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For Guthrie BlueJay football fans the play-offs have been taken for granted since the Jays raised the 2007 State Championship last December. They would be correct about the Jays making it into post season play, but against who is the better question?
The only clear thing about the play-offs is 5A-2 appears to be set for the most part. With the 35-17 win over Shawnee, the Jays have all but solidified the second spot in district 5A-2. Carl Albert has done the same with the No. 1 spot and Shawnee the No. 3 spot. Ardmore and Durant will battle out for the No. 4 spot in Week 10 when Ardmore travels to Durant.
Districts 5A-1 and 5A-2 match-up with each other for the first round of the play-offs and districts 5A-3 and 5A-4 do the same for the first round games. The top two teams in each district will host first round games and the district winners host the first two rounds. The state semi-finals and state championships are hosted by a neutral site. Although, there is current legislation to be voted on later this year to allow teams to host in the semi-finals on an alternating formula.
REVISED
Currently in 5A-1 there is a 3-way tie for first with El Reno, Deer Creek, and Altus. Lawton Mac sits in the fourth spot, but if things fall correctly with the points system Mac could win the district. Duncan is currently on the outside looking in at the fifth spot, but if they win out they are in the play-offs.
El Reno and Altus have the best options of winning the districts with the winner hosting either Ardmore or Durant. Altus has already beaten El Reno this season and would have the tie breaker if the teams finish with the same record which is highly possible. Deer Creek has a much tougher task with Altus and Lawton Mac on the schedule, but does have a chance to win the district.
The formula becomes a little more clearer after Deer Creek travels to Altus this week. Unless, of course, El Reno loses to NW Classen. Okay, that's not going to happen , but thought I would try and confuse us some more.
Lawton Mac is becoming healthier and would not be a surprise to me if they win out by beating Chickasha and Deer Creek, on the road, to finish at 5-2.
We will not know who Carl Albert, Guthrie, Shawnee, or Ardmore/Durant will be playing until Friday night in two weeks, but it appears it will be interesting to watch how it all unfolds in 5A-1. Of course, ALL four teams could finish with 5-2 records and then be determined with the point system.
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Chris Evans Predictions
- El Reno defeats NW Classen, but loses to Duncan on the road to finish 5-2.
- Deer Creeks loses to Altus and Lawton Mac and finishes 4-3.
- Altus wins both games with Deer Creek and Chickasha and finishes with a 6-1 record.
- Lawton Mac wins at Chickasha and Deer Creek to finish 5-2
- Durant defeats Ardmore in Week 10 for fourth spot in 5A-2
If this scenario plays out then here is what the first round play-offs would look like:
Deer Creek at Carl Albert
Lawton Mac at Guthrie - Winner of this game plays either Tulsa Washington, or Bixby in second round game in Tulsa
Durant at Altus
Shawnee at El Reno
So, Guthrie fans I would assume you would not want to play Lawton Mac in the first round so in that case you are looking for Mac to lose one game and finish fourth, or win both games and get some help to finish in first, or second. In that case, Mac would be heading to Carl Albert, or hosting Shawnee, or Durant. Oh, the scenario's are plentiful! I will make another attempt at this next week.
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