We're halfway through the prep football season, and there are three undefeated teams left in the area.
Everyone knows about Norman North. The Timberwolves are 4-0, and would likely be 5-0 had they been able to complete their game against Muskogee, already up 10-0 in the first quarter.
Joining North in the perfect column is Lexington, a team that's just getting better and better under coach Brad Beller.
The Bulldogs are averaging over 300 -- 300! -- yards rushing per game and their first-team defense has yet to allow a touchdown.
Also unbeaten is Community Christian. The Royals have bounced back in a big way after a rough 2008.
They're 5-0 behind a good defense (especially for eight-man ball) and the strong passing of quarterback Scott Seymour.
While all three teams have plenty to be proud, a quick look at work still to be done reveals remaining perfect will not be easy.
Norman North
"I'm happy with what we're doing right now, and where our defense is, but I always say there's plenty of football left," T-Wolves coach Lance Manning said before last week's 33-0 victory over Moore. "We've got some tough games ahead."
Boy, do they.
North has had one of the toughest schedules in the state the past few years, but still managed to find the second round of the playoffs three straight seasons and finish 9-3 the past two seasons.
So far, the T-Wolves haven't been challenged much, outscoring opponents 143-26.
But they've looked great against the two ranked opponents they've played, Muskogee and Putnam City North, even if they only played the Roughers for a quarter.
Big tests are coming, starting with Friday's trip to Mustang (3-2). North's remaining five opponents have a combined record of 17-8. After Mustang it's Del City (4-1) at home, Southmoore (4-1) away, Edmond Santa Fe (1-4) at home and Lawton (5-0) away.
Lexington
The Bulldogs have been unstoppable this season.
They might run the option better than any team in the state, and they haven't had much trouble so far this season, outscoring opponents 211-20. Yeah, 211-20. How sick is that?
But just how good Lexington is remains to be seen. With the exception of rival Purcell (which is a class up in 3A), the Bulldogs have yet to play a tough opponent.
That all changes with a trip to Millwood (3-2) this week, which could be a battle for District 2A-2.
After the Falcons comes a break when Meeker (2-3) visits. But Jones (3-2), which upset Millwood last week, follows on the road, before rival Little Axe (3-2) comes to Lexington.
"With Millwood coming off a loss, they're going to come out fired up," Beller said. "Well probably see the best Millwood team anyone's seen all year."
A trip to struggling Centennial (3-2) finishes Lexington's regular season.
CCS
All is good at Royal Stadium.
CCS has put up big offensive numbers all season, and has claimed some big victories over OCSAA rivals Rejoice Christian and Southwest Christian. This week, CCS has winless Carney in town Thursday.
But the Royals have a big three-week test that ends the regular season, all against OCSAA opponents.
The three-week road trip starts Oct. 15 at Destiny Christian, which will likely decide the OCSAA regular-season title. Destiny is 5-1, its only loss coming against Rejoice.
Then the Royals are at Southwest Covenant (2-4), which is down this year. A win at Windsor Hills in the final week of the regular season would be a springboard into the OCSAA playoffs beginning the first week of November.
Players of the Week
Norman North quarterback Brad Valentino completed 11-of-19 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns against Moore.
CCS quarterback Scott Seymour compleed 9-of-13 passes for six touchdowns against one interception. He also ran for 14 yards and a score against SW Christian.
Jeff Johncox 366-3535 jjohncox@normantranscript.com
