Mac, Elgin preparing for Friday showdown

Slowly the playoff contenders across Southwest Oklahoma are starting to step forward heading into the final two weeks of the season.

MacArthur was right back in form Thursday as the Highlanders routed El Reno, 46-7, just a week after Midwest City had beaten Mac, 42-7, to throw the standings into a brief moment of doubt.

Now the District 5A-1 race is becoming clearer and a great deal will be decided Friday when Elgin hosts MacArthur. The Owls are 5-0 in district and 8-0 overall while Mac is 4-1 and tied with Midwest City in second after the Bombers routed Ardmore Thursday.

Elgin got another fast start, getting a 79-yard touchdown pass from Tres Lorah to Treyvon Crabtree with 9:47 left in the first quarter. Gabe Dittmeyer added the first of six PAT kicks and the Owls were off and running.

Just over two minutes later Matthew Lund broke free on a 27-yard TD runs and then at the 5:27 mark oif the first quarter Ritson Meyer was standing in the end zone after a 13-yard TD run.

Duncan was able to avoid the shutout on the first play of the second quarter when speedster Sawyer Rice scored from two yards out and Alex Delgado kicked the PAT.

But the Owls responded quickly as Lorah hit Michael Adesola for a 39-yard TD toss at the 11:42 mark of the second quarter, just 14 seconds after the Duncan score.

Elgin followed with short TD runs by Lund and Meyer to take full command entering halftime. The Elgin reserves got the second-half snaps and the only points came on a 30-yard interception return by Kason Meyer.

While all eyes in the Lawton area will be focused on the Mac-Elgin game Friday, down the line in District 5A-1 are Noble and El Reno who are both 3-2 and fighting for the final playoff spot in that district. Duncan and Altus will miss the playoffs

Another district that got some clarification was A-2 where Apache edged Walters, 28-24, in a wild battle at Elmer Graham Stadium. Apache will host Empire this week and the Warriors can wrap up the district title with a victory. Empire had a tougher time with Carnegie, holding on for a 14-8 victory to move into position to join Apache and Walters in the playoffs after the final district games are completed.

Lawton High School had little ability to score in dropping a 58-6 loss to Choctaw which continues to flex its muscle in Class 6A(II). Lawton High has games remaining with Capitol Hill and Putnam City North and by winning one of those games the Wolverines could make the playoffs since six teams in each of those 6A(II) districts will advance.

Eisenhower, which was enjoying an open date last week, the Eagles close the season with games against No. 2 Guthrie and OC Southeast and the path to the playoffs for the Eagles is not any easy one as they must beat Guthrie to advance to the second season.

The other Lawton-area big school team is Cache and the Bulldogs are still in the playoff picture in Class 4A after a 49-8 win over John Marshall. Cache hosts Clinton Friday and then closes at Chickasha on Nov. 3. The Bulldogs are definitely improving each week but Clinton is leading the district and can clinch the title with a win over the Bulldogs.

Cache used a pair of short TD runs from Jaja Thomas to build an early lead over the Bears and Nicholas Robinson returned an interception deep in JM territory and quarterback Tyler Harbin ran it in fir the score from nine yards out as the Bulldogs took early command, 23-0.

Here is a look at the other area teams and how their district standings are looking with two weeks remaining in the regular season.

Class 3A

Marlow wound up on the short end of a 14-12 score against Sulphur and will now have to see what happens Friday when Sulphur visits No. 1-ranked Heritage Hall in a battle of 5-0 clubs to decide the district title.

The toughest part for the Outlaws is they have to meet Plainview this week and Heritage Hall in the season finale.

There are some crazy scenarios in that district (3A-2) and some of those could have the Outlaws finishing anywhere from first to missing the playoffs all together.

The area’s other Class 3A team—Anadarko—could ztill reach the playoffs but it would need to beat Metro Christian and Kingfisher, strong clubs eager to make the playoffs.

Class 2A

Frederick kept its playoff hopes alive with a 57-12 win over Crooked Oak Friday.

The Bombers close the district season with games against Lindsay and Community Christian, two teams fighting for a playoff berth in District 2A-3.

Comanche has the unenbvieable task of facing the top two teams in the standings, Washington and Purcell, over the final two weeks of the season.

Class B

Cyril decked Alex, 64-36, Friday and still has its sights set on a playoff berth.

Central High won’t makes the playoffs but the Bronchos would love to get a district win over the final two weeks of the season but that will be a mighty tough chore since Velma-Alma and Wilson are their final two opponents are both are fight for the district title.

Class C

Tipton put the wraps on another district title, rolling over Mt. View-Gotebo, 60-14, Friday to seal the package and await for the pairings to come out.

Mt. View-Gotebo will be in the playoff field again but the Tigers still have games remaining against Geary and Grandfield, two teams fighting to make the playoffs as well.