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A matchup of Class 6A-II powers — No. 3 Midwest City and No. 4 Putnam North — is The Oklahoman's top football game of the week
The playoffs are creeping closer.
There are only three weeks left of the regular season, and the playoff picture is slowly coming into shape. Some teams have already clinched spots while others are a win away.
Here are The Oklahoman's top 10 games of Week 8:
1. Class 6A-II No. 3 Midwest City (5-1, 3-0) at No. 4 Putnam North (6-0, 3-0): Putnam North's transition to Class 6A-II has been flawless, with the Panthers staying undefeated through their first six games. But they face a tough test against a Midwest City team that's finding its groove on both sides of the ball. Two sophomore quarterbacks will be on display, with Putnam North's Carson Laverty battling Midwest City's DeAngelo Irvin Jr..
2. Class 2A No. 5 Millwood (4-1, 3-0) at No. 1 Jones (6-1, 4-0): Millwood sophomore Rickey Hunt Jr. has excelled since moving to quarterback, but he will face a challenge against Jones, which only loss came against the defending Class 3A state champions. Jones junior quarterback Carson May will look to build on his great season.
3. Class 6A-I No. 3 Broken Arrow (4-2, 2-1) at No. 5 Edmond Santa Fe (4-2, 3-0): Broken Arrow is coming off a last-second victory at Yukon and will again trek down the turnpike to take on an Edmond Santa Fe team that has looked stellar in district play. Running backs Maurion Horn and Ethane Hyche will look to steal the spotlight.
4. Class 3A No. 8 Anadarko (6-1, 2-0) at No. 2 Heritage Hall (5-1, 3-0), Saturday: Anadarko's return to Class 3A has gone tremendous, with the Warriors eyeing a district title. Standing in their way is perennial title contender Heritage Hall, which will rely on its defense to stop Anadarko's rushing attack.
5. Class 5A No. 6 Piedmont (3-2, 1-1) at No. 4 McGuinness (4-2, 2-1): Look for these two teams to try and make a statement running the ball, with Piedmont using its flexbone offense to control the clock while McGuinness will hope senior quarterback Luke Tarman can lead them to another victory.
6. Class 4A No. 10 Bristow (4-3, 3-1) at No. 4 Skiatook (4-1, 2-0): Skiatook is in the middle of a three games in nine day stretch, playing Thursday against Grove, Monday against Cleveland and Friday against Bristow. So the road team will be looking for an upset with a rest advantage.
7. Class 4A No. 7 Sallisaw (3-2, 3-1) at No. 6 Hilldale (6-1, 3-1): The foes are two of three teams (Fort Gibson) sitting at 3-1 in district play in District 4A-4. The winner will essentially clinch a playoff spot and have an upper hand at hosting a first-round playoff game.
8. Class 5A Shawnee (4-2, 4-1) at No. 5 Coweta (6-1, 4-0): Shawnee has been stellar in district play since opening with a loss against McAlester but will be tested to finish the year, starting with a Coweta team that's only loss came against Class 4A top-ranked Wagoner.
9. Class 6A-II No. 8 Sand Springs (4-3, 2-2) at No. 5 Choctaw (4-3, 3-1): With a win, Choctaw could clinch a playoff spot in the east Class 6A-II district, yet Sand Springs will look to upset the Yellowjackets and get closer to a playoff berth itself.
10. Class 6A-I No. 6 Yukon (4-3, 2-2) at No. 2 Jenks (4-1, 2-0): Yukon nearly pulled an upset against Broken Arrow last week and will look to do the same against Jenks, but the Millers will have to find a way to slow down senior standout Jayden Patrick. *-All games Friday unless noted