Norman-Southmoore: No downplaying importance...

By Justin Hite

There’s plenty on the line when Southmoore and Norman face off Friday in one of the biggest games in the state this weekend. It’s so important for both teams that the coaches don’t have to tell their players.

Coaches Chris Jensen (Southmoore) and Greg Nation (Norman) aren’t trying to hide the importance or downplay the matchup.

Norman is at the top of the district after a 5-0 start to the season and a 2-0 start to conference play. Meanwhile, Southmoore is two weeks removed from a loss to Muskogee and is tied for fourth in Class 6A-3. Only the top 4 teams will make the playoffs.

“In our district, every game is important and we’ve got to make sure that we take care of business every week,” Jensen said. “Every game, every point is important. You can’t miss an opportunity.”

If Norman wins, the Tigers stay in at least a tie for first place. If the SaberCats win, Southmoore has a chance to pull away from Muskogee and take fourth place outright.

“We know what’s at hand, that we are 5-0 and they are 4-1,” Norman running back Donovan Roberts said. “We are taking this game as any other one. We are taking every game as a hurdle. We’re going over these hurdles as it is and we’re just playing hard.”