The Oklahoman’s top 10 games of Week 10

Several games with playoff implications will take place in high school football’s final week of the regular season.

The calendar turns to November on Thursday, which means high school football playoffs are around the corner.

A total of 22 district championships will be decided this week to close out the regular season. And plenty of other key games with huge playoff implications highlight the schedule.

It’s the biggest week of the season, and here is a look at The Oklahoman’s top 10 games of Week 10:

1. Class 5A No. 1 Carl Albert (9-0, 6-0) at No. 5 McGuinness (8-1, 6-0)

A rematch of the past two Class 5A state championship games, the District 5A-2 rivals again meet with the district up for grabs. But this has added drama being Week 10.

The Titans, who have won the past three matchups, have reloaded and have looked dominant on both sides of the ball. The Irish have a new head coach and they are picking up steam after a win at Guthrie.

And don’t overlook the matchup of star running backs. McGuinness junior Dominic Richardson wowed last week and is back to full strength. Carl Albert senior Dadrion Taylor missed time with a knee injury, but he’s also back to full strength.

2. Class 6A-II No. 1 Stillwater (9-0, 6-0) at No. 4 Del City (7-2, 5-1)

Stillwater is aiming for its first district championship since 1995. Del City can derail that with a win and Midwest City win over Putnam West that gains enough district points.

3. Class 2A No. 3 Sperry (9-0, 6-0) at No. 2 Beggs (8-1, 6-0)

The District 2A-3 title is on the line between two similar teams led by star quarterbacks. Sperry has scored 452 points behind Beau Teel and Beggs has scored 427 behind Dalton Spring. Both teams have allowed just 84 total points.

4. Class 3A No. 2 John Marshall (8-1, 5-1) at No. 5 Kingfisher (6-3, 5-1)

With no district championship possible, a home playoff game is up for grabs between two state title contenders. A win would be the difference in traveling to No. 6 Plainview or hosting the winner of Purcell and Marlow.

5. Class A No. 2 Cashion (9-0, 7-0) at No. 4 Minco (8-1, 6-1)

Cashion’s offense continued rolling last week, but faces a tough test in a stingy Minco defense. If Cashion wins, it’s the District A-3 champion, an accomplishment nearly worthy of a banner in the gymnasium. If Minco wins, points come into play.

6. Class 4A No. 5 Clinton (8-1, 6-0) at No. 9 Cache (8-1, 6-0)

Upstart Cache has not win a district championship since 1983, but to get that it will need to beat a perennial power with 38 district titles and 16 state championships seeking to prove its back after a rare non-playoff season.

7. Class 6A-I No. 7 Owasso (5-4, 4-2) at No. 5 Putnam North (8-1, 5-1)

Putnam North has been a surprise team this fall, and there’s no better way to cap a regular season than taking down the defending state champion and locking up a home playoff game.

8. Class 6A-I No. 4 Edmond Santa Fe (7-2, 4-2) at No. 8 Norman (5-4, 3-3)

The Wolves’ setback against Jenks was deflating, but a win over redhot Norman locks up third in the district. Norman’s easiest path to the playoff for the first time since 2012 is to win. Otherwise, the odds dramatically decrease.

9. Class 4A No. 10 Hilldale (8-1, 5-1) at No. 2 Poteau (9-0, 6-0)

The District 4A-4 title is on the line. Poteau has had one of the top defenses in Class 4A, which presents a tough task for Hilldale, a team looking to force a threeway tie that goes to points.

10. Class 3A Checotah (6-3, 4-2) at No. 7 Lincoln Christian (8-1, 5-1)

Want chaos? District 3A-3 could provide that. Lincoln Christian takes the title with a win. A Checotah win could force a five-way tie alongside Seminole, Stigler and Idabel. At that point, things get wild with points and head-to-head wins that sends one team to basketball season.

Note: All games Friday.