NOTHING BUT GREEN: Week 13 high school football picks

Nov. 23—Last week: 2-0 (100%)

Overall record: 72-17 (80.9%)

It is Thanksgiving week, and I am feeling as thankful as ever.

On the way back from covering Sequoyah's 35-7 win at Eufaula, I lamented having to choose between covering the Eagles or Verdigris this week.

Both have huge matchups this week in the playoffs, but I obviously can't be in two places at one time.

That is where the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association comes in.

In a stroke of luck, the OSSAA scheduled the teams to play at different times Friday at locations only 30 minutes apart. No. 3 Sequoyah will take on No. 2 Millwood in the Class 2A quarterfinals at 1 p.m. at Harrah, while No. 3 Verdigris faces No. 4 Heritage Hall in the 3A semifinals at 7 p.m. at Prague.

That is quite the Black Friday bargain if you ask me. I'm calling it Double Football Friday.

Oh, by the way, this is the first time since 2011 at least two Rogers County teams have reached the third week of the postseason. The schedule fits the occasion.

We'll start with the afternoon game between Sequoyah and the Falcons.

The Eagles (11-1) advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2012 and are looking to end a 13-year semifinals drought, while Millwood (11-1) — coming off a 38-12 win over Lindsay — aims to get back to its former glory and return to the semis after a four-season absence.

—X-Factor for Sequoyah: Landon Gilbreath.

Running back Logan Hattaway has been getting the most press recently with consecutive games over 200 yards rushing, but Gilbreath might be relied upon more than ever against perhaps the best defense Sequoyah has faced.

The Falcons held a decent Lindsay team to 54 yards rushing on 33 carries last week, so expect the Eagles to experience more resistance than usual in the running game. If Millwood can slow down Sequoyah's multiple rushing weapons, Gilbreath might have to take to the air to save the season.

In addition to rushing for 103 yards and two touchdowns last week, Gilbreath completed 2 of 5 passes for 50 yards.

—X-Factor for Millwood: Ricky Hunt Jr.

There are no Millwood stats available online, but Hunt is an Ohio commit who has the ability to take over games. Against Crossings Christian in the first round, he rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries while also completing two passing scores.

He will be tough to slow down.

—Case for Sequoyah: There is no question the Eagles have been underestimated all season. Even against then-No. 2 Rejoice Christian, which at that time was considered a favorite to win the Gold Ball, they held a two-score lead before eventually falling 42-34.

Given how Millwood has had more success in recent years, Sequoyah will be an underdog once more come Friday afternoon. However, one could argue Rob Gilbreath's squad has experienced only one "bad" game this season — committing six turnovers against Vinita — and still won.

If the Eagles can remain consistently sound on both sides of the ball, they could surprise the state once more on the way to the semifinals.

—Case for Millwood: The Falcons are an offensive juggernaut at 44.8 points per game, and their defense is just as impressive while allowing only 12.8 ppg.

—The Pick: Millwood 31, SEQUOYAH 30

I picked the Falcons to win the title in the V-Dawg Media High School Bracket Challenge, and it's a bit too late to go back on that selection now.

This will be my first trip to Harrah since my freshman year at Carl Albert in 2009 when JT Realmuto, now the starting catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Titans blanked the host Panthers 41-0 in the regular-season finale on the way to a state championship.

Is one of these teams destined for a championship as well?

VERDIGRIS VS. HERITAGE HALL

Verdigris (11-1) eyes revenge for its 21-7 loss to Heritage Hall in the 2020 quarterfinals while also ending its semifinal blues, and Heritage Hall (11-1) is in a similar boat having been eliminated in three-consecutive semifinals after reaching the championship game three times from 2015-2018.

—X-Factor for Verdigris: Reese Roller.

Roller is a handful for any offense to deal with, notching 17 sacks this season alongside three forced fumbles and 7.2 tackles per game. His ability to disrupt the Chargers' passing attack that averages 221.9 yards per game will be vital to the Cardinals' success.

Roller had two sacks and six total tackles in a 35-14 win over Perkins-Tryon last week.

—X-Factor for Heritage Hall: Andy Bass.

The junior quarterback has been on a tear the past two weeks, throwing for 589 yards and four touchdowns with a completion percentage of 65.9%. He has rushed for four scores as well during that stretch.

Last week in a 55-23 victory over Stigler, Bass threw for 306 yards and two touchdowns on 14-of-23 passing while rushing for 75 yards and three scores on nine carries.

—Case for Verdigris: A majority of the Cardinals' senior class has been playing and starting since they were freshmen. They've now made it to the semifinals for a third time, having lost by a combined score of 90-19 in the previous two appearances (2019 vs. Plainview and 2021 vs. Holland Hall).

This will be a highly motivated group that will be ready for the moment. Verdigris was a preseason favorite to reach its first state title game in program history, and this will be its chance to live up to the expectations.

—Case for Heritage Hall: The Chargers have a seasoned program that is no stranger to success. Reaching the championship game is simply what's expected at Heritage Hall.

There is a reason it has competed for seven state titles since 2007. However, this group of Chargers — much like Verdigris — hasn't been able to prove it can win on this stage, losing to Lincoln Christian in each of the past three semifinals.

If they fail to do so again, this year's senior class will be the first to not reach a state championship round at least once since the Class of 2006.

Also, Heritage Hall is outscoring its opponents this year by an average of 42.9-15.2.

—The Pick: VERDIGRIS 31, Heritage Hall 27.

I thought the Cardinals were the better team back in 2020 but just couldn't capitalize on opportunities, managing nine trips into Heritage Hall territory — six in the red zone — but scoring only once.

In all, Verdigris committed three turnovers, turned the ball over on downs four times, was held to 2-of-13 on third downs, missed a field goal and had a pick-six wiped out by a penalty.

Verdigris avoids those mistakes this time around and advances to the state championship.