Oklahoma Class 5A football: How Carl Albert and Del City match up in state championship
Here’s how Carl Albert and Del City match up in the Class 5A state football championship:
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No. 1 Carl Albert Titans (13-0) vs. No. 2 Del City Eagles (12-0)
When: 1 p.m. Saturday
Where: University of Central Oklahoma — Chad Richison Stadium, 100 E. University Drive, Edmond
Live streaming: Available via the NFHS Network, requires a subscription
Tickets: $11.50 via GoFan mobile ticketing app or $13 cash at the gate
Coaches
Carl Albert: Mike Dunn (Third season)
Del City: Robert Jones (Third season)
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How they got here
Carl Albert: 49-21 against El Reno, 52-14 against Collinsville, 51-28 against Bishop McGuinness
Del City: 48-8 against Pryor, 47-14 against Guthrie, 34-13 against Claremore
All-time record: Carl Albert leads, 9-4
Previous meeting: Carl Albert beat Del City, 19-0, in 2022 quarterfinals
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State championship history
Carl Albert: Seventeen state titles in 18 appearances, last appearance in 2022, last title in 2022
Del City: One state title in one appearance, last appearance in 1976, last title in 1976
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Player to watch
Carl Albert: Kevin Sperry Jr., QB, Jr. — Since coming in from Prosper Rock Hill in Frisco, Texas, Sperry Jr. has made his presence felt in Midwest City as a junior. The OU commitment has had a stellar first season at Carl Albert, completing 122 of his 179 passes for 2,431 yards and 29 touchdowns while also rushing for 460 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Del City: LaDainian Fields, WR/DB, Sr. — Fields has been on a tear to start the postseason, catching 21 passes for 423 yards and six touchdowns in the Eagles' first three playoff games. The TCU commitment has led Del City in receiving yards and touchdowns throughout the season while also recording 33 tackles, an interception and a touchdown in the Eagles secondary.
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Keys to victory
Carl Albert: Limit Rodney Fields Jr. This matchup will be a defensive showdown between Class 5A's two undefeated powers. Del City's dominance this season has largely been thanks to Fields' immense impact in the backfield. The Eagles running back and OSU commitment has run for over 1,200 yards and 17 touchdowns this year and 257 yards and two additional touchdowns as a pass catcher. Carl Albert will have a tall task trying to subdue Fields and Braelon Adamah, whose recent postseason play has helped the Eagles advance to the state title game.
Del City: Contain the run game. Carl Albert has rattled off 21 consecutive wins dating back to Week 2 of last season, largely thanks to the efforts of running back Xavier Robinson. He and Sperry have spearheaded a Titans offense that has produced over 165 rushing yards per game, as the backfield tandem has combined for over 2,000 yards on the ground this season. The Eagles have succeeded in stopping opposing rushing attacks this postseason and must continue to do so in a matchup against the best-rushing backfield 5A.
—Jordan Davis, Staff writer
Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at jdavis@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @jdavis34_. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: How Carl Albert and Del City match up in Class 5A state championship
