CLASS 4A FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW: BLANCHARD VS. WAGONER
Here's how Wagoner and Blanchard match up in the Class 4A football state title game.
No. 1 Wagoner Bulldogs (13-0) vs. No. 3 Blanchard Lions (12-1)
When: 7 p.m. Thursday
Where: University of Central Oklahoma's Chad Richison Stadium, 100 N. University Drive, Edmond
Live streaming: Available via the NFHS Network, requires a subscription
Tickets: $11.50 via GoFan mobile ticketing app or $13 cash at the gate
Coaches
Wagoner: Dale Condict (18th season) Blanchard: Jeff Craig (17th season)
How they got here
Wagoner: 57-7 against Broken Bow, 30-0 against Tuttle, 42-7 against Ada
Blanchard: 27-0 against Cache, 55-28 against Sallisaw, 26-14 against Poteau
All-time record: Blanchard leads series 1-0
Previous meeting: Blanchard beat Wagoner 23-14 in 2017 quarterfinals
State championship history
Wagoner: Six state titles in nine appearances, last appearance in 2022, last title in 2022
Blanchard: Two state titles in three appearances, last appearance in 2013, last title in 2012
Players to watch
Kale Charboneau, Jr., Wagoner: A quarterback and linebacker, Charboneau has completed 200 of 298 passes (67.1%) for 2,645 yards with 21 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also has 819 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. On defense, Charboneau has 104 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and four interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown.
Carson Cooksey, Sr., Blanchard: The quarterback has completed 211 of 344 passes (61.3%) for 2,969 yards with 28 touchdowns and six interceptions. Cooksey has also run for 204 yards and eight scores on 70 carries.
Keys to victory
Wagoner: Wagoner is allowing just 9.5 points per game and Blanchard is giving up 13.3 per matchup, so this one has the potential of being a defensive struggle. Production from Charboneau will likely be vital to Wagoner's offensive success, so the Bulldogs will look to him to lead the way.
Blanchard: The Lions have a talented group of receivers, led by juniors Brayson Carter, Hudsen Periman and Coric Pierce. Pierce leads the team with 793 receiving yards and is followed by Periman (669), then Carter (637). Those players make Blanchard tough to stop, and big performances from them could help the Lions pull off the upset.