FOOTBALL: Claremore on precipice of immortality as Del City awaits in Class 5A semifinals

Nov. 23—Claremore has already achieved season records for points and wins, and it now aims to attain the most unprecedented success in school history.

All it takes is one more win.

The third-ranked Zebras (11-1) take on No. 2 Del City (11-0) at 1 p.m. Friday at Noble High School in a Class 5A semifinal that could see Claremore clinch a spot in the state championship game for the first time in program history.

The Eagles reached this stage by defeating Pryor 48-8 and then-No. 3 Guthrie 47-14.

"Del City is very athletic, and Del City is very explosive," Claremore coach Jarrett Hurt said. "They have a great quarterback in River Warren, who transferred from McGuinness, their tailback is going to OSU next year and their best receiver and corner is going to TCU next year. So we'll definitely have our hands full in terms of trying to contain their athletes."

Here is a look at what you need to know about the game:

"NEUTRAL" FIELD

The 151-mile trip to Cleveland County will be Claremore's second-longest journey of the season, behind only the 205-mile trek to Elgin last week in the quarterfinals.

In contrast, the Eagles must travel a mere 25 miles to reach their destination, which will also host the other semifinal between No. 1 Carl Albert and No. 4 Bishop McGuinness.

For those unfamiliar with the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association's criteria for choosing host sites, the Zebras' extensive travel compared to Del City might raise questions about perceived fairness and appear unjust.

However, despite perceived biases, Hurt defended the neutral site, asserting its fairness per the OSSAA rules governing host-site determinations.

"I just know that on an odd-numbered year, (the semifinal) is played on the west side," Hurt said. "Those are the rules. Those are the parameters, so we'll play by the rules. I really don't care where it's at. Like I said last week, I don't care if it's in California — I don't care where the game's at. We'll load the bus, and we'll be ready to play no matter where they tell us to play.

"I know Claremore will travel," he assured. "I know a lot of folks will be down there Friday at 1 to cheer us on, and we certainly appreciate that support."

FRIDAY ... DAY LIGHTS?

Friday's game will be only the fourth day game in school history since lights were installed at the original Lantow Field — now the playground on the south side of Claremont Elementary School — in the mid-1940s.

The other three games are listed below:

Nov. 28, 1963 — Playoff game at Lantow Field.

Sept. 7/8 — vs. East Central at Lantow Field. Lightning strikes halted the game at halftime, with the second half finishing the next afternoon.

Oct. 17, 2019 — vs. Memorial at LaFortune Stadium in Tulsa.

Hurt remembers that 2019 game well. His Zebras defeated the Chargers 56-6 in a contest that kicked off at noon on a Thursday.

"It was great, so I'm looking forward to doing it again," Hurt said. "Most of our kids didn't get to experience that at that time because they were in junior high, so I think it'll be a unique experience, and I think we'll make the most of it."

SCOUTING DEL CITY: PLAYERS TO WATCH

River Warren, QB (No. 10): A transfer from Bishop McGuinness, Warren knows how to win big games in the playoffs. However, he has never advanced past the semifinals.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound quarterback has thrown for 2,289 yards and 31 touchdowns with four interceptions, completing 73.6% of his passes.

Rodney Fields, RB (No. 1): With impressive stats — 1,161 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns at 10.3 yards per carry — the Oklahoma State University commit poses a significant threat. Additionally, his receiving prowess — hauling in 14 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns — adds to the Zebras' defensive concerns after recent high-yardage performances by opposing rushers.

LaDainian Fields, WR/CB (No. 9): The 6-1, 180 athlete's commitment to TCU speaks volumes about his talent. A versatile force at receiver and cornerback, he poses a significant threat to Claremore.

Should Del City's passing game ignite, anticipate LaDainian Fields emerging as the primary target, capable of making game-changing plays.

COMMON OPPONENTS

Claremore and Del City share two common opponents, yielding contrasting outcomes.

The Zebras narrowly edged Pryor 33-32 on Oct. 6, while the Eagles dominated with a 48-8 win in the playoffs. Similarly, the Zebras secured a tight 48-47 victory over Sapulpa two weeks ago, whereas Del City triumphed decisively with a 30-0 shutout against the Chieftains on Oct. 6.

Although score comparisons aren't foolproof, these matchups suggest the Eagles might hold a significant advantage heading into their upcoming clash.

THE CASE FOR CLAREMORE

Claremore's adaptability shines through in its diverse victories.

Thriving in close contests with a 4-1 record in one-point games, the Zebras have clinched high-scoring shootouts and grind-it-out, low-scoring battles. Notably, even during offensive struggles, their defense consistently rises to pivotal moments and creates game-altering turnovers.

Despite conceding high scores at times, the opportunistic defense — often underestimated — could surprise an unsuspecting Del City offense, potentially tipping the scales in Claremore's favor once more.

"I believe we will be able to run the ball more effectively than we did last week versus Elgin," Hurt said. "I think our play-action passing game will be there for us, and then on defense, we've got to hold on tight. We've got to rally to the football, and we have to try to stop the run much better than we did last week. And we got to try to prevent big plays. We need to make them earn everything."

THE CASE FOR DEL CITY

Del City holds an advantage in raw talent and displays a consistent, disciplined approach that is devoid of glaring weaknesses.

Dominating with an average of 50.5 points per game while allowing a mere 81 points in 11 games, the Eagles have showcased their prowess on numerous occasions.

Their ability to score against staunch defenses, exemplified by hanging 47 points on a Guthrie team that previously allowed only 4.9 points per game, highlights their offensive potency.

Arguably the hottest Class 5A team, Del City appears scarily formidable, posing a daunting challenge for any opponent, including Claremore. Its momentum has many around the state predicting a potential all-Mid-Del showdown between the Eagles and Carl Albert in the title game.

"I think one of the best ways to try to slow them down is by us running the football and working the clock and moving the chains and keeping the ball out of their hands," Hurt said. "I think that's what we're gonna have to do to keep them from scoring so much. You gotta focus on stopping the run. If you can't stop the run, you're gonna die a slow death, so we've got to stop the run first and then try to prevent big pass plays in the passing game.

"We know Del City and Carl Albert are both in the Mid-Del school district, and they're probably anticipating playing one another, so we feel like Del City might overlook us," he added about playing the underdog role again this week. "They might take us lightly because they're wanting to play their buddies from Carl Albert, so we feel that's an advantage for us."