4A Semifinal Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 50% off your subscription by entering Savings50 in the coupon code area for our special early Black Friday deal! Enjoy!</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 4A final four as we'll see some perennial powers square off in one semifinal and a playoff rematch from last year in the other. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#6 WAGONER (9-3) VS #7 POTEAU (10-2)<br><em>Friday, 1PM @ East Central University</em></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 first semifinal on Friday, we get a match-up featuring two of the best programs in 4A football over the last five seasons. Poteau and Wagoner will square off for a spot in the state championship game on Friday afternoon in Ada. Both teams punched their tickets to the semifinal round with wins over two more 4A powerhouses in the quarterfinal last week. First, the Pirates survived a triple overtime instant classic with defending champion Clinton. The Pirates were able to take advantage of having home field and they sent the reigning champs home early, guaranteeing that we see a new champion in Class 4A this season. The Pirates have been playing some of their best football over the last month or so. Ever since a mid-October loss to Broken Bow, the Pirates have been on top of their game and so much of that is because they are getting healthy. They had some of their best players miss time earlier this season and while you obviously don't want injuries ever, it did open the door for some unexpected breakout players this season. On the other side of the match-up is Wagoner. After capturing the 2020 state championship, the Bulldogs have been reloading for another run at the gold ball and they find themselves one win away from Edmond. In the quarterfinal round, the Bulldogs ran into fellow 4A powerhouse Tuttle for the third consecutive season. In 2020, Wagoner won before capturing the state championship. Last year, Tuttle would end Wagoner's season. This year, the Bulldogs went on the road and won 13-10 in a low-scoring affair. The Bulldogs have been incredibly battle-tested this season. They started the year at 3-3 with losses to the top-ranked teams in 5A and 4A with Coweta and Cushing. They also lost to 5A semifinalist Grove in the last non-district game. Ever since, the Bulldogs have been on a roll, leaning on a defense that has been playing lights out since giving up 42 points to Cushing. They look to continue that this week when they square off with Poteau's rushing attack. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>POTEAU PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["215196"],"_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":"Coming into the season, there were plenty of reasons to have high expectations for Poteau junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='215196' first='Dax' last='Collins']. And he was living up to all of the preseason hype early on in the season when he was putting up monster numbers every week, against some of Poteau's toughest opponents. But halfway through the season, Collins got banged up and would have to miss time on the offensive side of the ball. But Collins appears to be getting back to full strength and he carried the ball a season-high 24 times in their triple overtime win over Clinton last week. In addition to his playmaking ability on offense, Collins is a playmaker on defense as well as special teams in the return game. With Collins back to 100 percent as a running back, he's going to give the Pirates a massive boost heading into this week's semifinal clash.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["522126"],"_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":"While Collins had to miss time earlier this season and then only played on defense, that opened the door for senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='522126' first='Jackson' last='Sommers'] to enjoy a breakout season. Sommers is the other 1,000 yard rusher on the season and has become a touchdown machine over the last six games of the season. At the halfway point of the season, Sommers only had three touchdowns on the season. But in Poteau's last six games, Sommers has reached the end zone 11 times, bringing his season-total to 14 touchdowns. He has at least two touchdowns on the ground in Poteau's last three games as well. The combination of Collins and Sommers has been tough to slow down this season and Sommers seems to be playing some of his best football at the perfect time. If Wagoner can't slow down the Poteau 1-2 punch, it'll be a long day.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637d10efd8ecb"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>WAGONER PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["294262"],"_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":"Out of the eight players that are featured on this preview as a player to watch, the youngest standout is Wagoner sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='294262' first='Alex' last='Shieldnight']. Last year, Shieldnight found his way into the lineup as a freshman and had an instant impact. Shieldnight had a a stellar offseason and started earning the attention of colleges throughout the spring and summer. This season, Shieldnight has to be considered one of the better linebackers in Class 4A. And going into a match-up with Poteau, where the Pirates make no secrets about what they want to do on offense, Shieldnight is going to be a huge key to the Bulldogs slowing down the Poteau rushing attack. Wagoner has had success against teams that like to run the ball, including last week against Tuttle on the road, when they held the Tigers to a season-low ten points on the night.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["231450"],"_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":"The second Wagoner player to watch is senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='231450' first='Gabe' last='Rodriguez']. Last season, Rodriguez starred for the Bulldogs at quarterback on offense and then safety on defense. This season, Rodriguez is still a standout at the safety position on defense. But on offense, Rodriguez is moving around and playing a variety of positions this year as arguably Wagoner's most versatile player over the last few years. Rodriguez has the DNA to be one of the more important players to Wagoner over the last decade. He's the younger brother of former Bulldog Malcolm Rodriguez, who is now a rookie linebacker with the Detroit Lions. Gabe is looking to help lead the Bulldogs to a state championship like older brother Malcolm was able to do several years ago. In Friday's match-up, Rodriguez's abilities on offense will be incredibly important.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637d10efd8f9a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It should come as no surprise that this will be the fourth time these two teams have squared off in the last seven years with all four meetings coming in the playoffs. Poteau and Wagoner have been two of the best teams in Class 4A during that time span so seeing them square off in the playoffs yet again isn't surprising. Wagoner got the best of the Pirates in the 2016 and 2017 playoffs. But Poteau knocked off the Bulldogs in a rain storm in Jenks back in the 2019 semifinals. That win was prior to the Pirates capturing the state championship. This is the seventh time these two have faced off in the playoffs and each team holds a 3-3 record as this has been a very even series. Over a decade ago, they were district foes, but now they've become usual opponents for one another in the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>EXPERIENCE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Poteau:</strong> The Poteau Pirates are back into the semifinals for the second straight year and for the fourth time in the last five seasons. The Pirates are into the semifinals for the 17th time in school history. But unfortunately for the Pirates, this round hasn't always been kind to the Pirates. They hold a 4-12 record all time in the semifinals and in recent history, they are just 1-2 in semifinal games with their only win coming before their 2019 state championship victory. The Pirates are ready to turn things around and punch their ticket back to Edmond.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wagoner:</strong> It's safe to say that Wagoner expects to be a team practicing on Thanksgiving year after year at this point. Like Poteau, for the 15th time in school history, the Bulldogs are among the final four teams still alive. And since Dale Condict took over this program nearly two decades ago, he made semifinal appearance a regular occurrence. This will be the 13th time the Bulldogs played for a spot in the title game in the last 18 seasons. Friday's game will also be the third semifinal appearance in the last four years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>#1 CUSHING (12-0) VS #2 ELK CITY (11-1)<br><em>Friday, 7PM @ Putnam City HS</em></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>While the first semifinal on Friday features two teams that have been two of the best teams in 4A over the last several years, Friday night's semifinal between Cushing and Elk City features the top two ranked teams in Class 4A this year. #1 Cushing, who is the last remaining unbeaten team will square off with #2 Elk City, who's only loss this season was to 5A powerhouse Carl Albert. We've written about Elk City a few times this season and how we got this one wrong. We thought that the Elks would take a step back after their run to the semifinals a year ago. Whoops. Not only is Elk City back in the final four, but you can make the argument that this year's team is actually better than last year's squad that would eventually lose to district rival and eventual champion Clinton in the semifinals. Elk City doesn't have the blowout wins and dominating stats that Cushing has this season, but they do deserve respect and they'll get all of Cushing's respect coming into the game after the two teams met in the first round a year ago and the Elks stunned Cushing on their home field. While Cushing is looking for a little revenge from last year, the main goal is to survive and advance. The Tigers have been the top-ranked team in Class 4A since our preseason rankings came out in June. They've lived up to the preseason rankings and all of the preseason hype. They've been dominant all season, with their closest game being a 16-point victory back in September against Perkins-Tryon. The Tigers have averaged over 50 points per game this season and have beaten their last two playoff opponents by a combined score of 90-7. Cushing is looking to punch their ticket to the championship game and standing in the way is an Elk City team that will provide them one of their toughest tests of the year. Cushing will look to continue having success on the offensive side of the ball. While the Cushing offense has gotten a lot of the attention throughout the year, the defense has been stout as well, giving up ten points or more just twice in the last ten games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>CUSHING PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["54349"],"_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":"The first part of the dynamic Cushing passing attack is senior quarterback and New Mexico State commit [player_tooltip player_id='54349' first='Blaze' last='Berlowitz']. This is one half of the best QB-WR duo in Class 4A and they have to be in the conversation, near the top, for the top duo in the state, regardless of class. Berlowitz has been flawless this season as he's thrown for well over 3,000 yards on the season and he is closing in on the 50 touchdown mark for the season in a hurry. Berlowitz has really improved his efficiency and accuracy at the quarterback position this season. He has six games this year where he has completed at least 70 percent of his passes. He put up a lot of yards last year but this year he has really exploded in terms of touchdown passes. He leads a Cushing offense that has not been slowed down yet this season and he definitely benefits from having our next Cushing player to watch.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["38715"],"_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 already mark it down now. Cushing senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='38715' first='Camden' last='Crooks'] is going to be one of our finalists for this year's Player Of The Year award. It will be the third straight year he's a finalist and if he helps Cushing to a state title, he might walk away with the crown. Despite being one of the best players in the state, each and every week he still puts up monster numbers against every team Cushing faces. He has over 20 receiving touchdowns this season and well over 1,000 yards receiving. On defense, Crooks has four interceptions and he's also a menace in the return game. Crooks has returned five punts for touchdowns and he also has a kick return touchdown on the season. Crooks has truly been one of the more impactful players in Oklahoma over the last three seasons. But while the individual accomplishments are nice, he's hungry for the ultimate team success with a gold ball.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637d10efd906d"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>ELK CITY PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["410945"],"_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":"Slowing down Cushing's high-powered offense is going to be priority number one on Friday night. Nobody has been able to contain Cushing's passing attack so far this season but the Elks will try to take a page out of their own playbook last season and see what they did well on defense, holding Cushing to just 14 points in the first round a year ago. On the defensive side of the ball, it all starts up front with senior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='410945' first='Gage' last='Eastman']. The senior standout is the second-leading tackler on the team but he's first when it comes to tackles for loss. If Eastman can continue having success with getting into the opposing backfield, he can put pressure on Berlowitz and the Cushing passing attack as well as their running game. If Eastman and the Elk City defense force Cushing into three and outs, that will help signficantly.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["392785"],"_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":"Another way to contain Cushing's offense is not allowing them to get onto the field. And that's exactly what Elk City will attempt to do as they bring their running game into Friday's game. Leading the way is running back [player_tooltip player_id='392785' first='Levy' last='Owens'], who is Elk City's leading rusher with a little over 1,000 yards on the year. But Elk City has a very balanced and dynamic running game. Five different players have scored at least five rushing touchdowns this season. If Elk City can dominate the time of possession battle on Friday night, that will limit Cushing's opportunities in a big way. Owens has been an absolute work horse for the Elk City offense and they'll lean on him again for that. He's no stranger to carrying the ball 25-30 times. And if he has that kind of stat line again on Friday, Elk City should be in a good position to win the game and head to Edmond.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637d10efd9126"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The only time Cushing and Elk City have squared off has been in the playoffs. And Cushing definitely has had this game on their minds ever since the conclusion of last week's games. They met in the first round last year and the Elks would upset Cushing in the first round with a 21-14 win before making an unexpected run to the semifinals. The only other time Cushing and Elk City have squared off in the playoffs was in the first round of the 2004 playoffs. Elk City has never lost to the Tigers but this is just the third time they've ever met. But despite the fact that these two teams don't have much history between them, this has to be considered one of the better games this week when you consider it's a rematch from last year and this also features the top two ranked teams in the 4A rankings heading into the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>EXPERIENCE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cushing:</strong> Cushing is back into the semifinals for the ninth time in school history and the second time in the last two seasons. The Tigers have a 4-4 all time record in the semifinals. In their last trip to the semifinals, the Tigers came up short against Wagoner, the team that ended up capturing the state championship. Last season, the Tigers seemed destined for another semifinal run before they were upset by Elk City in the first round. The Tigers are searching for their first state title game appearance in Class 4A and their fifth time ever. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Elk City:</strong> Elk City is certainly on a strong run over the last two seasons. Before the playoffs last year, Elk City hadn't won a playoff game since 2006, let alone make a run to the semifinals. On Friday, Elk City will be appearing in their 8th semifinal in school history. Once they've gotten to the semifinals, the Elks have a pretty good record in semifinal games. They are currently 4-3 in the semifinal round but the Elks are looking to finish the job this time around. They fell to eventual champ Clinton in the semifinals last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->