By Bruce Campbell, Staff Writer
Deer Creek-Lamont, who ended Shattuck’s 93-game winning streak Friday is coming to town.
The Eagles (10-2) will face Timberlake (12-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Enid’s D. Bruce Selby Stadium, the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association announced Saturday.
“That was the logical place for us to play,’’ said DCLA coach David Zachary, whose team beat the six-time defending state champion Indians 16-12 in the second round.
“I couldn’t ask for a better place to play,’’ said Timberlake coach Brian Severin. “It’s good for northwest Oklahoma.’’
Severin said he wasn’t shocked by the DCLA-Shattuck score.
“They are a well-coached team with a lot of good athletes,’’ Severin said. “It’s going to be a challenge for us next Friday.’’
DCLA had lost to Shattuck three times in the playoffs in the last six years.
“I don’t want to down play it,’’ Zachary said, “but the important thing about it was that it advances you to the next round. Anytime you beat what I consider to be the state’s best 8-man program in the last 10 years, it has to be a great accomplishment for your team.’’
The Tigers beat DCLA 56-22 for the District C-3 championship Nov. 4. Timberlake is 3-0 overall against the Eagles with a combined victory margin of 156-30.
“Our grand prize is to get to play a team we lost to by 34 points,’’ said Zachary with a chuckle. “It’s going to be an uphill battle, but we’re glad to be playing right now.’’
Timberlake is making its first appearance at Selby Stadium since a 64-18 loss to James Kilian and Medford in the 1999 Class C state finals. Zachary was an assistant with the winning Cardinals.
“We don’t have very good memories of that game,’’ Severin said. “Hopefully, we’ll have a better outing this time.’’
Seiling and Forgan will play in the other Class C semifinal at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Woodward.
Seiling is in the semifinals for the first time as an 8-man team. The Wildcats are trying to reach the championship game for the first time since 1995 when Seiling fell to Turpin, 21-0 in the Class A finals.
Forgan is trying to reach the finals for the first time since 2002 when the Bulldogs fell to Pond Creek-Hunter, 21-12 in the Class C title game.
In Class B, Garber (12-0) and Laverne (8-4) will meet at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Woodward. Ryan (12-0) and Canton (11-1) will face off at the same time in Norman in the other semifinal.
“I would have liked to have a more neutral site,’’ said Garber coach Mark Harmon, “but we’re just happy to be there and plaing.’’
Harmon said “it sure doesn’t hurt’’ Laverne playing that close to home.
“But you have to go on,’’ he said. “There’s only a certain amount of schools that agree to have it at their place. The OSSAA doesn’t have a lot of choices and options so we have to go with the flow.’’
The Garber-Laverne game is a rematch of last year’s state championship game won by the Wolverines, 30-26. Garber leads the 8-man series, 3-2, including a 48-14 victory on Oct. 23. The Wolverines are riding a 26-game winning streak. Garber was No. 1 in the final AP poll. Laverne was not ranked.
Canton was No. 3 in the final AP poll while Ryan was ranked No. 2. Canton’s lone loss was to No. 1 Garber, 38-6
The Timberlake-DCLA game won’t be the only playoff game in town.
Oklahoma Bible Academy’s Trojans, 11-1 and ranked No. 7 in Class A, will host unranked Salina (11-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals at Commitment Field.
Salina’s lone loss was to Foyil 28-20 the ninth week of the season. Salina has beaten Hominy, 33-8 and Central Sallisaw, 26-8 in the playoffs.
OBA has allowed only one touchdown in the postseason with wins over OCS (7-0) and Cordell (51-8).
The winner will play the Cashion-Stroud winner.
Tonkawa (12-0) at Watonga (12-0) — The Eagles are in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1998. Tonkawa was ranked No. 1 in the last AP poll. The Bucs closest game was against 2A Newkirk in the season opener, 24-14. Watonga, ranked No. 9 in the last AP poll, has beaten No. 8 Okeene and No. 2 Ringling in the playoffs. Winner plays the Talihina-Hennessey winner.
Talihina (12-0) at Hennessey (12-0) — Talihina was ranked No. 5 in the last AP poll while the host Eagles were ranked No. 3. Tailhina’s closest game was a 27-8 win over Central Sallisaw. Hennessey is in the quarterfinals for the third straight season. Winner plays the Tonkawa-Watonga winner.
Cashion (12-0) at Stroud (12-0) — Cashion was tied with Talihina for No. 5 in the final AP poll. Stroud was ranked No. 4.
Class 2A
Sperry (8-4) at Kingfisher (10-2) — Sperry has won five straight games after losing three straight games in mid-season to Verdigris, 24-0; Lincoln Christian, 33-0 and Pawhuska, 21-18. Kingfisher is in the quarterfinals for the seventh time in the last eight years. Winner plays the Verdigris-Millwood winner next week.
