenks and Broken Arrow. The Jaguars also played in the marquee first round game in 6A-1 against Mustang and won a high-scoring affair with a 43-38 victory. Union is the favorite coming into this match-up but they will more than likely not have their star quarterback, who torched Westmoore back in week zero. And Westmoore's star QB is playing lights out.   PLAYERS TO WATCH   At Union, all eyes continue to be on the quarterback position. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='891992' first='Kason' last='Delgado'] has been solid in the second half of the regular season. He'll look to continue that strong play this week against a talented Westmoore secondary. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='110740' first='Issac' last='Covington'] has been the best overall player for the Redhawks this season. He's one of the team's leading tacklers and he's also filled in at running back when needed and has torn it up.   For Westmoore, you have to start with senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='393973' first='Micheal' last='Graham'] as he's been arguably the most electric quarterback in the state. He is just as dangerous on the ground as he is as a passer. Graham will also stand out on defense as a corner and in that Westmoore secondary, they have OU commit [player_tooltip player_id='640582' first='Mykel' last='Patterson-McDonald'] at the safety position. They'll look to force the Union freshman into some critical mistakes.   #4 EDMOND SANTA FE (7-3) AT #5 JENKS (6-4)   The same week Union and Westmoore squared off to start the 2023 season, Edmond Santa Fe went on the road and faced perennial powerhouse Jenks. The Wolves made an immediate and loud statement that they were for real this fall with a 27-26 victory over the Trojans. Jenks had a potential 26-yard game-winning field goal blocked and time expired as Santa Fe began 1-0 after going 1-9 in 2022. Santa Fe finished third in their district after falling to Owasso and Union. They would take care of business against Enid to set up the rematch with the Trojans. Jenks on the other hand has had one of the more unpredictable seasons in 6A-1. On one hand, they lost to Santa Fe and Westmoore at home. On the other, they beat Union and was competing with Bixby until the Spartans ran away in the second half. Friday's game should be a good one.   PLAYERS TO WATCH   We start with Edmond Santa Fe junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='188013' first='Demarius' last='Robinson'] because he already had success against Jenks this season. Robinson eclipsed 2,000 yards last week in the first round. The Wolves will also lean on senior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='154213' first='Bergin' last='Kysar'] and the Santa Fe defense to give Jenks problems. Kysar had a really strong performance in their first round win over Enid last week and the Wolves need that performance again.   For Jenks, we're starting on the defensive side of the ball. Junior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='191607' first='Hudson' last='Ball'] and the Jenks defense will look to slow down Robinson and that Santa Fe rushing attack. Ball leads a Jenks front seven that has been lights out in the second half of the season. On offense, it's hard to not put the spotlight on sophomore standout [player_tooltip player_id='402378' first='KD' last='Jones'] at the running back position. He can change the game in the blink of an eye.

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