5 of The Most Highly Anticipated Games of 2020
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With every new season comes a new, fresh start for many teams. For some it’s an opportunity to forget about last season and begin a new legacy, for some it’s a chance to build on a promising end from the…
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Continue ReadingWith every new season comes a new, fresh start for many teams. For some it’s an opportunity to forget about last season and begin a new legacy, for some it’s a chance to build on a promising end from the previous season, and for others, it is a chance to return to their former glory or prove that they are here to say. Last season we saw 3 teams at the highest level of Oklahoma high school football either repeat as champions or win their 2nd title in 3 years. This season they will look to defend their titles from some of the teams they defeated last year, and from others who have been building over previous years to make a big run at the title in 2020. With that being said, here are 5 of the most highly anticipated regular-season games that could shape the state title race in their classes this season.
5. Edmond Santa Fe vs. Stillwater (September 4th)
This early-season matchup features two teams who fell just short of winning the state title in their respective classes last season. In 6A-I, Santa Fe was a favorite to go to the championship game before being upset in the first round, as their path included a 5-5 Moore team, and a Jenks team that they had already defeated in the regular season. In 6A-II, Stillwater went undefeated through 12 games and dominated all of their opponents before losing in the title game to Bixby 40-36. Both teams return a handful of starters on both sides of the ball that should make this game a great back and forth battle. On offense, Stilwater returns 6A-II’s top RB in Qwontrel Walker Qwontrel Walker 5'8" | RB Stillwater | 2021 State OK , as well as OL Lance Petermann Lance Petermann 6'5" | OL Stillwater | 2021 State OK and WR Steven Brown Steven Brown 5'10" | WR Stillwater | 2021 State OK . On defense, the Pioneers return 4 defenders who are all top 10 at their positions in their classes, including their star LB Gabe M Brown Gabe M Brown 6'2" | LB Stillwater | 2022 State OK and DB Tevin Williams Tevin Williams 6'1" | DB Stillwater | 2021 State OK . On the other side, Santa Fe returns one of the best WRs in the state, Talyn Shettron Talyn Shettron 6'3" | WR Edmond Santa Fe | 2022 State OK , top 10 DB and do it all offensive swiss army knife Angelo Rankin Jr. Angelo Rankin Jr. 5'10" | ATH Edmond Santa Fe | 2021 State OK , and all-state LBs James Burnett James Burnett 6'2" | LB Edmond Santa Fe | 2021 State OK and Collin Oliver Collin Oliver 6'3" | LB Edmond Santa Fe | 2021 State OK (Oklahoma State Commit). This game will certainly be close and could very well be decided by how much of an impact Qwontrel Walker Qwontrel Walker 5'8" | RB Stillwater | 2021 State OK can have on the ground against Oliver and Burnett.
4. Jenks vs. Union (September 11th)
If you are familiar with 6a football in Oklahoma, then you know that these two teams hold almost every record in the book. From 1996-2016, Jenks and Union were the only teams to win a 6a state title. However, since then, the teams have combined for 3 state runner up finishes, Union in 2017, and Jenks in 2018 and 2019. Every season this game has the potential of producing the state champion and this year is no different. Both teams have clear identities that will most likely decide the outcome of this matchup. For Union, their identity is their running attack, led by Rovaughn Banks Rovaughn Banks 5'10" | 200 lbs | ATH Union | 2022 State OK , and AJ Green AJ Green 6'0" | RB Union | 2021 State OK . For Jenks, it is their defense, led by Jayden Patrick, Ryker Colemon Thurber, and Waylon Adams Waylon Adams 6'4" | TE Jenks | 2021 State OK . If Jenks can slow down Union’s offense enough down the stretch then they have a shot, but if they do not come to play for all 4 quarters than they may be going home with a loss for the second straight season.
3. Choctaw vs. Bixby (October 9th)
If you were to predict this game just off these teams’ performances the last couple of seasons, it would seem as if Bixby would roll right through Choctaw. However, Choctaw is not the same team they’ve been the past couple of seasons. With a plethora of starters returning and maturing this season, Choctaw could be a force to be reckoned with in 6A-II. They return one of the best receivers in the state in TCU commit Chase Jackson Chase Jackson 6'1" | WR Choctaw | 2021 State OK , 4 starters on their offensive line, including Cade McConnell Cade McConnell 6'5" | OL Choctaw | 2022 State OK , and their young Sophomore phenom QB Steele Wasel Steele Wasel 6'4" | 210 lbs | QB Choctaw | 2023 State OK . On defense, they are bolstered by star DL Donnie Wingate Donnie Wingate 6'3" | DL Choctaw | 2021 State OK , and Oklahoma commit Jordan Mukes Jordan Mukes 6'3" | DB Choctaw | 2021 State OK . However, while Choctaw will be a much-improved team this year, Bixby still comes in as the 2-time defending state champions, led by their 3-year starting QB Mason Williams Mason Williams 5'10" | QB Bixby | 2021 State OK and electrifying young RB Braylin Presley Braylin Presley 5'9" | RB Bixby | 2022 State OK . If Bixby can generate some pressure and disrupt Wasel, than Williams and company will be able to put up enough points come out with a victory. However, if Choctaw’s line can hold up for 4 quarters, Bixby’s defense will be in major trouble with a QB as talented as Wasel having all day to throw.
2. Del City vs. Booker T Washington (September 4th)
This game features two teams with incredible defenses. Booker T brings two of the states best DBs in Gentry Williams Gentry Williams 6'0" | DB Booker T Washington | 2022 State OK , and Arkansas commit Keuan Parker Keuan Parker 5'10" | DB Booker T Washington | 2021 State OK , as well as some up and coming DBs, Ahmad Scott, and Korbyn Green. On the other side, Del City may very well have the best defense in the entire state in 2020, every one of their starters has the potential to play at the Division 1 level. With stars such as Donovan Stephens Donovan Stephens 6'1" | DB Del City | 2021 State OK , Rejhan Tatum Rejhan Tatum 6'2" | LB Del City | 2021 State OK , Kevin Greene Kevin Greene 6'4" | DL Del City | 2021 State OK , and the young Kanijal Thomas Kanijal Thomas 6'1" | DB Del City | 2023 State OK , it will be difficult for anyone, let alone Booker T to get any real momentum on offense. However, unlike last season when they met in the playoffs, Booker T may have the advantage on offense this season as Del City will be without their former QB Quinlan Ganther, while Booker T returns many of their key skill position players such as Jalen Teague Jalen Teague 6'3" | WR Booker T Washington | 2021 State OK and Gentry Williams Gentry Williams 6'0" | DB Booker T Washington | 2022 State OK , who is still raw as a true QB, but has the athleticism to take over a game at any time. Del City will be the favorite, and this game will certainly be a defensive struggle, but don’t be surprised if Booker T and Wiliams pull off the upset last minute.
1. Owasso vs. Broken Arrow (September 11th)
It is not often that you get a regular-season matchup with this much hype and talent on both sides. Last season, these two teams met in the state semi-finals where Broken Arrow kept things close early on before Owasso pulled away in the second half and continued on their way to their second state title in three years. This year Broken Arrow might be favored however because of their experience and prestige on defense with Darryan Moss Darryan Moss 6'2" | LB Broken Arrow | 2021 State OK , Javion Franklin Javion Franklin 5'10" | DB Broken Arrow | 2022 State OK , and Maurion Horn Maurion Horn 5'11" | RB Broken Arrow | 2022 State OK , and because Owasso will come in with a new QB as their former starter is now graduated and moved on. All while Broken Arrow returns both Jake Raines Jake Raines 5'10" | QB Broken Arrow | 2021 OK and Seth Dodd Seth Dodd 6'1" | QB Broken Arrow | 2021 OK along with their highly productive 1-2 combo of Sanchez Banks Sanchez Banks 6'0" | RB Broken Arrow | 2021 State OK and Maurion Horn Maurion Horn 5'11" | RB Broken Arrow | 2022 State OK at RB. Make no mistake though, while Broken Arrow has a little more experience on the offensive side, Owasso returns many players from their nasty defense such as Gage Laney Gage Laney 5'11" | DB Owasso | 2021 State OK , Emaud Triplett Emaud Triplett 6'1" | LB Owasso | 2021 State OK , and Michael Jamerson Michael Jamerson 6'3" | DL Owasso | 2022 State OK , that allowed only 13.5 points per game last season. This game will be a dog fight from start to finish and very well could be a matchup we see a second time in the playoffs, potentially for the state championship.