HSFB Preview: Norman North vs. PC North

We're already into week four of the high school football season, and tonight's slate of games brings us an interesting 6A-1 matchup between No. 3 Norman North (3-0) against Putnam City North (1-2). 

News 9 will be at the game and will have coverage tonight at 10 p.m., but here are a few things to watch out for when the Timberwolves and Panthers square off. 

Will Brandon Marquardt continue his stellar play?

The senior is off to a hot start to open the season, throwing for 11 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards while completing nearly 80 percent of his passes. He's the unquestioned leader of the Timberwolves' offense, but he'll be facing a PC North defense that totaled six interceptions in their win over Choctaw last week. The Panthers were able to play  PC West quarterback Trey Gooch pretty tough back in week 2, so Marquardt will need to bring his A game against PCN. 

Drake Stoops is a playmaker

The son of Bob Stoops, Drake clearly inherited some of his father's athletic ability, and the Norman North offense is the main beneficiary. After a promising sophomore season, Stoops has had a dynamite start to 2016, with 392 yards receiving and five touchdowns through three games. Stoops has good speed, while he's capable of going up and getting the ball in traffic. Stoops along with Charlie Kolar and Collin Klein make up a pretty good receiving corps for Marquardt to throw to. 

Two solid defenses

While Norman North's first-team defense has yet to give up a touchdown this year, the Panthers' have a pretty solid defense as well. Under first-year coach Ryan Laverty, the Panthers haven't let an opposing team score more than 16 points despite their 1-2 start. It will be a tough test for the Putnam North defense this week, seeing the Timberwolves offense is averaging 56.3 points per game this season.