Local academic teams will take the spotlight this Saturday, November 15, as the OSSAA Regional Academic Bowl tournaments get underway across the state. Several Okmulgee County schools – including Preston, Morris, Beggs, Dewar, Wilson, Henryetta and Okmulgee – will be competing for a coveted spot in the Area Tournament. Four teams from each regional site will advance – champion, runner-up, third and fourth place finishers – according to the OSSAA’s official regional guidelines.

The matchups were determined based on each team’s scoring averages during district seeding, and tournaments will operate on a full-day schedule using four competition rooms with no lunch break. Regionals begin at 11 a.m. with Round 1, continuing through Round 8, wrapping up just before 5 p.m.

— Preston hosts Class 3A Region 7 Regional The Preston Pirates will enjoy home advantage this weekend as Preston Public Schools hosts the Class 3A, Region 7 tournament. The Pirates enter the bracket in Round 2D, where they will face the winner of an earlier matchup. A victory will position them for a potential run toward the regional championship and a berth in the Area Tournament.

The Region 7 field includes OK Christian Academy, Kiefer, Haskell, Kellyville, Chouteau-Mazie, Porter Consolidated, Mounds, TSAS and Luther – a competitive lineup that should result in an exciting day of academic contests.

— Morris heads to Henryetta for Region 5 showdown The Morris Eagles will open their regional action in Round 1A of the Class 3A, Region 5 bracket, hosted at Henryetta High School. They will take on Warner for the right to advance to Round 2A and a meeting with Okemah. Morris has a strong chance to move deep into the bracket and secure one of the top four advancing positions.

— Henryetta hosts Region 5 Regional

The Henryetta Knights will also compete at home Saturday in the same Class 3A, Region 5 tournament. As the host site, the Knights will enter the bracket in Round 2B, opening against either a bye team or the advancing school from an earlier matchup. Henryetta later appears again in Round 6, providing additional opportunities to fight toward the regional championship.

Hosting a regional also means Knights staff and volunteers will be central to running a smooth event – including moderators, chief judges and scorekeepers roles the OSSAA requires each participating school to help fill.

— Beggs begins Round 1D

The Beggs Golden Demons enter the Region 5 bracket in Round 1D, facing an early elimination- round matchup. A win would move Beggs into Round 2C and keep them on track for one of the top four advancement slots. The Demons will need grit and consistency to power through the busy schedule.

— Dewar heads north to compete in Class 2A Region 8 The Dewar Dragons will hit the road for Class 2A, Region 8, hosted at Foyil. Dewar enters competition later in the day – appearing directly in Round 6 and again in Round 8, giving them two crucial matchups that could send them straight to Area qualification. Their bracket includes Regent Prep, Quapaw, Depew, Foyil, Barnsdall, Glencoe, Coyle and others.

— Wilson set for Class A Regionals in Kiowa

The Wilson Tigers will compete in Class A, Region 6, a large bracket hosted in Kiowa. Wilson’s opening appearance is in Round 2B, where they face another Round 1 winner. A victory there would put the Tigers into Round 4A, and from there into contention for one of the four advancing positions. The Class A bracket at Kiowa features teams such as Coleman, Milburn, Caney, Achille, Wapanucka, Leflore, Tupelo, Moss and host-school Kiowa.

— Okmulgee set for Class 4A Regionals at Chandler The Okmulgee Bulldogs will represent the community in Class 4A, Region 5, hosted at Chandler. The Bulldogs hold a strong position in the bracket, appearing in Round 6 and again in Round 8, giving them two major opportunities to advance. Okmulgee enters Round 6 against the advancing team from earlier matchups in a field that includes Holland Hall, Perkins- Tryon, Harrah, Chandler, Cushing, Bristow, Heritage Hall and others. With two rounds of guaranteed play on the schedule, the Bulldogs have a clear path toward placing in the top four and securing a ticket to the Area Tournament.

Their regional also features one of the strongest 4A lineups in the state, making Saturday an important test for Okmulgee’s academic squad as they look to extend their postseason run.

— County teams show strong academic tradition Okmulgee County has a long tradition of success in academic competitions, and with seven county schools in action across four classifications, this year’s regional tournaments promise another showcase of local talent, teamwork and scholastic excellence.

Coaches received final brackets and instructions from the OSSAA on Oct. 31, reminding all teams of procedures, sportsmanship expectations and the requirement for each school to furnish a trained timer or scorekeeper.

Winners – along with runners-up, third-place and fourthplace finishers – will move on to Area competition, one step away from the OSSAA State Academic Bowl Championship.

— Saturday Schedule (All Regionals)

• Round 1: 11-11:40 a.m.

• Round 2: 11:45 a.m. – 12:25 p.m.

• Round 3: 12:30-1:10 p.m.

• Round 4: 1:15-1:55 p.m.

• Round 5: 2-2:40 p.m.

• Round 6: 2:45-3:25 p.m.

• Round 7: 3:30-4:10 p.m.

• Round 8: 4:15-4:55 p.m. – Best of luck to all Okmulgee County academic teams as they compete for regional titles and advancement to the Area Tour-