PC North hoping for Lawton victory
District 6A-1 Panthers could make playoffs several ways but must win

By Scott Wright Comments 0
Published: November 5, 2009

Part of the fun of the high school football season’s final weeks is situations like Putnam City North is in right now.

The Panthers, sitting at No. 5 in the District 6A-1 standings, find themselves pulling hard for the team that less than a week ago handed them their most heartbreaking defeat of the season.

Putnam City North’s Dre Holman, left, looks for room to run during an Oct. 23 game against Mustang. The Panthers are currently No. 5 in the 6A-1 standings. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman

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Lawton scored a touchdown in the final minute for a 34-33 win last Friday, taking the Panthers’ playoff fate out of their own hands.

Now, if PC North can knock off No. 8 Del City at Putnam City Stadium tonight, the Panther players and coaches will be scrambling to find out the result of Lawton’s home game against Norman North, which will be played at the same time.

There are multiple scenarios where the Panthers can get into the playoffs, even one where they can get up to the No. 3 seed. But the simplest one of all is for them to beat Del City and Lawton to beat Norman North.

"This is how it is this time of year. We just need to go take care of business, go win,” PC North coach Bob Wilson said. "If you don’t take care of your business, you probably don’t deserve to go.”

A Del City win eliminates the Panthers immediately, and a Lawton loss with a PC North win will create at three-way tie. And the Panthers are in a 25-point hole for the district points tiebreaker.

Since it’s only possible to gain 30 district points in one week, the Panthers would be in need of a couple blowouts, but Del City’s talent, with its top-level receivers and strong defensive front, will make that difficult.

"We’ve had some ups and downs, but I know that we can win this game,” said PC North senior linebacker Ricky Johnson. "Senior Night will be fun, but we’ve got to get focused and not let that get in the way.”

From the moment they stepped on the practice field, PC North has been focused on winning a state title this year. And to do that, you’re going to have to play well in games like this.

"This is a do-or-die game. We’re gonna play hard, or we’re gonna be sitting at home watching another 6A team win the state championship,” senior receiver Antonio Johnson said.

"Last week was a tough loss, but we’ve got to bounce back.

"If we don’t bounce back, we’re gonna get bounced on.”