2017 High School Preview
We are just a few weeks away from the kick off of another high school football season. Right now, everyone has the same record and the same chance to hoist the trophy at the end of the season. In this preview, we look at every class of Oklahoma high school football, and discect what who we think the favorites, contenders, and dark horse are.
I am also pleased to have the assistance from a few guys that are familiar with high school football in Oklahoma. Bill Haisten, who is a sports columnist for the Tulsa World, Harold Kuntz, sports reporter for KOTV Channel 6, and Michael Knight, managing director of OKPreps will let you know how they think the season will go for each class of football, from 6A-I through Class C. Hope you enjoy!
--Derrick Smith
The Favorite: Union Redskins
The Contenders: Jenks Trojans, Broken Arrow Tigers, and Westmoore Jaguars
The Dark Horse: Owasso Rams
Players To Watch
- Braxton Bohrofen - Senior Quarterback, Westmoore
- CJ Moore - Senior Receiver, Union
- Joshua Proctor - Senior Defensive Back, Owasso
6A-I At A Glance
- Jenks and Union have combined for the last 21 6A-I (formerly 6A) football state championships.
- Bill Blankenship makes his return to Oklahoma high school football, taking over a talented Owasso Rams program.
- Norman North scored 35 second half points in the second half of the 6A-I championship game, but lost 57-43 to the Redskins.
- Westmoore quarterback, who is beginning his senior yerar, ended last season with over 2,400 yards passing and 25 touchdowns with only 11 interceptions.
Bill's Take On 6A-I
In each of his last three high school seasons, Bill Blankenship won a state title. He did it in 2004 and 2005 at Union, and in 2016 at Fayetteville (Arkansas) High School. Blankenship has returned to Oklahoma as the new head man at Owasso. The Rams open at Jenks, which results in a rekindling of the Blankenship-Allan Trimble rivalry from 1996-2005. Defending champion Union is the clearly defined favorite in 6AI, but Jenks remains a juggernaut and Broken Arrow should contend. From the Oklahoma City area, Westmoore, Norman North and Mustang attempt to end the 21-year run of Union-Jenks dominance in the state’s largest classification.
In each of his last three high school seasons, Bill Blankenship won a state title. He did it in 2004 and 2005 at Union, and in 2016 at Fayetteville (Arkansas) High School. Blankenship has returned to Oklahoma as the new head man at Owasso. The Rams open at Jenks, which results in a rekindling of the Blankenship-Allan Trimble rivalry from 1996-2005. Defending champion Union is the clearly defined favorite in 6AI, but Jenks remains a juggernaut and Broken Arrow should contend. From the Oklahoma City area, Westmoore, Norman North and Mustang attempt to end the 21-year run of Union-Jenks dominance in the state’s largest classification.
The Favorite: Bixby Spartans
The Contenders: Booker T. Washington Hornets, Midwest City Bombers, Lawton Wolverines
The Dark Horse: Muskogee Roughers
Players To Watch
- Rylan McQuarters - Senior Running Back at Booker T. Washington
- Dominick Neal - Senior Wide Receiver at Lawton
- Jalen Redmond - Senior Defensive Lineman at Midwest City
- Since 6A was split in 2014, the Bixby Spartans have been the only 6A-II champions.
- The Midwest City Bombers are coming off of a 7-4 season and their first district title in five years.
- Booker T. Washington suffered a heartbreaking 21-20 first round playoff loss to Lawton to end last season.
- The Muskogee Roughers had a big turn around last season, going 9-2, losing in the second round of the playoffs. The Roughers went 10-30 the previous four seasons.
Now into year 4 of the split of 6a-1 and 6a-2 ... one thing remains constant, the Bixby Spartans are still the dominant force. The Spartans are looking for their 4th consecutive state title, but will attempt to do it without Tanner Griffin, who's suiting up for OSU's baseball team. They still have a great offensive line anchored by OSU commit Bryce Bray and TU commit Josh Owens. Tucker Pawley returns in the backfield as a run-catch threat. Coach Loren Montgomery's Spartans will not go untested. Booker T. Washington will provide a strong test. The Hornets are very talented, featuring highly coveted Dax Hill, brother of OSU running back Justice Hill. Dax has offers from OU, OSU and Michigan among others. The Hornets will face one of the West side's favorites in their 2nd game, the Midwest City Bombers. MWC will have a stout defense led by recent Sooners commit Jalen Redmond .. another commit for the Sooners will be at Putnam City. The Pirates' program turn around continues and Ron Tatum is a force on the defensive side of the ball. The Lawton Wolverines are defending state runner-ups and Sand Springs and Muskogee are perennially tough outs in what should figure to be another exciting year in 6A-2.
The Favorite: Lawton MacArthur Highlanders
The Contenders: Bishop McGuinness Irish, Carl Albert Titans, Ardmore Tigers
The Dark Horse: Shawnee Wolves
Players To Watch
- Garrett Taylor - Senior Defensive Lineman at Coweta
- Grayson Boomer - Junior Tight End at Collinsville
- Ryan Webb - Senior Linebacker at Lawton MacArthur
5A At A Glance
- Carl Albert is in new territory as head coach Gary Rose retired after 22 seasons leading the Titans. Rose tallied a 219-60 record with 10 state championships.
- The Lawton MacArthur Highlanders return seven starters from last years high powered offense that averaged 42 points a game last season.
- Bishop McGuinness is 22-5 in the last two season but lost in the finals last season and in the semifinals in 2015.
>Michael's Take on 5A
The Favorite: Wagoner Bulldogs
The Contenders: Heritage Hall Chargers, Clinton Red Tornadoes, Oologah Mustangs, and Hilldale Hornets
The Dark Horse: Bethany Bronchos
Players To Watch
- Nikia Jones - Senior Wide Receiver at Wagoner
- Gunter Pearson - Senior Linebacker at Oologah
- Casey Thompson - Senior Quarterback at Newcastle
4A AT A Glance
- The Wagoner Bulldogs enter the season as the three-time reigning state champion. Last seasons Bulldog defense only allowed 10 points a game to opposing offenses. The Bulldogs are also riding a 37-game winning streak, five shy of the state record.
- In Heritage Hall’s first season in 4A, they went 11-1 and lost to perennial power Cascia Hall in the second round of the playoffs.
- Dalton Abney returns to lead the Cascia Hall Commandos at quarterback. He threw for almost 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns last season.
- Injuries forced the Catoosa Indians to play some underclassmen last season. With a year of experience, this young team looks to make some noise.
Bill's Take On 4A
The Tulsa area is effectively represented in 6AI by Union and Jenks (programs that have a combined total of 21 consecutive state titles), in 6AII by Bixby (three consecutive titles) and in 4A by three-time defending state champion Wagoner. Even with the departure of superstar Malcolm Rodriguez to Oklahoma State, coach Dale Condict and the Bulldogs have to be regarded as the preseason favorites.
The Tulsa area is effectively represented in 6AI by Union and Jenks (programs that have a combined total of 21 consecutive state titles), in 6AII by Bixby (three consecutive titles) and in 4A by three-time defending state champion Wagoner. Even with the departure of superstar Malcolm Rodriguez to Oklahoma State, coach Dale Condict and the Bulldogs have to be regarded as the preseason favorites.
The Favorite: Jones Longhorns
The Contenders: Plainview Indians, John Marshall Bears, Sulphur Bulldogs
The Dark Horse: Claremore Sequoyah Eagles
Players To Watch
- Sean Shaw Jr - Senior Wide Receiver at Jones
- Miguel Fulgencio - Senior Running Back at Claremore Sequoyah
- Lance Jones - Senior Running Back at Inola
3A At A Glance
- The Jones Longhorns went 15-0 last season and won the first football championship in school history.
- The Jones defense that allowed only 13 points a game last season, returns 10 starters.
- Claremore-Sequoyah senior quarterback Tristan Diaz returns for his senior year following a spectacular junior year. Last season, Dias passed for 2,401 yards with 24 touchdowns and also ran for 1,013 yards and 13 scores.
- Lace Jones returns for his senior campaign for the Inola Longhorns. Last season, he totaled 1,651 offensive yards (rushing and receiving) with 17 touchdowns.
Bill's Take on 3A
The defending state champion Jones Longhorns have prevailed in 27 of their last 28 games. A major-college prospect, Jones wide receiver Sean Shaw totaled 67 receptions for 869 yards last season. The Rashaun Woods-coached Oklahoma City John Marshall Bears were 10-2 in 2015, 12-2 in 2016 and should make a run this season at what would be their first championship since 1995.
The defending state champion Jones Longhorns have prevailed in 27 of their last 28 games. A major-college prospect, Jones wide receiver Sean Shaw totaled 67 receptions for 869 yards last season. The Rashaun Woods-coached Oklahoma City John Marshall Bears were 10-2 in 2015, 12-2 in 2016 and should make a run this season at what would be their first championship since 1995.
The Favorite: Millwood Falcons
The Contenders: Davis Wolves, Chisolm Longhorns, Victory Christian Conquerors, and Adair Warriors
The Dark Horse:
Players To Watch
- Tyler Stuever - Senior Running Back at Washington
- Austin Hines - Junior Wide Receiver at Adair
- Braden Meek - Junior Quarterback at Chisolm
2A At A Glance
- Reigning 2A champion Millwood Falcons return quarterback Montreal Wilson along with a cast of backs and receivers to an offense that averaged 48 points per game last season.
- The Adair Warriors, who are 61-7 the past five seasons, lost to Millwood in the semifinal round last season.
- Victory Christian running back Tyler Hicks returns for his final season as a Conqueror. Last season he rushed for 1,404 yards and 21 touchdowns and caught 65 passes for 718 yards and six scores.
- Millwood looks to repeat as champs for the fist time since 2001-2002.
Like last season, the favorite is the Millwood Pioneers. Once again, they feature loads of talents. The biggest name is Israel Antwine .. originally an Ole Miss commit, the Defensive Tackle will be a big headache for many opponents in district play. If you're looking for anyone to challenge the Pioneers, there are a few takers, starting with the team that was runner-up, in Victory Christian. The Conquerors will look to put up some decent numbers with R.J Wakley. Davis is always in the hunt as a well oiled machine and Holland Hall looks to make an even bigger impact in their 2nd year in the OSSAA. Chisholm and Washington from the West side and Adair and Vian from the East side look to contend as well. Millwood, however, was virtually unchallenged against 2A opponents in route to a state title last year and are favored to do so again this year.
The Favorite: Wynnewood Savages
The Contenders: Talihina Golden Tigers, Afton Eagles, Hominy Bucks
The Dark Horse: Rejoice Christian Eagles
Players To Watch
- Hunter Howard - Senior Wide Receiver at Drumright
- Andrew Crow - Junior Defensive Back at Rejoice Christian
- Brody Odom - Senior Linebacker at Wynnewood
A At A Glance
- The Hominy Buck are coming off back to back 12-2 seasons.
- The Eagles of Rejoice Christian have seven starters returning from an offense that averaged 42 points per game last season.
- Wynnewood is 52-14 the past five seasons.
Bill's Take on A
Beaten by Hominy in last year’s title contest, Wynnewood this season is driven by defense. Each of three returning linebackers – Brody Odom, Tyler Peters and Marcus Knowles – totaled at least 100 tackles last season.
Beaten by Hominy in last year’s title contest, Wynnewood this season is driven by defense. Each of three returning linebackers – Brody Odom, Tyler Peters and Marcus Knowles – totaled at least 100 tackles last season.
The Favorite: Maysville Warriors
The Contenders: Fox Foxes, Shattuck Indians, Davenport Bulldogs, and Depew Hornets
The Dark Horse: Cyril Pirates
Players To Watch
- Joshua Garza - Senior Quarterback at Cyril
- Juan Dominguez - Senior Defensive Lineman at Turpin
- Braylen Brewer - Senior Wide Receiver at Maud
Bill's Take On B
After having been elevated from Class C to Class B, Shattuck recorded a 12-2 record. The Indians are expected to contend for a gold ball this season, but Maysville has a dynamic run game powered by 220-pound Deshai Notti (nearly 1,800 yards last season).
After having been elevated from Class C to Class B, Shattuck recorded a 12-2 record. The Indians are expected to contend for a gold ball this season, but Maysville has a dynamic run game powered by 220-pound Deshai Notti (nearly 1,800 yards last season).
The Favorite: Tipton Tigers
The Contenders: Pond Creek-Hunter Panthers, Coyle Bluejackets, Sharon-Mutual Trojans
The Dark Horse: Regent Prep Rams
Players To Watch
- Trey Howard - Senior Linebacker at Pond Creek-Hunter
- Chance Hays - Senior Offensive Lineman at Midway
- Jack Wright - Sophomore Wide Receiver at Regent Prep
Bill's Take on C
The powerhouse Tipton program attempts to capture a title in an odd-numbered year. The Tigers were Class C state champions in 2012, 2014 and 2016. In its last five seasons, Tipton has an overall record of 62-5.
The powerhouse Tipton program attempts to capture a title in an odd-numbered year. The Tigers were Class C state champions in 2012, 2014 and 2016. In its last five seasons, Tipton has an overall record of 62-5.
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