Class 3A Semifinal Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong><em><strong>Get 50% off your subscription by entering BlackFriday2023 in the coupon code area for our special Black Friday Deal. Enjoy!</strong></em></strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's officially Thanksgiving week and we're down to the final four teams in Classes 6A-1, 6A-2, 5A, 4A and 3A. We're taking an in-depth look at every single semifinal match-up and the teams that are preparing for them. In this post, we're taking a look at the Class 3A final four as we'll see one rematch from week ten. And once again Class 3A is headlined by the "public versus private" debate in both match-ups. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#1 HERITAGE HALL (12-0) VS #6 MARLOW (9-3)<br>Friday - 1PM - Newcastle HS.</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>THE MATCH-UP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our first semifinal is a match-up we saw less than a month ago. #1 Heritage Hall will square off with #6 Marlow with a spot in the title game on the line. The defending champion Chargers came into this season as the top-ranked team and with a perfect 12-0 record, they have remained the team to beat in Class 3A all season. They have been perfect on the scoreboard but they have certainly been tested this season. They had a week two road test with Clinton turn into a shootout. They also had two brutal district contests in the final two weeks of the regular season. But when the playoffs began, the Chargers flipped that switch and have averaged over 50 points per game. Their star quarterback has led them back to a position to defend that title. For #6 Marlow, the Outlaws have definitely gotten to this point with plenty of ups and downs. They began the season 7-0 and had some very impressive wins, like a week three road win over fellow semifinalist Perkins-Tryon. But after a 7-0 start, the Outlaws lost three straight to wrap up the regular season. But those three losses were by a combined 11 points. And because of the three straight losses, the Outlaws fell to the three-seed going into the playoffs. And that put Marlow on the road for the first two rounds. They had to travel to Tulsa in the first round and the quarterfinals to get wins over Metro Christian and Cascia Hall. They were dominant last week against Cascia and you have to think the Outlaws are ready for another shot at Heritage Hall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>HERITAGE HALL PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["207182"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Heritage Hall senior quarterback and Oklahoma commit [player_tooltip player_id='207182' first='Andy' last='Bass'] has been one of the best players in the state this season. Bass is putting together one of the more memorable seasons in Class 3A over the last several seasons. He has put up some video game numbers in both the passing and running game. But when it comes to what makes Bass the most dangerous, there is no doubt that it's his running ability. Bass is one of the fastest players in the state and he's proven that with his dominance on the track. And when he decides to tuck the ball and run and has some open field, he's incredibly hard to bring down.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["315546"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"You can make the argument that the top target for Bass in this Heritage Hall offense is senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='315546' first='Jordyn' last='Harris'] and he's much more than the top receiver target. Harris is also a standout on the defensive side of the ball. Harris is terrific with the football in the open field. Bass gets a lot of credit for the numbers that he's put up this season, but you have to also look at the production that Harris has had on both sides of the ball. The Heritage Hall senior has been playing outstanding football over the last few weeks and he'll look to keep that momentum going this week against Marlow to punch their ticket back to Edmond.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655f927c6e4ea"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MARLOW PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["897727"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Marlow senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='897727' first='Cade' last='Gilbert'] has a similar game to Bass at Heritage Hall. Gilbert is a quarterback who can beat teams with his arm but he is incredibly dangerous when he tucks the ball and takes off. We saw it first hand in the first round win over Metro Christian. Gilbert broke several tackles on his way to a 79-yard touchdown run. He has the speed to break off the long highlight run but he's also incredibly strong and is just as comfortable lowering the shoulder and fighting through a defense. This match-up features two outstanding quarterbacks that can beat opposing defenses in multiple ways.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["897728"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Marlow senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='897728' first='Barron' last='Gage'] is going to be a big key to their success on Friday afternoon. Gage is one of the top targets for Gilbert in the passing game. He is coming off a performance against Cascia Hall where he was making some big plays down the field. And Marlow will need that on Friday as they go against a Heritage Hall secondary that has some very talented defensive backs. Gage and the Marlow offense will know what to expect after facing Heritage Hall less than a month ago. Gage is definitely a wide receiver to keep an eye on in the state's 2024 class. He's had an outstanding senior season so far.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655f927c6e58d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the second time in four weeks, Heritage Hall and Marlow will square off against one another. They faced off in week ten, with Heritage Hall winning a close one. When Marlow moved up to Class 3A last season, these two teams became district foes. Heritage Hall won 31-7 in the regular season meeting a year ago before the back and forth game this season. Heritage Hall is 3-0 all time against the Outlaws and they are 1-0 in the playoffs. They also beat Marlow 42-0 in the first round back in 2018 before winning the gold ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>EXPERIENCE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Heritage Hall:</strong>&nbsp;Heritage Hall has made practicing on Thanksgiving a tradition as they've spent the majority of the last decade in the semifinal round. Friday night will be their 16th semifinal in school history. The Chargers have an 9-6 record in semifinal games but they kept running into a Lincoln Christian-shaped hurdle in three straight semifinals from 2019-2021. They were on the opposite side of the bracket last year and won the state title. All in all, this will be Heritage Hall's seventh consecutive year in the semifinals and it's also the ninth trip to the final four in the last ten seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Marlow:</strong> The Marlow Outlaws have punched their ticket to the semifinals for the tenth time in school history. And whenever Marlow has made it to this round, they've gone on to the state championship game more times than not. They currently have a 6-3 record in the semifinal round but Friday's semifinal clash with Heritage Hall will certainly be a tall task considering their history against one another. But Marlow does have recent experience playing this far into the season. They captured the Class 2A state championship in 2021 before being bumped up to Class 3A before last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#2 LINCOLN CHRISTIAN (12-0) VS #4 PERKINS-TRYON (11-1)<br>Friday - 7PM - Bristow HS. </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>THE MATCH-UP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second semifinal clash, we'll see #2 Lincoln Christian and #4 Perkins-Tryon squaring off in a match-up of two teams that have been top five squads from the start of the year. Lincoln Christian has been #2 all season and the Bulldogs, similar to the champs from Heritage Hall, have been perfect this season. And not only has Lincoln Christian been perfect this season, they have been absolutely dominant against all competition in Oklahoma. The only test they received was when they hosted Arkansas powerhouse Shiloh Christian and won 20-14. Every other Lincoln Christian victory came by at least 20 points. They beat up on Bristow to start their playoff journey and then beat #3 Sulphur in the quarterfinals last week with a convincing 45-7 win. But they could be in for a fight this week when they face off with #4 Perkins-Tryon. The Demons are playing some of their best football right now. After playing a tough non-district schedule, which included a tough overtime loss to Marlow in week three, the Demons have been among the best teams in the state over the last two months. They opened the playoffs with a 48-6 win over Lone Grove in the first round. They turned around and beat Holland Hall in the quarterfinals last week with a 65-0 win. That was a game that was in the books by the end of the first quarter. The Demons ran away with the district championship and they've carried that momentum into the playoffs. They'll need to continue that momentum this week.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LINCOLN CHRISTIAN PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["979658"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Lincoln Christian has several players to spotlight on the offensive side of the ball. But sophomore wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='979658' first='Malakai' last='Dillard'] has been one of the breakout stars, not only for Lincoln Christian but in Class 3A in general. Dillard has been outstanding this season and he did not take long to have his breakout moment. He was lights out throughout the first several weeks of the season. He's continued that strong play over the last month of the season and he's become hands down the top target in the Lincoln Christian passing attack. Dillard has a very bright future and he's looking to take his game to the next level here in the playoffs.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["1091729"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Lincoln Christian's offense is about as balanced as it gets. Not only do they have one of the best quarterbacks in the class that can light up a defense with his arm, but they have two different running backs that has over 1,000 yards on the ground. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1091729' first='Sawyer' last='Brooks'] has been one of those players and he's one of Lincoln's top two-way players on the team. On offense, he's a 1,000 yard rusher. But on defense, he's one of Lincoln Christian's top linebackers and he has racked up the tackles this season. And Lincoln Christian's front seven is going to be very important as they try to slow down Perkins-Tryon's power run game.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655f927c6e631"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>PERKINS-TRYON PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1094894"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"As Perkins-Tryon looks to slow down Lincoln Christian's high-scoring offense, the Demons will look to force Lincoln into uncomfortable situations. Lincoln's season came to an end in the semifinal round last season because of early turnovers that put them in a hole they couldn't overcome. And for the Demons, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1094894' first='Dylan' last='Davidson'] has been lights out on the defensive side of the ball. He leads the team in interceptions and is coming off a game last week against Cascia Hall where he came down with two interceptions in the blowout win. If Davidson and the Demons can stop the Lincoln offense, they'll have a good shot to win.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["231981"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Perkins-Tryon senior [player_tooltip player_id='231981' first='Tre' last='Stevenson'] has been one of the best two-way players in the state in Class 3A for three seasons now. On offense, Stevenson is one of the toughest running backs to bring down and he has been a touchdown machine for three years. On defense, Stevenson is a game-wrecking defensive lineman that can create havoc. Stevenson on defense is going to be something to watch this week. Lincoln has a very experienced offensive line and we mentioned the running game. If Stevenson can cause problems on defense, to go along with his power running, look for the Demons to control the clock on offense.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-655f927c6e6c6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Heritage Hall and Marlow have been district foes for two seasons, Lincoln Christian and Perkins-Tryon have no history on the football field. Friday night's semifinal clash between the Bulldogs and the Demons will be the first time these two teams have faced off. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>EXPERINECE </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lincoln Christian:</strong>&nbsp;Lincoln Christian has been one of the top Class 3A powers over the last several years and it's been a safe bet to just pencil them in for a deep playoff run each season. This will be the ninth semifinal in school history and the sixth straight year they've made it to this round but last year snapped a semifinal winning streak. They tripped up against Metro Christian and fell short of another trip to Edmond. The Bulldogs hold a 6-3 record in the semifinal round all time and are looking to punch their ticket to the state championship game for the fourth time in the last five seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Perkins-Tryon:</strong> Despite being a consistent playoff team over the last decade and routinely winning in the playoffs, this will be their first trip to the semifinals since 2000. And that 2000 season was the only semifinal appearance in school history. In that 2000 semifinal, the Demons fell short to Davis and they haven't made it back to the semifinal round ever since. This has been a program that we've written about quite a bit over the last several seasons. It's been clear that they were knocking on the door of becoming a consistent contender in class. Last week, they kicked that door down by blowing out Holland Hall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->