As the 2025 regular season draws to a close, three Okmulgee County football programs – Dewar, Beggs and Wilson – are celebrating playoff berths and gearing up for the first round of the OSSAA State Football Championships this Friday at 7 p.m. Each team enters the postseason with a distinct path, home-field advantages for two and plenty of momentum after strong finishes to their regular campaigns.

— Dewar riding five-game win streak The Dewar Dragons (8-2) capped their regular season in dramatic fashion Thursday night, edging past the Caddo Bruins in a 34-32 thriller that stretched their winning streak to five games. The victory not only avenged previous meetings but also reaffirmed Dewar’s late-season dominance heading into the playoffs.

Caddo, who had entered the matchup undefeated, fell to 9-1 after surrendering more than triple their season average in points allowed. Despite their setback, the Bruins got a stellar performance from quarterback Cale Wigington, who rushed for 257 yards and two touchdowns while completing over 76 percent of his passes for another 150 yards. Running back Bayler Black added 110 total yards and a touchdown.

The Dragons’ balanced offensive and defensive units under Coach Matt Ross have been critical all year. Their high-octane attack has kept opponents off-balance, while their gritty defense has delivered key stops when needed most – as they did in Thursday’s narrow win.

Now, Dewar turns its focus to hosting the Foyil Panthers in the opening round of the OSSAA Class B-I Playoffs. Foyil enters the postseason determined, but the Dragons’ homefield advantage and momentum could prove decisive. The winner of Dewar-Foyil will advance to face the victor between Drumright and Yale, both formidable programs in the top half of the bracket.

— Golden Demons headed to Stroud The Beggs Golden Demons (6-4) have navigated a rollercoaster of a season but secured their spot in the Class 2A-II playoffs after finishing strong in district play. Their grit and physicality earned them the No. 5 seed from District 2A-II-4, setting up a challenging road matchup against the Stroud Tigers (9-1) on Friday night.

Stroud, a powerhouse with only one blemish this season, will host the contest, but Beggs brings postseason experience and a history of stepping up under pressure. The Demons’ offense has shown flashes of brilliance this year, complemented by an improving defensive front that has matured as the season progressed. Coach David Shannon’s squad will aim to replicate the resilience that propelled the program deep into past playoff runs.

If Beggs prevails, they will move on to face the winner of Valliant and Wyandotte, setting up another potential road test in the quarterfinals. Other notable first-round matchups in Class 2A-II include Vian vs. Dibble, Adair vs. Salina and Antlers vs. Davis, highlighting a field packed with traditional contenders.

— Wilson hosts Covington-Douglas The Wilson (Henryetta) Tigers will enjoy the comfort of home-field advantage as they prepare to host the Covington-Douglas Wildcats (5-5) in the first round of the OSSAA Class B-II Playoffs. Under Coach Matt LeGrand, Wilson has built a reputation for resilience and explosive offense, a formula that has carried them through a successful season and into postseason play.

Friday’s matchup pits two balanced squads against each other. Wilson’s playmakers have consistently delivered in key moments, while Covington- Douglas – despite a .500 record – has proven capable of pulling off upsets when underestimated.

The winner of this game will meet either Weleetka or Shattuck in the quarterfinals, both perennial small-school powers. The B-II bracket also features heavyweights like Seiling, Cherokee and Cyril, setting up a competitive playoff race toward the December 4 championship at the University of Central Oklahoma.

— Bulldogs end season, look ahead to rebuild While the postseason continues for others, the Okmulgee Bulldogs closed out a difficult season Friday night, falling 66-8 to the Kiefer Trojans. The loss marked Okmulgee’s eighth straight and dropped them to 1-9 on the year, while Kiefer improved to 8-2, earning their fourth consecutive road win. Despite the struggles, the Bulldogs’ young roster gained valuable experience under first-year head coach Dolphin Davis, setting a foundation for rebuilding efforts in 2026.

— State Championship Dates

• Class 2A-II Championship: Dec. 12, 12 noon at University of Central Oklahoma

• Class B-I Championship: Dec. 4, 7 p.m. at University of Central Oklahoma

• Class B-II Championship: Dec. 4, 12 noon at University of Central Oklahoma -With kickoff times set, local fans are already marking their calendars and for Dewar, Beggs and Wilson, the next few Fridays could write the final, triumphant chapter of a memorable 2025 season.