NORMAN — I wrote last week that we would learn then exactly what Norman High and Norman North were made of. With pivotal district games for both squads against two of the state’s top teams in Southmoore and Edmond North, there was no doubt we would learn much about both Norman schools.
Did we ever.
Some thought that games against two teams that many considered the best in the west would expose the Tigers and Timberwolves as good teams that nevertheless weren’t among the state’s elite. But NHS and North proved that theory incorrect quickly, jumping out to big leads long before the final seconds ticked away before they gathered on one knee near the center of the field.
It was a truly impressive performance by both squads that proved to the rest of the state that the best in the west conversation absolutely must include both Tigers and Timberwolves.
Expectations for both teams were high entering this season, but somehow both schools have exceeded them so far. After demonstrating that, not only can NHS and North play with the best teams in the state, they can beat those teams.
But that’s not enough. These are two teams that are determined to take the next step, and that means beating elite teams week in and week out. And that starts this week. NHS will host Edmond Santa Fe, the second leg in a brutal four-game stretch that sees the Tigers play three top-10 teams. It’s a battle of district leaders, with both schools undefeated in District 6A-4, though only one will control its own destiny after this week.
It’s a slightly different story at North, which will decide its own fate in District 6A-3. The Timberwolves have a tough test at Putnam City North this week, but if they can defeat the Panthers, it should be clear sailing from there to wrap up a title.
Regardless of where each team finishes, last week proved that the highest level of football doesn’t exist just on the east side of the state or in Oklahoma City’s northern suburb. It’s alive and well in Norman, and both High and North have a chance to take the program to heights not seen in years.
There’s still a lot of football left to be played, three weeks of regular-season play, to be exact. But after the inspired performance we saw last week, there’s no limit on how far these two squads can go.
It’s going to be an exciting month.
Corbin HoslerFollow me @Chosler88chosler@normantranscript.com
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