Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2018 8:50:41 GMT -6
Contender: A person or group working together to compete with others to achieve a goal. Contenders might be some of the most exciting teams to watch. My group of contenders don't hold anything back and quite honestly they are just as good if not better than the favorites.
#6 Tonkawa Buccaneers
This year feels a lot like we are living in 2009. Everything seems right. Tonkawa is in Class A football and they are winning. They are the District Champions of District A-5. Maybe the toughest district in Class A football. 2009 the Buccaneers went 15-0 and won their 6th State Championship. Tonkawa has one of the best Coaches in all of Oklahoma High School football. Yes, that's not just Class A....that is all of football and I don't really care what you think. When you can be at one school over 20 plus years, you have formed something special and that is what Tonkawa has done with their football program. Tonkawa should roll easily on to the quarter finals and then things could get tough but it is unlikely.
Reasons for concern: Tonkawa has been in some pretty close games this season. The 4th team in District A-5, Pawhuska Huskies, nearly pulled off the upset. This tells me two things....1) This district is just tough top to bottom or 2) Tonkawa plays to the level of their competition. This past week, Week 10, Tonkawa beat Hominy 33-30. The district was already won so it didn't matter if they won and I don't know if they rested some players or not but I have always believed that you if you are winning and have some momentum you keep doing what you're doing. Again, what do I know....I just watch Class A High School Football and have 0 state championships to my name. I just don't think taking your foot off the gas pedal is the best idea. Tonkawa did lose to Newkirk. They were shutout during that game. Newkirk finished 4th in their district in 2A. Albeit, it was probably a rival game but I don't know if I can look the other way on this loss. There are teams in Class A that are far better than Newkirk and Tonkawa is going to have to beat at least two of those teams to get their 7th Gold Ball.
#7 Morrison Wildcats
I'm a little bit shocked that Morrison is sitting at #7. Of Course, this is only according to me but their only loss came to the Tonkawa, a game where Morrison was very competitive and they didn't have their best player playing. If you haven't seen Ryker Hughes play, well you're missing out. I challenge each and everyone you, if you have the opportunity, go watch this young man play football. You won't be disappointed. Morrison, if they can remain healthy, will challenge for a Gold Ball. No question in my mind. Last year, they were in a dog fight with Thomas, ultimately losing that game 37-36. They should keep things rolling in the first round which then they will have to face Stroud. Ouch. Tough game but man will it be exciting.
Reasons for concern: Last year Morrison, if I remember right was up pretty big on Thomas in the Semi-Finals. Somehow Thomas won that game. I know that game was last year but I think it is important to dress failure from seasons before. Until the Wildcats can prove that they have fixed that problem, they are not going past the 2nd round. They'll be wearing out the hardwood in two weeks. Can they afford to lose any other player? What if Ryker can't go for a half, or a quarter? Do they have the mindset to weather the storm against a team like Stroud? Time will tell.
#8 Crossing Christian
Oh, look...another A-3 team in my top 10. I'm not one bit shocked. Crossing has two losses this season...to Rejoice and to Cashion. Arguably two of the top teams in Class A. I know Crossings lost to Rejoice but it was by one. I don't know if they went for two and failed to get it for the win and if they did......WOW. That is aggressive play calling. Not only did they play Rejoice close but they kept the high flying offense of Rejoice to 21 points. If you haven't seen Rejoice they have been dropping 60 points on teams. Not only does Crossings have two losses to two top teams they also had a bye week in Week 10 so they had an extra week to get healthy and really get their minds right for the playoffs.
Reasons for concern: If Crossings is going to win a Gold Ball, they are going to have to beat some really good teams. They beat Minco, who I think is a good team, but that game was in terrible weather conditions and you just can't count on mother nature to help you out. Crossings should cruise to a RD 1 victory over Walters and then they get to make the driver out to the Oklahoma Panhandle right smack in the middle of Texas County to face the Hooker Bulldogs, a team that refuses to let the past define them. Not too many teams have had much success having to make the drive to the Panhandle. Crossings have a difficult road to win a Gold Ball. They have been challenge and they have the pedigree to get there, but it wont be easy.
#9 Minco Bulldogs
A team that I am very high on. Minco is a good football team. Yet this is another A-3 team. Tough district. I can't help but think playing these good teams in A-3 only benefits the Bulldogs in the playoffs. Minco lost a close one to Crossings in over time and in Week 10 lost by two TD to Cashion. Nothing to be ashamed of there. If Minco would have beaten Crossings then Minco would be looking at making the driver to Hooker in RD 2. Instead they will probably get to make that 1 hr 20 minute drive to Hobart rather than the 4 hour drive to Hooker. Could that be beneficial? I say yes.....Minco is a young team. Minco has a talented team and if they can put it together they will make a deep run.
Reasons for concern: Minco is a young talented team that seems to love to make critical errors in the game. Whether the error comes from the defensive side of things, or on special teams, or on offense...it doesn't matter. This team has proven when they play good competition that you cannot make critical errors in the game or you will lose the ball game. Another concern is their quarterback play. It has been good at times and it has been bad at times. I guess it really depends on who is playing quarterback. Minco has been to the quarter finals the past two years and can't seem to get over that hump. They again have a very good shot at making it to the Quarters again but they are going to have to play good football and not costly football or they will lose to Hobart in RD 2. I'm also not so sure that Boone-Apache game is an easy win, especially because that game is on the road and the last time these two teams met in the playoffs, it was a 38-14 win for Boone-Apache.
#10 Fairview Yellowjackets
I wanted to put Hobart here, but I can't help but like this Fairview team. They are a solid team and if Cashion isn't careful they'll be preparing for Basketball soon. Like Cashion, Fairview has an exciting QB with a big arm. Fairview has two losses out their 3 to District Champions. Fairview rolled through District A-1 other than the Hooker game they have looked real good and if one or two plays would have went their way during that Hooker game, Fairview is playing Mangum this week. This is also a team that I feel like has been flying under the radar. Cashion gets a lot, if not the majority of the attention. Fairview is a team that is poised to make a deep playoff run and they don't have to travel to far in RD 2.
Reasons for concern: They do have three losses. If Fairview is going to win a Gold Ball, they are going to have to get by Cashion in RD 2, a team that Fairview has never beat. Like Minco, Fairview does have points in the game where they just make critical, unforced errors during the game. Their schedule was very difficult at the beginning of the year and cooled off as they got to play the bottom dwellers of A-1 and really fix some of the issues that this team has. Kade Dillard is going to have stay healthy and they cannot rely on him to be the offense, especially when they play tougher competition. Their RB, #28, is gonna have to run the ball harder as well. I know he can do it, I've seen him do it. Things need to move north and south and not so much east and west. Make your cut and go.