Sallisaw’s high-powered offense will meet Class 4A’s stingiest defense on Friday night when the Black Diamonds host Collinsville.

The first-round playoff game is slated for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Perry Lattimore Stadium.

Sallisaw has averaged 34.5 points per game while rolling to a 9-1 record and the District 4A-4 championship. Only Star Spencer and Glenpool have scored more points among 4A schools.

Collinsville comes into the game at 6-4 overall after finishing fourth in District 4A-3 behind Jay, Catoosa and Oologah. The Cardinals have allowed the fewest points in Class 4A—just 100 in 10 games.

“Defense has carried them and I think this is one of the better defenses we will see. They are very, very good against the run,” said Sallisaw head coach Craig Benson.

“Collinsville has been in every game they’ve played. Every game has been low scoring because they have a very good defense and they really haven’t found their groove on offense. Last year, they scored a ton of points and this year they’re averaging 18.8 points a game,” added the coach.

“I think they present us some problems with how well they play defense. That league they play in up there had four teams that were jumbled and Collinsville could have been a district champion like any of the other three teams.”

Some of the key defensive players for Collinsville include senior twins Jamaro and Merin Oakley at the cornerback positions and senior linebacker Steven Majike (6-4, 220 pounds). Majike leads the team with 120 tackles.

“Those twins are both really good corners and they play on offense too. Collinsville is very sound on defense and Steven Majike at linebacker is a really good player. And Patrick Moss, a defensive tackle, is their best down lineman,” commented Benson.

The Cardinal offense has used three quarterbacks throughout the season and junior Shane Douglas and sophomore Tyler Ames have seen the most action in recent weeks. Benson said Ames is the better passer of the two, while Douglas is more of a run threat. Majike and Merin Oakley are the primary ball-carriers at running back.

Benson said the Diamonds are excited to be in the playoffs and preparing for an unfamiliar opponent.

“The great thing about this time of year is you get to play someone you haven’t seen and it energizes you. It’s an opportunity to see people from another district and it’s the fun time of the year,” said Benson.

It should be a lot more fun for Sallisaw as the Diamonds welcome back a number of players who missed the 38-20 win over Webster because of injuries.

Senior quarterback Matt Oberste has recovered from a shoulder injury and will start for Sallisaw. Defensive end Hayden Spencer and tight end Andrew Miller will also be back this week, although cornerback Damon Lynch is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury. The Black Diamonds also got a boost last week from the return of Nick Walker and Jason Glover.

“I think this gives us a shot in the arm with all those guys coming back. We get a lot of people back that can help us,” said Benson. “And we’re better off now because now we have some depth at some of those positions where we had to play young kids.”

With all the injuries and a Week 9 loss to Wagoner, the Diamonds might have lost a bit of the momentum they built up while winning their first eight games of the season and rising as high as No. 2 in some polls. Although he has a healthy amount of respect for Collisnville, Benson is hoping to see the Diamonds regain their swagger on Friday night.

“It’s been two weeks since we’ve been ourselves,” he said. “If we hit on all cylinders, then we’ve shown when we’re healthy and when we’re clicking that we can get going. I think that’s where we are again. I think we’re a powder keg fixing to explode.”

Players of the Week

The SHS coaches selected Seth Morgan, Phillip Lefler and Josten Ely as Players of the Week for their performances against Webster.

Morgan, a 6-foot-4, 285-pound junior, had an outstanding game at guard to earn the offensive award.

“Seth has been steady all year and there have been times that he has shown signs of being tremendous. The other night was one of those games. He played extremely well,” said Benson.

Lefler stepped in at corner for the Diamonds and was the defensive honoree after setting a new school record with four interceptions. He had 63 return yards and also made seven tackles, all unassisted.

Josten Ely, a junior, won the special teams award for his efforts on Friday. He had one tackle on punt coverage.

Stat Leaders

Despite his recent injury, Matt Oberste continues to lead Sallisaw in both rushing passing. He has run 125 times for 860 yards and 10 scores, while tailback Jeromy Davenport has picked up 859 yards and scored 15 touchdowns on 171 carries.

Through the air, Oberste is 94 of 175 for 1,493 yards and 15 touchdowns. Senior Trey Wiley is the leading receiver with 54 catches for 641 yards and six TDs. Andrew Miller is next with 18 grabs for 208 yards and two TDs.

Senior linebacker Jake Fitzsimmons continues to lead Sallisaw in tackles with 120. Dakota Petree is next with 67, followed by Hayden Spencer and Zack Wooten with 50 each, Trevor Fitzsimmons with 47, Chase Hunt with 39 and Russell Kennedy with 31. Spencer has a team-high 13 sacks and Lefler leads the team in interceptions with six.

In the kicking game, Lefler has booted five field goals and 24 extra points and Martin Wigg is averaging 31.6 yards on 32 punts.