After some unexpected losses, here’s my take on what happened in the McAlester Area on Week 6.

McAlester Buffs vs. Coweta Tigers

In this close contest, the Tigers bested the Buffs, 28-27.

Instead of hearing my take this week, we will hear directly from the players themselves after this heart-breaking loss.

McAlester players:

Zac Rogers – “We had great practice all week and saw everyone and everything they threw at us. I feel we executed poorly as a team in most aspects of the second half, and that really gave up that cushion that we built up in the first half. We had too many maladaptive brain activity changes in the 4th quarter.”

Caden Lesnau – “We had great practices all week and Coweta didn’t run anything we have not seen, we just didn’t finish and execute the way we should have. All we can do is move on and learn from it. We need work on the little details we didn’t execute on and carry it into next week.”

Owen Russell – “We had a great game plan and we had seen everything that they showed but we just didn’t execute like how we should’ve. We gotta fix the little mistakes and get our heads right going into next week and carry it out through the rest of the season.”

Eli Pemberton – “It’s the small things: reading your keys, wrapping up when tacking, sustaining block, etc. When you don’t do the small things, it can change the outcome of how a play goes, which can change the outcome of a game. I feel like we didn’t finish plays until the very last whistle. We have to fix that and execute better because they didn’t do anything we didn’t see in practice and we had a good game plan. This is pivotal moment for our team to work out mistakes and learn from them but not dwell on them. Our goal is still obtainable.”

The Buffs will travel to East Central this Friday to take on the Cardinals on Week 7.

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Hartshorne Miners vs. Stroud Tigers

This matchup was set to be the game of the season for the Miners, a game to show they were truly ready to take that next step into the playoffs. Unfortunately, Hartshorne fell to the Tigers, 48-16.

Payton’s Take: I honestly thought the Miners would come into this game more prepared. As this being their most anticipated contest of the season, I felt the coaching staff would have changed some things up to compete with the athletic, physical team Stroud boasts. Preparedness is key in every situation, and I did not think proper steps were taken to ensure a win for the Miners. The offensive line and defensive front of Hartshorne were no match for the Tigers, and this also led to costly injuries, including quarterback Jackson Moody and WR Gus Miller. I believe a lot should be learned from this type of loss, especially with so much season left to play.

Some positives on the night include impressive passes and rushing from Moody, as well as Kannen Osier receiving and tackling well. Acetin Rowell, Kelby Thomason and Malachi Sunagoowie also made an impact on both sides of the ball.

The Miners have got to make some adjustments all around if they want to be successful in the postseason.

Hartshorne will host Mounds this Friday for a district contest.

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Wilburton Diggers vs. Eufaula Ironheads

The Diggers, though improving every week, fell short again this week to Eufaula, 58-15.

Payton’s Take: I believe that Wilburton was completely outmatched by the Ironheads. Personal opinion here: I can’t understand how Eufaula is a 2A school playing schools like a Wilburton, Spiro or Heavener. It has never been fair to me, but I don’t run the OSSAA. If Wilburton was more evenly matched by a team that belongs in 2A, the game would not have gone as it did. Wilburton made great strides last week against Antlers, and I don’t feel this week was an accurate reflection of their talent as team. Eufaula has a great program, they’re always competitive. But, I don’t feel they are small enough to be in Class 2A.

“We went into game banged up, and allowed a really good Eufaula team get on top of us and ahead of us quick,” Coach Bullard said. “I was proud of our men for putting together some drives in the second half, QB Grossnicklaus hit Floyd Clark and Wilkett for a couple of TD passes.”

Wilburton travel to Valliant to take on the Bulldogs in a district contest on Week 7.

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I am so excited to be covering SE Oklahoma, my home! If you have any information to share on your team or you would like to recommend specific school coverage in the Southeast Area, please email me at payton.moody@vype.com.

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If you’re interested in reading more content about high school sports in Southeast Oklahoma, check out McAlester and Hartshorne Dominate in SE – McAlester Area – Monday Morning QB!