Editor’s Note: Due to heavy rain forecast for the area, some of Friday’s matchups may have been changed to Thursday night. As of press time, the Henryetta and Dewar football games have been moved up to Thursday.
– As the high school football regular season comes to a close, Okmulgee County teams are gearing up for pivotal matchups, many with playoff implications. Here’s a look at what’s ahead for Okmulgee, Morris, Henryetta, Dewar, Beggs and Wilson teams, along with a breakdown of current standings and storylines that will set the stage for an exciting week.
— Okmulgee Bulldogs vs. Kiefer Trojans The Okmulgee Bulldogs are heading into Friday’s 7 p.m. matchup against the Kiefer Trojans with hopes of turning around a tough season. Coming off a 46-0 shutout by Bethel, Okmulgee has yet to claim a victory this year and carries a 0-9 record. Although scoring has been a struggle for the Bulldogs, they haven’t typically been blanked. This recent loss was their 19th consecutive defeat, stretching back to the previous season. However, a win over Kiefer would end a losing streak and help the team regain some much-needed momentum.
Kiefer (6-3) comes in with confidence, riding a wave of five straight wins, including a recent 60-9 blowout victory over Heavener. The Trojans displayed offensive prowess in that game, with Bradley Breland’s three-touchdown performance and Dakota Morris’ stunning 84-yard run propelling the team to 385 rushing yards – their season high. Historically, Kiefer has been a tough opponent for Okmulgee, including a 58-38 victory over the Bulldogs last October. Okmulgee hopes to turn the tide this Friday, but with Kiefer’s recent dominance, they face a formidable challenge.
— Morris Eagles vs. Wilburton Diggers
The Morris Eagles will face off against the Wilburton Diggers on Friday at 7 p.m. Both teams come into the contest with identical 0-9 records, each hoping to end their season with a win. Morris, currently on a four-game home losing streak, fell 59-0 to Vian last Friday. The Eagles, ranked 256th in Oklahoma according to MaxPreps, were outmatched against Vian’s 53rdranked Wolverines. Despite the loss, Morris’ squad is determined to finish their season on a positive note and break their home-field drought.
Wilburton, on the other hand, hasn’t fared much better. The Diggers have lost eight consecutive away games, the latest being a 34-14 defeat by Valliant. With both teams eager to snap their losing streaks, Friday’s game promises to be a spirited showdown, offering one of them a shot at a season-ending victory.
— Henryetta Knights vs. Atoka Wampus Cats
The Henryetta Knights are set to host the Atoka Wampus Cats at 7 p.m. on Friday. Henryetta enters the game with momentum, having won two in a row, bringing their record to 7-2. Their recent 54-14 rout over Spiro showcased the Knights’ offensive power as they dominated on the ground, rushing for 227 yards while allowing Spiro just 26 yards. Running back Jason Powders had another outstanding performance, tallying 158 rushing yards and four touchdowns, in addition to a sack and seven tackles on defense. Nathan Nail also contributed, turning an interception into a touchdown.
Henryetta currently sits third in District 2A-8, trailing undefeated Vian (9-0) and Valliant (5-4). With a strong showing on Friday, they could secure a favorable seed heading into the playoffs. Atoka (2-7), meanwhile, is struggling through a four-game losing streak and coming off a 30-13 loss to Antlers. The Wampus Cats face a tough test against Henryetta, whose offense averages an impressive 39.1 points per game.
— Dewar Dragons vs. Caddo Bruins The Dewar Dragons will meet the Caddo Bruins on Friday at 7 p.m., each team bringing a strong record of 8-1 and eyeing the top of District B-4. Dewar, on a six-game winning streak, has had a powerful season, recently defeating Keota 55-8. Dewar’s defense held strong, while the offense put up 47-point wins in consecutive games. Ranked ninth in Oklahoma, the Dragons hope to secure yet another victory over Caddo, who they defeated 58-8 last year.
Caddo is riding its own five-game winning streak, including a dominant 57-0 victory over Canadian. Quarterback Cale Wigington led the Bruins, throwing for 315 yards and six touchdowns while completing 75% of his passes. Boen Proctor also added two touchdowns for Caddo. With both teams at the top of their game, this clash will likely decide the top spot in District B-4.
— Wilson Tigers vs. Wesleyan Christian School Mustangs
The Wilson Tigers (7-1) have had an exceptional season and will be looking to close out their regular season strong as they face Wesleyan Christian School (2-7) at home on November 8. The Tigers lead District B8 with a 4-0 district record, sitting comfortably above Copan and Webbers Falls.
Wilson’s recent victories include dominant performances, such as their 48-0 shutout over Copan last week. This matchup presents a valuable opportunity for Wilson to fine-tune their gameplay before playoffs begin.
— District Standings Recap
In District B-4, Dewar and Caddo remain locked in at 4-0, but Dewar’s stronger win margin puts them in a favorable position. In Class B-8, Wilson sits comfortably at the top after a resounding victory over Copan. Over in District 2A-6, Beggs ranks third behind Holdenville and Davis, solidifying a playoff berth with potential to advance. Henryetta’s recent victories have secured them third place in District 2A-8, positioning them as a likely playoff contender.