Carl Albert, Del City rematch lands in 5A semis
Carl Albert’s defense tries to stop a Del City ball carrier in the 2023 state championship. Photo by Jeff Harrison
State semifinal set for 7 p.m., Friday at Putnam City North
By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon
The most anticipated Class 5A football game will take place Friday night as Carl Albert and Del City go head-to-head in the semifinals.
The game is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 6 at Putnam City North High School.
It will be a rematch of last year’s state championship. Carl Albert beat Del City 35-14 for their second straight title and No. 18 overall.
Unlike last year, the Titans and Eagles ended up on the same side of the playoff bracket. Carl Albert won District 5A-2 and Del City was the 5A-4 champion.
The winner will move on to play Guthrie or Newcastle in the state championship on Dec. 14.
Carl Albert and Del City lost key players from last year but both have bulldozed their way through the competition in 2024.
The Titans (12-0) have held opponents to 3.3 points per game and did not surrender a point through the first five weeks. Meanwhile, their offense is averaging 53.25 points per game.
Carl Albert beat Midwest City and Claremore in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Senior quarterback Devin Woodring patiently waited for his turn, and it paid off. He’s passed for 2,127 yards with 28 touchdowns and only three interceptions, while adding 419 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
There are plenty of targets to throw to. University of Oklahoma commits Trystan Haynes and Trynae Washington have led the way. Haynes has 42 catches for 630 yards and eight scores, while
Washington has 28 receptions for 508 yards and seven touchdowns.
LT Simmons leads the rushing attack with 1,024 yards and 11 touchdowns. Caden Davis and Daniel Newton have also been productive runners, especially in short yardage situations.
Defensively, Joe Thomas led the team with 11 sacks, while Lebron Royal has nine and Davis has eight. Davis is the leading tackler with 130 total tackles.
Kicker Ethan Spiwak has missed only one extra point and hit 7 of 10 field goals including a long of 51 yards.
Del City (11-1) has been just as tough. They lost their opener to Class 6A-I state semifinalist Edmond Memorial, 35-0 but have been on a tear since. The Eagles have allowed only 42 points in their last 11 games while scoring more than 50 points seven times.
The Eagles earned wins over Shawnee (31-0) and Bishop McGuinness (66-0) in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
Sophomore Cash Koertner has started most of the games this year and thrown for 1,065 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions. Freshman Syncere Overton has carried some of the load lately as Koertner recovered from an injury. Overton has 574 yards passing with 5 touchdowns and no interceptions in eight games.
The Eagles’ running attack is potent and deep. Ricklan Holmes and Jeremiah Miles have more than 500 yards each and Kaleb Blackwolf rushed for 382 yards and nine scores.
Ke’Darrius Palmer leads the team with 28 receptions for 517 yards and four scores. Josiah Chester has 26 catches for 413 yards and five TDs. Mishaun Graham is a deep threat and averages 28 yards per catch and has three touchdowns.
On defense, Javonte Neequaye leads the team with 88 tackles. Tayvann Johnson has six sacks and D’Marion Turner and Jashawn McCalister have three interceptions apiece.
Kicker Tony Rios hit 90% of his extra points and made one field goal.
The Titans are riding a 37-game winning streak that includes back-to-back state titles.
Del City
