NOTHING BUT GREEN: Week 9 high school football picks

Oct. 26—Last week: 7-2 (77.8%)

Overall record: 54-13 (80.6%)

Angelo Prassa Field exudes an aura of mystique.

While many Oklahoma high school football stadiums offer an electric atmosphere, there is something uniquely captivating about the stadium Bishop Kelley proudly calls home. My personal experiences there, though limited to just two visits, have been nothing short of exhilarating.

In fact, if I were to rank all the high school football games I've witnessed, the top two memorable encounters unfolded on Angelo Prassa Field. One of those remarkable games occurred just last week when Claremore clashed with Bishop Kelley, resulting in an exhilarating 42-41 victory for the Comets, who orchestrated a thrilling comeback from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

I won't dwell too long on last week's showdown because many of you were either present at the game or read my detailed account online or in the Wednesday paper.

Instead, allow me to transport you back to my initial visit to Angelo Prassa Field, which transpired on a chilly evening on Nov. 20, 2009.

Back then, I was a freshman at Carl Albert High School, and the Titans were locked in an epic battle against undefeated and top-ranked Bishop Kelley in the Class 5A state quarterfinals. The Carl Albert roster featured standout talents like JT Realmuto — now the esteemed catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies — at quarterback, and Tre Porter, a stalwart in the Texas Tech defensive backfield from 2010-2013.

The game was a true test of resilience, with the teams tied at 7 at halftime. As the final quarter began, the Titans took a 21-7 lead following a touchdown run by Realmuto on the first play.

But, in a manner reminiscent of last week's contest, the Comets displayed unwavering determination in the face of adversity.

Bishop Kelley responded with a three-minute, 81-yard drive, narrowing the deficit to just seven points with a touchdown run by quarterback Jack Cameron. After a swift stop of Carl Albert's offense, Cameron led another extraordinary drive, culminating in a second rushing touchdown that pushed the game into overtime.

The Titans were first to score in the extra period, securing a 1-yard touchdown run by Realmuto, his third touchdown of the game. Yet, once again, the Comets answered the challenge, this time with a 5-yard touchdown run from their powerful 6-foot-1, 215-pound running back Stephen Sherwood, forcing the game into double overtime.

Bishop Kelley initiated the second overtime period but faced adversity in the form of a holding penalty and a delay-of-game violation, which constrained it to a field goal.

Then, in an electrifying moment, Realmuto rolled to his left and extended across the goal line on third down from the 1-yard line, delivering his fourth rushing score that proved to be the game-winning touchdown in the Titans' 34-31 victory.

Two weeks later, Carl Albert clinched the state championship by defeating Bixby 21-7 in the title game at Boone Pickens Stadium.

The Carl Albert-Bishop Kelley clash and Claremore's heart-wrenching loss to the Comets last week undoubtedly top the list as the two most enthralling high school football games I've ever witnessed, and both of these unforgettable battles unfolded on the hallowed grounds of Angelo Prassa Field. These games were decided on the last play of the game, epitomizing the sheer thrill of high school football.

Now, turning our attention back to Claremore, let's delve into how I underestimated the Zebras last week.

I predicted a high-scoring affair in favor of Bishop Kelley, a forecast that aligned with the actual outcome. However, the final score I envisioned, with the Comets seizing a double-digit victory, couldn't have been further from reality. The one-point margin was a far cry from my projection.

My rationale for underestimating Claremore was closely tied to the absence of their star players, running back Micah Teel and receiver/defensive back Eli Rodgers. I believed their non-participation would equate to a two-score deficit, hence my predicted score of 38-27.

So, how did the Zebras defy my expectations? The answer lies in their reliance on attributes that can be counted on.

As a team, Claremore thrives on the bedrock of toughness, physicality, robust tackling, exemplary blocking and dominating the line of scrimmage. The Zebras also exhibit unwavering discipline and refrain from incurring numerous penalties, committing only one infraction for 5 yards last week.

Additionally, they showcase a proficiency in special teams, as evidenced by Walker Dunaway's kickoff return for a touchdown against the Comets.

These qualities permeate every facet of their play. Claremore comprehends how to win and, more importantly, why it wins.

The Zebras' consistent excellence this season stems from their foundation in qualities that remain constant. Their strength lies in areas that are not subject to variables or adversities.

Claremore's success does not hinge solely on the performance of standout individuals such as quarterback Braxton Etheridge, who has had a remarkable season, or the likes of Teel and Rodgers. The Zebras' strength stems from a well-rounded roster and the foundation laid by coach Jarrett Hurt, who has fostered a program that relies on consistent intangibles like effort, discipline and resilience.

That is Claremore's blueprint for success — the reason it had a strong showing even without two key players on the field against Bishop Kelley. Although the Zebras did not secure the victory in that game, it was far from a bad day; they delivered an exceptional performance.

I anticipate Claremore to deliver a strong performance once again this week at Will Rogers. The prospect of clinching a district title may appear distant, but the Zebras are still vying for second place in District 5A-4, a position that would guarantee them their first home playoff game since 2012.

Although Claremore technically hosted a playoff game in 2020, I don't consider that instance as truly earned. In that year, the Zebras finished fourth in their district but hosted East Central, a team that finished sixth in its district, because every team was allowed to participate in the playoffs.

In a typical year, Claremore would have been on the road, and the Cardinals would not have made it to the playoffs.

Nevertheless, the Zebras are an impressive team, and I have faith in their ability to secure a victory over the Ropers on the road. This will set the stage for an immensely significant clash with Collinsville next week, a game that will determine second place in the district ... Claremore 45, WILL ROGERS 21

Cushing 42, OOLOGAH 21: If the playoffs were to commence today, the Mustangs would find themselves on the outside looking in. It is challenging to envision this scenario altering against the defending state runner-up Cushing, which has been in excellent form recently.

Wagoner 45, CATOOSA 6: Catoosa secured a much-needed morale boost last week with its first road win since 2019. However, for it to harbor any hope of a playoff berth this season, it must produce an upset against second-ranked Wagoner.

Although the Bulldogs have appeared less invincible in recent weeks, they are not expected to encounter significant resistance against the Indians.

VERDIGRIS 41, Dewey 6: Verdigris appears to be hitting its stride at the right time and is poised to extend its run of impressive performances.

Dewey poses little challenge to the high-flying Cardinals, who remain in contention for second place in District 3A-4 despite likely requiring some outside assistance.

CASCIA HALL 38, Inola 12: The Longhorns have shown improvement even in the face of losses, and though they may endure another setback, expect them to put up a spirited early fight against Cascia Hall, which will likely pull away in the second half.

Sequoyah 37, VINITA 9: I severely underestimated Sequoyah last week, as the Eagles handily defeated Pawhuska with a resounding 49-16 victory after I picked against them.

Vinita, in contrast, has experienced a decline from its recent strong seasons. Considering the Hornets' 44-7 loss to Pawhuska earlier this year, the trajectory of this game appears predictable. Sequoyah should secure an easy win as it continues to operate under the radar in Class 2A.

Tonkawa 33, CHELSEA 6: Tonkawa, despite recent setbacks, showcased its mettle with a strong showing against second-ranked Hominy in a hard-fought 13-0 loss.

Chelsea has also faced a barrage of defeats recently, being outscored 135-13 through its past three games. The Green Dragons' playoff hopes have been effectively extinguished, and their difficulties are likely to persist with yet another double-digit loss.

FOYIL 36, Gans 28: A win in this contest will secure Foyil's place in the playoffs, and I anticipate it delivering on this occasion.

Gans' 30-14 loss to Arkoma last week is a strong indicator of the outcome, considering the Panthers' convincing 21-0 win over the Mustangs just eight days earlier. Foyil's turnaround under coach Jeff Hefner continues as it reaches four wins, its highest total since 2018.

CORNERSTONE (Mo.) 32, Claremore Christian 30: This matchup presented a conundrum of epic proportions.

The Spartans have played only one game since mid-September due to injuries and player shortages, but my sources suggest they have a slight edge over Claremore Christian.

My intuition leans toward the Warriors prevailing in this Saturday afternoon showdown in Joplin, Mo., but I learned a valuable lesson last week when I deviated from my method and predicted CCS to overcome Cross Christian. I regretted that decision as Cross Christian secured the victory, precisely as my predictive model suggested.

I pledged to not abandon my formula again, so I'll stick with it this time, predicting a win for Cornerstone in a closely contested game.