By Christian Potts
Edmond Deer Creek photo by Michael Kinney
Sometimes, the schedule just works out where a night is loaded with big games, making it hard to know where to focus your attention.
That's the case this week in Oklahoma high school football, which is Week 6.
This first weekend of October brings football fans across the state multiple matchups that will have a significant effect on district races and future playoff seedings. Some may very well be previews of matchups that could come back up later down the road in playoff brackets.
Here are SBLive Oklahoma's Top 10 games, plus some additional good options from around the state.
1. Edmond Deer Creek (5-0, 2-0 District 6AII-2) at Choctaw (4-1, 2-0)
Many thought these might be the premier teams in Class 6AII this season, and so far, both have given plenty of reason to think so.
The Antlers passed their toughest test in their third game, taking down 6AI Mustang, 24-21, and they've won handily every time out otherwise.
The Yellowjackets, after losing in their season opener to a strong Del City squad, have since flexed their muscle on offense to the tune of 51 points per game ahead of this week's showdown.
It's a rematch of a 6AII quarterfinal game from last year where the Antlers, despite being the lower seed, went to Choctaw and pulled off a 36-29 triumph.
2. McAlester (5-0, 2-0 District 5A-3) at Coweta (5-0, 2-0) (Thursday)
McAlester played in what was maybe the game of the year in Oklahoma high school football, a 34-33 overtime triumph last week at Del City. Now, the Buffaloes will have only six days to get ready for another massive contest in District 5A-3, a clash of unbeatens and top 10 squads in the SBLive Oklahoma state rankings.
The key matchup here would appear to be the Tigers' stout defense trying to hold down University of Oklahoma commit Erik McCarty and the McAlester offense. Coweta is holding opponents to just 6.8 points per game, while the Buffaloes are scoring 37.8.
3. Wagoner (3-2, 2-0 District 4A-3) at Cushing (5-0, 2-0)
These squads already look to have separated themselves from the rest of District 4A-3, making this almost a de facto district championship game.
Cushing has lit up the scoreboard, averaging 55.4 points per game behind the arm of quarterback Blaze Berlowitz and a physical offensive line.
Since suffering early losses to powers Coweta and Grove, the Bulldogs have been sharp, shutting out district foes Skiatook and Oologah by a 102-0 margin.
Cushing and Wagoner met in the 2020 Class 4A semifinals, with the Bulldogs rolling to a 40-14 victory as part of their perfect 14-0 state championship run.
4. OKC Bishop McGuinness (5-0, 2-0 District 5A-2) at Guthrie (5-0, 1-0)
Key clashes abound throughout October in District 5A-2, beginning with this tussle of squads that both have looked impressive.
The Blue Jays shut out Piedmont, 27-0, a week ago, while McGuinness rolled past Lawton Eisenhower, 49-15.
When they last met, Guthrie scored a hard-fought 35-34 victory in the regular season a year ago, breaking a six-game losing streak to the Irish. Both teams eventually bowed out in the 5A state quarterfinals.
5. Hilldale (4-1, 2-0 District 4A-4) at Poteau (4-1, 2-0)
There isn't a bigger game this week in far eastern Oklahoma than this one, which will go a long way to shaking out the top in what looks to be a deep and competitive chase in District 4A-4.
Poteau survived a tough battle with an improved Madill team, 17-14, a week ago, while Hilldale was able to grind out a 24-16 victory against Ada.
6. Blanchard (3-2, 2-0 District 4A-2) at Tuttle (4-1, 2-0)
Even if both teams were winless, this matchup of Tri-City rivals would be a huge game for their communities.
But with the Tigers coming in as defending Class 4A state runner-up and the Lions having hopes of dethroning them not only from that title but also the top of District 4A-2, this game takes on even more luster.
Tuttle has won five of the last seven meetings, including a nail-biting 14-13 triumph last season.
7. Norman North (3-2, 1-1 District 6AI-1) at Jenks (4-1, 2-0)
The Trojans are winning, but haven't necessarily earned the style points they usually do getting there, having to hang on late for a 28-22 victory against Westmoore last week.
The Timberwolves, after a surprising loss to Yukon and a not surprising, but perhaps disappointingly lopsided margin (63-7) loss to Bixby, bounced back in a huge way by knocking off Broken Arrow, 57-50, in overtime in Week 5.
Suddenly, a win against the Trojans could put North in the driver's seat for second place in District 6AI-1 behind Bixby.
8. Bristow (3-2, 2-0 District 3A-4) at Verdigris (5-0, 2-0)
Verdigris keeps on finding the win column, following up a hard-fought 35-32 win against Tulsa Central in their district opener by taking down defending Class 3A state champion Holland Hall, 28-6, last week. The Cardinals also have decisive wins against the likes of Beggs and Sperry already on their resume.
But they'll get a test this week from a Bristow squad that is stronger than some might realize. Their losses came to 4A power Cushing and a strong 2A squad in Chandler (in overtime), two squads with a combined record of 9-1.
The Pirates have dominated all three opponents since.
9. Waynoka (5-0, 2-0 District C-1) at Timberlake (5-0, 2-0)
This could be not just a battle to determine the likely champion of District C-1, but a possible state championship preview in Class C, pitting two of only four remaining unbeaten teams in the class.
Both teams have impressed this year, with Waynoka averaging 52 points a game and the defending state champion Tigers averaging 50.
The teams last met in the 2020 playoffs, a 50-30 Timberlake win in the quarterfinals.
10. Stillwater (5-0, 2-0 District 6AII-1) at Sand Springs (3-2, 1-1)
The Pioneers looked great in a 38-6 blowout at Tulsa Booker T. Washington last week, while the Sandites rallied from a halftime deficit to slip past Tahlequah, 25-21.
With a loss already in District 6AII-1 play to Muskogee, this game is critical for Sand Springs for district positioning and potentially for making the postseason at all.
Stillwater is seeking to keep pace at the top with that Muskogee squad, which also enters the week unbeaten.
A few more games to keep an eye on this week include: Shattuck at Balko-Forgan; Madill at Ada; Bixby at Enid; Plainview at Lone Grove; Sapulpa at Del City; Tulsa Rogers at Grove; Christian Heritage at Minco; Mustang at Edmond Santa Fe.
