Scribe sees LHS, Elgin getting home wins

Crunch time has arrived for several area football teams and one team with a big opportunity Friday is Lawton High School which can clinch a Class 5A playoff berth with a win over Altus at Cameron Stadium.

The Wolverines are 4-1 in District 5A-2 which is good for third at present behind Carl Albert and Guthrie which also meet Friday for the district crown. Altus is locked in a battle for fourth with Noble and El Reno, all at 2-3. If the Wolverines can knock off the Bulldogs they will clinch third which will make their first playoff test a bit easer.

The importance of this game for the Wolverines comes from the fact they face powerful Guthrie next week in the regular-season finale and Coach Lorenzo Williams and his team would love to have third clinched instead of having to fight for survival with the other challengers down the line.

Also Friday, Elgin can put the wraps on the District 4A-1 title when Clinton comes to the Owls Nest for a key matchup that features one of the state’s best backs in back Zaedon Collins, a big, physical runner with sprinter speed. Stopping him will be a stern test for the Owls who have given up little on the ground this season.

Walters can take another step closer to the playoff when the Blue Devils visit the famed Bomber Bowl in Frederick, one of the legendary WPA stadiums still being used in Oklahoma. Walters beat a strong Stratford club last week to get to 4-1 and into a tie for second with Wynnewood which the Blue Devils face next week. Christian Heritage seems to have the title in its grasp but must beat a good Minco club this week to make it official.

With all that being said, let’s get on to this week’s picks and remember, home teams are listed in all-capital letters:

Thursday’s game

Duncan 36, CLASSEN SAS 13—Expect the Demons to have little trouble in this game as Sawyer Rice should be able to break some big runs against the Classen defense.

Friday’s games

CHOCTAW 32, Eisenhower 14—Yellowjackets just have too many weapons for the Eagles to contend with this week.

LAWTON HIGH 27, Altus 21—The Wolverines can clinch a playoff berth with a win and while the Bulldogs are getting better, LHS still seems to have the edge.

MacArthur 42, OC SOUTHEAST 6—The Highlanders are mighty angry after letting a big win slip away last week and that spells trouble for Southeast.

CACHE 28, OC Douglass 14—This would be a good win for the Bulldogs who have been struggling with consistency on offense and the Trojans aren’t the power they once were in Oklahoma.

ELGIN 36, Clinton 20—The Owls had better be solid tacklers this week because Zaedon Collins is a big, physical back with 4.5 speed in the 40. Best way to beat Clinton is keep the ball on offense and the Owls can do that with the best.

KINGFISHER 22, Anadarko 14—The Warriors got off to a good start but this is not an easy 3A district and the Yellowjackets are tough at home.

Marlow 42, MARIETTA 6—Outlaws can wrap up second with a win and that should happen since Marietta is 0-5 in district and 1-7 overall.

Walters 36, FREDERICK 7—Walters had a strong effort last week against Stratford and the Blue Devils have enough talent to score often against the Bombers.

Community Christian 21, COMANCHE 8—Not sure about this pick but when in doubt go with the home team.

APACHE 27, Cordell 12—Warriors haven’t had trouble scoring but its defense has given up some big plays but they should dominate in this one.

TEXHOMA 32, Carnegie 19—The road trip and Texhoma’s defense should decide this game.

EMPIRE 42, Central High 6—Bulldogs are smarting after the loss at Hollis and the Bronchos will get more than they can handle in this rivalry battle.

CYRIL 28, Strother 6—Pirates should be able to handle this assignment and if they do they could still find their way to the Class B playoffs

CORN BIBLE 22, Grandfield 6—Going to Corn Bible is never an easy assignment and the Bearcats are better but we don’t see an upset here.

RYAN 36, Mt. View-Gotebo 28—The Cowboys have shown the ability to score but both defenses have struggled at times.

BURNS FLAT 32, Snyder 21—Burns Flat seems to be the favorite but we aren’t sure about this pick.

TIPTON 45, Geary 14—Until the Tigers stumble we area going to ride that winning streak.

Last week: 14-5, 73.6 percent. Season: 105-33, 76.1 percent.