Numerous city, area teams near playoff clinchers

MacArthur took a big step toward another district title by going on the road Thursday and beating Midwest City, 36-28, but the Highlanders have another big game this week as Newcastle comes to Cameron Stadium.

The Highlanders are 3-0 in District 5A-1 and 6-1 overall while Newcastle comes to Lawton with a 3-0 district record as well but the Racers are 4-3 on the season. Mac’s only loss was a 28-7 setback against Elgin in the season opener but since that game the Highlanders have been on a roll, using a host of good backs and a strong offensive line to push opponents around.

But the Racers can’t be overlooked as their losses have come against 6A Bartlesville, Class 4A power Tuttle, a tough 14-10 loss to 4A’s Blanchard and a 56-14 setback against Elgin. While it is never wise to use comparative scores to determine strength of teams, it appears that both Mac and Newcastle have played good non-district opponents and that’s why both are unbeaten in district action.

That matchup Friday will bring out a huge crowd and there should be some fireworks on both sides of the ball as both teams have good offensive units.

Week 8 actually begins Thursday as Eisenhower hosts Northwest Classen at Cameron Stadium. Ike held out several of its top players Friday against Piedmont, most notably Serrie Sheridan, the Eagles’ explosive wide receiver. We spotted Sheridan spending time on the field before the game and while he didn’t appear to be limping, it was a good idea to save him for these final three district games.

If the Eagles can beat Northwest Classen this week and U.S. Grant on Week 10, Ike would be in the field for the 6AII playoffs since the top six teams in each district advance.

Lawton High hits the road Friday to face Carl Albert, Class 5A’s No. 1 team but the good news is that LHS is now 4-0 in District 5A-2 and should be in the playoffs even with a pair of tough games remaining against Carl Albert and Guthrie.

In Class 3A Anadarko hosts Plainview Friday in another important game for Kent Jackson’s Warriors. Plainview is going to be a challenge for the Warriors after it was able to take No. 1-ranked Heritage Hall to overtime last week before falling, 28-21. The Warriors will close the district season on Nov. 1 at Kingfisher and that could be an important game if Anadarko wants to host a first-round playoff contest.

The biggest game in Class 2A has Dickson coming to Marlow to face the Outlaws in a game that should determine the runner-up in District 2AII-2. Marlow pushed Washington to the end last week before losing a 35-28 heartbreaker. If the Outlaws can take care of business this week they would have Marietta and Little Axe in the final two weeks of the season and with the Outlaws’ defense playing well, those games should be ones Marlow can win.

Walters is pushing hard to finish strong and earn the runner-up spot in District AI-2 but Faron Griffin’s club will need a win at home Friday against Stratford to keep those hopes on track. The final two games for the Blue Devils will be at Frederick and home against Wynnewood on Nov. 8.

In Class AII, Apache remains as the top area playoff threat behind Mangum which has been impressive this season with a 4-0 district mark and a 7-0 overall record. Apache, Thomas and Texhoma are all 3-1 in district but the Warriors end the season facing Mooreland (1-2), Cordell (0-4) and Texhoma. Apache has a head-to-head win over Thomas and Texhoma must face Mangum this week which could shake up those standings.

In eight-man action, the biggest game in Class B has unbeaten Empire making the trip to Hollis in a battle for the district lead.

In Class C, Tipton continues to lead the pack with a 4-0 district mark and 7-0 overall. The Tigers will visit Grandfield this week and then face Geary in the last game of the regular season.