By CRAIG HALL
Old rivalries, district playoff positioning and another opportunity for Talihina quarterback Landen Griffith to add to his record-breaking statistics highlight Week 10 high school football games involving LeFlore County teams Friday night.
Two longtime rivalries take center stage as Panama visits sixth-ranked Pocola and third-ranked Sallisaw travels to Poteau. Meanwhile, undefeated Talihina looks to extend its winning streak to 24 games and complete a second consecutive perfect regular season.
Griffith also has an opportunity to add to his impressive career statistics after breaking the state record for total offense previously held by Mason Fine of Locust Grove.
Panama, Pocola battle for district title
The stakes are high for Panama and Pocola, which enter Friday’s game tied with Coalgate for first place in the district.
Panama must defeat Pocola and have Coalgate lose to claim the district championship.
A loss could leave the Razorbacks tied with Vian for third place. However, Panama defeated the Wolverines earlier this season and holds the head-to-head tiebreaker in the playoff race.
Pocola can capture the district championship with a victory. The Indians hold the tiebreaker advantage over Coalgate.
A loss, however, could drop Pocola to fourth place because Vian holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Indians.
Poteau faces undefeated Sallisaw
Poteau has an opportunity to improve its playoff positioning when the Pirates host undefeated Sallisaw.
The Black Diamonds have already clinched the district championship and enter the game 10-0 overall and 6-0 in district play, one game ahead of Broken Bow.
Poteau is 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the district, tied with Stilwell for third place and one game ahead of Ada.
If Poteau defeats Sallisaw and Stilwell loses, the Pirates will finish third in the district.
If Sallisaw wins and Stilwell also wins, Poteau will finish fourth.
The situation becomes more complicated if Ada defeats Stilwell and Poteau loses to Sallisaw. That would leave Stilwell, Poteau and Ada tied for third place, with only two available playoff berths.
Poteau currently holds the advantage in the potential three-team tiebreaker, followed by Stilwell and Ada. Friday’s final scores will determine the playoff order.
Talihina seeks 24th consecutive win
Top-ranked Talihina has already secured its district championship following last week’s 53-32 victory over previously undefeated Regent Prep.
The Golden Tigers will attempt to extend their winning streak to 24 games when they host Liberty in Friday’s regular-season finale.
Talihina enters the game 9-0 overall and 6-0 in district play. Liberty is 6-3 overall and 4-2 in the district.
A victory would give the Golden Tigers their second consecutive undefeated regular season.
