By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
War - a: a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism; b: a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end.
Batten down the hatches.
War in Moore, Okla. happens once a year, usually to kick off the high school football season. The Oklahoma City suburb of 47,000 and their version of war is called The Moore War, quite possibly the largest rivalry of its kind in the state and arguably the nation.
Its two opposing forces are Moore and Westmoore, both of the Moore Public School system. The 2007 battle is Moore War XX and will be the last true Moore War with a third school, Southmoore, opening its doors in August 2008.
Its battleground is Moore High School stadium, a stadium both Moore and Westmoore call home. Over 30,000 fans will overcrowd the stadium to witness this version of war.
In 2006, the Moore War was a classic. Westmoore entered the contest heavily-favored, but as the clich‚' goes, when these two lock heads, you can throw the records out the window.
With the two opposing forces tied at 21 after regulation, a lightning storm attempted to sour the epic encounter. Not even Mother Nature could derail a riveting finish. After a 40-minute delay, Westmoore scored immediately into overtime, taking a 28-21 advantage. Although the Lions had their backs against the wall, they responded with six points of their own.
Moore lined up to kick the game-tying point after, but shocked the crowd of 25,000 that waited out the delay with a fake. Quarterback Billy Balek found running back Jared Jackson uncovered in the end zone, but the drenched pigskin agonizingly slipped through Jackson's fingertips. Westmoore won 28-27 en route to an unblemished regular season, while Moore finished the season with a 3-7 record. The victory last season gave Westmoore its sixth consecutive victory over its bitter rival.
Moore and Southmoore will occupy District 6A-1 in 2008 and 2008. Westmoore will remain in 6A-2 along with Norman and Midwest City, to name a few.
This one promises to be another classic.
2007 Moore War Preview
Moore Lions (3-7)
Head Coach: Billy Bays
Top talents: QB Billy Balek, RB Jared Jackson, WR Phillip Hershel, LB Trevor Davis
Keys for Moore: On paper, there is quite a distance between the two programs. What is on paper when these two locks heads is just that.
The Lions will have one of the top offenses in the state if Balek improves his completion percentage (47.1 in 2006) and cuts down on his interceptions (16 in 2006). Despite the three win campaign in 2006, Moore put up 322.5 yards per game of offense.
For the Lions, the offensive line holds the key to their success. With Westmoore's Joey Fowler suspended, that's one less thing for Moore to worry about.
If Balek gets ample time to find wide receiver Phillip Hershel, who had five touchdown receptions in 2006, it could pave the way for Jackson to get rolling on the ground. Jackson rushed for 878 yards and 17 touchdowns last season for Moore. Jackson is also a threat in the passing game out of the backfield. In 2006, three of his 13 receptions went for touchdowns.
Defensively, Moore has to improve. In 2006, the Lions gave up 340 yards per game. A word in their defense, they faced a brutal schedule that included Westmoore, Norman, and Midwest City in non-district action. Within their district, it was Mustang, Putnam City North, Lawton, Edmond Santa Fe, and Norman North.
A 28-25 victory over Lawton last season was a step in the right direction, and shows what kind of potential the Lions have.
Westmoore Jaguars (11-1)
Head Coach: Mike Whaley
Top talents: QB/DB Tracey Norwood, RB Craig Ralls, LB Josh Jordan, DE Joey Fowler (Fowler is suspended for the Moore game)
Keys for Westmoore: The key for the Jaguars to put pressure on Balek. It will not be as easy as once thought now that Fowler is suspended. Linebacker Josh Jordan recorded 112 tackles last season to lead a defense that posted four shutouts.
Tracey Norwood was one of the top defensive backs in Class 6A last season with 58 tackles and four interceptions. Just how much of a factor he will be on opening night defensively is a mystery. Norwood, regarded as one of the best all-around athletes in the state, moves to quarterback this season.
Westmoore's running game by committee is also valuable to its success. Last season, Craig Ralls and Willie Taylor were solid, combining for 818 yards and nine rushing touchdowns. Along with Norwood, the Lions have three worries in the backfield.
The unsung hero of the offensive unit for Westmoore is Jo Jo Durham, a wide receiver. The Jaguars don't throw it much (118 passing attempts in 12 games in 2006), but when they do Durham will be the go-to guy.
Prediction: This is a good opportunity for Moore to get back into the playoff hunt with an upset win to open the season in the last true Moore War. Westmoore has a good chance to make another deep playoff run, rendering this game due to its non-district nature meaningless except for pride and bragging rights. Final Score: Moore 31, Westmoore 28.
Other Top Games
Kansas City (Mo) Rockhurst at Edmond Santa Fe (Thursday)
2007 for Edmond Santa Fe could turn into the Randy Ponder Show. A junior, Ponder exploded onto the scene toward the end of 2006, and he is a big-time prospect for the Wolves.
Don't let a 49-7 loss in a scrimmage to Jenks last Friday fool you, Santa Fe is a bona fide top ten team. Ponder managed to show flashes of his pending brilliance, hauling a 66-yard pass from quarterback Cord Pape for a touchdown.
The Hawklets had a disappointing campaign last season by their lofty standards, finishing with a 6-3 record. Drew Temple, whose older brother Tony is the starting back at Missouri, leads the way for Rockhurst. Linebacker Cornell Ellis leads the Rockhurst defense. Ellis can fly for a linebacker, running a 4.48 40-yard dash. Prediction: Santa Fe 24, Rockhurst 21.
Norman North vs. Norman at Owen Field (Thursday)
Another territorial battle with serious implications takes place in another Oklahoma City suburb. Instead of playing its version of war in Norman High School Stadium, home to both Norman and Norman North, these teams get the chance to play at Owen Field in Norman, home to the Oklahoma Sooners.
The injury to Norman North junior quarterback Tyler Tettleton sent shockwaves into the Class 6A race, but the Timberwolves have plenty of firepower to make up for the loss. Running back Beau Blakenship, a junior, is set for a huge campaign.
Meanwhile for Norman, the Tigers are faced with plenty of questions in the season-opener thanks to the loss of quarterback Sam Tullius and all-everything Ryan Broyles. Prediction: Norman North 34, Norman 21.
Tulsa Union at Canton (Ohio) McKinley at Ohio vs. USA Challenge (Saturday)
Union has been given the overwhelming task of facing Canton McKinley on its home field as part of the Ohio vs. USA Challenge. Give Union some credit for not ducking anybody. Last season Union opened the campaign with Hoover (Ala.).
As for the Bulldogs, Detroit Pershing was no match in its season opener as McKinley rolled, 66-6.
Don't let Union's 7-4 record from last season fool you. Quarterback Brandon Rogers is due for a breakout campaign, while junior running back Jeremy Smith could be nationally touted in the Class of 2009. Safety Jonathan Ameen and linebacker Dylan Troutman lead the defense. For how good Jenks is, Union will not be far behind. The Redskins will get back to their winning ways on the road in impressive fashion. Prediction: Tulsa Union 28, Canton McKinley 24.
Kingfisher at Bishop McGuinness
Finally for Kingfisher, it can get back to football. Just two weeks ago the Yellow Jackets were supposed to be preparing for the upcoming season, instead they were, in many cases, fighting for their lives due to the remnants of Tropical Storm Erin. The rain caused catastrophic flooding in Kingfisher and put most of the town under water.
Kingfisher is led by defensive lineman Jakob Gaither, one of the top linemen in the entire state regardless of class. Last season, the Gaither-led Yellowjackets played McGuinness tough, falling 17-6 at home.
McGuinness is attempting to reload for a run at its second straight 4A State Championship, and has plenty of pieces to follow through, led by running back Kris Parham, linebacker Joey DeGuisti, and junior Gabe Ikard. A player to keep a serious eye on for the Fighting Irish is junior quarterback Ryan Randolph. The Fighting Irish have one of the least talked about kickers in the state in Cameron Bryan. Last season in the state playoffs, Bryan kicked an extra point out of the Sapulpa High School Stadium. Prediction: Bishop McGuinness 20, Kingfisher 10.
Lawton MacArthur at Springdale (Ark.) Har-Ber
In 2006, a 22-21 MacArthur loss to Har-Ber was part of a three-game slide to start the season. MacArthur recovered in a tougher than expected District 5A-1 slate en route to a run to the state final, where it lost 14-10 to Carl Albert.
Plenty of pieces are in place for the Highlanders to make another run deep into the playoffs, led by quarterback Austin Giles, running back Dominic Whaley, and two-way threat Neicko Williams.
In a scrimmage at Tulsa Union last week, Har-Ber defeated Class 6A Sapulpa handily, 35-14. In a 28-point second quarter, Josh Fohner accounted for two touchdowns including a 49-yard run and a 24-yard reception. Prediction: MacArthur 24, Springdale Har-Ber 21.
Booker T. Washington at Carl Albert
Booker T. Washington defeated Carl Albert in the 2006 season-opener to hand the Titans their only loss. Washington is widely considered to be one of the best teams in Class 6A, while Carl Albert are the favorites to repeat in 5A.
Booker T. Washington is looking for a running back to replace Michael Harris, who went over 2,000 yards last season in 11 games. Offensive lineman John Williams will help pave the way for the replacement of Harris.
As for the Titans, they remember the 38-35 loss to open the 2006 season. The legend is building for junior running back David Oku, while linebacker Joe Stoner, defensive lineman Pierre Alexander, and safety Daytawion Lowe expect to dominate for Carl Albert. Prediction: Carl Albert 35, BTW 21.
Guthrie at Shawnee
Oklahoma State commit Kye Staley is ready to move Guthrie into the 5A title equation, but Shawnee safety Forrest Reed might have other ideas. Shawnee quarterback Tucker Brown is not eligible to play in the opener after having participated in two games last season. He will be back for the final non-district tilt, Sept. 14 at home against Rogers, Ark. If Brown was involved with this one, Shawnee would have a better chance. He's that good. Prediction: Guthrie 45, Shawnee 14.
Ardmore at Ada
Two traditional 5A powers will lock heads to open their campaign in Ada. The hosts will rely on quarterback Michael Roberts and defensive backs Steffan Jones and Colton Richardson in order to get back into the Class 5A title equation for the state's winningest program. Ardmore lose two Division I talents, but return wide receiver Shannon St. Clair, defensive back Mantral Washington, and offensive lineman Mike Reed for 2007. Prediction: Ada 27, Ardmore 14.
Lawton Eisenhower vs. Lawton
Two of Oklahomans top standouts will battle at the newly-installed Cameron University Stadium field turf. Lawton quarterback Cornelius Douglas and Eisenhower's Harrison Jeffers promise to break in the new surface with plenty of offense. Prediction: Lawton Ike 31, Lawton 28.
Weatherford at Clinton
Traditionally one of the biggest rivalry games in the state, the 2007 version of Weatherford-Clinton promises to be a dandy. Only 15 miles on Interstate-40 separates the two schools. Clinton enters the 2007 season as nearly the unanimous favorite to win the gold ball in Class 3A, while Weatherford will look to shake off a first round playoff upset by McLoud. Prediction: Clinton 33, Weatherford 13.
Scott Hansen: maxprepsok@sbcglobal.net
