When Barnsdall plays at Talihina in a first-round Class A football playoff game Friday, it will feature a pair of teams that have overcome difficulties most high school teams don’t experience.
An F-4 tornado, the largest in Oklahoma over the last eight years, struck Barnsdall in May, killing two and practically destroying the town (see picture, above), only five weeks after another tornado struck the small community in northern Oklahoma.
Because of low numbers, Talihina didn’t even field a varsity team two years ago.
While not fielding a team pales in comparison to getting hit by tornadoes, both teams have bounced back in a big way.
Barnsdall finished 6-4 and in fourth place in District A-8.
Talihina finished 9-1 and in a three-way tie with Regent Prep and Central for the district championship. The Golden Tigers had the most district points and is the top seed out of the district.
Despite the two towns being separated by over 183 miles, they have two common opponents. Barnsdall defeated Summit Christian, 42-14, in district play and Porter, 35-14, also in district play. Talihina played the same two teams in non-district games.
The Golden Tigers won at Summit Christian, 62-28, to open the season and defeated Porter at home the following week, 44-25.
Talihina sailed through District A-7 competition until the injury bug hit and the Golden Tigers were defeated by Regent Prep in the ninth game of the season. Talihina had earlier defeated Central, which downed Regent Prep to force the three-way tie.
Barnsdall’s offense has averaged 32.1 points per game while the defense allows 30.1 points. Talihina scores 42.1 points per game and only allows 14.8.
The winner of Friday’s game plays the Velma-Alma and Texhoma/Goodwell winner next week. If Talihina wins its opener, the Golden Tigers will be back at home in the second round.
See the Class A-II bracket HERE.
We previewed Poteau’s game at Wagoner Monday and will feature Panama’s game at Pawnee and the Tonkawa game at Pocola later in the week.
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