Poteau and Panama

Poteau and Panama clinch playoff spots

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Poteau and Panama

Panama and Poteau played there ways into the football playoffs with road wins Friday, Talihina clinched a district championship and Heavener’s hopes of making the playoffs for the second straight season for the first time since were ended in a blowout loss at home to Bethel.

In conditions better suited for a duck, the wet and cool conditions made it a test for fans to attend games Friday in the first games that had been affected by the weather in several years.


Heavener’s Brayden Semore goes up for a pass during the Wolves’ loss to Bethel Friday night. Photo by KAMBRIE OLIVER


Heavener had trouble holding on to the ball as the Wolves fumbled seven times, not losing any but the fumbles ended drives, along with an interception early in the loss to Bethel.

The Wolves (5-5 and 3-4) actually trimmed Bethel’s lead to 30-15 early in the fourth quarter after a 44-yard run by Jaxon Armstrong and a two-point conversion from Zaid Rodrigues to Armstrong, Bethel answered with three touchdowns in four minutes to clinch the win and advance to the playoffs.

The Wolves’ earlier touchdown came on a 39-yard pass and run to Alex Armstrong from Rodriguez.

Bethel, now 5-5 and 4-3, advances to play undefeated Metro Christian in the opening round of the playoffs.

Poteau qualified for the playoffs for the 12th straight season as the Pirates pulled out a 31-0 win at Broken Bow to finish fourth in the district behind Ada, Sallisaw and Hilldale.

The Pirates (6-4 and 4-3) visit Wagoner (10-0) in the first round of the playoffs for the third time in a decade next week.

Panama won at Hartshorne, 12-10, to advance into the playoffs. There was a three-way tie for the third playoff spot between Hartshorne, Panama and Warner. The Miners got the third seed due to district playoff points, Panama finished fourth and Warner missed out.

The Razorbacks 6-4 and 4-3 visit undefeated Pawnee next week to open the playoffs. Hartshorne drops to 7-3 and 4-3.

Pocola downed Haskell, 26-12, to wrap up second place in the district behind Rejoice Christian. The Indians, 8-2 and 6-1, open at home next week against Tonkawa (6-4).

Talihina entered Week 10 games time with Regent Prep and Central, but had the advantage in playoff points. The Golden Tigers picked up the 15 points by defeating Mounds, 42-6.

The Golden Tigers are 9-1 and 6-1. Mounds is 3-7 and 1-6. Talihina hosts Barnsdall (6-4) to open the playoffs next week.

Arkoma had already been eliminated from the playoffs and the Mustangs 4-5 and 1-4, lost at home to Copan, 46-0. Copan finishes second in the district and improves to 9-1 and 4-1.

In a game Thursday to decide fourth place in District 2A-8, Antlers defeated Spiro, 52-19, to qualify for the playoffs and a opener at undefeated Adair.

Playoff schedule for LeFlore County teams.

Poteau (6-4) at Wagoner (10-0)

Tonkawa (6-4) at Pocola (8-2)

Panama (6-4) at Pawnee (10-0)

Barnsdall (6-4) at Talihina (9-1)


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