Talihina’s football team will prepare to rock the home crowd in cool weather (61 degrees at kickoff) with hopes of another run to the championship game on Friday. Meanwhile, Pocola is taking one of the longest trips in Oklahoma football playoffs in chilly, windy air (52 degrees and 11 mph wind at kickoff) with the goal of making it past the second round for the first time in program history. Here are the matchups.
Healdton (9-2) at Talihina (11-0) 7 p.m.
Points per game: Talihina 51, Healdton 39.6.
Points allowed per game: Talihina 8.5, Healdton 17.8.
How they got here: Talihina won the Class A-II-3 district title and beat Ketchum 51-8 in its first-round playoff on Friday. Healdton, which will travel 167 miles to Talihina, placed second in District A-II-2 and won its first-round playoff 47-19 against Texhoma/Goodwell on Friday.
Notes: Talihina’s Landen Griffith has thrown for 3,314 yards (75.4 percent completion) with 44 touchdowns and five interceptions and run for 964 yards (8.2 yards per carry) and 19 touchdowns. Healdton’s Roo Franklin has rushed for 1,594 yards (11.4 yards per carry) and 26 touchdowns.
The winner will face the victor of Mangum (11-0) and Fairland (9-2) on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. with the site to be determined.
Pocola (9-2) at Fairview (10-1) 7 p.m.
Points per game: Pocola 45.6, Fairview 42.2.
Points allowed per game: Pocola 12.5, Fairview 14.9.
Notes: Pocola quarterback Ja Posey has thrown 2,808 yards (69.2 percent completions) with 32 touchdowns and five interceptions and run for 291 yards (5.2 yards per carry) and five touchdowns. Jaryus Birdsong has run for 792 yards (10.2 yards per carry) and 12 touchdowns.
How they got here: Pocola placed second in District A-I-4 and won its first-round playoff against Pawnee 24-20 on Friday. Fairview was the District A-I-1 champion won its first-round playoff 26-0 against Hobart on Friday.
The winner will face the victor of Tonkawa (10-1) and Minco (10-1) on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. with the site to be announced.