Kersey/Przybylo Point-Counterpoint Class 5A
By Robert Przybylo and Jason Kersey
Class 5A
Robert: And now we get to 5A, oh boy, if I’m nuts about Glenpool, explain yourself about Lawton Mac??
Jason: Lawton MacArthur is a contender every year. The kids are battle tested and know what it takes to win. Not to mention that the Highlanders are undefeated in a schedule that included Duncan (54-7), Western Heights and Lawton (35-9). And Lawton beat Norman North, who many assume to be the best team on this side of the state. Last season, Mac almost snuck up on Carl Albert in the state finals, losing 14-10. That proves they can compete with the Titans, and I think revenge might be on the Highlanders’ minds.
Robert: I think a healthy McAlester team can take the Highlanders. Myself and Justin Harper have been very high on QB Justin Klusak. He’s what you would call…clutch. And Herman Walters, when healthy, is just as dynamic as RB and returner. When McAlester is clicking, just look at the Durant game. A first-class shootout, but McAlester has too many bullets
Jason: I like your quip there, and I like McAlester and think they certainly have the talent to pull an upset, but in a Mac squared game, think experience. This is McAlester’s second trip to the playoffs in the last five years, and Lawton Mac is there every single year, and usually as a one-seed
Robert: I give L.Mac this: Colton Rainey is a superb kicker. He nailed the game-winner over Lawton Ike and just missed the cut on my Best Kickers list. So I pose this question, why should I doubt Carl Albert? Let’s say I can believe in the Highlanders, tell me why Gary Rose and Co. can’t get the job done?
Jason: In no way am I picking Lawton Mac because of some ineptness in Carl Albert. That team is stacked. My theory is: upsets happen, and this one almost did last year. Lawton Mac is a great team, and that’s why I picked them. There are virtually no flaws in the Titans’ game
Robert: On the other side, Guthrie seems to be the cool team to pick. Any potential potholes for Kye Staley and the boys??
Jason: Let me put it this way: You know how I feel about McGuinness. They are a shoo-in for the 4A championship in my opinion, and Guthrie physically man-handled them in a scrimmage this preseason that I covered. I was re-sold on the Bluejays when they beat Carl Albert a couple weeks ago without Kye having a game worth mentioning. They are big, physical, and fast.
Robert: No chance for Tulsa East Central?? Kenny Session doesn’t strike any fear at all?
Jason: Session is a great back, and I think East Central is a great team. But having seen Guthrie play and the things I mentioned above, I don’t think the Bluejays will lose. Also, Rafe Watkins is a great coach.
Robert: I brought him up earlier, does Tucker Brown pose any threat to Guthrie?? There’s a lot of revenge talk for the Wolves after the last two seasons. If not, gimme the team Guthrie will have the most difficulty with?
Jason: I think he does. Brown has single-handedly made Shawnee a threat to anyone they play. Other than the usual suspects (CA, LMac, TEC), Shawnee is the biggest threat to Guthrie’s state title run. But in the end, I don’t think the Wolves can hang with the Jays
Robert: I’m going to close out 5A by saying I’m happy for Bo White of Durant finally getting a chance in the playoffs. After all he’s been through, he deserves it
Jason: Bixby doesn’t get much love from anyone. Do you think they have a chance to make a run? They potentially face CA in round 2….
Robert: Definitely, the Spartans are the major roadblock for the Titans. Bixby was the only team to beat the Tucker Brown-Wolves. They’re so big and physical. Bixby won’t get style points, but since when has that mattered?
Jason: They certainly don’t. Just ask Ohio State in 2002. But I think CA is too much.
