Four teams remain as we have reached the first week of semifinal games and we have some great ones on tap as we inch closer to the state championship in the hunt for the gold ball.
Matchup stats courtesy of IWasAtTheGame.com
Ryan vs Timberlake (Class C)
Friday at 7:00pm at Western Heights
Last semifinal appearance: Ryan (Second consecutive) Timberlake (Sixth consecutive since 2019)
Last championship appearance: Ryan (2023) Timberlake (2021)
Head to Head: 1-1 tied (Last matchup Ryan 48 Timberlake 40 2023 Class C semifinals)
RYAN head coach Tony Tomberlin
Timberlake is a tough matchup. They’re athletic and have good size on the edge and in the backfield.
TIMBERLAKE head coach Brian Severin
We basically stayed healthy this year, last year we lost 4 starters towards the end of the year and that did us in. If we can stay healthy the rest of the way, I think we might have a chance to win it. as far as adjustments, we are basically doing the same thing as last year, it’s just last year we were injured in a lot of different positions.
Tipton vs Tyrone (Class C)
Friday at 7:00pm at Woodward
Last semifinal appearance: Tipton (Third consecutive since 2022) Tyrone (2021)
Last championship appearance: Tipton (2023) Tyrone (2020)
Head to Head: 1-0 Tipton leads all time (Last matchup Tipton 55 Tyrone 10 1996 Class C Playoffs)
TIPTON head coach Travis White
Tyrone is big strong and physical with strong and fast running backs. We are small and fast. A clash of styles if you will. We will have our hands full stopping their running game. We will have to tackle well. We’ve thrown the ball more this year, adjusting to our personnel. We are not very big, but we have several kids that can run and catch the ball. Our offensive and defensive line is developing and getting better throughout the year.
TYRONE head coach Clay Witt
Tipton is the standard bearer for class C football for the past decade. They are ranked #1 for good reason. They have tremendous athletes that are coached well and we look forward to such a big challenge. We have to play our style of game and keep the mistakes to a minimum to give ourselves a chance. Our seniors, Wyatt Johnson, Angel Aguirre, Anthony Favela, Braxton Myers, and Boston Hickey will have to continue to provide great leadership for our younger players. DBs Elijah Angiano, Brylon’s Hickey, and Miguel Baray will be tested in their vertical passing game. Our Dline anchored by Wyatt Johnson, Brenner Witt, and Braxton Myers will have to play big for us. If we can slow down their explosive offense and win the time of possession battle, and limit turnovers and perhaps force a few from them, we will have a shot.
Covington-Douglas vs Seiling (Class B-II)
Friday at 7:00pm at Cashion
Last semifinal appearance: Seiling (2023) Covington-Douglas (2010)
Last championship appearance: Seiling (2023) Covington-Douglas (Would be first in school history)
Head to Head: 6-1 Seiling leads all time (Last matchup Seiling 48 Covington-Douglas 0 2023 Regular Season)
COVINGTON-DOUGLAS head coach Brian Smith
Seiling is very fast and athletic at all positions. They are well coached and run their scheme very well. For us to pull this off – we must play extremely well in all phases. Need to be able to match their physicality. We are +34 in the turnover margin this year and that needs to continue for us to win. They are the defending champs and are playing with a lot of fire and confidence.
Wilson Henryetta vs Weleetka (Class B-II)
Friday at 7:00pm at Drumright
Last semifinal appearance: Wilson Henryetta (First in school history) Weleetka (2015)
Last championship appearance: Wilson Henryetta (Would be first in school history) Weleetka (2004)
Head to Head: 1-0 Weleetka leads all time (Last matchup Weleetka 64 Wilson Henryetta 26 this season)
WELEETKA head coach Tristan Garringer
Wilson-Henryetta is a very fast and athletic group that we played earlier in the season. They’ve gotten a lot better since we saw them last and look forward to another good game against them. Adjustments we made to our team different from last year I’d say is that we are catering to our athleticism and speed a lot more on both sides of the ball. Defensively we are more aggressive using a lot of blitzes and stunts. But the biggest adjustment I’d say is the improvement of our O-Line and D-Line, they’ve been able to really come in the off-season and work their tails off in the weight room and it’s showing this year.
Thomas-Fay-Custer vs Talihina (Class A-II)
Friday at 7:00pm at Harrah
Last semifinal appearance: Thomas-Fay-Custer (2020) Talihina (2014)
Last championship appearance: Thomas-Fay-Custer (2020) Talihina (1980)
Head to Head: First matchup
Regent Prep vs Woodland (Class A-II)
Friday at 7:00pm at Catoosa
Last semifinal appearance: Regent Prep (2023) Woodland (2023)
Last championship appearance: Regent Prep (2019) Woodland (2011)
Head to Head: First matchup
WOODLAND head coach Casey Goad
I think both of us have very dynamic offenses. I think the game will come down to whose defense can get stops when it matters. I’m proud of how our guys have prepared and played physical, disciplined football this year. Our seniors have been great leaders and our team chemistry is a huge strength of ours. We play for our brothers and it shows on the field. Our upperclassmen have tons of big game experience play with a chip on their shoulder. We look forward to a great game!
REGENT PREP head coach Adam Bishop
We are looking forward to the semi final matchup with Woodland. Moving from 8 man to 11 man this season the differences are numerous. We have had to make many adjustments. We have great kids who are willing to do what it takes to be the best they can be each week.
Hooker vs Pawnee (Class A-I)
Friday at 7:00pm at Northwestern Oklahoma State University
Last semifinal appearance: Hooker (2023) Pawnee (2019)
Last championship appearance: Hooker (2023) Pawnee (2004)
HOOKER head coach Trevor Powers
Our kids are just warriors. They’ve been to the finals in football, semifinals in basketball, and won the last two state championships in track. They have been in a TON of pressure situations and continue to find ways to win. Pawnee is a very physical team that plays with relentless effort. We will have to be very disciplined on both sides of the ball and match their energy. I look for it to be an extremely physical game on both sides. We are excited for the opportunity to make a return trip to UCO!
PAWNEE head coach Karrey Jones
Hooker has a great team and we have been very impressed watching them the last few seasons. We were hoping to match up with them last year in the quarters but that didn’t happen. This year they have mostly the same team. We graduated most of our offensive line and had to rebuild it. That has been our biggest challenge this season and it took us a little while to get it going. Our offense is very depending on the line pulling and it just takes time for that to click. We lost our leading rusher week 6 but have 3 other backs that have stepped up and are right around 1000 yards rushing each. Our defense has been very consistent all year and will have to stay after all the weapons Hooker has and can throw at you.
Rejoice Christian vs Christian Heritage (Class A-I)
Friday at 7:00pm at Beggs
Last semifinal appearance: Rejoice Christian (2019) Christian Heritage (2018)
Last championship appearance: Rejoice Christian (Would be first in school history) Christian Heritage (2018)
CHRISTIAN HERITAGE head coach Joel Franks
We are excited to be where we are. Rejoice is a very good team and very athletic. We dropped the ball earlier in the year and look forward to another match up. Last year we dramatically underperformed and we changed a bit in coaching staff and scheme to put us in better scenarios. The kids have played really well and stepped up this season to make us successful.
REJOICE CHRISTIAN head coach Brent Marley
Christian Heritage is a well coached team that has improved all season. They have quite a few players that stand out on film and make them go. Offensively, they are a balanced team offensively and they have 4-5 playmakers they try to get the ball to. They are efficient on offense and have developed a solid identity with their personnel after an early injury to their starting QB. They force opponents to play very sound defensively because of their ability to run the ball out of the spread offense. We need to be great tacklers and fly to the ball. Defensively they are scrappy, play really hard, and run to the ball well. They’ve done a good job forcing turnovers the last few weeks vs their opponents, so ball protection will be really important. We will need to be great blockers, make plays, and take care of the ball. This biggest adjustment from last year to this year is that we are healthy. We have a great group of young men that BELIEVE in our culture & love each other. This group has been passionate about their relationship with Christ and the brotherhood they have formed internally.
Wagoner vs Elgin (Class 4A)
Friday at 7:00pm at East Central University
Last semifinal appearance: Wagoner (2023) Elgin (First in school history)
Last championship appearance: Wagoner (2023) Elgin (Would be first in school history)
Head to Head: First matchup
ELGIN head coach Chalmer Wyatt
Wagoner is the best football team we have seen. They are athletic in every position. This year has been about us and taking each day to keep improving. I think we have a phenomenal group of young men and if we can keep focusing on us getting better and doing the little things in a BIG way then we believe in our team.
Tuttle vs Bethany (Class 4A)
Friday at 7:00pm at Yukon
Last semifinal appearance: Tuttle (2021) Bethany (2018)
Last championship appearance: Tuttle (2021) Bethany (2018)
Head to Head: 15-3 Tuttle leads all time (Last matchup Tuttle 42 Bethany 19 this season)
TUTTLE head coach Brad Ballard
First of all, it is very difficult to defeat a team twice in one year. It will be a very difficult task for our team. We are approaching this game like all of the others and trying to be the very best version of us that we can be. Our process stays the same each week and we have continued to improve each week. We are looking forward to the opportunity to compete this Friday night!!
Newcastle vs Guthrie (Class 5A)
Friday at 7:00pm at Putnam City
Last semifinal appearance: Newcastle (2004) Guthrie (2013)
Last championship appearance: Newcastle (1997) Guthrie (2013)
Head to Head: First matchup
Carl Albert vs Del City (Class 5A)
Friday at 7:00pm at Putnam City North
Last semifinal appearance: Carl Albert (2023) Del City (2023)
Last championship appearance: Carl Albert (2023) Del City (2023)
Head to Head: 10-4 Carl Albert leads all time (Last matchup Carl Albert 35 Del City 14 2023 Class 5A State Championship)
The OKPreps Rundown 
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