Week 3 preview: Lawton, Tri-City showdowns

Lawton Eisenhower vs Lawton MacArthur

Ike made a big statement last week by coming to the OKC area and cruising past Del City 40-13 behind a stout defense that shut down blue-chip QB Terry Wilson and the Eagles. MacArthur hung on for a dramatic 35-33 victory against Lawton High to start its season 2-0.

Newcastle at Blanchard

The Racers had an impressive win in week two, ripping rival Tuttle 45-13. It’s their first win in 11 years against the Tigers, spurred by a big game from quarterback Casey Freeman. Now they get the other third of the Tri-City rivalry in the Lions, who defeated Tuttle in the season opener but fell 43-21 to Casady last week.

Heritage Hall at Davis

Two of the most successful programs of the past decade renew their rivalry with a cross-class game. Heritage Hall rolled past Clinton a week ago, while Davis defeated local rival Sulphur in one of south-central Oklahoma’s biggest games.

Several other good ones in the southwest this week include Beaver at Hollis, Walters at Snyder and Elgin at Tuttle.

Clinton seeks to bounce back; Highway 81 rivals to clash

The games are already heating up for small-school powers in northwest Oklahoma as week two of the high school football season hits.

Clinton at Heritage Hall

Heritage Hall comes in off a solid win against Casady, while the Red Tornadoes are smarting from a blowout loss at home to Lawton MacArthur. A year ago, the Tornadoes dominated Heritage Hall, 39-6 and look to give new coach Phillip Koons his first win on the Clinton sidelines.

Kingfisher at Hennessey

The Highway 81 battle features two championship-caliber programs, as three of the last four years one or the other has claimed a Gold Ball, including Kingfisher last season. Both teams were impressive in week one, with Hennessey taking down Elgin 30-7 and the Jackets shutting out Woodward 38-0.

Okeene at Thomas

Perhaps the top two Class A programs in northwest Oklahoma, year-in and year-out, square off in an early matchup. The Whippets look to bounce back a 36-0 loss to Chisholm while Thomas scored an impressive 33-6 triumph against Alva in the season opener.

A few other games to keep an eye on featuring northwest squads this week include Enid at Sand Springs, Merritt at Seiling, Fairview at Chisholm and Shattuck at Sharon-Mutual.

Lincoln Christian hosts Night of Champions

There will be an impressive group of teams on hand for the Night Champions at Lincoln Christian School  Friday night.  Cascia Hall and Locust Grove will square off in the first of two mini-games at 7:00.  The second game will feature the host Bulldogs against Heritage Hall at 8:15.

Volleyball opens new era on Monday

The volleyball season begins Monday.  It will be a new era as for the first time there will be four classifications.  The state’s smallest schools will compete in the newly formed class 3A.  The other three classes all have west side schools as defending champions.  They are Edmond Santa Fe (6A), Heritage Hall (5A), and Mount Saint Mary (4A).