Oklahoma high school football playoffs: Class 6A-5A quarterfinal overview

All 6AI games taking place in Tulsa area; Guthrie-Del City showdown highlights 5A slate

With the opening round of the playoffs in the rearview mirror, it’s time for some of the big boys to get into the action. 

Teams such as Bixby, Stillwater and Tulsa Union, who all had first-round byes, will get their first taste of the 2023 postseason this week as quarterfinal action in Class 6A-5A kicks off.

Oklahoma high school football playoff brackets updated for all classes 

At the same time, several teams who weren’t expected to be around at this point in the playoffs will be looking to keep their title runs alive.

“We have made some history and been through a lot of stuff,” Westmoore coach Zo Williams said. “We've been through some ups and downs and stuff like that. So, it's all good.

"You battle and have to be ready for whatever when it comes to the playoffs.”

In Class 6AI, all four quarterfinal games will be played in and around the Tulsa area.

Westmoore (7-4) has a rematch with Tulsa Union (9-1) from earlier in the season. In the opening game of the year for both squads, the Redhawks trounced the Jaguars, 49-7, at Moore Stadium.

When the two teams meet up Friday, it will be on Union’s home turf with a spot In the 6AI semifinals on the line.

Led by quarterback Shaker Reisig and tailback Jordan Schelling, the Redhawks' offense is averaging 35 points a game. Conversely, the Jaguars are allowing 33 points a game on defense.

If Westmoore wants to keep their season alive, the Jaguars will need to find a way to slow down Union’s balanced attack while also limiting their own penalties and mistakes.

Westmoore 2024 LB Connor Cavnar enjoys being in the middle of the action

In another rematch from the season opener, Edmond Santa Fe (7-3) makes its way to Jenks (6-4) on Friday.

It was the Wolves' surprising 27-26 upset victory over the Trojans on Zero Week that sent shock waves through Class 6A. Now Jenks, which has won four of the past five games, has an opportunity to get payback and knock ESF out of the playoffs.

Defending champion Bixby (10-0) is 35-1 during the past three seasons. Most fans outside of Norman do not see the Spartans picking up their second loss this week when they host the Tigers (5-6).

However, NHS is looking to shock the world.

Norman High 2024 RB Devin Alexander carrying the load more this season for Tigers 

Norman North (9-2) travels to Owasso (8-2) Friday in what could be the most evenly balanced and entertaining game in 6AI. Both teams are no strangers to making runs in the playoffs and neither should be intimidated by the win-or-go home element.

In Class 6AII, football fans are seeing a near repeat of 2022 with the same top four teams having a chance to move on to the semifinals. Stillwater (8-2), Muskogee (8-2), Edmond Deer Creek (8-2) and Choctaw (7-1) will look to avoid the upset bug in the quarterfinals so they can face off again next week.

The defending champion Pioneers will host Putnam City (5-6) Friday, while the Yellowjackets will take on Sand Springs (8-3) at Choctaw Stadium.

On the other side of the bracket, the Roughers will face Ponca City (8-3) and the Antlers welcome Bartlesville (5-6).

In Class 5A, almost all of the teams that were expected to win their first-round game did so with ease. That includes both Del City (10-0) and Guthrie (10-1), which will meet in easily the most anticipated game of the weekend.

The two teams have one loss between them and that was Guthrie losing a nail-biter to No. 1 Midwest City Carl Albert. The Eagles have rolled through the season unscathed since their season-opening contest versus Choctaw was suspended.

Because the game is being played at Del City, that may give the Eagles a slight advantage.

Elgin (11-0) and Claremore (10-1) also present another interesting matchup. Claremore’s only loss was a one-point defeat at the hands of Bishop Kelley, while no team has come within 10 points of the Owls.

Bishop McGuinness (7-3) knocked off Midwest City on the road last week to earn a trip to Tulsa to take on Bishop Kelley (9-2), which ended McAlester's bid to go to three straight 5A championship games in the opening round last week.

Bishop Kelley 2024 DL Sam 'Sack Man' Rhoades literally lives up to nickname for Comets 

No. 1 Carl Albert (11-0) rolled over El Reno in its playoff opener. The Titans are now set to host Collinsville (9-2) Friday as they look to get one step closer to retaining their 5A championship. 

Collinsville - the 2021 5A champions - enter Friday's game with tons of momentum after the Cardinals rallied from a double-digit deficit in the second half to win at Coweta on a late field goal.

-- Michael Kinney | @SBLiveOK