For the second year in a row, Sulphur will host Kingfisher in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.
The game will go off this Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Agee Field. Last November at this juncture, the Dogs dominated the Yellowjackets with a 399-yard offensive scheme that netted a 42-7 first-round victory.
But Kingfisher is a completely different team than the one the Dogs faced last November, and it will require a great effort to win, according to Sulphur head Sulphur coach Corey Cole.
“Kingfisher is a very good football team that has played a really tough schedule,” said Cole. “They got beat on a walk-off field goal last week to Plainview or they would have finished 2nd in their district. They have a really good offense and a tremendous passing game. It will be a tough challenge for our defense.”
Kingfisher opened their season with losses to Weatherford (20-3) and Clinton (30-27) before getting their first win over Bridge Creek (35-6). Since then, they lost to Pauls Valley in a thriller (43-40), then picked up a win over Purcell (26-13) before losing to Heritage Hall (46-23). In their final four games, they beat Star Spencer (41-22), North Rock Creek (45-41), and Anadarko (31-6). In their regular season finale, the Yellowjackets lost to Plainview last week on a walk-off field goal (15-13).
Although the Yellowjackets are 5-5 on the season and 4-3 in district play, they have a lot of talented players on their squad, said Cole.
“Their quarterback and receivers as a group are really talented,” he said this week.“We will have to get pressure on the quarterback and our secondary will have to be disciplined. Kingfisher plays a very aggressive defense and we will need to be hitting on all cylinders Friday night.”
Cole said the Dogs must control the line of scrimmage, take care of the ball, and continue to play fast and aggressive as some of the keys to victory.
“It’s gonna be two good teams playing Friday night trying to keep their playoff dreams alive,” he said. “ The Bulldogs will have to be ready for a tough challenge. These guys have worked hard since last December to get back to the playoffs and have an opportunity to go do something special and it’s finally here.”
Cole thanked the community for all the support this season. “We appreciate and are grateful for all the support we have been getting- it’s gonna be a beautiful night - hope to see the stands full for this big time playoff game Friday night.”
Cole reminded fans that only OSSAA passes will be accepted at playoff games and that no local passes will be accepted.
