The Oklahoman’s top 10 games of Week 9
Several intriguing games with playoff implications will be played this week as the high school football season enters the home stretch.
Only two weeks remain for teams to claim their playoff spot.
It’s Week 9, which means district championships will be decided and playoff spots will be clinched. It’s an important week across the state, and that’s reflected with the impressive slate of games expected to be full of drama.
Here is a look at The Oklahoman’s top 10 games of Week 9:
1. Class 6A-I No. 2 Jenks (7-1, 4-1) at No. 4 Edmond Santa Fe (7-1, 4-1)
Edmond Santa Fe has proved to be the best team in the West and now it has a chance to upset an East power and claim second in the district, earning a home playoff game.
The Wolves have allowed only one opponent to score more than 14 points — a 35-7 loss to Broken Arrow — and have found a nice rhythm on offense with quarterback Kanan Hansen and new tight end Trace Ford, an Oklahoma State defensive end commit. But is that still enough to take down the powerful Trojans?
2. Class 5A No. 5 McGuinness (7-1, 5-0) at No. 7 Guthrie (7-1, 4-1)
Since a Week 1 loss, McGuinness has rolled behind star running back Dominic Richardson. The Irish’s biggest test since will be a stout Guthrie defense known for stopping the run and hungry to remain in the district title hunt.
3. Class 6A-II No. 6 Del City (6-2, 4-1) at No. 5 Lawton (5-3, 3-2), Thursday
Del City’s loss to Midwest City dented its district title hopes, but the Eagles are not entirely lost. A win and a lot of help elsewhere keeps them alive for one more week. This matchup also features two of the state’s premier playmakers in Del City’s Jeff Foreman and Lawton’s Miles Davis.
4. Class A No. 2 Cashion (8-0, 6-0) at No. 4 Crossings Christian (8-1, 7-0)
The District A-3 championship is on the line, at least for Crossings Christian. If the Knights win, they clinch. If Cashion wins, it still needs to beat Minco in Week 10 or win a three-way tiebreaker with district points.
5. Class 3A No. 7 Lincoln Christian (7-1, 4-1) at No. 8 Idabel (6-2, 4-1)
District 3A-3 is a mess with Lincoln Christian, Idabel, Seminole, Stigler and Checotah all beating up on each other. Winner of this game will have a clearer path to the district championship, but still no guarantee.
6. Class 4A No. 9 Catoosa (7-1, 4-1) at No. 8 Bristow (7-1, 4-1)
District 4A-3 features a four-way tie atop the district, making this game important for playoff positioning. Bristow has been a huge surprise, and a win all but locks up second place.
7. Class A Hominy (6-2, 5-1) at No. 9 Morrison (7-1, 5-1)
Inconsistency has plagued a talented Hominy team, but it remains in the district title hunt. A win this week, makes Week 10’s matchup with Tonkawa for the title. If Morrison wins, it clinches second and possibly puts Hominy in fourth.
8. Class 6A-I No. 7 Westmoore (5-3, 3-2) at No. 10 Norman (4-4, 2-3)
The next step in Norman’s turnaround is a playoff berth, but the Tigers must win out to have a shot. Westmoore, meanwhile, clinches a playoff spot with a win Friday.
9. Class 5A El Reno (5-3, 3-2) at No. 4 Altus (7-1, 4-1)
Another team looking to take the next step in a rebuild, El Reno is locked in a deep district where the Indians need to win out or risk being the team left on the outside.
10. Class 5A Skiatook (6-2, 3-2) at No. 3 Collinsville (8-0, 5-0)
Skiatook’s recent loss took some bite out of a huge rivalry matchup, but it still needs just one win to clinch a playoff spot. Collinsville clinches the district with a win.
Note: All games Friday, unless noted.