CLAREMORE — Here are three takeaways from Class 6A-I Bixby’s 29-8 win over Edmond Memorial in the semifinal round of the Oklahoma high school football playoffs on Friday night.
More:How Juju Smith overcame heart condition, loss to lead Choctaw football to success
Player of the game: Carson Kirby. Bixby’s star quarterback had a stellar day both through the air and as a runner. The junior completed 18-of-22 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns under center while taking 20 carries for 108 yards and an additional score on the ground.
Key moment: After marching up the field with continuous rushes from Kirby and Bixby tailback Cooper Parker, junior receiver Braeden Presley took a shovel pass 29 yards up the sticks for a touchdown. Presley’s score extended Bixby’s lead to 21, sealing the nail in the coffin of a potential Edmond Memorial comeback.
Read option: Bixby’s win sends the program to its 11th consecutive 6A state championship game appearance. Next Friday presents a shot at redemption for both teams, as Owasso defeated Bixby 40-14 in Week 0 while snapping their 16-game win streak. Meanwhile, it’ll be a rematch of the 2022 state title game with Owasso as Bixby hopes to win the program’s seventh straight title.
More:How did Choctaw stun Sand Springs in 6A-II football semifinal? ‘We weren’t going home’
Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at jdavis@oklahoman.com or on X/Twitter at @jdavis34_. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com
