Local matchups spice season-opening week

It would be tough to find a better opening week of high school football than what we have this season with a pair of big-time matchups featuring four Lawton-area programs.

Tonight the spotlight will shine on the Elgin-MacArthur battle at Cameron Stadium and Friday old rivals Lawton High and Eisenhower will mix it up in their annual battle to start the road to the city championship. Both games are slated for 7 p.m. kickoffs.

While we don’t pick the scores for the intracity and matchups featuring Cache and Elgin against city foes or in the Battle of the Wichitas, we must discuss these two huge games.

Elgin has taken the last two wins over MacArthur and that doesn’t sit well with the Highlanders. Mac comes in with a talented run-pass quarterback in Aivan Locklin and he will provide a good test for the Elgin defense that includes numerous returning starters including Jace Williams and Shay Spencer up front and linebackers Ritson Meyer and Colyn Donnelly.

Mac’s offensive line may not get the publicity that the Owls’ group is getting with three NCAA Division I commits, however, the Highlanders have a group that plays well together and with Locklin, they don’t have to blow massive holes for him to find a seam.

Both teams are going to use the forward pass to try and open up the running game and it will be interesting which QB has the best start; Locklin or Elgin’s Tres Lorah. Lorah and the Owls got a stern test in a scrimmage that included Bethany and while Elgin did struggle to move the ball at times, you can bet that correcting the mistakes were the focus of Monday’s workout.

One of the keys defensively will be how both secondaries perform as those groups have been solid in drills and both coaches like what they’ve seen out of their back-line defenders.

While the kicking game is not featured in scrimmages, both teams are solid in that area with good kickers and punters. The return game is also going to be another key in tonight’s matchup and it will be interesting to see if either club can break a long return which would be a huge momentum boost.

This should be a dandy season opener and you can bet both sides of Cameron Stadium will be near capacity for this one.

Friday’s Lawton High-Eisenhower game may not have quite the hype of the Elgin-Mac battle but any time the Wolverines and Eagles meet there will be plenty of passion.

This writer expects that it won’t take first-year LHS coach Lorenzo Williams long to get pumped about the atmosphere that should be noticeable Friday. If you haven’t yet had a chance to meet Coach Williams, he’s all about bringing passion and excitement to the field. I’m sure Sonny Puletasi and the other LHS grads will have briefed the new coach about this rivalry and while the Eagles seem to be coming into the game as the favorites, be prepared for anything Friday.

And, don’t forget that Ike skipper Javon Harris also knows a good deal about motivation and passion and this group of Eagles seems to be the best team Harris has sent to the field in his first three seasons at the helm.

Running back Rashaud Hurts has returned from the knee surgery that decked him last season and he’s back in the old form he showed in the first three games last fall. Throw in speedster Serrie Sheridan and the Eagles may have the best 1-2 punch in Southwest Oklahoma. Sheridan had to take on several roles last year when Hurts went down and his explosiveness was fun to watch. Give Sheridan the ball and he’s going to make things happen.

Ike has worked hard to improve its offensive line andthat group has gained strength and size and if they can be consistent with their pass protection the Ike offense could be formidable. Quarterback Charlie Trachte has improved his arm strength and if the line can protect and open some holes, the offense could be the best Harris has put on the field since he took the Ike job.

Defensively both head coaches are defensive guys, so they both will put a great deal of focus on their defenses but the Eagles may be a bit further along heading into the opener.

And as always, this series is going to be interesting and expect a good crowd to show up to see just how these two stack up.

OK, now it’s time for our picks on the remained of the Week Zero schedule, which is much longer than in recent years. Remember, the home teams are listed in all-capital letters:

Thursday’s game

Empire 14, Canadian, Texas 13—Just a guess; not sure what either team returns.

Friday’s games

Altus 27, ARDMORE 14—Jeremy Reed convinced me at the Oklahoma Sports Network Media Day that his club is much improved.

DUNCAN 17, Bridge Creek 12—The Demons have some good players returning at key positions, including junior quarterback Sawyer Rice who has the skills that should make the offense more consistent this fall. Plus, playing at home should make a difference.

LONE GROVE 21, Anadarko 20—Warriors should be stronger this season but having to play at Lone Grove is going to make this a tough game to win for Anadarko.

Marlow 27, NORTH ROCK CREEK 7—The Outlaws are going to be a formidable opponent for the teams in Class 2A and North Rock Creek simply won’t have the weapons to stick with Marlow.

S&S Consolidated 32, COMANCHE 14—Don’t know much about this team from Sadler, Texas, however, while the Indians should be better this season and win some games, this won’t be one of those.

APACHE 35, Wilson 6—Warriors return seven starters on offense and defense including quarterback Houston Herrin. Herrin’s ability to execute the outside zone should be more than Wilson can handle.

Central High 32, Bray-Doyle 7—The Bronchos look to be improved and have a good chance to make the playoffs in BI.

MT. VIEW-GOTEBO 30, Cyril 20—Mt. View-Gotebo should have the talent to earn a playoff berth in Class C and the Pirates will challenge for a Class BII but for now the Tigers seem to have an edge and playing at home will be another factor in this Friday eight-man dandy.

GRANDFIELD 20, Paoli 19—The Bearcats look to be improved and while it may take some time for them to get rolling, for now the edge of playing at home is what we’re thinking will be the difference.

SEILING 42, Snyder 8—Seiling is always going to field a good team and having to make that long bus ride will be tough on the Cyclones.

FOX 26, Temple 8—Tigers are taking baby steps as they try to get the program moving in the right direction.