Class 6A/5A Predictions by Scott Hansen
Class 6A
THURSDAY
Putnam City North at Choctaw
Putnam City North is looking to get back in the playoff hunt with an arsenal of young talent. Senior Joe King is one of the best linemen in the state for PC North. Prediction: Putnam City North 35, Choctaw 14.
FRIDAY
Muskogee at Broken Arrow
Can Jameel Owens and the Roughers get off to a winning start against resurgent Broken Arrow? For the Arrows, the test from the Roughers will provide a good barometer of how far they need to go under a new coach. Prediction: Muskogee 27, Broken Arrow 17.
Bixby at Jenks
Mark Ginther has been scary good for Jenks in the preseason. 30 completions, almost 600 yards, and nine touchdowns with a 76 percent completion percentage. Wow! Prediction: Jenks 55, Bixby 14.
Tulsa East Central at Sapulpa
East Central is loaded at the skill positions with quarterback Brooklyn Fox and running back Kenny Session. Prediction: East Central 44, Sapulpa 14.
Ponca City at Sand Springs
Sand Springs running back Josh Reed is a player to watch after scoring 10 times as a junior. Prediction: Sand Springs 31, Ponca City 13.
Owasso at Stillwater
Two solid junior running backs highlight this battle, with Owasso's Jacques Washington and Stillwater's Chris Perry. Prediction: Owasso 21, Stillwater 17.
Putnam City West at Putnam City
Putnam City has been decimated by injury, losing star running back/defensive back for the season with a knee injury. Prediction: Putnam City 24, Putnam City West 22.
Yukon at Mustang
Last season, `Air Mustang' opened the season with a 71-7 victory over its suburban Oklahoma City rivals. Mustang quarterback Josh West looks to follow in the footsteps of some statistically impressive signal-callers. Prediction: Mustang 42, Yukon 13.
Edmond North at Edmond Memorial
Memorial looks to be a sleeper led by quarterback Pete Towne. North's top player from last season, junior running back Anthony Morales, is now in the backfield at Memorial. This version of Ed-lam promises to be a classic. Prediction: Edmond Memorial 37, Edmond North 7.
Midwest City at Del City
Fifteen years ago, this Mid-Del rivalry was one of the most hotly-contested and highly-anticipated rivalry games on the slate. For Del City, quarterback Keno Edwards is one to watch. Prediction: Midwest City 34, Del City 21.
Bartlesville at Enid Enid might shake off the loss of Austin Box after all. The Plainsmen defeated highly-touted Westmoore in a scrimmage in the preseason. Prediction: Enid 21, Bartlesville 9.
OKC Southeast at OKC Grant
Grant has struggled in recent years with its last victory coming on Sept. 9, 2005 against Capitol Hill. Prediction: Southeast 26, Grant 12.
Tulsa Bishop Kelley at Tulsa Memorial
Bishop Kelley wide receiver Jack Dowdell hauled in five touchdowns last season is being courted by plenty of Division I schools. For Class 6A Memorial, Cody Gorman is another underrated talent. Prediction: Memorial 28, Bishop Kelley 21.
Tahlequah at Coweta
Tahlequah's two-year starter at quarterback, Trae Cook, transferred to Muskogee. Coweta running back Matt Kilgore posted a quiet 1,375 yards last season. Prediction: Coweta 41, Tahlequah 25.
Class 5A
THURSDAY
OKC Northeast at OKC Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill won one game in each of the past two seasons, while Northeast has a new coach and a new attitude. Prediction: Northeast 31, Capitol Hill 6.
Elk City at Woodward
Class 4A Elk City look to get an impressive road win early on. Elk City running back Andrew Pena is one to watch. Prediction: Elk City 24, Woodward 10.
Oologah at Claremore
The Zebras of Claremore will attempt to give their final season in Class 5A off to a winning start. Brett Swindell, Oologah's horse in the backfield, will have other ideas. Prediction: Oologah 28, Claremore 20.
FRIDAY
Broken Bow at Chickasha
Chickasha made a playoff run behind the arm of Wyatt Kinnamon last season, while Broken Bow, as always, will threaten in Class 4A. Prediction: Broken Bow 27, Chickasha 24.
Catoosa at Grove
Catoosa will attempt to tenatively derail Grove's momentum from last season where the RidgeRunners found themselves in the Class 4A title game. Grove's R.J. Bartley has large-school talent. Prediction: Grove 34, Catoosa 12.
Noble at Duncan
Duncan has two-way threat Trent Wilkins back after injury. The Tulsa commit could be one of the best-kept secrets at quarterback in the state. Prediction: Duncan 30, Noble 17.
Vernon (TX) at Altus
The Bulldogs have another solid quarterback in Blake Stepanovich. Vernon are traditionally a force in Texas in Class 3A. Prediction: Vernon 35, Altus 21.
El Reno at Western Heights
El Reno linebacker Dylan Hughey is one of the top players in the state. Western Heights will look to earn respectability in the District 5A-1 race this season. Prediction: El Reno 31, Western Heights 8.
McLoud at Harrah
McLoud, a Class 4A threat, has running back Cody Phipps and tight end Billy Compau. Harrah's Levi Queen will attempt to neutralize the dual threat. Prediction: McLoud 28, Harrah 24.
Durant at Idabel
Remember the name Bo White. The Durant quarterback had 1,300 total yards in just five games last season. Idabel linebacker Shamichael Murray is one who could slow him down. Prediction: Durant 34, Idabel 31.
McAlester at Okmulgee
McAlester's do-it-all quarterback Justin Klusak has been slowed by a shoulder injury in the preseason. Shouldn't make much difference as the Buffaloes quarterback is one of the best around. Prediction: McAlester 35, Okmulgee 12.
Hilldale at Skiatook
Skiatook defensive lineman Josiah Cody recorded 15 quarterback sacks in 2006 and will look to get off to a quick start in 2007. Hilldale defensive lineman Zach Wallace is another one to watch. Prediction: Hilldale 15, Skiatook 14.
Tulsa Central at Tulsa McLain
Junior two-way threat Shawn Jackson from McLain could be one of the most highly-recruited players in the state next year. Prediction: El Reno 31, Western Heights 8.
Tulsa Edison at OKC John Marshall
Poor John Marshall. When the OSSAA released the latest classifications, John Marshall was in Class 2A. Too bad they have to wait until basketball to make the drop. Prediction: Tulsa Edison 55, John Marshall 6.
Tulsa Rogers at Tulsa Hale
Tulsa Hale running back Kenny King, inexplicably, has been off the radar after rushing for over 1,500 yards last season. Prediction: Hale 33, Rogers 7.
Northwest Classen at Douglass
Two programs on the upswing. Douglass won the All-City preview and are loaded at the skill positions. For Northwest, its defense could be one of the best around. If Northwest's offense can get rolling, Class 5A should watch out. Prediction: Douglass 14, Northwest Classen 6.