Area schedule includes interesting games

Several rivalry games dot this week’s high school football schedule, however, the toughest challenge for any team will be Eisenhower which hosts mighty Carl Albert Thursday at Cameron Stadium.

The Titans have won back-to-back Class 5A state titles and seem loaded for another title drive with a host of talented players on both sides of the ball. The Titans had little trouble with Midwest City last week, dropping a 49-0 pounding on the Bombers.

After six quarters of football the Eagles seemed to be ready for a good start but after holding off Lawton High in the opener, 35-28, and leading MacArthur at halftime last week they looked pretty sound. However, in the second half MacArthur’s offensive line took over the game allowing runningback Marquis Harris to have a big night with nearly 250 yards rushing as the Highlanders earned a 57-20 victory, their 15th straight over the Eagles.

Now the Titans come to town with their impressive resume and it will be homecoming for several members of the Carl Albert coaching staff. Former Lawton High player and head coach Clarence Madden is the Titans’ offensive line coach and his son-in-laws John Herbert (defensive coordinator) and Ryan Whiteley (receivers coach) are also on the staff. And former Altus and Cameron University quarterback Boone Copeland, who was head coach at Ike for a time, is also on the CA staff.

The Eagles are going to have to play a clean game on both sides of the ball to make this contest interesting but few teams in the last several years have been able to do just that: Carl Albert 36, EISENHOWER 14.

While we follow our policy of not picking teams featuring two of the five Comanche County teams, Friday’s schedule includes MacArthur facing Lawton High School will probably be interesting if the Wolverines can find a way to move the football with some consistency. They struggled doing that against Enid last week, allowing big gainers for Plainsman runningback Blake Fuksa time-after-time.

That spells trouble for the Wolverines after seeing how well MacArthur moved the ball on the ground last week against Ike.

Here are the remainder of this week’s picks and remember, home teams are listed in all-capital letters:

Friday’s games

Anadarko 28, CHICKASHA 14—The Warriors showed they could move the football last week, routing Bridge Creek, 42-18. But this is a top rivalry game and you can bet the Chicks are not going to want to lose at home.

Guthrie 22, DUNCAN 21—Not sure what type of resume Guthrie will bring to Halliburton Stadium Friday but that bunch has sure been physical in recent seasons. This could go either way.

Cache 17, ALTUS 14—Not sure about either of these teams atpresent after both lost last week. Yours truly did see the Bulldogs in person and they have some potential but a couple of breakdowns on defense allowed Duncan quarterback Sawyer Rice to burn them and help the Demons grab a 20-14 victory.

Childress (Texas) 21, FREDERICK 20—The Bombers lost a lopsided game at Wellington, Texas, last week so the verdict is still out on their chances for a winning season.

KINGSTON 32, Comanche 14—Kingston is hosting this game and while it didn’t win last week, it did play well in losing to Fairview, 35-28, which is always fielding a good team.

APACHE 28, Minco 14—Warriors may not have Dom Scott but they have Houston Herrin and numerous other players with a wealth of experience.

CARNEGIE 20, Sayre 18—Wildcats seem to have the better offense but they will need to be good on defense to pull out the win.

Walters 28, VELMA-ALMA 27—Another good Class A matchup but the difference will be B.J. Palmer who had a huge game for the Blue Devils last week.

Cyril 32, EMPIRE 28—Could be the best matchup of the week but this writer got burned by going against the Pirates once so we’re going to go with them until something changes.

CENTRAL HIGH 2, Fox 0—It looks like the Foxes forfeited last week so this game may not even be played but if it is played the Bronchos will win.

Grandfield 27, SNYDER 12—Bearcats seem to be stronger under Rick Challenburg but the book remains out until both have a few more games under their belts.

TIPTON 36, Hollis 14—Tipton is still the best area eight-man program and while Hollis might make this interesting, playing at Don Royal Stadium is never easy.

Last week’s record: 11-3, 78.5 percent. Season: 16-8, 66.7 percent.