Titans top Eagles in state semis

December 11, 2024 |

Carl Albert quarterback Gavin Woodring celebrates during the Class 5A state semifinals against Del City. Photo by Jay Wiggins

By Jacob Sturm
Midwest City Beacon

Mid-Del schools were on full display during the Class 5A State Semifinals being held at Putnam City North High School this past Friday night.

Defending state champions Carl Albert faced off with state runner up Del City, and in the rematch of the 2023 5A State Title Game, the Titans proved victorious with a 28-7 showing.

The low score really was due to strong starts from both the Eagles’ and Titans’ defenses. That included two key stops, one by both teams inside the 10-yard line, to keep both offenses at bay the entirety of the first quarter and nearly the entire second quarter, as well.

As the half was nearing its conclusion, Titans senior Caden Davis got the call and powered in a 1-yard designed run to put the Titans on top 7-0 with a mere 2:27 left before halftime. Carl Albert would get the ball back afterward and nearly get into Ethan Spiwak’s field goal range before the wind altered a kick’s distance as it came up short on the final play.

“Playing these guys, it’s really tough,” Davis said. “So, getting in against these guys, there’s a little bit more than just a semifinal (to get you motivated). The semifinal’s enough to get you up for it, but we’re playing Del City. It’s just got that little more of an edge to it than it normally does. So, it feels really great. It feels really great to get everybody in there.”

Davis certainly made an impact when he got his chance. He took five carries, rushed for 19 yards on those touches and scored twice, including an 11-yard wildcat run to cap off the night with 1:06 to play.

Devin Woodring also had a solid game passing. He completed 8/13 passes, accumulating 120 yards through the air and 23 yards on the ground. He also completed a 47-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Trystan Haynes.

As for Haynes, he accumulated 78 yards on five catches. LT Simmons also tallied 40 rushing yards out of the Titans’ backfield as a change-of-pace option.

Syncere Overton had 44 rushing yards with a touchdown and 79 passing yards for Del City. Ricklan Holmes II also contributed with 16 rushing yards on six carries.

Carl Albert coach Mike Dunn gave Del City credit for bringing the best out of the Carl Albert squad. Dunn said he could tell the team was ready for the challenge early in the past week, and they answered the bell when it was called.

“We did everything that we needed to do to win the game,” Dunn said. “We played complimentary football, all three phases was great. The first quarter, we lost the field position battle. We were on our heels the entire first quarter, but once we flipped that momentum we played field position (to) the end.”

Dunn also thought the offense played well to score four times on the ‘stingy’ Del City defense. He said that, and the way the units on both sides of the ball complimented each other, led to lights out defense down the stretch.

Dunn also spoke to the use of Daniel Newton as a quarterback runner. Newton ran for 18 yards on eight carries, and proved to be an impactful option for the Titans.

“Since he’s come back from injury, he’s been a way good special teams guy for us,” Dunn said. “Defensively he makes us way multiple, does all kinds of good stuff for us. And then offensively, he’s electric with the ball in his hands. We knew that we would get some downhill running and some toughness from him. He’s a big part of this win tonight.”

Dunn said he is elated to compete for the State Championship, and said it never gets old. Davis had a similar thought on the opportunity.

“This is going to be the third time we’re getting to go,” Davis said. “So, it’s pretty important to us. It’s crazy how successful we’ve been together, but I just love our group and I feel like we have a good chance at it.”

Carl Albert will face Guthrie in the State Championship Game Saturday night at 7 p.m. at the University of Central Oklahoma.