FOUR DOWNS: WEEK 13 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
High school football playoffs continued across the state Friday, and the final rounds are approaching. Here are some key storylines after Week 13:
Standout performance: Palmer boosts Blanchard in return from injury
Before the state semifinals, Reagan Palmer hadn't played much football during his senior year.
The Blanchard receiver/defensive back spent limited time on the field after fracturing his collarbone early in the season.
But he made the most of his full return.
Although Blanchard fell behind early against Poteau, Palmer's kick return touchdown gave the Lions a lead they wouldn't surrender in their 26-14 state semifinal victory. Blanchard is heading to the Class 4A finals for the first time since 2013, preparing for a matchup with reigning champion Wagoner. To shatter Poteau's undefeated record, the Lions held the Pirates to their lowest score of the season, and Palmer played a key role in the defensive effort with an interception.
“In one of his first games that he's really back, for him to contribute like that was huge,” said Blanchard coach Jeff Craig.
Poteau had a quick start, crossing the goal line on the second play of the game. The Lions answered with a touchdown but missed the PAT, so Poteau held onto a 7-6 lead until Palmer changed the game after halftime. Junior receiver/defensive back Brayson Carter also made a major impact on offense and defense, but a singular star didn't have to carry the team. “Like we did in the weeks before, we spread the wealth on offense,” Craig said. “One guy here and one guy there made a big play, and there wasn't any big stat guys.”
Best rivalry: Jenks slips past Tulsa Union to reach 6A-I finals
A state semifinal matchup between two Tulsa-area powerhouses was bound to be a thriller, and an unexpected element added a little more drama.
In the third quarter, the lights at Sand Springs' Charles Page Memorial Stadium went out as Union was preparing to attempt a field goal. The game paused on that cliffhanger for about 10-15 minutes, but the lights eventually returned.
Jenks found a new spark, too. With a 33-27 comeback, the Trojans punched their ticket to the Class 6A-I state finals, where they will meet undefeated Bixby.
Union made the field goal when the lights came back, and Jenks trailed 27-25 heading into the final minute. But sophomore running back Kaydin “KD” Jones bolted 27 yards for the winning touchdown with 35 seconds left.
Jones finished with 141 rushing yards and 30 receiving yards for three total touchdowns.
“It's hard to put into words,” Jenks coach Keith Riggs said of Jones' performance. “He had an outstanding game. Union did a great job of bottling him up early in the game and really shut down our running game early, but we kept at it, and our o-line started opening up some holes for KD. He had two phenomenal runs in the fourth quarter for touchdowns.”
Jenks defeated Union 31-24 in the regular season, and the rematch initially looked as if it would go the other way. The Redhawks jumped to a 21-0 lead, but the Trojans rallied to keep their season alive.
“You don't ever practice being down 21-0,” Riggs said. “You do practice a lot dealing with adversity and how you respond to it, and our kids, they never got frustrated. They just kept going out and played the next play to our next ability, and we kind of got things turned around there in the second quarter and started climbing back in it.”
Best defense: Millwood holds Idabel to 7 points in quarterfinals
Week after week, Idabel posted huge scores to stay undefeated in Class 2A. Then the Warriors encountered Millwood.
The Falcons flew past Idabel, 34-7, to advance to the Class 2A state semifinals for the second straight year. Previously, the Warriors had exceeded 27 points in every game this season, including eight matchups with 40-plus points.
But Millwood's stout defense had given up 20 or fewer points every week except for the season opener against Heritage Hall. The Falcons shut out
Crossings Christian in the first round of playoffs, defeated Purcell 38-14 and maintained the dominance against Idabel. The Falcons allowed only 144 yards of offense and forced three turnovers.
“We had to test (Idabel),” Millwood coach Darwin Franklin said. “We hit them in the mouth and see how they responded and see what kind of ball game it was going to be.”
For three quarters, it was a shutout. Idabel didn't score until the fourth, and by that point, Millwood already had control. Defensive leader Cameron Carter also boosted the offense with two touchdowns on six carries. Xzavier Thompson tallied two receptions for 78 yards, Jaden Nickens added five for 61, and Lemar Davis had 17 carries for 97 yards.
Next, Millwood faces another undefeated team with a high-powered offense in Kiefer. It's a tall task, but the Falcons are focused on peaking at the right time.
“We just had to get to the place to where we were being consistent in just preparing and doing what we need to,” Franklin said. “So the fact that we're still in it, the fact that we're still playing, alludes to (the fact that) there must some validity and some value to the things that we're doing.”
Extra points
❚ Jett Turner rushed for 141 yards and three touchdowns as Bixby stormed past Owasso, 56-14, to advance to the state finals. The Spartans are striving to go back-to-back in Class 6A-I.
❚ Junior quarterback Jamarian Ficklin had a stellar game as Muskogee slipped past Deer Creek, 36-35, to reach the Class 6A-II finals. He not only threw for 250 yards and a touchdown, but also rushed for 175 yards and four scores.
❚ Major Cantrell had another efficient night for Washington as the Warriors rolled past Vian, 47-14, in the state quarterfinals. He completed 10 of 13 pass attempts for 202 yards and three touchdowns.
❚ Jones amassed 538 yards of offense in a 58-30 state quarterfinal win over Tulsa Victory Christian. Clayton Creasey had a prolific passing game with 382 yards and four touchdowns. The Longhorns will meet Washington in the Class 2A semifinals.