A late season Edlam battle between North and Memorial has enough electricity in itself. Toss in a city title and possible home playoff date along with the bragging rights, and you have the potential for a blockbuster tonight at Wantland Stadium.
“When you win football games the school gets into it and there’s a bunch of school spirit, but this is for the city championship,” North senior linebacker Virgil Walker said. “Last year we both lost to Santa Fe, so it was just not to get third place in the city, but this year it’s for all the marbles. And like Coach (Jeremy) Dombek said, if we win this game, the sky is the limit.”
While Midwest City has the District 6A-2 title all but wrapped up, the number two spot is still up for grabs. No. 9-ranked North (7-1, 4-1) opened the door for the No. 15 ‘Dogs (5-3, 4-1) two weeks ago when they lost at Midwest City, creating a tie for second place.
“I’ve been a part of (Edlam) the last two years and a lot is at stake here, second place in district, hosting a game for the playoffs, and just being city champs,” Memorial senior wide receiver/defensive back Nelson Medeiros. “That hasn’t happened here in a long time. And we’re taking pride in that, winning one for Memorial. We’re very excited, I’m excited, I’m getting a little nervous thinking about it, but we’re ready to go.”
The ‘Dogs, who are coming off a 14-7 road win against Lawton Eisenhower, have found their rhythm offensively with Kameron Doolittle under center. The explosive junior has given the unit another dimension with his ability rack up yards with his feet.
Cale Olbert has emerged as a force in the running game, picking up 549 yards and six touchdowns this season. Olbert will get some help Friday with the return of senior D’Juan Brooks. The speedy senior got off to a fast start this year, before missing several games due to injury.
“I think we match up real good with them,” Brooks said. “Honestly, I think we should win this game, we have enough talent to where I think we can put several points on the board. We have great running backs, great quarterbacks and receivers, who can make things happen.”
The North defense should be ready for the challenge. The Huskies are giving up 20 points per game and have plenty of playmakers. Senior defensive end Colton Byford is a solid pass rusher with a team-leading nine sacks, while Dakota Lambeth has team-high 106 tackles.
“We’re prepared for it, we’ve been practicing all week, watching film and we can pretty much guess what they’re going to run,” Lambeth said.
On the other side of the ball, the Huskies have been one of the most consistent offenses in 6A. The offensive line quickly came together this season and has been clearing holes for the backfield trio of Joe Aska, Qua’Don Henderson and Jared Benway. Aska leads the group wit 818 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Benway has been a scoring machine with 11 total touchdowns this fall.
North’s passing game was in good hands with quarterback Travis Townsend, until the junior went down with a high ankle sprain against Midwest City. Senior Danny Rossi filled in nicely last week with three touchdowns in a win over Putnam City West, but Dombek is still uncertain who will get the starting nod tonight.
Memorial’s senior Adrian Shoecraft said they have respect for the North offense, but believes it should be an even matchup with the ‘Dogs’ defense.
“I think we match up well, we have been a great defense against the run, that’s one of our strengths,” Shoecraft said.
The Memorial defense has quietly been one of the best in Class 6A this year. They are allowing just 10.5 points per game, while holding teams to only 172 yards of offense.
Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at Wantland Stadium.
Sports
Related Photos
-
Edmond Memorial's Kameron Doolittle searches for an opening he can exploit against the Midwest City Bombers at UCO's Wantland Stadium earlier this season. Trevor Hultner
-
Running back Qua'Don Henderson takes the ball a few more yards in the game against Putnam City. Trevor Hultner
Discussion
Everything is on the line
Memorial squares off with North with second place up for grabs
- Sports
-
-
All-Edmond Golf 2012
-
OCA’s Drewke signs with OC
Oklahoma Christian Academy senior Kara Drewke signed to play soccer at Oklahoma Christian University this week.
-
OC enters final day of NAIA golf championship with 3-stroke lead
Defending national champions and No. 2-ranked Oklahoma Christian maintained the clubhouse lead heading into the final round of the 61st annual NAIA Men’s Golf National Championships presented by FORE! Salem at Creekside Golf Club.
-
Kansas State shuts Cowboys out of tourney
Five days after Oklahoma State University pitcher Randy McCurry dominated Texas A&M in his best pitching performance this season, the junior from Tupelo had his worst outing as Kansas State eliminated the Cowboys from the Big 12 tournament, 11-5, Thursday at Oklahoma City’s Bricktown Ballpark.
-
Defending champion Oklahoma Christian holds 6-stroke lead at NAIA tournament
Midway through the 61st annual NAIA Men’s Golf National Championships presented by FORE! Salem at Creekside Golf Club, defending national champions and No. 2-ranked Oklahoma Christian University holds a six-stroke lead with 36 holes remaining.
-
Eagles, Bogstrand overcome soggy conditions, stand 2nd
Growing up in Norway, Oklahoma Christian University golfer Vilhelm Bogstrand became used to playing in adverse weather conditions. That experience served him well on Tuesday in the opening round of the NAIA Championship.
-
UCO qualifies boat for national rowing; 2 Broncho rowers named All-American
Central Oklahoma will make its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II Women’s Rowing Championships this weekend when the Bronchos send their 8+ boat to the West Windsor, N.J. for that three-day event.
-
UCO's Edwards named to academic All-America team
The awards just keep coming for Central Oklahoma’s Kacie Edwards, who was named Wednesday to the 2012 Capital One Academic All-America NCAA Division II Softball Team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
-
Bronchos fall in World Series semifinals
A dream season ended in disappointment for Central Oklahoma here Saturday afternoon in the NCAA Division II World Series.
-
UCO women 8th at Div. II golf championship
Chaney Uhles capped off a brilliant sophomore season with a fifth-place finish in the NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championships here Saturday to lead Central Oklahoma to an eight-place showing in its first-ever national tournament appearance.
- More Sports Headlines
-
