Durant at Carl Albert Capsule

By Ryan Aber
raber@opubco.com
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Where: Titans Stadium, Midwest City

Durant (L, McAlester; L, Ada; W, Hugo; L, Guthrie; W, Noble; L, Shawnee; W, Capitol Hill; W, Ardmore)
Why the Lions can win: Because they’ve got one of the state’s best players in Daryn Alves, who primarily plays quarterback. Alves has more than 1,200 rushing yards this season.

Carl Albert (L, Tulsa Washington, W, Choctaw; W, Duncan; W, Capitol Hill; L, Shawnee; W, Noble; W, Guthrie; W, Ardmore)
Why the Titans can win: Because they’ve got at least two of the state’s best players in QB J.T. Realmuto and do-everything Tre Porter. The Titans also have had excellent defensive play since the loss to Shawnee three weeks ago.

Quote:

Our defense has continually gotten better. We had three sophomores starting at the first of the year and it’s going to take them time to come around. We were outmatched at times early in the year but those guys have really played well lately – Carl Albert coach Gary Rose

Key matchup: Alves vs. Carl Albert’s front. The Titans have to contain Alves to win this game. Alves has to break loose for Durant to win. Something’s got to give.

Ryan’s pick: Carl Albert 28, Durant 14. Depth wins out over star power as the Titans all but seal up second place in 5A-1.