Claremore vs. Tulsa Rogers
Game is scheduled for Webster Stadium, on the campus of Webster High School, 1919 W. 40th St. After posting their first victory of the season last week, the Zebras are brimming with confidence. With a win over Rogers, they could find themselves a legitimate possibility for a District 5A-4 playoff spot. Rogers has had its ups and downs, losing its opener to Tulsa Hale, 42-12, and then bashing Tulsa Webster, 56-8. The Ropers’ most talked-about win was their 52-50 escape at Catoosa in Week 3. With scores like that, it’s no wonder the Ropers are the second-highest scoring team (30 points) in the district, behind No. 1-ranked East Central. The Rop have two potent offensive threats, Lamar Norman (11 touchdowns, 900 yards rushing) and William Ray (eight touchdown receptions, 23 yards per catch). Records: Rogers (2-1, 4-2), Claremore (1-2, 1-5). Last season: Did not play. Hungry? Billy Ray’s Bar-B-Q, 3524 Southwest Blvd., is nearby, and it’s a West Tulsa must.
Metro Christian at Sequoyah
Metro was expected to pose a threat to Sequoyah’s district domination, but a 31-14 loss at Vinita dissolved some of that mystery. Still, Metro bounced back the following week to win, 21-6, at formidable Locust Grove. Any realistic talk, however, of a threat to Sequoyah remains weeks away. Vinita, which hosts Sequoyah to close the regular season, has moved into the Top 10 with an unblemished record. Sequoyah has become the unanimous No. 1 selection in Class 3A, grabbing every vote in The Associated Press rankings. That is an improvement over recent weeks when the Eagles were seeing some first-place votes going to Seminole. Sequoyah still is unscored upon in the first half. Only two teams have scored (21 points) in the third quarter. Records: Sequoyah (3-0, 6-0), Metro Christian (2-1, 4-2). Last season: Did not play.
Oologah at Grove
Oologah’s rugged September schedule could begin paying dividends in October. The first clue will come at Grove. The Ridgerunners pitched shutouts in their first two district games, and that has enabled them to lower their per-game point yield to 13. Oologah, though, shows up after scoring 100 points in its last two outings. It’s a game that will match running backs: Oologah’s Brett Swindell has rushed for 686 yards and 6.7 per carry, Grove’s Colton Gehrke has 615 yards and 5.9 per. Records: Oologah (2-1, 3-3), Grove (3-0, 4-2). Last season: Did not play. Hungry? Gotta try Catfish John’s, on U.S. 59 North, in Grove.
Dewey at Inola
Inola is probably welcoming the Bulldoggers with open arms. Having lost five in a row, Inola would have to like Dewey and its 1-5 record (three straight losses). Plus, Dewey has lost its last two games by a combined score of 93-7. The only common opponent is Chelsea. Dewey prevailed at Chelsea, 33-12, in Week 3. Inola had a much easier time with Chelsea, winning, 53-6, in the opener. Records: Inola (0-3, 1-5), Dewey (0-3, 1-5). Last season: Dewey 35, Inola 7.
Sperry at Chelsea
High-scoring Sperry and unstoppable Kevin Smart are riding into Chelsea Friday night. Sperry is carrying a four-game winning streak after losing to Claremore Sequoyah. Over the last three games, Sperry is averaging 51 points, punctuated by a 69-0 rout of Caney Valley. And Smart has been just as offensive. The transfer from Berryhill has racked up 21 touchdowns, and ran for 310 yards last week against Verdigris. His 21 scores are the second highest number in 11-man football. Chelsea has had difficulties of its own the last two weeks, losing to Cascia Hall, 70-0, and Pawhuska, 37-8. Records: Sperry (3-0, 5-1), Chelsea (1-2, 1-5). Last season: Sperry 49, Chelsea 19.
Catoosa at Tulsa Kelley
Kelley’s endured a rugged schedule, facing three Top 10 unbeaten teams. But, Kelley has dropped all three. Last week, the Comets were beaten by top-ranked Class 5A East Central, 31-14. Earlier, they lost to Class 4A OC McGuinness and to 5A Bixby. Catoosa is coming off a 31-6 loss to Coweta. Records: Catoosa (1-2, 2-4), Kelley (2-1, 3-3). Last season: Kelley 40, Catoosa 28. Hungry? Ricardos Mexican Restaurant is within walking distance.
Foyil at Okay
Foyil is rolling along with the second-highest-scoring offensive unit in the district, and Okay is next up with the district’s most porous defense. Foyil is averaging 43 points per start, compared to 46 for Woodland. Okay is giving up 52 points per game, including three in which opponents went for 65 or more. Comparing scores, Foyil defeated Mounds, 46-20, while Okay lost, 70-22. Against unbeaten, Top 10 Woodland, Foyil lost, 35-27, but Okay lost, 65-8. Last season: Foyil 63, Okay 16. They were in the eight-man ranks last season, and the game was called off at halftime. Hungry? Martin’s Restaurant, on Oklahoma 16, in Okay.
Verdigris at Cascia Hall
Cascia Hall has posted three straight shutouts, and four for the season. The Commandos have given up the fewest number of points (30) in all of Class 2A. Across the state, the only defensive numbers better are in Class A, where Velma Alma has given up six, and Class 4A, where Wagoner has yielded 24. Verdigris was going along quite well until running into Sperry last week. Verdigris had put together four straight wins before Sperry took a 43-7 decision. Cascia Hall is No. 3 in Class 3A. Records: Verdigris (2-1, 4-2), Cascia Hall (3-0, 6-0). Last season: Did not play. Hungry? Utica Square is in the neighborhood. And Brookside is nearby.
Bartlesville Wesleyan at CCS
A home game for CCS, in Bixby. The Knights play their second straight game at their “home” field, RBW Field, 13852 S. Garnett Road, Bixby. CCS is averaging 45 points per start, and put up 129 in its last two games. Wesleyan is averaging 38 points, thanks largely to Zeb White and his 18 touchdowns. Brian Bell is the leading scorer for CCS with 10 touchdowns. Records: Wesleyan (4-3), CCS (5-1).
