6A-I: Edmond Memorial_(2-2) at Edmond Santa Fe_(1-1)

Players to watch: David McComb, Edmond Memorial QB; Ciaran Pedulla, Edmond Memorial WR; Bergin Kysar, Edmond Santa Fe DE; Demarius Robinson, Edmond Santa Fe RB

After its Week 1 game was canceled and it sat Week 3, Edmond Santa Fe might be one of the teams we know the least about, but we do know they stormed into Tulsa four weeks ago and upset Jenks. Edlam rival coach Logan Thomas won’t take the Wolves for granted this Friday.

“Santa Fe’s physical on both sides of the ball,” Thomas said. “Dynamic running back [Robinson] behind a tough OL makes them go on offense. Front seven on defense is big and active. Very sound in the back end.”

The Bulldogs defeated Santa Fe on Week 3 last year to snap a seven-year losing streak while the Wolves stumbled to a 1-9 record, their worst finish in over a decade. This game looks like it could be one of the most evenly-matched Edlam games in years.

McKinnis pick: Santa Fe’s rein of terror has lasted too long. Unfortunately, the football gods are cruel, and they’ll give the Wolves yet another win this year, 42-28.

6A-I: Moore_(3-0) at Westmoore_(1-2)

Players to watch: Corey Dean, Moore CB; CJ Simon, Moore WR; Michael Graham Jr., Westmoore QB; Zane Zielny, Westmoore TE

Moore has looked really good in a 3-0 start. They’ve made a habit of playing spectacular in winning time, winning by an average margin of 2.3 points in those three games.

But Westmoore has owned Moore War, winning 22 of their last 23 matchups. The Lions broke a 21-year skid against the Jaguars two years ago before Westmoore resumed its winning ways in a 27-17 decision last year. Friday night is the Lions’ chance to cut that streak before it starts.

McKinnis pick: This year’s Moore War will produce sparks in an all-time classic. It will be the most-attended high school football game in the OKC metro this year. I’m taking Moore in its third one-score win of the year, 45-38 over the Jaguars.

Did you know?: The week of the first Moore War in 1988, students of the newly formed Westmoore High School wore black and held a “funeral” in the hallway for their former high school. According to The Oklahoman’s Adam Kemp, they even played taps over the school intercom. Westmoore secured its first ever win as a program later that week, 10-7 over Moore.

6A-I: Yukon_(1-2) at ³Mustang_(3-0)

Players to watch: Holden Kee, Yukon QB; Jaden Johnson, Mustang WR

On the night of Sept. 8, we learned two things; We learned that Mustang is a gritty, hungry football club in a 26-23 win at 6A-II No. 5 Deer Creek, and we learned that Yukon football has life again in a 37-34 win over defending 6A-II state champion Stillwater.

McKinnis pick: Yukon hasn’t beat Mustang since 2018. Give me the Broncos extending that streak to five games Friday night, 24-14.

3A: ⁷Lone Grove_(3-0) at ¹Heritage Hall_(3-0)

Players to watch: Andy Bass, Heritage Hall QB; Jordyn Harris, Heritage Hall WR; Eli Kendall, Lone Grove RB; Jaxon McClennahan, Lone Grove QB

After routing John Marshall by nearly 50 points last week, defending champion Heritage Hall will have a real test on its hands when the Longhorns come to town on Friday.

“They [Lone Grove] are well-coached. They run multiple formations to get different looks,” Heritage Hall coach Brett Bogert said. “They block inside and outside zone really well. [McClennahan] is an accurate passer and throws well on the run.”

Lone Grove’s 3-4 defense with a two-high look could prove troublesome for the Chargers’ air attack.

“They want to keep you in front of them and make you earn your points. They read well and get hats to the ball,” Bogert said. “We will need to execute well and be discipline to get a win. Should be a fun district-opener.”

McKinnis pick: Oct. 10 will mark 10 years since the last time Heritage Hall lost a district game. Lone Grove looks good, but you can’t pay me to pick against the Chargers in a 3A-2 game. Give me Heritage Hall 35-21.

4A: Bethany(2-1) at ³Tuttle(2-1)

Players to watch: Brady McAdoo, Tuttle RB; Shawn Rounsaville, Tuttle RB; Wyatt Giessler, Bethany WR

Easily two of the best four teams in what could play out to be the closest district race in 4A, both teams feature tremendous talent on their rosters and had successful years in 2022.

“Bethany is always a great team. We are excited to get back on the field,” Tuttle head coach Brad Ballard said.

“We are excited to be a part of a big game, but it will definitely be a challenge. Tuttle is very good in fall phases of the game, as always,” Bethany head coach Jon Arthur said.

Tuttle suffered its only loss to 5A No. 4 Guthrie last week. Bethany’s only loss came to 2A No. 6 Jones on Week 0.

“We faced an ultra-talented Guthrie team last week and came up short,” Ballard said. “We have had a great week of practice and we are grateful for another opportunity to compete.”

“They [Tuttle] have a great tailback [McAdoo] and a big, physical offensive line. They are also excellent on the defensive side of the ball as they play extremely hard and do a great job of using their team speed to get to the ball,” Arthur said. “We’ve gotta progressively better through the first three games. . . our guys have worked hard and have grown a lot thus far.”

McKinnis pick: After the Bronchos defeated Tuttle 40-34 a year ago, expect another tight match with the Tigers edging Bethany in the rematch, 28-24.