Keys for Tulsa Kelley-Claremore game

By Zach West
zwest@oklahoman.com

Thanks to The Oklahoman’s partnership with Cox Communications, I spent over an hour this morning compiling bullet points for tonight’s Tulsa Kelley-Claremore matchup. While the points will be featured on Cox’s broadcast of the game tonight, I figured I would give our blog readers a sneak peak at what to watch for.  

3  keys for Claremore

- Despite the loss of  standout running back Timmy Butcher (239 yards, 3 TDs) to a leg injury last week against Owasso, the Zebras should still be in good shape in the backfield, as senior Jesse Bickell (189 yards, 2 TDs) has been moved over from fullback to fill the hole.

- Since Claremore and Tulsa Kelley have relatively similar talent at the skill positions, Claremore will attempt to jump-start a playoff run in the trenches with a ball control offense.  The Zebras missed the playoffs last year for the first time in 12 seasons, and they’re plenty fired up to make sure it doesn’t happen again.   

- Keep an eye on senior fullback Jeremy Irving.  Irving was the starting fullback a year ago until he blew out his knee, and has been behind Bickell ever since.  With Bickell gone to tailback, Irving will once again be in the starting line-up.