Most intriguing matchup
Class 5A No. 4 Deer Creek (3-0) at No. 8 Carl Albert (1-2)
Why bother: Don't let the records fool you, Deer Creek is the team with something to prove going into this one. The Antlers had high expectations last year before faltering against the district's best, which included a 35-0 loss to the Titans. Deer Creek has blown through its opponents so far, outscoring Piedmont, Shawnee and Edmond Memorial by a combined 139-33. Carl Albert had a rough start but has gotten progressively better each week as it has broken in an entirely new set of skill-position players.
The pick: Deer Creek 28, Carl Albert 22
Steve Thompson has once again given Carl Albert a dual-threat at quarterback, having run for 465 yards and five touchdowns so far to go along with 272 yards passing. But the Antlers are a better defensive team than what the Titans have seen the past couple of weeks. Austin Loomis and Alec James have teamed up for 100 tackles already. On the other side, quarterback Joel Blumenthal is eager to prove himself against one of 5A's best. Blumenthal has thrown for 636 yards and nine touchdowns without an interception.
Other top attractions
Class 6A No. 6 Owasso (0-2) at No. 1 Tulsa Union (2-1)
Plot: Last season, this game produced the upset of the year as Owasso snapped a long district winning streak by the Redskins with a 41-38 stunner. The Rams come in needing a positive development after starting the season with losses to Jenks and Broken Arrow. Owasso had their Week 2 game against Muskogee wiped out while leading 28-0.
Starring: Dalton Rodriguez is likely to play on the offensive side at Oklahoma, where he's committed to play next year. This season, though Rodriguez is a force on Union's defensive line. For Owasso, Jaylen Lowe has been solid so far at quarterback, and Scottie Prealow has rushed for nearly 300 yards so far.
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