Round two of the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association Class 6All playoffs is on tap for the Ponca City Wildcats this week. They will make the long trip to Muskogee to face the 9-1 Roughers.

Muskogee won its first nine games of the season before losing last week to Stillwater in a game of unbeatens. As the No. 2 seed from District 6AII-1, the Roughers had a bye in the opening round. Ponca City, the No. 3 seed from District 6AII-2, defeated Tahlequah 35-7 in the opening round.

The Roughers and Wildcats have a lot of history with each other as they were district opponents for quite a few years before going their separate ways this season. The Roughers have been focusing on atoning for a 35-28 loss to Ponca City in last year’s season finale for both teams. It was the final game to be played in Muskogee’s venerable and historic Indian Bowl football facility. The Roughers were hoping to send out the old stadium with a victory. But instead, the Wildcats posted a 35-28 win. Ponca City also has some pay back due for the Roughers as well, although it is a bit more distant in terms of recent history. Ponca City had a 9-1 record in 2005 the last year before 2022 that the Wildcats advanced to the playoffs and were favored to go far in the postseason. However, Muskogee upset the Wildcats to end an otherwise great year in Ponca City football history.

Despite the motivational factors involved, Ponca City faces an uphill battle in advancing any further in the playoffs. Muskogee is a much different team from the one the Wildcats defeated a year ago.

Jemarian Ficklin is back at quarterback for the Roughers. The talented sophomore had a great year as a freshman signal caller a year ago, but he has more weapons at his disposal to go along with his passing arm this year. Ficklin has passed for 2,435 yards and 36 touchdowns so far this season. Principal receivers have been Kayden Mcgee, who has scored 13 touchdowns, Brandon Tolbert and Anthony Watson. Ficklin has running back Ondrae Beasley in the backfield with him, but he has pulled down the ball and run himself on occasion.

Ponca City’s Head Coach Scott Harmon says the Roughers present a big challenge for his team.

“They are athletic and much better defensively than last season,” Harmon said. “We will face the best quarterback we have faced all season. They have several playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. We will have to do a great job of covering and tackling.” One of the Roughers’ weaknesses a year ago was their defense. As Harmon noted, they have shored up their deficiencies on that side of the ball and have been a huge part of the team’s success. They gave up 38 points two weeks ago to Stillwater, but that was below Stillwater’s normal scoring output. Defensive end Treyveon Houston leads the team in tackles, closely followed by outside linebackers Brandon Tolbert and Deshawn Smith.

Ponca City and Muskogee have had four common opponents, Enid, Putnam City, Sand Springs and Tahlequah. The Roughers defeated each of the four teams, while Ponca City defeated Tahlequah and Putnam City, but lost to Enid and Sand Springs early in the season.

The Wildcats have had a breakout year, winning six of their last seven games. They finished third in their district earning a playoff spot for the first time since 2005. Last week’s 35-7 win over Tahlequah ended a 36-year span without a playoff victory.

Coach Harmon has had a variety of players step up and make big contributions. Quarterback Tay Moore has been pretty consistent in leading his team, either through the air or by running the ball. Lately seniors Grant Harmon and Jace Schneeberger have stepped in to the running back role, necessitated by injuries. Both are also starting safeties on defense. The receiving corps has been led by Gavin Cunningham and seniors Gabe Roland, Rayden Agee, Ryker Agee, Schneeberger, Harmon, and Cayden Andersen and junior Hudson Haas have been a few of the leaders on a tough defensive group.

The game will be in Muskogee’s new stadium on the high school campus, at 7 p.m.