“OBA is danged good,” Buc Head Coach Mike Kirtley said about the final regular season opponent for his Tonkawa team.
All the pressure is on Tonkawa to win.
You see, a loss could mean the difference between a second or fourth place finish in District A-3.
While that wouldn’t cost Tonkawa a home field for the first round of the playoffs, finishing fourth would mean a second round playoff date vs. undefeated Ringling, the defending Class A state champion.
“That’s why it would behoove us to win this Friday night,” Kirtley said.
Win and Tonkawa has a guaranteed second place wrapped up and would get to be at home for the first two playoff games as long as the Bucs advance. (See bracket page 8)
The Trojans run a 3-4 defense and a spread offense. “They’re speedy and hungry, but it’s going to be nice to be at home,” Kirtley said.
OBA is 6-3 overall and 3-2 in the league.
The Trojans lost to Blackwell 19-26, Crescent 20-27 and Cashion 7-53. They beat Casady 8-0, Newkirk 50-36, Watonga 34-7, OCA 27-0, Hinton 37-0 and North Rock Creek 30-6.
Tonkawa went up against top ranked Cashion last Saturday, losing for the first time in five weeks. “I’m just glad it’s over with,” Kirtley said, “We did some good things, but consistency and having to change our lineup around has been hurting us.”
The OSSAA has changed the format to a six week championship bracket. All teams will play the first week -- Nov. 13 -- with the higher seed hosting. Then the winners will enter the regular fivegame championship bracket. First and second place finishers in each district are guaranteed two home games in the playoffs as long as they advance. District A-3 teams will be matched up with teams from District A-4.
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