Week 10 Rankings and Predictions

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

#1 Booker T Washington (8-0, 6-0) District 1

#7 Muskogee (3-6, 3-3) District 1

Don't expect any surprises here. Muskogee's a far better team than they've been in recent years, but after being knocked out of playoff contention there's little likelihood that they'll find the motivation to upset the #1 undefeated team. Expect OSU-commit Justice Hill to rush for a couple hundred yards as usual and Dakari Willis will probably look to stretch his arm out a bit before the playoffs.

The pick: BTW 56, Muskogee 14

#2 Bartlesville (8-1, 5-1) District 1

#13 Claremore (2-7, 0-6) District 1

Bartlesville consistently gives up points, but also consistently scores substantially more. It'll be a blow out, but I doubt it'll be a shut out. The Zebras have had a rough time this season with injuries, but they've still got heart and won't go down without a fight. Between Colton Penrod and Jarron Hilger, however, it should be a clear Bruin victory.

The pick: Bville 48, Claremore 13.

#3 Charles Page (4-4, 4-2) District 1

#4 Bixby (6-3, 4-2) District 1

Bixby has fallen quite a bit from their early season performance and barely edged by Muskogee last week in overtime while Sand Springs was close to upsetting top-ranked Booker T. On paper, this should be a clear pick. However, there's a lot of bad blood between the Sandites and Spartans after Bixby injured several Sand Springs players last year and beat them twice--once in the regular season and once in the semifinals. Muskogee's players hadn't even made it home yet before Twitter was blowing up with Sandite tweets calling out Bixby last week. The playoffs are locked up for both teams, but they'll be battling for the #3 seed so it should be a shootout, just like last year's 34-31 week 10 game. Bixby has one of the best runningbacks in the state in Nic Roller and Sand Springs has the best defense so it should be a great matchup.

The pick: Sand Springs 41, Bixby 35.

#5 Lawton (7-1, 5-0) District 2

#11 Choctaw (5-4, 2-3) District 2

The Wolverines wrapped up a district championship last week against Midwest City and their only loss was a rivalry matchup against the undefeated #1 team in 5A. Choctaw is coming to do battle, however, as they need a win to hold onto a playoff berth. 

The pick: Lawton 48, Choctaw 24

#6 Midwest City (6-3, 4-2) District 2

Midwest City elected not to play a fourth non-district game and is taking a week off before the playoffs.

#8 Putnam City West (4-5, 2-3) District 2

#14 Enid (2-7, 1-4) District 2

It's down to the wire for PCW. The Patriots are already experiencing their best record since 2000, but after a big time upset by Eisenhower last week it still remains to be seen if they'll clinch their first playoff appearance since 1996. On paper, it should be locked up. But if Enid overcomes PCW like Ike did, then Choctaw will take the bottom seed in the playoffs.

The pick: PCW 47, Enid 35

#9 Stillwater (4-5, 3-2) District 2

#15 Eisenhower (1-8, 1-4) District 2

It's too late for Ike to reach the playoffs, but it's not too late for them to bump Stillwater down to the bottom seed and at least move up from the bottom rank of the division. The Eagles will be flying high after their 50-28 dominating upset @ PCW last week.

The pick: Stilly 38, Ike 35

#10 Ponca City (2-6, 1-5) District 1

#12 Sapulpa (2-6, 1-5) District 1

The Chieftains pulled off a narrow 1 point win last week against Claremore in the lowest scoring game of the season for 6A-II, but it was their first win since week 2 and it was an upset. Expect Dae Williams to cross the 1500 season rushing mark. Ponca doesn't have any huge stars like Williams, but they have a better talent-spread among the players. Keep your eyes on QB Conner Larson and the RB/WR combo of the Arita brothers. 

The pick: Ponca 35, Sapulpa 21

My Record

• Week 1: 10-2 (.833)
• Week 2: 12-2 (.857)
• Week 3: 6-3 (.666)
• Week 4: 6-2 (.750)
• Week 5: 5-3 (.625)
• Week 6: 8-0 (1.00)
• Week 7: 8-0 (1.00)
• Week 8: 7-1 (.875)
• Week 9: 6-2 (.750)
• Overall: 68-15 (.819)

Week 7 Roundup

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

#1 Booker T Washington (6-0, 4-0) District 1

#2 Bartlesville (6-1, 3-1) District 1

The biggest match-up of the season thus-far came down to a field goal. Bartlesville took to the air, completing 11 of 17 for 194 against Booker T's 7 of 15 for 91. The Hornet ground game amassed a stellar 215 against Bartlesville's 84. Washington gave up 23 more yards to penalties than the Bruins, but Bville gave up a key fumble on the Hornet 7 yard line with less than three minutes remaining--and it would end up costing them the game as Booker T sank a field goal with 7 seconds left.

The pick: Booker T 21, Bartlesville 14

Results: Booker T 17, Bartlesville 14.

#3 Bixby (5-2, 3-1) District 1

#13 Sapulpa (1-5, 0-4) District 1

Bixby's missing several starters who were suspended for underage drinking a few weeks ago, and Nic Roller, their stud runningback, continues to be hampered by recent surgery. He was recovered enough to play, but he didn't amass nearly the yardage he normally does. Believe it or not, 116 yards on 11 carries is subpar for this beast. All of that combined, and this incredible Bixby team still scored the second-most points against Sapulpa of any team this season. QB Tanner Griffin passed for 296 yards as the Spartans "dined in Hell" against Sapulpa. 

The pick: Bixby 53, Sapulpa 7

Results: Bixby 53, Sapulpa 17.

#4 Charles Page (3-3, 3-1) District 1

#10 Ponca City (1-5, 0-4) District 1

I made it to 18-straight Sandite games before I finally had to miss this one because our Lady Softballers were at State. Apparently it was a hell of a game to miss. Greathouse was solid passing, as always, connecting on 10 of 16 for 128. The real show was in the rush game. Payton Scott carried for 200 yards and two touchdowns, followed by Lane Lettich with 117 and one TD. Overall the Sandites had a massive 528 yards-total-offense and the D gave up a stingy 149 for only two touchdowns. 

The pick: CPHS 35, Ponca 13

Results: CPHS 44, Ponca 21.

#5 Lawton (5-1, 4-0) District 2

#15 Eisenhower (0-7, 0-3) District 2

It started as a close game between the two in-town rivals, but eventually the Wolverines pulled ahead for a blowout. Ike struck first on a two yard run, and only trailed 15-7 going into the half, but the dominant team found their feet in the second half.

The pick: Lawton 49, Ike 13.

Restults: Lawton 43, Ike 7. 

#6 Muskogee (3-4, 3-1) District 1

#11 Claremore (2-5, 0-4) District 1

The Roughers are finally finding their feet under second-year coach Rafe Watkins, winning 3 of their last 4 games. Unless they pull off an upset against Sand Springs this week, they'll likely finish the season with the same record as last year. The losses have all been a lot closer, however, and the wins have been more punishing. Muskogee got nearly twice the yards-per-carry as Claremore, and despite completing less than half of all passes, they still gained just under 200 yards-by-air. 

The pick: Muskogee 17, Claremore 14

Results: Muskogee 38, Claremore 8

#7 Stillwater (3-4, 2-1) District 2

#12 Choctaw (4-3, 2-2) District 2

This game came down to the wire, and nobody saw it coming. With a 30-13 lead and only two minutes left, it seemed like the Pioneers had it all wrapped up. Choctaw wasn't done fighting, however, and marched 80 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown, then recovered the ensuing onside kick. The next play was a touchdown followed by a conversion. Stillwater barely held on as the next onside kick traveled out of bounds and they were able to assume victory formation.

The pick: Stillwater 35, Choctaw 13

Results: Stillwater 30, Choctaw 27

#8 Midwest City (5-2, 3-1) District 2

#9 Putnam City West (3-4, 1-2) District 2

The Bombers pretty much locked in another playoff appearance in knocking down PCW.

The pick: MWC 14, PCW 13.

Results: MWC 33, PCW 14.

#14 Enid (1-6, 0-3) District 2

The Plainsmen just can't catch a break. With a bye-week from district play, Enid took on 5A unranked Tahlequah and were easily handed. The only win for Enid comes from a forfeiture-by-technicality. 

The pick: Tahlequah 28, Enid 14

Results: Tahlequah 44, Enid 21.

My Record

• Week 1: 10-2 (.833)
• Week 2: 12-2 (.857)
• Week 3: 6-3 (.666)
• Week 4: 6-2 (.750)
• Week 5: 5-3 (.625)
• Week 6: 8-0 (1.00)
• Week 7: 8-0 (1.00)
• Overall: 55-12 (.820)

Week 4 Sandite Pride Rankings and Predictions

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Photo by: Morgan Miller

Week 3 was heavily disrupted by severe weather systems across the state that lead to more cancellations than actual games.

#1 Charles Page (2-0, 0-0) District 1

The Sandites were one of few teams to actually start a game Friday night, but it was cancelled shortly before halftime and will thus not count towards their record or stats. However, their performance on the field still plays into my rankings. They lead 5A unranked Guthrie 18-7 with 6 minutes in the half, and QB Hunter Greathouse was 4-5-129 in that short amount of time. Guthrie may not be the team they've been in recent memory, but they're far from pushovers. 

#5 Bartlesville (3-0, 0-0) District 1

The Bruins were far enough North that they had plenty of time to put a 42-20 beat down on Enid before the weather reached them. Enid is an 0-3 pushover this year and the 20 points they scored on Bartlesville is the most they've mustered all season. I expect Bartlesville to come hot at the Sandites with their offense, but be unable to put up any stops of their own against double-threat Hunter Greathouse. I'm expecting a shootout with the Sandites coming on top by a pair of touchdowns, minus a few blocked/missed PATs.

The Pick: CPHS 46, Bartlesville 35.

#2 Bixby (2-1, 0-0) District 1

Despite nearly 700 yards of total offense, the Spartans didn't put up nearly the points I expected them to against Springdale, AR (0-3). It looks like the defending State Champions have their offense in good order between QB Tanner Griffin and RB Nic Roller but are going to need to whip their defense in shape quickly if they want to hold up against BTW and CPHS. The Spartans won 57-38, which is more points than they allowed anyone but Jenks to score last season.

#10 Claremore (2-1, 0-0) District 1

The Red Zebras held up to a 10 point loss to Siloam Springs, 22-12, only 3 points worse than I expected. Their passing game was abysmal and they won't stand much of a chance rushing against Bixby. If they manage to score at all it will be due more to Bixby's slacking defense than Claremore's capabilities. 

The Pick: Bixby 52, Claremore 3

#3 Booker T Washington (2-0, 0-0) District 1

The Hornets game against East Central was cancelled Friday, though it's safe to say it would have been a slaughter considering the 62-6 they put on Tulsa Central in week 2. 

#9 Ponca City (1-1, 0-0) District 1

The Wildcats' game against Shawnee was also cancelled, but not before they were outscored 10-6 in the first quarter. It's hard to judge a team off less than a quarter so I didn't drop them in my rankings, but I had expected Ponca to easily defeat the unranked 5A team. 

The Pick: BTW 42, Ponca City 13.

#4 Midwest City (2-1, 0-0) District 2

The Bombers pulled off a big upset over the top ranked 5A Del City, 37-14, and are my favorite to win the District 2 title. They lost to BTW in the season opener, but when it comes to Eisenhower, they're going to bring the thunder.

#14 Eisenhower (0-3, 0-0) District 2

Lawton Ike scored a lot more against 5A #2 MacArthur than anybody expected them to, but were still handed a solid 57-34 beat down. 

The Pick: MWC 28, Ike 6

#6 Choctaw (2-1, 0-0) District 2

Choctaw suffered their first loss of the season in a close 25-23 to Putnam North. 

#12 Enid (0-3, 0-0) District 2

The Plainsmen have been getting their butts handed to them left and right this year, and I don't expect things to change in district play.

The Pick: Choctaw 38, Enid 12.

#7 Muskogee (0-3, 0-0) District 1

The Roughers have definitely not lived up to expectation these past two season under new Head Coach Rafe Watkins, but in their defense, they've only played really solid teams thus far. 33-22 to 5A #5 McAlester, 34-25 to 6A #5 Owasso, and 56-21 to undefeated #3 Fayetteville, AR. If they were in District 2 I could see them making a run at the district title, but in the talent-crowded Tulsa district I see them winning 3 games at most. 

#13 Sapulpa (1-1, 0-0) District 1

Lawton may not be the team they were last year, but the Chieftains got off lucky that their game was cancelled. Unfortunately for them, there's no rain in the forecast for this Friday.

The Pick: Muskogee 35, Sapulpa 12.

#8 Putnam City West (1-2, 0-0) District 2

I was so impressed with PCW after their 5 point loss to Del City and their 29-6 win over PCN, then they had to go and blow it, getting slaughtered 49-17 by PC. 

#11 Lawton (1-1, 0-0) District 2

I'm a lot less confident in PCW for this matchup than I was last week, and it's really anybody's game in my book. 

The Pick: PCW 31, Lawton 28

#15 Stillwater (0-3, 0-0) District 2

Stillwater lost 26-14 to Edmond North Friday, and is the only team not starting District play this upcoming weekend. As District 2 is only 7 teams, the Pioneers will be battling with U.S. Grant as both teams look for their first win of the season. 

The Pick: Stillwater 29, Grant 14.

My Record

• Week 1: 10-2 83%
• Week 2: 12-2 85%
• Week 3: 6-3 66%
• Overall: 28-7 80%

Week 2 Football Rankings

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

Here's the consolidated rankings for all you stat geeks like me out there.