High school football chat

From Staff Reports

Published: October 3, 2008

Can Carl Albert win tonight?

Guthrie, McGuinness, Carl Albert and Morrison. Those were just some of the schools covered by lead prep writer Ryan Aber on his prep chat today on NewsOK.com. Here’s a review of the questions answered today. You can review the chat at the high school blog – blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports. Look for another live high school football chat next week.

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OPUBCO: Ryan, talk a little bit about the game you are going to tonight.

Ryan Aber: Well, Carl Albert and Shawnee should be a good one. I'm looking forward to seeing how sophomore QB Brayle Brown handles Carl Albert's defense.

[Comment From coyote jon] Does Weatherford have a chance tonight?

Ryan Aber: It'll be tough. McGuinness seems to have gotten untracked after a rough start. They'll need to put a lot of pressure on Ryan Randolph to stay close.

[Comment From Kyle] Do you think Del City's offense can overtake Santa Fe?

Ryan Aber: No. Del City's better than they were a year ago but that district is just so tough. I look for Santa Fe to bounce back in that one. They've got their kicker back this week and Dan Coccanouer will be back on the sidelines.

[Comment From Frank] Do you think Kingfisher will hammer Heritage Hall?

Ryan Aber: Hammer? I don't think anyone will be hammering Heritage Hall anytime soon. I picked Heritage Hall to win a close one. Kingfisher has a chance but, much like Weatherford against McGuinness, the Yellowjackets could have a tough time handling the QB, Turner Petersen.

[Comment From Jerry] How good is Mustang?

Ryan Aber: Right now they're really good. I had a couple coaches tell me earlier this week that they thought Mustang was the second best team in the West, behind Midwest City or Norman North. This district, especially if Beau Blankenship is hurt, is up in the air and Mustang has a great chance to win it.

[Comment From Matt, Edmond] All this talk about the best in the west... does it really matter? Come the playoffs, will Midwest City or anyone else be able to keep up with Tulsa Union or Jenks?

Ryan Aber: I don't know right now. I've thought they did for a few years but I've learned that the East is the best until someone proves otherwise and they haven't yet.

OPUBCO: Ryan, if we had to pick a player of the year right now, who do you think it would be?

Ryan Aber: That's tough because so many of the players that were on our radar before the season have either been dinged up or haven't performed quite to expectations. I'd have a hard time arguing against Midwest City's Timothy Flanders right now though.

OPUBCO: What are his college prospects?

Ryan Aber: He's got offers from Tulsa and a couple other schools. He'd fit in well with the offense the Golden Hurricane run but I'd imagine his prospects will get better and better if he keeps performing the way he is so far.

[Comment From Chris, Guthrie] Ryan, your thoughts on the Jays traveling to Ardmore tonight?

Ryan Aber: I haven't seen Guthrie since the first week of the season and they looked phenomenal then. Keaton Callins and Donte Foster are a special combination for Guthrie, and they are just so quick. Ardmore will play them tough because that what teams coached by McBrooms do, but Guthrie should stay undefeated.

[Comment From Mike] What do you think about tonight’s game between Lawton and Mustang? do you think Mustang will be looking past them for Norman North?

Ryan Aber: I doubt Mustang will be looking past them, primarily because their quarterback situation has changed. Jefferey Cohan played great last week but Lawton has a ton of very good players. If the Broncos are looking past the Wolverines, they could take an L tonight.

[Comment From Elaine] Why don't you guys ever really praise the defense? It's always about offense, but I have been to several games this year that were absolutely won by defense, and everything is still all about offense. I know they score the points but give me a break, defense stops the other team!

Ryan Aber: The offense does get most of the praise since you have to score to win but we try to talk about defenses too. Certainly we've talked a lot about Norman North's defense and some of the other shutdown teams around.

[Comment From Bill, Shawnee] It looks like Midwest City has a pretty easy district schedule and could easily run to an undefeated district schedule. What team could pose the most problems for MWC before the playoffs.

Ryan Aber: Before the playoffs? Themselves. Putnam City is improving but still is nowhere near the level of Midwest City, Westmoore is down. The only team that beats Midwest City before districts roll around is themselves.

[Comment From Jerry] After the first few weeks who is the best D1 prospect in the OKC area now. Has Oku's stock fallen?

Ryan Aber: I wouldn't say it's fallen a ton but it probably has slipped a bit. If he performs well tonight and against Guthrie, that'll change, though. Right now, the best prospect in the city area in my mind is Daytawion Lowe, though, Oku's teammate.

[Comment From Chris, Guthrie] Funny how no one is talking about Lawton Mac in 5A. Watch Out!

Ryan Aber: The Highlanders are tough and have a great chance at a state title. 5A is tough all around, though, with Guthrie, Mac, Tulsa Washington, Bixby, Carl Albert and others all having chances at a title.

[Comment From Elaine] Who are some of the top defensive players on the West side of the state in 6A?

Ryan Aber: Well, when you start talking about defensive players in 6A, you've got to start with Norman North. Nathan Badger and Beau Traber, Nick Canavan. Midwest City has a great player in Kameron Stewart, Anthony Morales from Edmond Memorial, and I'd even throw Flanders into the category on defense.

[Comment From John, Okay] Looks like Morrison's jump to 11-man has gone pretty well this far. Who could jump up and beat them?

Ryan Aber: Yeah, it has gone well so far. That was a great statement win over Hominy this week. They play Woodland on Oct. 31. If they're going to lose in the regular season, that would be where you figure it would happen.

[Comment From Brady, Midwest City] I really liked the blog about MWC and NN against the powers of the East, but how do you think they would fare against each other? What would be the keys to that game for either team?

Ryan Aber: Against each other? It would be a great game. I'd have to give the edge to Midwest City right now with Blankenship hurt a bit. The Bombers would have to force Norman North to beat them with the pass. Norman North's defense is fast enough to contain Midwest City's offense, although the Timberwolves secondary has given up some big plays the last couple weeks, which is troubling.

[Comment From Frank] Who is the best offensive coach in the area?

Ryan Aber: That's a tough one because there are a lot of good offensive minds around here. Certainly Ty Prestidge at Mustang is one, another I'd point out, who's not coaching a really good team right now is Jon Freeman at Southmoore. He runs a West Virginia-style offense and has the Sabercats scaring people already.

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