Previewing Friday’s state championship games
CLASS 3A
No. 3 John Marshall (13-1) vs. No. 4 Beggs (13-1) When: 7 p.m., Friday Where: Stillwater High School, 1224 N. Husband St. Online: www.nfhsnetwork.com Players to watch: John Marshall — Devonte Lee, RB. It’s tough to find a more entertaining player in the state. Lee, a senior committed to Nevada, is a dynamic runner who punishes tacklers. Last week, he crossed the 2,000-yard mark in his return from a hamstring injury. How he goes is how the Bears go.
Beggs — Dalton Spring, QB. Spring burst onto the scene last week with a playoff-record 581 passing yards. A 6-foot-4, 225-pound junior, he presents a tough challenge as part of a run-heavy offense. He can make nearly every throw, a problem for any opponent. Storylines: John Marshall — The Bears last won a state championship in 1995 — as a Class 5A team. Times were rough for years afterward, with losses mounting more and more. But things have turned around under
Rashaun Woods. The Bears have depth and talent. They’ve been able to wear down opponents with Lee and Trey Eason running behind a big offensive line.
Beggs — Beggs’ last title came in 1975, and for a small community north of Okmulgee the wait has been agonizing. The Demons have a talented offense with a ton of speed. They’ll need to have more of a run game than last week in this one, even if it’s just to keep Lee on the sideline a little longer.
The pick: John Marshall 35, Beggs 28