Gundy and Stillwater Finish Third in Southwest 7-vs-7, Host Shiloh Christian Wins
With triple-digit heat 21 teams from Oklahoma and Arkansas played through a massive double elimination bracket on the second day of the annual Southwest Elite 7-v-7 Showcase. The host Shiloh Christian Saints fueled by the passing of young Eli Wisdom, a quarterback already receiving SEC recruiting attention, won the event in comeback fashion as they took a second game from neighboring Rogers, Ark. 23-22 and then won the final and deciding game 24-14.
Shiloh Christian earned their way into the finals through the loser’s bracket as they had lost to Stillwater earlier in the day, but then came back and beat the Pioneers 14-10 with a late touchdown in the semifinal. The touchdown was set up by a pass interference penalty.
This was Stillwater’s second straight season with Gage Gundy quarterbacking that they were the last team standing from Oklahoma. Gundy has a strong day as Stillwater went 4-2 on the day with wins over Green Forest, Ark; Van Buren, Ark; Muskogee, and Shiloh Christian before losing to Rogers in the first semifinal and then losing to Shiloh as they bounced back from the loser’s bracket.
Oklahoma teams that went home earlier in the day included Jenks (fourth), Owasso, Heritage Hall, Muskogee, John Marshall, Rejoice Christian, Lincoln Christian, Kiefer, and Heritage Hall JV.
Jenks has freshman quarterback Jackson Presley, who already has offers from Arizona, North Texas, Florida State, and Texas A&M. Owasso has veteran Mason Willingham at quarterback throwing to future Alabama receiver Cole Adams. Then one of my favorite players quarterback Chance Wilson (6-3, 188) led Rejoice Christian as they had a successful run.
Muskogee quarterback Jamarian Ficklin is getting lots of attention as the 6-1, 180-pound sophomore is drawing Division I attention after throwing for 2,328-yards and 18-touchdowns as a freshman. Ficklin and his talented teammates make up a young and explosive group that schools including Oklahoma State need to take a deep dive into. Keep an eye on the Roughers.
It is again pretty puzzling that Gage Gundy is not getting more attention. The athletic 6-3, 215-pound son of Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy is hearing from just a few schools. I can’t believe more coaches don’t try to recruit the young man. I don’t think he is by any means a lock to go to Oklahoma State.
Oklahoma City Heritage Hall did win the Southwest title in 2021.