One of the best fourth place teams in the Class 3Aplayoffs will be headed to Sulphur this Friday night to take on the undefeated Bulldogs in the first round of the OSSAA championship series.
TheAnadarko Warriors will be Sulphur’s Friday night foe in a big test at Agee Field as first-round playoff action gets underway statewide. The game will go off at 7:00 p.m.
The Warriors are not your typical fourth place team, coming into the game with an 8-2 record and losing only to powerhouses, Heritage Hall and Plainview.
Head Sulphur coach Corey Cole has plenty of respect for the Warriors, who he categorizes as a “dangerous and athletic team.”
“They have great skill players and play very physical in the trenches and on defense,” he said. “They are well coached and were in a tough district, you usually don’t see an 8-2 team in the first round of the playoffs. We know we will have to play great to beat an outstanding Anadarko team this week. They are very balanced offensively running and passing very efficiently. They do a great job of spreading the ball around to all their playmakers.”
Playoffs
The Warriors opened the season in a big, 36-35 overtime thriller over Lone Grove, and then went on to get double digit wins over Bridge Creek, (50-13), Chickasha (34-8), and Star-Spencer (63-0) before suffering their first loss at number three ranked Heritage Hall (52-14). The Warriors then got back in the grove with wins over Purcell (53-14), Pauls Valley (48-22) before suffering their second loss of the season at Plainview (49-28). They rounded out the regular season with a 21-14 win over Kingfisher and a 28-0 triumph over North Rock Creek.
For the Dogs to win, Coach Cole said they must take care of the ball and continue to improve in practice and during the game.
“This week is all about preparation with purpose and attention to detail,” he said. “We have to be physical and fast and play with great confidence and just be ready for the moment. Our guys are hungry and are ready to get the playoffs rolling. This season has been incredible but at this point we are all 0-0 and just trying to survive into the next round. Hopefully, our experience and leadership will take over and lead us to a victory.”
The winner of the game will play the winner of the Holland Hall-Berryhill game on Nov. 21.
