Week 2 High School Games To Watch For

Originally Published: Sep 8, 2010 4:51 PM CDT

Bobby Lewis
Oklahoma Sports Mobile Journalist

OKLAHOMA – Week 1 offered a slew of exciting opening night games all across the state, headlined by Holland Hall’s record-breaking upset over cross town rival Cascia Hall. Week 2’s schedule has the potential to be even more exciting.

TOP FIVE

1. The Backyard Bowl – Jenks (1-0) vs Union (1-0)
It’s become the game to see in Oklahoma every year. The Redskins and Trojans have battled for the gold ball nearly every year in 6A since the current players were in diapers. One of the two teams has taken the 6A crown every season since 1996.

This game features two of the top coaches in the state in Union’s Kirk Fridrich and Jenks’ Allan Trimble. Both have championship experience and a lot of talent on their roster. This year’s game returns to Union-Tuttle Stadium.


2. Broken Arrow (1-0) vs Booker T. Washington (1-0)
The Tigers are a potential 6A title spoiler and the Hornets have their eyes on a 5A gold ball under new head coach Darrell Hall. The two meet at S.E. Williams Stadium this weekend in a Tulsa-area battle between two of the most talented teams around.

This game couldn’t feature more skill players. Broken Arrow’s quarterback is great. BTW’s receivers are great. Both have stellar defenses. The Hornets can run the ball with anyone. Both coaches are legit. Don’t expect a blowout from either side, but expect a lot of points this Friday.


3. Lawton (1-0) vs Lawton MacArthur (1-0)
Traditionally one of the best Oklahoma rivalries, the Wolverines and Highlanders will face off again this week. Both teams are coming off huge Week 1 wins. Lawton downed Eisenhower 42-21 and MacArthur breezed past Wichita Falls (TX) 49-14.

Both offenses can score. Both defenses are stout. The unstoppable forces and immovable objects will clash this weekend with bragging rights on the line. The edge in this game may come down to special teams.


4. Cascia Hall (0-1) vs Glenpool (1-0)
The Commandos lost (yes, it’s true) in the opener to Holland Hall. The loss snapped a 41-game winning streak. Cascia Hall hasn’t lost more than two games in a season since 2005. Glenpool expects over 5,000 fans to show up for the game.

Cascia’s defense and Glenpool’s Isaac Maslera are the main attractions in this game. The Commando’s “Blue Swarm” defense is always outstanding and Masalera is one of the top recruits in the state. The running back is committed to Oklahoma State.


5. East Central (1-0) vs Bartlesville (1-0)
The Cardinals have 5A gold ball aspirations and their head coach Travis Hill loves challenging his team. Before the season he cited this Week 2 matchup as one that would prepare his team for 5A battles down the stretch in the regular season.

Bartlesville has an outside shot at a deep run in the playoffs as long as it stays healthy. The Bruins will need to continue to improve on the details of the game heading into district play. Last season Bartlesville started 7-0 and finished 2-3. A tough East Central team will be a nice early season test for Ron Smith’s club.

WORTH SEEING

1. Bishop Kelley (0-1) vs OKC Bishop McGuinness (1-0)
Comets players wanted to skip the season opener and jump straight to this matchup. McGuinness and Kelley don’t care for each other much and don’t try and hide their displeasure. Add in that Kelley lost its first game last week to Enid, and this matchup has an extra kick to it.

Kelley has only beaten McGuinness once since 2004. Last year the Irish won a close game, 10-9. Kelley’s lone win came in 2008, and McGuinness has outscored the Comets 138-58 in the past six meetings.


2. Owasso (0-1) vs Muskogee (1-0)
The Roughers had an off year in 2009 but are off to a great start this season. Muskogee dominated Sand Springs in its opener, 44-14. Kyler Harris led the way with an outstanding offensive performance for the Roughers.

The Rams have plenty of weapons on offense, including quarterback Kason Key. He will have to deal with a Roughers squad that’s playing efficient football for head coach Matt Hennesy.


3. Bixby (0-1) vs Sapulpa (1-0)
This game will be an emotional one for both sides. The Chieftains played their hearts out in Week 1 in memory of their fallen teammate, Justin Fitzpatrick. The safety died in car crash two days prior to the team’s opener.

A Bixby student has put together a t-shirt drive to help the Fitzpatrick’s family. Players and fans from Bixby will wear the t-shirts with Fitzpatrick’s name and number on it while in the stands this Friday night. The support is something the Spartans head coach Loren Montgomery said makes him proud to be a part of the Bixby community.


4. Jay (0-1) vs Grove (1-0)
Two hopeful teams in their respective classes meet in Grove this weekend. Grove is coming off a ‘skin of their teeth’ win over Miami on the road, 15-13, while Jay tries to move on from a forgettable 28-0 loss to Gravette (AR).


5. Sand Springs (0-1) vs Coweta (0-1)
Both teams are coming off tough opening season losses and need to bounce back in Week 2. These games don’t count towards district standings, but neither team wants to start the year off 0-2 with challenging matchups waiting for them in Week 3.

The Tigers will host Bishop Kelley in two weeks and Sand Springs will host Sapulpa. Neither team made the playoffs in 2009 but have high hopes for this season. The game provides a showcase for some standout offensive talents. Sandites’ quarterback Darrack Harger and Tigers’ running back Clint Keel are both head-turners.

Chat about the matchups in our High School Football Forums.