In Focus: Class 4A-6A finals...
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
CLASS 4A
DOUGLASS TROJANS
Record: 11-2
Ranking: No. 3
Coach: Willis Alexander fourth season at Douglass
Previous state titles: 1956 (2A), 1961 (B), 1976 (3A)
Road to 2010 finals: Beat Elk City 30-14, beat Oologah 41-3, beat Broken Bow 38-0
2009 record (playoffs): 10-4 (Beat Glenpool 14-0, beat Wagoner 14-0, beat Weatherford 22-6, lost to Star Spencer 34-21)
Last week: The Trojans blew out previously undefeated Broken Bow to advance to the state championship game for the second consecutive season. Douglass’ defense allowed just 92 total yards and forced five turnovers.
Player to watch: Aliston Cobb, RB. Cobb went past 2,200 yards with last week’s 235 yard, three-touchdown performance. He’s averaging around 10 yards per carry.
Notable: Dion’Tay Washington has more than 800 yards rushing. … Shon Bridges has thrown for more than 1,200 yards. … Bridges threw a 97-yard touchdown pass and ran for touchdowns of 74 and eight yards last week. … Jas’sen Stoner leads the Trojans in tackles with more than 120. … Stoner recovered two fumbles in last week’s win. … Donnell Ward had two interceptions against Broken Bow. … Marcus Caddell has 11 interceptions. … Scored 30 or more points in all but three games this season. … Losses came in their first two games, to McGuinness (9-7) and Millwood (36-31).
WAGONER BULLDOGS
Record: 13-0
Ranking: No. 2
Coach: Dale Condict, sixth season at Wagoner
Previous state titles: None
Road to 2010 finals: Beat Fort Gibson 55-7, beat Glenpool 46-0, beat Catoosa 41-10
2009 record (playoffs): 8-4 (Beat Jay 35-0, lost to Douglass 14-0)
Last week: Jordan Robinson caught four passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns as the Bulldogs beat Catoosa for the second time this season to advance to the championship game for the first time since 2005.
Player to watch: Prince McJunkins, QB. McJunkins gives the Bulldogs a dangerous run-pass threat. He’s thrown for nearly 2,000 yards and 32 touchdowns with just one interception and ran for nearly 700 yards and 12 scores. McJunkins threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 85 yards and two more scores against Caroosa.
Notable: Wagoner’s defense held Glenpool to less than 100 yards total offense, all on the ground in a second-round win. … Haven’t given up more than 14 points since district play began. … Scored 41 or more points in six consecutive games. … Kevin Peterson has around 700 yards on the ground. … Robinson is Wagoner’s leading receiver with more than 900 yards and 12 touchdowns. … Nick Cody leads the team in tackles. … Jimmy Carter had a pair of interceptions in the final two minutes of the first half in last week’s win. … Wagoner’s 46-point performance against Glenpool in the second round was the most points scored against Glenpool since 2004.
CLASS 5A
TULSA WASHINGTON HORNETS
Record: 12-1
Ranking: No. 1
Coach: Darrell Hall, first season at Washington
Previous state titles: 1967 (3A), 1968 (3A), 1969 (3A), 1971 (4A), 1973 (4A), 1984 (5A), 2008 (5A)
Road to 2010 finals: Beat Claremore 23-0, beat Deer Creek 23-0, beat Guthrie 38-11
2009 record (playoffs): 5-5 (none)
Last week: Isaac Bennett ran for 201 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries as the Hornets blew out Guthrie to advance to their second championship game in three seasons.
Player to watch: Isaac Bennett, RB. The senior missed the Hornets first playoff game but came back from the ankle injury that had bothered him most of the second half of the season to run for 152 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 14 carries against Deer Creek and an explosive performance last week.
Notable: Quarterback Jordy Albert also returned from injury against Deer Creek, throwing for a touchdown after missing the win over Claremore with a hand injury. … Guthrie scored just three points on offense against the Hornets. Their lone touchdown came on a blacked field goal return. … The Hornets have shut out seven opponents this season, including four consecutive in district play. … Washington’s only loss came to Class 6A Broken Arrow 32-17 on Sept. 10. … Hall coached Star Spencer to the Class 4A title last season before taking over the Hornets. … Tulsa Washington missed the playoffs last year for the first time since 1997 after having to forfeit three district games. … The Hornets beat Tulsa East Central 27-24 on Sept. 16.
TULSA EAST CENTRAL CARDINALS
Record: 12-1
Ranking: No. 3
Coach: Travis Hill, 13th season at Tulsa East Central
Previous state titles: 2005 (5A)
Road to 2010 finals: Beat Skiatook 30-8, beat Carl Albert 21-14, beat Lawton MacArthur 30-15
2009 record (playoffs): 10-2 (Beat Pryor 31-7, lost to Guthrie 25-24)
Last week: Daunte Burge ran for 225 yards and two touchdowns, once again carrying the load offensively as the Cardinals advanced to the championship game for the first time since winning the title in 2005.
Player to watch: Ashton Dandy, DE. The big-time defender does plenty to disrupt the offensive flow for opposition and is among the top defensive linemen in the state.
Notable: The Cardinals forced seven turnovers in last week’s win, including three interceptions by Cody Colbert. … Antonio Escobedo hit three field goals last week, including one from 45 yards out. … Lone loss came to Tulsa Washington, 27-24, on Sept. 16. … John McDavid has more than 900 yards passing. … Dino Teague is the Cardinals’ leading receiver. He’s scored in 10 of the Cardinals’ 13 games. … Four of East Central’s wins have come by seven points or less. … Burge ran for 159 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Carl Albert. … The Cardinals last win over Washington came in 2005, when East Central won their regular-season meeting 31-22.
