FOOTBALL: Rogers County will host semifinals over two weekends | sport

Football season may be over for Rogers County schools, but the excitement is far from over.

Claremore and Catoosa were selected as host sites for several high-risk semifinal games, bringing some of Oklahoma’s best teams to the region. The semifinal games provide local fans the opportunity to experience top-notch Oklahoma football and provide a boost to the Rogers County communities that host these crucial matchups.

Claremore will host two Class 6A-I semifinal games on Friday, Nov. 29 at Lantow Field.

At 1:00 p.m., the eternal powerhouse Jenks (8:3) will face the undefeated Owasso (11:0) in a duel between the Eastside Titans. Later in the evening at 7 p.m., Bixby (9-2) faces Edmond Memorial (9-2), with both teams aiming for a spot in the state championship.

The Rams beat the Trojans 42-24 on Sept. 6, but Jenks has been hitting his stride lately, outscoring his last five opponents 203-21. Meanwhile, Owasso didn’t look as dominant, winning its last four games by an average of 16 points, including close games against Edmond Santa Fe (31-27) and Norman North (64-54), which finished 5-17 overall this season .

In the other semifinal, the Spartans are looking to advance to the championship game for the 11th straight season, while the Bulldogs are seeking a spot in the title game for the first time in school history. This will be the first meeting between the teams.

According to Claremore sporting director Brian Young, he has already confirmed many volunteers for the Black Friday matches and has reserved two helicopters to deliver the match balls.

“It’s pretty big and we’ll be ready,” Young said. “I assume some of the bigger schools didn’t want to host, so (the OSSAA) called me and asked if I would be willing to host and I said yes. We’re not making much money at all financially, but think of the more than 16,000 people this will bring to Claremore, spending their money in our stores and buying gas. And it showcases our school – that’s the only reason I do it.

“We will try to make it fun and eventful. When people leave Claremore they think, ‘Wow, Claremore can host a football game.'”

Catoosa will also welcome its share of the semifinals to Frank McNabb Stadium, beginning with the Class 6A-II semifinals on Nov. 29 at 7 p.m., when undefeated defending champion Muskogee (11-0) takes on Stillwater (9-2). to be an exciting rematch of last year’s state championship game.

The Roughers and Pioneers met twice in 2023, with Stillwater winning the regular-season game 30-20 before falling 28-26 in the championship game less than a month later.

Catoosa’s soccer festivities continue into December, with a Class A-II semifinal scheduled for Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. Regent Prep (11-1) faces Woodland (12-0) in a big showdown between small schools.

Catoosa athletic director Courtne St. Clair could not be reached for comment before deadline.