Shawnee snaps their losing streak and Prague comes from behind to stay undefeated! Those are just a couple of the big headlines form the Shawnee area this past weekend as every school in the region was in action. Without further ado, here is the Week 2 Monday Morning Quarterback!

As always, if there is additional info you want in future MMQBs, please reach out by emailing me at chris.cox@vype.com!

Shawnee Wolves (1-1) at Ardmore Tigers (0-3)

Result: Shawnee beat Ardmore 28-13

Top Performer(s): Deetrick Beavers, Shawnee (RB/DB, Soph) – 13 rush, 102 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 1 Def. TD

                              Ryan High, Shawnee (LB, Jr) – 17 tackles, 1 INT, 1 Def. TD

Coach’s Quote: “This was a gutsy performance by our defense to carry the team to victory. We were inconsistent on offense because of the penalties but put together a drive in the 4^th to take the lead. I’m very proud of this team overcoming so much to finally get over the hump and feel a win.” – Jason Madonna, Shawnee HC

My Thoughts: The Wolves finally did it! They got the monkey off their back and got their first win since Week 7 of the 2021 season, snapping a 15-game losing streak! The offense still has some things to cleanup (18 penalties) but the defense was dominant. Not only did they hold the Ardmore triple option offense to just 13 points, but they came up with two(!) pick sixes in the 4^th quarter to seal the game! The Wolves schedule is tough the next three weeks (@ Blanchard, @ McGuinness, vs Carl Albert) but now that the Wolves got the taste of winning, maybe they can build on it and pull an upset or two!

Up Next: Shawnee @ Blanchard (1-1), 9/15/23, 7 PM

Seminole Chieftains (1-2) vs Tecumseh Savages (1-1)

Result: Tecumseh beat Seminole 42-24

Top Performer(s): Ross Griggs, Tecumseh (RB/LB, Sr) – 19 rush, 148 yards, 3 TD, 11 tackles, 1 sack, 1 FF

                               Marquan Krush, Tecumseh (Ath, Sr) – 12 rush, 109 yards, 1 TD, 5 tackles, 1 INT

                               Donavin Garfield, Seminole (QB, Soph) – 9-17 passing, 155 yards, 2 total TD

                               Landon Bowling, Seminole (WR, Jr) – 4 catches, 89 yards, 1 TD

My Thoughts: This was a needed victory for Tecumseh. Their next two games are on the road and against very good opponents (McLoud and Newcastle). Getting a win over a tough Seminole squad should set Tecumseh up nicely as they close out their non-district schedule next week. For the Chieftains, this loss is disappointing. It looked like they made some strides beating Shawnee in double overtime two weeks ago but they seemingly took a step back this week.

Up Next: Tecumseh @ McLoud (1-1), 9/15/23, 7:00 PM

                Seminole @ Harrah (2-0), 9/15/23, 7:00 PM

Harrah Panthers (2-0) @ Western Heights Jets (0-3)

Result: Harrah beat Western Heights 46-6

Top Performer(s): Devon Macaraig, Harrah (RB, Sr) – 7 rush, 43 yards, 2 TD

                              Luke Sellers, Harrah (WR, Sr), 4 catches, 50 yards, 2 TD

                              Braeden Palmer, Harrah (WR, Jr), 1 rushing TD, 1 KO Ret TD

Coach’s Quote: “The defense was once again the face of the Panthers as we held the Jets under 100 yards of offense, created multiple turnovers, and held the Jets to just 6 points. Our linebackers, Terrance Allen and Walker Johnson, continue to play fast and aggressive leading the team in tackles. Now we go to Seminole and look to beat the Chieftains for the first time since 2015.” – Chris Bliek, Harrah HC

My Thoughts: This was another dominant performance for the Panthers. In their first two games, they have won by a combined score of 82-6. Coach Bliek seems to have his team heading the right direction and if they continue to execute like they have the first two weeks, the Panthers could be a team to be reckoned with in 4A. This week, they will look to close out the non-district portion of their schedule undefeated before they kickoff their tough district schedule in two weeks. 

Up Next: Harrah vs Seminole (1-2), 9/15/23, 7 PM

North Rock Creek Cougars (1-1) vs Prague Red Devils (3-0)

Result: Prague beat North Rock Creek 34-26

Top Performer(s): Grant McGinnis, Prague (RB, Jr) – 23 rush, 122 TD, 1 TD

                              Joe Fixico, Prague (WR/DB, Sr) – 1 INT, 1 Def. TD

                              Landon Kellough, NRC (QB, Jr) – 187 pass yards, 3 TD

                              Caleb Hawkins, NRC (Ath, Jr) – 99 rush yards, 93 receiving yards, 2 Tot TD 

Coach’s Quote: “This was a very tough ballgame, and I was proud of our kids responding the way they did after being down for the first time this year. I felt like we didn’t panic or lose our focus. We also continued to not turn the ball over while creating turnover on defense. Our special teams continue to be solid and our passing game is getting better.” – Rafe Watkins, Prague HC

“I’m proud of how the kids played. We had a chance to win going into the 4^th quarter and just couldn’t come up with a play when we needed to. Hopefully, we will learn from it and continue to improve.” – Jason Murray, North Rock Creek HC

My Thoughts: This was an impressive win for Prague. NRC can beat teams a lot of ways and had Prague on the ropes but like all good teams, the Red Devils never quit and were able to come out on top. This should also serve as a wakeup call for Prague. While they won, the Red Devils know they can’t get off the bus and have a win guaranteed. I expect Prague to clean things before their district schedule begins in a couple of weeks. For the Cougars, this loss stings. North Rock Creek was looking for win that would’ve put the state on notice, and had a chance, but could not pull out the victory. With a matchup with Holdenville set for this week, the Cougars will look to get back to their winning wasy before their tough district schedule begins.   

Up Next: North Rock Creek @ Holdenville (1-1), 9/15/23, 7:30 PM

               Prague – BYE WEEK

Bethel Wildcats (0-2) vs McLoud Redskins (1-1)

Result: McLoud beat Bethel 28-21.

Top Performer(s): Cole Kennedy, McLoud (RB/LB, Sr) – 17 rush, 107 yards, 3 TD, 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 PBU

                                 Kaiden Cue, McLoud (RB/S, Sr) – 18 rush, 127 yards, 5 tackles

                                 Jason Key, McLoud (WR/DB, Soph) – 3 catch, 27 yards, 1 TD, 4 tackles, 2 PBU, 1 FF

                               Cale Duncan, Bethel (QB, Jr) – 13-22, 137 yards, 2 TD

                               Austin Melson, Bethel (LB, Jr) – 15 tackles, 3 TFL

Coach’s Quote: “It was a great response by our guys after a tough rivalry week the week before. We challenged the to respond and play together and they showed up. Even going into halftime down 13-21, there was no panic or concern. Hats off to Bethel as well for a great game.” – Coleman Ramsey, McLoud HC

“I was pleased at how we responded early from the loss last week. We have some things we need to clean up, like being consistent on both sides of the ball. We strive to be better each week than the week before and want to play the best we can as the year progresses.” – Joey Ginn, Beth HC

My Thoughts: This is another disappointing loss for Bethel. I still expect the Wildcats to make that next jump and compete for a playoff spot in 2A, but this is now back to back losses where they had a lead in the game. Like a lot of teams, you have to learn how to win. If Bethel can learn how to do that, they’ll win some games this year. For McLoud, this was an impressive victory. They were blown out on the road last week against Harrah and rebounded well. They now head home for a pair of big game against Pottawatomie County opponents.

Up Next: Bethel @ Little Axe (0-2), 9/14/23, 7 PM

               McLoud vs Tecumseh Savages (1-1), 9/15/23, 7 PM

Meeker Bulldogs (1-1) @ Holdenville Wolverines (1-1)

Result: Meeker beat Holdenville 28-22

Top Performer(s): Treyvon Compton, Meeker (QB, Jr) – 13-20, 181 yards, 2 TD, 4 rush, 31 yards, 14 tackles

                              Ajay Lynch, Meeker (RB, Sr.) – 21 carries, 138 yards, 2 TD, 5 catches, 71 yards

                              Kayde Massey, Meeker (HB/LB, Sr) – 4 catches, 35 yards, 2 TD, 6 tackles

                              Brayden Dowdle, Meeker (LB, Sr) – 19 tackles, 1 TFL

Coach’s Quote: “Offensively, we were able to move the ball on the ground and through the air productively. We had seven possessions, scored four touchdowns and had three turnovers. Once we get the turnovers cleaned up, it will really help our offensive production. Defensively, we had another really physical outing against a team that stresses defenses. I’m extremely proud of how our kids played. They scored in the 4^th to take the lead and we had to respond with a long drive to take the lead back late.” – Maverick Lang, Meeker HC

My Thoughts: This was a good win for Meeker and one they should be able to build off of. The Bulldogs have one of the more underrated players in the state in Ajay Lynch. He can do it all from the running back position and will no doubt have more big performances for the Bulldogs. I’m expecting Meeker to iron out some of the wrinkles and be a force in Class 2A. 

Up Next: Meeker vs Pawnee (2-0), 9/15/23, 7 PM

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