High School Football Bracket Watch: 5A

<p>Here's are some notes on Class 5A's first-round matchups.</p>

Thursday, November 10th 2016, 4:55 pm

By: News 9

Class 5A usually provides one of the more entertaining playoff races across the state. Here's a look at some first-round matchup notes.

No. 1 Lawton MacArthur - Guthrie

The Highlanders succumbed to Collinsville in the second round a year ago while the Bluejays were a first-round casualty of eventual champ Altus. The last time the two met, in 2012, Guthrie won 31-13.

No. 6 Collinsville - Coweta

The Cardinals and Tigers were both eliminated by last year’s champ, Altus, in 2015. Coweta lost in the second round and Collinsville lost in the championship game. Coweta beat Collinsville 35-28 in Week 4 last year.

No. 5 McAlester - Claremore

The Buffaloes were eliminated in the second round by Bishop McGuinness and the Zebras return to the playoffs for the first time since 2013. 2013 was the last time they faced each other with McAlester winning 59-35 in Week 3.

No. 3 Carl Albert - No. 7 Altus

Talk about a star-studded first-round pairing. The Titans lost in the first round to Lawton MacArthur last year while the Bulldogs are the defending 5A champs. Carl Albert won 48-0 in the last meeting between the two in 2008.

No. 2 Bishop McGuinness - No. 9 Del City

Another great first-round matchup and a repeat from the first round last year. The Irish beat the Eagles 52-47 and then topped McAlester before losing to Altus in the semifinals.

No. 10 Noble - Tahlequah

Tahlequah lost in the first round a year ago to McAlester and Noble is in the playoffs for the first time since 2007. This will be the first meeting between the two within the past decade.

No. 8 Bishop Kelley - Shawnee

The Comets lost to Collinsville in the first round last year and the Wolves are back in the playoffs after a one-year absence. Bishop Kelley won 34-21 a year ago in their last meeting.

No. 4 Ardmore - Piedmont

The Tigers bowed out in the first round to Deer Creek last year and the Wildcats return to the playoffs for the first time since 2011. This meeting marks the first time they’ve played since Week 3 in 2007, a 42-0 Ardmore win.