By Bruce Campbell, Staff Writer

For a team new to the playoffs, Oklahoma Bible Academy is learning “defense wins championships.’’

The Trojans, in the postseason for the first time in school history, has allowed only one touchdown in playoff wins over Oklahoma Christian School, 7-0 and Cordell, 51-8.

OBA coach Todd Kuykendall will be counting on a similar performance when the 11-1 Trojans host 11-1 Salina at 7:30 tonight in a Class A quarterfinal.

The winner faces the Cashion-Stroud winner next week at a neutral site.

“Anytime we have to trust our defense, I like our chances,’’ said Kuykendall.

OCS came into the playoffs averaging 37.9 points per game. The Saints’ spread offense managed only 48 yards passing.

Cordell’s Trey Waldrop came into the game last week with 2,254 yards passing and 27 touchdowns. He managed to throw for only 156 yards with the Blue Devils’ lone score coming when OBA was ahead 51-0.

“Our kids have been buying into what we have been telling them about flying to the football,’’ said OBA defensive coordinator Jeremy Kliewer.

“It’s kind of snowballed. They had a little success and then a little more success and now they have the mentality that they can stop anybody.’’

Assistant coach Mark Boyd has developed coverages in the secondary which have confused opponents, Kliewer said.

The Trojans will have a different challenge against Salina, which has defeated Hominy 33-8 and Central Sallisaw 26-8 in the playoffs so far. The Wildcats’ lone loss was to Foyil 28-20 on Oct. 8.

The Wildcats are led by Darren Pettit, who has rushed for 2,206 yards on 246 carries and has scored 33 touchdowns.

Salina, Kliewer said, will run the ball about 75 percent of the time.

“Basically, it’s going to be mano-to-mano,’’ Kliewer said. “Their coaches will have them ready to play. It’s going to be a dogfight.’’

Salina is in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2001. Quarterback Dillon Manchell is another effective weapon for the Wildcats, Kuykendall said.

“He’s not as fast as the Turpin quarterback and he can’t throw the ball like (Jason) Gillpatrick at Chisholm,’’ Kuy-kendall said, “but he’s a good all-around quarterback. When he throws the ball, he’s pretty effective.’’

Jonathan Stur-geon, Richard Mooers, Harley Do-wning, Robert Mac-Donald, Bo Mc-Kenzie, Aaron Beagley, Harrison Jackson, Andy Meier and Nick Benbrook all graded high against Cordell.

“Nick has lighted people up in the playoffs,’’ Kuykendall said. “I’m sure their scouting report says if you’re going over the middle, you have to watch out for No. 20.’’

Jackson is not too far behind Pettit on the statewide rushing charts with 1,758 yards on 277 carries and 22 touchdowns.

OBA went over the 300-yard mark as a team for the sixth time against Cordell (331 yards). Quarterback Chris Kuykendall threw for 109 yards, his second 100-yard plus night of the season.

OBA’s line will be challenged by a Salina front which averages 271 pounds a man and has three players that weigh 300 or more pounds. Ty Stewart, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound linebacker, is a stellar linebacker, coach Kuykendall said.

Coach Kuykendall is expecting an overflow crowd, especially with this being a holiday weekend.

“We’re so excited about being at home for our school, parents and fans,’’ he said. “It’s actually humbling. That’s the best word that I can come up with. The kids have put in a lot of hard work. It’s so rewarding.’’

Kliewer, who quarterbacked Fairview to a state championship in 1999, has told his players there’s nothing like practicing on Thanksgiving.

“It’s an unbelieveable testament to these kids and the upbringing they have had,’’ he said.

Kuykendall expects his team to handle the distraction of playing on a holiday weekend.

“I really think if we would be nervous and choke, we would have done it before now,’’ Kuykendall said. “We’re not overconfident, but I have a humble confidence in our team.’’

The game can be heard on KGWA Radio (960 AM).

REP FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS

Class 6A

Southmoore (11-1) vs. Jenks (12-0), 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Putnam City High School.

Broken Arrow (10-2) vs. Union (11-1), 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Chapman Stadium, Tulsa

Class 5A

El Reno (12-0) vs. Carl Albert (10-2), 7:30 tonight, Putnam City

Bixby (8-4) vs. Guthrie (8-4), 7:30 tonight, Stillwater High School

Class 4A

Weatherford (12-0) vs. Douglass (9-3), 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Yukon High School

Star Spencer (10-2) vs. Sallisaw (11-1), 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sapulpa High School

Class 3A

Sequoyah Claremore (10-2) vs. Cascia Hall (11-0), 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Collinsville High School

Berryhill (10-2) vs. Dewey (8-4), 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Skiatook High School

Class B

Laverne (8-4) vs. Garber (12-0), 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Woodward Hiigh School.

Ryan (12-0) vs. Canton (11-1), 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Norman High School.

Class C

DCLA (10-2) vs. Timberlake (12-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday, D. Bruce Selby Stadium.

Seiling vs. Forgan (8-4), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Woodward High School.

Tonight’s games

Class 2A

Heritage Hall (8-4) at Pawhuska (10-2)

Lincoln Christian (11-1) at Davis (12-0)

Millwood (11-1) at Verdigris (9-3)

Sperry (8-4) at Kingfisher (10-2)

Class A

Talihina (12-0) at Hennessey (12-0)

Tonkawa (12-0) at Watonga (10-2)

Cashion (12-0) at Stroud (12-0)

Salina (11-1) at OBA (11-1)