By Richard Polen
sports@joplinglobe.com
MIAMI, Okla. — Just how the first round of the Oklahoma Class 5A playoffs is going to look depends to a large extent on what happens tonight.
Miami head coach Chris Risenhoover wants his team to influence how that effects the Wardogs.
Miami travels to Tulsa Kelley, still another top 10 opponent the Wardogs will have faced this season, in a game that will determine the Nos. 3 and 4 seeds in District 3. Both teams are 4-2 in district play.
Kelley is 7-2 overall, having lost only to Tulsa Washington, which ranked No. 1 in Class 5A, and Bixby, ranked No. 4. Kelley, ranked No. 7, has allowed just 78 points this season, including the 35-15 loss to Washington.
“We’re obviously playing a team that is ranked much higher than we are,” head coach Chris Risenhoover said. “It’s an opportunity for our kids to gain some respect they’re deserving of.”
Miami is coming off a 44-3 victory over Pryor last week. Senior quarterback Trent Turner completed 24 of 32 passes for a school-record 408 yards. He tied a school record with five touchdown passes, and senior wide receiver James Pickens tied a school record with 11 receptions.
“It was nice for us to go out and prove to ourselves we have the capability to produce big plays with the passing game,” Risenhoover said. “We definitely wanted to iron out any problems before we went down to Kelley.”
Turner has completed 107 of 179 passes for 1,539 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has 122 carries for 473 yards and five touchdowns.
Kelley had defeated Pryor 38-7 the previous week. In that game, sophomore quarterback Jordy Albert completed 12 of 14 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns.
“They’re a tough team,” said Grant Longcrier, senior running back/defensive back who leads the Wardogs with 492 rushing yards. “They have a good defense up front. We feel confident the way we’re playing.”
“Their defense is the thing,” Risenhoover said. “They’re very stingy on defense and they have a quality offense. Something has to give, and it’s going to have to be their defense if we’re going to win.”
The winner of the Miami-Kelley game likely will face Tulsa East Central in the first round of the playoffs. The loser would face Coweta, ranked No. 5 in Class 5A. Coweta, 6-0 in District 4 and 7-2 overall, defeated East Central 24-0 on Oct. 17.
The Wardogs are looking forward to the possible return of senior defensive back Josh White, one of the team’s leading tacklers last season as a junior. White has missed the last four games since he sustained a knee injury in Miami’s game against Bixby.
“We have a sophomore, Trey Flick, who has done a good job,” Risenhoover said. “The experience Josh provides, it would be a blessing to get him on the field this week. He’s the type of kid who’s always around the football.”
Miami began the season by losing four of its first five games, all of the losses against top 10-ranked teams. Senior defensive end Nathan Hazley had heard what the skeptics were saying at the time.
“They doubted us,” he said. “I think that kind of drove us. A lot of people will be surprised how far we go in the playoffs.”
Risenhoover said his team has made some adjustments to the offense in practice this week as part of its preparation for Kelley. “I think we’re ready to make a run that’s going to surprise the majority of people who pay attention to Class 5A football in the state of Oklahoma.”
The District 3 champion will be determined tonight when Washington plays at Bixby. Both teams are 6-0 in district play. Bixby started out this season 0-2 after losses at Jenks and Glenpool. Washington has lost only to Broken Arrow, ranked No. 5 in Class 6A, 24-14.
Washington has been playing without starting quarterback Eric Bennett, who saw his first action in six weeks last Friday against Skiatook. Bennett completed 7 of 11 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns in a 70-27 victory. He had three carries for 49 yards and two scores.
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Wardogs, Tulsa Kelley battle for playoff positions
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