Heavener vs. Sequoyah-Tahlequah a closer look

(Note) This is the first in a series of previews of this week’s playoff games

Heavener plays at Sequoyah-Tahlequah Friday in what is believed to be the first football game between the two schools.

Both teams finished 7-2 on the season. The Wolves were third behind Idabel and Eufaula while Sequoyah was second to Prague.

Sequoyah defeated Vian, 38-35 at Vian Friday to clinch the second seed for the playoffs. Vian’s quarterback did not play in the game due to a suspension the previous week.

The three teams that defeated Heavener have only three losses between them, all by Eufaula, as Central Sallisaw and Idabel are both undefeated.

Sequoyah lost its first two games before finishing 7-1 with the only loss during that stretch coming to undefeated, district champion Prague.

The only common opponent is Eufaula. Sequoyah lost at Eufaula, 63-7, in the second week of the season while Heavener lost at home to the Ironheads in district play three weeks later, 35-14, in a game which was much closer than the final score.

This is Heavener’s best record since 2004 and the Wolves’ first playoff season since 2011. Both teams struggled last season as the Wolves were 2-8 while Sequoyah went 1-9.

The winner of Friday’s game advances to the second round against the Kiefer and Vinita winner. Kiefer is 10-0 while Vinita is 5-5.