Several undefeated matchups highlight Week 8 football slate
The playoffs are creeping closer with every week. District play is more than halfway over. Many teams have positioned themselves for district titles while others still have work to do to see their names on playoff brackets next month.
Here are The Oklahoman’s top 10 games of Week 8:
1. 6A-I No. 4 Edmond Santa Fe (4-3, 3-1) at No. 5 Broken Arrow (4-3, 3-1): The Wolves have won three of the past five meetings, including the previous two, but this matchup has pivotal implications in the hunt for the playoffs. A win essentially locks either team into the No. 2 spot in the district standings behind Jenks, meaning hosting a firstround playoff game. A loss means hitting the road in the first round, which likely means a trip to Owasso.
2. 6A-II No. 2 Choctaw (5-2, 3-1) at No. 5 Sand Springs (5-2, 2-2): Sand Springs has dropped two straight after winning its first five games to open the season, but both teams have suffered big losses in Bixby in consecutive weeks. A Choctaw win essentially secures the second seed in the district, but if Sand Springs can pull off the upset, there could be some chaos come playoff time in terms of seeding.
3. 6A-II No. 4 Del City (6-1, 4-0) at No. 7 Deer Creek (6-1, 3-1): Both Del City and Deer Creek have been surprise teams in the western 6A-II district. The Antlers are an overtime loss away from being undefeated, but its defense will face its toughest task yet, trying to slow down Virgil Yates and the Del City offense.
4. 4A Blanchard (6-1, 4-0) at No. 3 Cushing (6-1, 3-1): Blanchard has won six straight after its season-opening loss to Noble, but Cushing came into the season as one of the favorites for a state title. Cushing’s only loss is to topranked Tuttle, who Blanchard faces in Week 10. A win for either essentially guarantees a first-round home playoff game.
5. A No. 7 Wayne (7-0, 4-0) at No. 9 Elmore City-Pernell (7-0, 4-0): District A-4 has three huge matchups in the coming weeks, the first being between Wayne and Elmore-City Pernell. Those two, as well as Ringling, are all undefeated on the season, yet one of them will be on the road for the first round of the playoffs in three weeks, so a win this week is monumental to trying to secure a district title.
6. 6A-I No. 2 Tulsa Union (6-1, 4-0) at No. 6 Norman North (5-2, 2-2): Norman North’s defense has solidified after a rough start to district play, but Tulsa Union’s offense provides a different challenge. If the Timberwolves could pull an upset, it would help their case for a playoff spot.
7. A No. 10 Fairview (7-0, 4-0) at No. 6 Mooreland (6-0, 4-0): Another loaded district in Class A, Fairview, Mooreland and Hooker are all undefeated with three weeks left. Similar to what’s occurring in A-4, the winner of this matchup takes a big leg up in securing a possible district title and a first-round home playoff game.
8. 4A Fort Gibson (6-1, 4-0) at No. 6 Broken Bow (6-1, 4-0): Broken Bow, Fort Gibson and Poteau all remain undefeated in district play, and it may seem like a broken record, but this matchup could be the difference in winning a district title or being on the road in the first round of the playoffs.
9. 2A Perry (6-1, 4-0) at No. 3 Oklahoma Christian School (7-0, 4-0): Oklahoma Christian School continues to dominate opponents on the ground behind Kaleb Barnes and Collin Matteson, but Perry comes in searching for an upset. The winner is in the driver’s seat for a district title.
10. 2A No. 9 Jones (4-3, 3-1) at Millwood (3-4, 2-2): Jones is one of four teams in a four-way tie for first in District 2A-2 and Millwood is on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. A Jones win helps the Longhorns stay in the hunt for a district title, but a Millwood win helps the Falcons cause havoc in the playoff picture.