By Bruce Campbell, Staff Writer
By Bruce Campbell
Staff Writer
Deer Creek-Lamont coach David Zachary has 93 reasons not to be optimistic about Friday’s Class C second-round playoff game at six-time defending state champion Shattuck.
“How do you feel about playing someone who has won 93 games in a row?,’’ Zachary said. “It’s the same old Shattuck. Their kids do exactly what they’re supposed to do. That’s why they have won 93 in a row.’’
Three of those wins were over the Eagles (9-2) in the playoffs — 58-12 in the 2003 semifinals, 28-12 in the second round in 2006 and 60-12 in the second round last season.
“They are so good about finding out what you can’t do,’’ Zachary said. “It might take them three quarters, but once they do, they will exploit it. You have to make sure you line up right, make tackles and you have to block.’’
Zachary said his team has had spirited practices this week and is looking forward to the challenge.
Shattuck, Zachary said, has handled the pressure of the streak well.
“Coach (Troy) Bullard does such a good job preparing them, they don’t feel pressure,’’ he said. “Once you start playing, I don’t think anyone thinks about it.’’
Landon Tingley will miss the game because of an injury. Zachary said he expects the rest of his team to play although all of them won’t be at 100 percent.
“If you’re not a little beaten up at this time of the year, it means you probably haven’t been playing hard,’’ Zachary said.
DCLA is coming off a 40-12 win over Midway while Shattuck beat Thackerville 26-6. The winner plays the Tipton-Timberlake winner.
Tigers focus on Tipton
The challenge for 11-0 Timberlake this week is not to think ahead of a possible semifinal rematch with Shattuck next week.
The Tigers will be going for their third straight semifinal trip Friday when they host Tipton (9-2).
“If we don’t beat them, the other stuff doesn’t matter,’’ said Timberlake coach Brian Severin. “With us being senior, that shouldn’t be a problem, but you’re still dealing with teen-age kids.’’
Being focused hasn’t been a problem so far for Timberlake, who have had to go the distance in only of its games this season.
The Tigers had seven different players score touchdowns in a 59-0 win over Claremore Christian in the first round Friday.
Tipton made Boise City its fifth straight victim, 30-22. The Tigers remind Severin of DCLA when Eli Reese quarterbacked the Eagles last season.
“They are a little quicker team than we have faced in awhile,’’ he said. “We’re going to have to play good, sound assignment football. We can’t miss tackles.’’
Timberlake’s defense has shut out four opponents this season.
“If we take care of business and do our jobs, we should be OK,’’ Severin said.
Timberlake’s seniors have not lost a varsity game on their home field. The Tigers have won 23 straight home games dating back to a 28-20 loss to Cherokee Oct. 28, 2005.
“It’s huge playing at home.’’ Severin said. “They have to be on a bus for 31/2 hours. Coaches say that’s not a big deal, but it does affect you. There’s no doubt about that.’’
C-D hosts Forgan
Covington-Douglas’ 34-14 win over Maud Friday gave the Wildcats seniors a perfect 4-0 record in first-round games. However, the same group has an imperfect 0-3 record in second-round playoff games.
The Wildcats (7-4) will have a chance to end that streak when they host Forgan (7-4) in a second-round game Friday. The game can be heard over KGWA Radio (960 AM).
“We need to get over that hump,’’ said Covington-Douglas coach Brian Smith. “We haven’t played well in the second round. We have talked a lot about that this week. It’s going to be a big advantage for us to play at home.’’
Forgan, like the Wildcats, is a predominately junior-sophomore team. The Bulldogs beat C-3 third-place finisher Victory Life 46-0 in the first round for their first playoff win since 2003.
“Forgan is one of the most athletic teams that we have seen all year,’’ Smith said. “They run and throw the ball well.’’
The game, Smith said, should be won in the trenches.
The Wildcats have averaged 319.2 yards rushing in their seven wins. Covington-Douglas had 309 yards rushing against Maud.
Covington-Douglas will need to prevent the big play, Smith said. The Bulldogs rely heavily on misdirection and the option.
Quarterback Brett Stopp, who missed the Maud game with an injury, is back this week.
“He’s getting better and better each day,’’ Smith said. “We’re about as healthy as we have been all year.’’
The Covington-Douglas/Forgan winner faces the Seiling-Waynoka winner next week.
Waynoka hosts Seiling
The coaches will be in the spotlight when Waynoka (8-2) hosts Seiling (10-1) in a second-round playoff game.
The game’s two coaches — the Railroaders’ Scott Kysar (177) and Seiling’s Andy Claborn (225) have combined for 402 victories.
“You know when you line up against coach Kysar. you’re going to get the best shot from his kids,’’ said Claborn.
“His teams are sound. We have both tried to make young men more than just football players.’’
The two last met in 1996 when Kysar’s Railroaders beat Claborn’s Panthers, 46-12 in the Class C semifinals.
“I’ve been around the block for a long time,’’ Claborn said, “but he (Kysar) has been at the same place for a long time.’’
Seiling, ranked No. 3 in Class C behind Shattuck and Timberlake, scored 50 or more points for the fourth straight week in a 51-0 rout of Sasakwa last week. Waynoka is coming off a 48-14 rout of C-2 runner-up Temple.
Both teams rely on the run more than the pass although the Wildcats’ Zach McDonald is a solid passer.
“In the second round, most teams are evenly matched,’’ Claborn said.
“It comes down to turnovers and controlling the ball. When we have an opportunity, we have to find a way to score.’’
Seiling has forced 31 turnovers.
Seiling will be without lineman Aaron Burchett, who went down the fourth week of the season with a knee injury. Derek Gore has been solid as a replacement.
