Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2018 18:30:13 GMT -6
The playoff spots have been earned. Congrats to the 32 teams that will battle it out next weekend. Every year there has been a favorite to win the Gold Ball. Stratford, Afton, Hominy, Hollis, etc.....I think this year is different as there are so many teams that are capable of winning it all. Lets start with who I think are the Favorites.
#1 Hooker Bulldogs
What can I say about the Bulldogs other than this group of student athletes are fighters and do not like to lose. It all started last year against Fairview on a Hail Mary play, a lazer throw by Hooker's quarterback from the 50, in between two defenders and their 6'4" WR caught it for the game winning score. Hooker hasn't looked back since and it was the play that has brought Hooker out from being the usual basement dwellers of Class A football into a very very good football team. It was a play that has plagued the Hooker football team for years. Hooker is new territory with being the favorite and not the longshot. How do they respond to having the target on their back? This years squad can do it all. They can run, they can throw, they return kicks, can kick, and they play tough nose defense. They have a huge senior class that is looking at continue their recent football success from 2017 into the 2018 playoffs.
Reasons for concern: Hooker turned the ball over 5-7 time against Texhoma this past Friday. Hooker should have turned the ball over 5-7 time against Okeene. Back in Week 0 Merritt had Hooker down 16-14 late in the 4th quarter. A quarterback scramble, a facemask, and a completion (all in one play) set up a final play from inside the 10 yard line with about 5 seconds left. Hooker won 20-16. Hooker has yet to put together a complete game. Their best game to date was against Fairview. Hooker's starting quarterback, Donovan Yarbrough, has not looked sharp this season. Every pass seems to be a rocket when it doesn't need to be, he's choosing to throw the ball deep in coverage rather than hitting the open receiver. Its not gonna cut it against better competition. Hooker could be in for an early exit in round 2 if that play on offense continues.
#2 Cashion Wildcats
Like Hooker, Cashion is building of success from a year ago. Really Cashion is starting to build a solid program that puts out solid teams year after year after year. Wining District 3, was no easy task and Cashion proved to Class A that they are one of the best teams in the state if not the best. Griffin Lamb, Cashion's quarterback, is one of the best athletes that I have ever seen play. It seems that a lot of teams have been sleeping on Cashion yet they just kept winning and winning big with the exception of CHA, which was a 4 point win. Cashion's defense is also overlooked. Those boys come ready to play.
Reasons for concern: Cashion's 4 point win over CHA. This isn't a big concern but the 4th place team in the district nearly pulled off the upset. What did CHA do to Cashion to hold them to only 18 points? A matchup again Fairview in RD 2 is one of the more exciting matchups. Fairview is a solid team that has played a very difficult schedule yet Cashion doesn't care who you put in front of them.
#3 Rejoice Christian
Rejoice is a team that puts points on the board and I don't know if there is a team that will be able to stop. If you're gonna beat Rejoice, you are going to have to put up some points. 5 times out of 10 games Rejoice has put up 60 or more points. Four times they put 38 or more points. This team can flat out score. Commerce was a team that dropped down from 2A that was suppose to challenge Rejoice for District bragging rights and Rejoice just flat out took it to them. Rejoice has one of the more difficult matchups in RD 1 but they should would win, but I believe the game will be tight for a quarter or so.
Reasons for concern: Rejoice played Crossings in their first game. A 21-20 win. I don't know if these two schools are rivals (I imagine all these private/Christian schools are) and really that is the only game that Rejoice didn't really score. Rejoice was up big against Commerce, yet they still let Commerce drop 38 points on them. The competition does get better and Rejoice wont be able to put 60 on every school. District A-6 is one of the weaker districts and Rejoice really didn't have to overcome any adversity other than their Week 0 game against Crossings. How will they respond if they are ever down in the 4th quarter? How will they respond in a tightly contested game? Pawhuska could give Rejoice some problems early and quite honestly I think their RD 1 matchup would be tougher than their RD 2 matchup no matter who wins between Wynnewood/Gore. In the Quarters they could face Hooker and that would be a match up worth your money.
#4 Ringling Blue Devils
Ringling has been a force in Class A football for decades now. I don't really recall a bad year for Ringling. A bad year for them is probably 6 wins. Ringling is a physical, physical team. Always have been. They play to the whistle. They frustrate teams with how physical they are. Most teams try to get just as physical and unfortunately you just wont win that battle. Ringling plays smash mouth football and they are very good at it. They have 6 shut outs this season. Probably should have had 8.
Reasons for concern: Ringling plays in an awful district. Sorry, TMorris, but A-4 is pretty weak. I know they can't help who is in their district, but I can't help that if you don't play anyone it only hurts you in the long run. I think it hurt Ringling last year and I think it could come back to hurt them this year. Are they one dimensional? I say they are, for the simple fact they like to over power you. If Ringling can complete several passes and have teams respect the pass, it would definitely help, but I just don't think they'll be able to pass against a solid defensive team. We have talked about their pass defense, which a concern but only if Ringling plays teams like Hooker (who haven't been near as successful with the pass this year), Stroud, Rejoice...which by the time they face any of those teams it won't be unitl the Quarters, Semi's or the Championship game. I also question Ringlings ability to adjust. Sometimes you have to be willing to adjust during these playoff games. Maybe it means put in a faster group of lineman to counter balance the speed of the opposing teams defensive lineman, etc. Is Ringling willing to adjust this year or are they gonna keep trying to beat everyone up.
#5 Stroud Tigers
Stroud is team that has dropped down from 2A this year and like Tonkawa, the last time they were in Class A they were in the State Champion ship...losing to Tonkawa...by one. Stroud has dominated their district and they don't look to be slowing down anytime soon. There is scary matchup that could have the Tigers out early if they happen to face Morrison in RD 2. That is another matchup that I would gladly pay money to watch. Stroud can pass, Stroud can run, play special teams, and they play defense. Unlike Hooker, who can do all those things....Stroud has put together several games where it all came together.
Reasons for concern: Like Ringling, Stroud plays in a weak district. If they happen to face Morrison in RD 2, that is not a 2nd round match up that I would want. Morrison was 1 point away from making the Semi's in 2017 and have a nack for being successful in playoffs. If Stroud is gonna win a State Championship they will have to beat Morrison, Ringling, then Rejoice/Hooker and that is just to get to final game. Not only are they gonna have to beat those teams, they are going to have remain healthy and those are some pretty physical teams to have to beat.