Playoff Analysis Week 1

Good afternoon football fans.  As I sit here and watch the Eagles take care of the pretenders from Dallas, I figured it was a good time to break down the first round of the Oklahoma Class 3A football playoffs, which will get underway this Friday evening.  If you read my article last week, you are well prepared on what to expect this weekend, as I told you exactly what was going to happen in week 10 and who would be playing who in week 1.

First, I want to take this opportunity to give a shout out to one team in particular.  This team had to deal with more off the field issues than any group of 16-, 17- & 18-year-old young menshould ever have to.  This team had to continuously hear a 60-something year old man trash them on social media week after week.  They continuously had to hear what any self-respecting human being would be ashamed to say.  The garbage this man, scratch that – snake (I refuse to call him a man), put on social media every week would destroy most teams, but it only made this team stronger as a group.  If that wasn’t enough, mid-way through their season, their beloved head coach was put on administrative leave and they were forced to play the last few games with an interim head coach.  This is another set back that would have crushed many teams out there, but not this one.  This team took all of this and turned it into motivation, played their hearts out week after week and battled their way to a 3-seed in the Class 3A playoffs.  No matter what happens this weekend, The KINGFISHER YELLOWJACKETS should hold their head high and be very proud of the season they were able to accomplish.  The combination of how many key players they had to replace from last year’s legendary graduating class and all the nonsense I talked about here, the Jackets have had a year they will be able to be proud of for years to come.  WAY TO GO JACKETS!!!  THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY IS PROUD OF YOUR FIGHT AND WHAT YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED!

Now, let’s get to the 1st round matchups.

Lone Grove (9) at Perkins-Tryon (4):  Perkins-Tryon was able to knock off Metro Christian in the regular season and claim the 3A-1 crown.  They face a Lone Grove team that is ranked in the top 10 and a very good 4-seed.  Although I feel Lone Grove will make it tough on Perkins, I think the Demons will be able to pull out a very close game.​

PT 21 – LG 20

Checotah (13) at Holland Hall (11):  Holland Hall tied with Cascia Hall for the 3A-4 crown but lost to them head-to-head in the regular season, so they had to settle for the 2-seed.  Although Checotah also had a solid season and finished 3rd in 3A-3, I don’t believe they have the money to compete with Holland Hall.

HH 38 – Checotah 14

Bristow (15) at Lincoln Christian (1):  Lincoln Christian had enough money left after this years Tulsa-area free agent market closed that they were able to buy an officiating crew, therefore, I don’t feel Bristow will give them much trouble.

LC 42 – Bristow 14

Kingfisher (16) at Sulphur (3):  Sulphur’s three losses this year came to three very good teams.  Those three teams are a combined 28-2 this year.  Other than those three games, the Bulldogs have been dominant, beating their opponents by an average score of 41-10, only being held under 30 one time.  This is a very tough matchup for the Jackets, who defensively are solid, but have only scored over 30 points, 3 times this year.

Sulphur 35 – Kingfisher 10

North Rock Creek (18) at Heritage Hall:  First, I’d like to congratulate North Rock Creek for making their first trip to the 3A playoffs in school history.  For your efforts, you have earned a trip to beautiful Oklahoma City to play Heritage Hall.  Now a free lesson from someone that knows how to win (me).  This is a big game for your program and it’s on the road.  If you are ever able to win a game of this magnitude, please go plant your flag at mid-field.  But, under no circumstance, plant your flag on your own field – EVER!  Anyways, this will be another first round blowout.

HH 56 – NRC 6

Verdigris (17) at Berryhill (7):  Verdigris, like Kingfisher, lost a lot from last year’s team.  They went 5-2 this year in district games, but were blessed with a very weak district, so that’s not as impressive as it sounds.  Berryhill finished 2nd in 3A-3 to only Lincoln Christian and should be able to take care of Verdigris.

Berryhill 27 – Verdigris 20

Stigler (14) at Cascia Hall (10):  Stigler finished 4th in a district with only 7 teams, 3 of which are not very good.  Cascia Hall, on the other hand, was able to beat Holland Hall to take 3A-4.  Cascia Hall wins this one comfortably.

CH 35 – Stigler 7

Marlow (6) at Metro Christian (5):  This should be the game of the week in 3A.  Marlow finished the season with 3 straight losses, but don’t let that fool you.  This is a very good team, that has the ability to do some damage in November.   Metro Christian, on the other hand is yet another team that has been trying to find themselves after a large graduating class.  They lost to 4A powerhouse Poteau and 3A #4 Perkins-Tryon, while narrowly escaping tradition-rich Kingfisher 14-10, on a late 4thquarter td.  They have defeated their other seven opponents by an average score of 42-10.  This is my upset special.

Marlow 45 – MC 38