BIXBY FAVORED FOR A THIRD STRAIGHT 6A TITLE

2015 champion No. 2 Bixby (7-3) is gunning for a third consecutive gold ball and it’s hard to argue against a team whose three-year QB (Tanner Griffin) has led them to two others. Sure, No. 1 Muskogee upset the Spartans 45-42 to decide the District 6AII-2 title on Sept. 30, but the Roughers had to pull off one electrifying play after another to do it. It would be hard to bet against the Spartans if they get a chance to atone. Team to beat Muskogee (8-1) surrounds junior QB Jacob Medrano (17 TDs, one interception) with explosive playmakers and Kamren Curl and Joseph Combs lead a defense that is No. 2 in the class in points allowed. Friday’s win over Ponca City clinched the Roughers’ first district title since 1988. Except for a wildly improbable two-point conversion by Sand Springs on Oct. 13, Muskogee would be undefeated. Sleepers Take your pick. No. 3 Booker T. Washington (6-4) looked much better when starting QB Phillip Wheatley returned after missing two games with a concussion. No. 4 Sand Springs (6-4), runner-up to Bixby for last year’s title, had its chances against the Spartans in Friday’s final regular-season game. Players to watch Mike Edwards, Muskogee: Junior DE is slated to return after missing two full games with a concussion. He has six sacks and three forced fumbles. Rylan McQuarters, B.T. Washington: Versatile junior is a lockdown pass defender and has rushed for eight TDs and more than 600 yards. Tucker Pawley, Bixby: The junior RB has rushed for 1,583 yards and 22 TDs in his first season replacing powerful Nic Roller. Payton Scott, Sand Springs: Dimunitive junior RB averages 6.2 yards per carry and has 17 rushing TDs. Nic Swanson, Bixby: Senior WR has more than 1,100 receiving yards and 17 TDs. Marquee matchup Sand Springs at Midwest City: Sandites won a first-round match in Bomberville two years ago and must do it again if they are to return to the championship game. Looking ahead: Bixby could face the Sandites in a semifinal rematch of last year’s rousing final. Sand Springs led in the fourth quarter of that game before the Spartans rallied to win, 38-28. Predicted state champion Bixby 41, Muskogee 38

BIXBY FAVORED FOR A THIRD STRAIGHT 6A TITLE

Photo Credit: Mike Brown