The Oklahoman

District 3A-6 Preview

- ED GODFREY, STAFF WRITER

District 3A-6 coaches poll

1. Cushing (12-2)

2. Beggs (6-5)

3. Bristow (9-3)

4. Checotah (4-6)

5. Okmulgee (5-6)

6. Kellyville (2-8)

7. Morris (1-9) *Last year’s record in parenthese­s

District champion: Cushing

The Tigers won its first district title since the mid‘90s, even though the 2014 squad was state runner-up. Cushing advanced all the way to the state semifinals last season, losing to Plainview 7-6. The Tigers won state titles in 1958 and 1961, but their 12 wins last season was the most in school history. Cushing will be looking to make its seventh consecutiv­e trip to the playoffs.

Returning stars

Patrick Viator, DE, Cushing: The 6-3, 215-pound senior defensive end is a threeyear starter who recorded 98 tackles and seven sacks last season.

Jared Sutter, RB, Beggs:

A starter since he was a freshman, the junior is expected to have a big season after rushing for 1,103 yards as a sophomore for the Demons.

Kyren Johnson, RB-DB, Bristow: A speedy junior who makes plays on both sides of the balls. One opposing coach said you have to be aware of where he is on the field at all times.

Big question: Can Beggs or Bristow dethrone Cushing?

The Tigers graduated the bulk of last year’s squad but quarterbac­k Kade Holderread (2,122 passing yards and 32 touchdowns) returns to run the offense. Beggs has 13 returning starters and the addition of Broken Arrow transfer Brandon Williams,a college prospect at safety. Circle Cushing at Beggs for a big district matchup in Week 7.

 ?? [PHOTO BY KT KING/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN] ?? Cushing coach Barrett Shupe’s team are the favorites to take District 3A-6 in 2017.
[PHOTO BY KT KING/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN] Cushing coach Barrett Shupe’s team are the favorites to take District 3A-6 in 2017.

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