The Fighting Irish advanced in the Class 5A-1 playoffs after a strong 5–1 district finish and now face a challenging postseason path week by week. The team enters the next round with confidence, hoping to reach the state title game for the first time in many of the players’ lifetimes, since 2007.
The team earned its playoff spot through district play, where final standings determine qualification and seeding. Once the regular season ends, the OSSAA places teams into a single-elimination bracket based on district rankings. The structure is simple: win and advance, lose and the season ends. First-round winners move into the quarterfinals, followed by the semifinals and then the state championship in early December.
The OSSAA Class 5A bracket is designed to match district qualifiers from across the state.
Here’s how it works:
- District finish determines placement. Teams that finish higher in their district get better bracket positions and may host early-round games.
- The playoffs are single-elimination. One loss ends the season.
- Games move left to right on the bracket. First round → quarterfinals → semifinals → state championship.
- The final round will be played at The University of Central Oklahoma. OSSAA selects the final location to ensure fairness and balanced travel.
- Every team’s path is predetermined. Once placed, a team’s potential opponents are visible on the bracket all the way to the championship.
After defeating Guthrie in the opening round, the team will face Claremore in the quarterfinals Nov. 21, following Claremore’s victory over Coweta. If the Irish advance, the semifinal could bring a matchup against either MacArthur or Del City, two traditionally strong postseason programs.
On the opposite side of the bracket, Carl Albert will meet McAlester and Pryor will take on Newcastle, setting up the possibility of a championship game rematch with teams the Irish have faced in recent years.
The Irish fell to Del City in 2024 in the quarterfinals and to Carl Albert in the semifinals in 2023. That history is at the forefront of the players’ minds.
“It fuels us a lot,” senior Andrew Harris said. “Just working so hard and coming up short leaves a bad taste in our mouths. This year, we want to make it all the way and achieve all of our goals.”
The Irish have fallen just short in recent seasons, the 2024 quarterfinals, the 2023 semifinals and the 2022 semifinals. Harris, who has been on varsity since his sophomore year, said this year feels different.
“We just have a really hungry team and a lot of guys who truly love football,” he said. “That’s probably the biggest difference.”
This year’s roster, which finished 9–1 and features four college-committed seniors, reflects a strong foundation.
“We have a lot of guys who are committed to football and who work really hard,” Harris said. “It also speaks volumes about our coaches and how they help us get recruited.”
Harris is committed to play at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kan., next year, but said that hasn’t changed the way he approaches the postseason.
“It hasn’t really changed my mindset at all,” Harris said. “But I’m definitely excited to get going there [Pitt State] after I finish my senior year.”
As for Friday’s quarterfinal matchup at Claremore, Harris said the team is focused on staying grounded.
“Not being complacent after a big win at Guthrie, and doing whatever it takes to win, that’s the biggest thing,” Harris said.
With a powerful regular season behind them and a clear path ahead, the Irish now aim to break through the barrier that has held them back in recent years and continue their march toward a long-awaited state title.
Fans can purchase tickets for Friday’s game at Claremore here.
To track scores, matchups, and the full Class 5A bracket, click here.
