Don't underestimate OU at home

Yes, Oklahoma State is 9-2 and Oklahoma is 6-5. 

Yes, OSU has won all of its games on the road this season.

Yes, OSU enters Saturday's Bedlam contest at Memorial Stadium a lot more healthy than the Sooners.

And even though all the signs point to OSU winning for the first time against OU in the Mike-Gundy era, don't be so sure of it.

The Sooners are  65-2 at home while Bob Stoops has been roaming the sidelines. And don't get too excited about the one OSU victory Cowboys fans because Josh Fields, Rashaun Woods and Luke Phillips are not walking through the door prior to the 2009 matchup.

The Cowboys, in fact, would be playing with a second-string QB (Brandon Weeden) and a still-gimpy Kendall Hunter. 

And when the Sooners play on Owen Field they are a much different team than when they play at far away places such like Lubbock, Texas or Lincoln, Neb.

Final statistic to keep in mind: Since 1960, OU is 19-5 against Oklahoma State when the game has been played in Norman. And the Sooners are 37-8-2 all-time in Norman against the Cowboys.

My prediction for the 104th edition of the Bedlam rivalry: Oklahoma 30, Oklahoma State 20.

Garber is good (wait, make that great)

GARBER – Wow I definitely did not envision this.

Sure I expected Kiefer to lose to top-ranked Garber in a hard-fought contest, but wow, the Wolverines flat out thumped the Trojans, 58-12, Friday night at Warren Dell Stadium.

I've been to a lot high school football games in my day, but the performance Garber turned in against Kiefer was special.

Not only did the Wolverines manhandle Kiefer, they mercy-ruled the Trojans less than a minute into the third period. Garber scored a total of eight touchdowns and left the Trojans completely lifeless near the end of the first quarter.

I fully intended for the quarterfinal matchup to be a competitive game since Kiefer was one of the best teams no one knew about in Class B. But there is a reason why Garber is ranked No. 1 and no one has been able to touch them this season – or last season for that matter.

I have not seen Laverne, Canton or Ryan play, but I'm willing to bet Garber has no problem with any of them in the final two weeks of the playoffs as the Wolverines polish off yet another state title.

Here are some final numbers following Garber's 58-12 victory over Kiefer at Warren Dell Stadium:

Garber stats

Rushing: Zac Powell 7-101 (3 TDs), Cade Oller 8-58 (1 TD), Dylan Postier 3-3 (1 TD), Bryce Lamer 1-8.

Passing: Postier 12-19-0 204 (3 TDs).

Receiving: Lamer 3-91 (2 TDs), Powell 3-55 (1 TD), Hayden Vencl 3-34, Oller 2-22, Sean Swaim 1-2.

Kiefer stats

Rushing: Ostin Broadhead 6-0, Jonathan Mefford 1-(-5), Daniel Mefford 2-(-2). In case you were counting that's 9 rushes for minus-7 yards.

Passing: Broadhead 12-25-1 161 (2 TDs).

Receiving: CJ Ashwood 5-35 (1 TD), Nick Livingston 4-93 (1 TD), Jonathan Mefford (3-33).

QB job at TU should be up for grabs

After watching G.J. Kinne struggle Sunday night in Tulsa's 44-17 loss to East Carolina, I think the Golden Hurricane might want to revisit the quarterback situation in the offseason.

Obviously, with two games remaining – at Southern Miss and home against Memphis – TU won't make any drastic position changes. But once the season is over – bowl or no bowl – Tulsa needs to address who will be their QB in 2010. 

They should reopen the position for spring practices and decide between one of four players:

1. G.J. Kinne – The transfer from Texas, who is currently TU's starter, will be a junior next season. This season Kinne has completed 58.3 percent (151-of-259) of his passes for 2,068 yards and 17 TDs. He's had some stellar games this season: New Mexico (22-of-35, 310, 4 TDs) and Houston (19-of-25, 334, 3 TDs). However, he has also looked bad at times while throwing eight interceptions – two returned for TDs against ECU. He was even benched during the SMU game.

2. Jacob Bower – The eldest statesman of QB group. The transfer from Bakersfield College has played sparingly this season with his longest stretch occurring when he replaced Kinne in the SMU game. Against the Mustangs, he completed less than 50 percent of his passes (9-of-22) for 206 yards and 1 score.

3. Shavodrick Beaver – The highly touted freshman has only passed three times this season, but has been featured in TU's version of the wildcat formation. He is a phenomenal athlete and if he has a good spring – and proves he can pass the ball – he could potentially dethrone Kinne from his QB spot. 

4. Kalen Henderson – The ultimate longshot. The Tulsa commit, from LaPlace, Louisiana, is likely to redshirt, but if the QB situation doesn't get any better, he could see playing time right away in the Golden Hurricane's spread O.

Kiefer clobbers Gans

GANS -- I figured Kiefer would beat Gans, but wow, I didn't expect this.
The Trojans dominated the Grizzlies from the opening kickoff to the final whistle and advanced in the Class B playoffs with a 43-6 victory at Grizzly Stadium.
Ostin Broadhead rushed for three touchdowns and passed for two more and the Trojans moved on and will now wait until Friday when they take on top-ranked Garber.
Kiefer scored five TDs in the opening half and milked the clock in the second half to storm past Gans.
I'll have a full recap, along with stats and how they scored, in the weekend edition of the Sapulpa Daily Herald. -- www.sapulpaheraldonline.com

Final stats
Ostin Broadhead -- 14 rushes, 44 yards, 3 TDs; 16-of-23 passing for 219 yards, two TDs and 1 INT.
Jonathan Mefford -- 8 rushes, 80 yards, 1 TD; 3 catches for 75 yards and 1 TD.
Jake Stice -- 5 catches for 46 yards and a TD.

On defense, Nick Livingston, Broadhead and Mefford all had interceptions. Zach Boyd and Sergio Lazoya had fumble recoveries.

Kiefer's clash with Gans

I've never seen an 8-man football game, but tonight all that will change. 

After covering 6A football (Sapulpa) all year, I'm heading east to cover the Kiefer-Gans game tonight. 

Here are some things I'm looking forward to seeing:

1. Postseason competition in high school football. I've covered the playoffs in all other sports, but I have a feeling football will be different. 

2. Kiefer's D. The Trojans had the fourth-best scoring defense – allowing 119 points – in  Class B this season behind district winners, Garber (66), Porter (66) and Ryan (96). The Trojans' D was 36 points better than any other team in District B-3 – Davenport was the second best by allowing 155 points. Kiefer's defense is led by D-linemen, Sergio Lazoya, Jake Stice and Nate Jack, linebackers, Nick Livingston and Daniel Abrams, and defensive backs, CJ Ashwood, Jonathan Mefford, Ryne Gregor, Ostin Broadhead and Daniel Mefford.

3. Broadhead-Livingston connection on offense. When starting tailback Joey Ralston went down with a season-ending knee injury, the Trojans turned their focus to the air on offense – somewhat uncommon in 8-man football. But according to Kiefer coach Josh Calvert, Livingston might be the best WR in all of Class B. The Trojans still run the ball effectively with Broadhead and the Mefford brothers at tailback, but the rushing yardage hasn't been near as high since Ralston went down.

4. Gans,  America. I've been plenty of places in my life, but after tonight I can cross Gans, Oklahoma off the list. After going to places like Indian Bowl (Muskogee), Memorial Stadium (Broken Arrow) and Lantow Field (Claremore), Grizzly Field in Gans will feel quite small. But it's Class B, what do you expect?

Pregame analysis

After looking at the numbers and the matchups, I think Kiefer should have success stuffing Gans' rushing game, which has racked up close to 2,000 yards this year. Granted I've never seen a second of the Grizzlies on film, but it seems like they are a little too conventional with their rushing attack. 

On the flip side, I think the Trojans offense is sputtering right now. Through six weeks Kiefer was scoring points at will, but it hasn't happened since Ralston went down. 

I think Kiefer will have more experience in the playoff spotlight tonight. The Trojans played in the 2008 postseason and nearly knocked off Copan – game ended 14-9. Despite having plenty of younger players, Kiefer is a veteran-savvy team and shouldn't be intimidated by the postseason stage. 

The Trojans also played – in my opinion – in a much tougher district this season. I think B-3, arguably, was the toughest in Class B with Wetumka missing the playoffs despite having one of the best teams in Class B, according to other coaches in Class B. Kiefer played the likes of Davenport, Depew, Weleetka, Wetumka and Bowlegs while Gans' lone tough game of the year was against B-4 winner, Porter. I think playing tougher competition throughout the season will help Kiefer tonight.

•• My prediction for tonight's game: Kiefer 28, Gans 12.  

I think Gans could be an up-and-coming team, but the Trojans have too much veteran leadership to get through the first round. 

The second round, however, might be much different story when the Trojans are likely to face N0. 1 Garber, who is – Oh by the way – the defending state champions!

Bare with me...

I just created a blog to discuss all things Oklahoma high school sports. 

In addition to my stories in the Sapulpa Daily Herald, I will also give my opinions on everything in the wide world of sports.