Preseason Football Rankings

Class 6A
1. Union - Until someone proves otherwise the Redskins are the favorites for a fifth straight title.
2. Broken Arrow - One of the best backfield combinations anywhere with Cameron Wrenn and Devon Thomas.
3. Jenks - Trojans reload again with Trey'Vonne Barr'e ready to carry the bulk of the load.
4. Edmond Santa Fe - May have surprised some last year but expected to lead the west charge this time.
5. Midwest City - Some key holes to fill but Darrell Hall is a master at getting most out of players.
6. Owasso - Semifinals a season ago and Rams have several major cogs returning for another push.
7. Lawton - Loss of D.J. Ward will hurt but don't count out the athletic Wolverines just yet.
8. Edmond North - Defensive-minded core looking to build on to last year's quarterfinal finish.
9. Westmoore - Could be very dangerous if defense comes around to compliment high-scoring offense.
10. Norman - Zach Long and company should repeat last year's fast start and possibly even more.

Class 5A
1. Guthrie - Unbeaten last year and still the team to beat with veteran Bryan Dutton at the controls.
2. Lawton Mac - Extremely explosive a season ago and will be able to put up bunches of points again.
3. Tulsa East Central - Lots of changes for the Cardinals but immense athleticism remains the same.
4. Carl Albert - Veteran group of front keys charge in putting last year's early exit behind them.
5. McAlester - Dangerous Tony Kiefer is gone but the cupboard is definitely not bare for the Buffs.
6. Duncan - Will find out quickly what they are made of with a rugged non-district schedule on tap.
7. Bishop Kelley - Strong defensive mentality will give Comets a chance to win nearly every week.
8. Deer Creek - Expectations are very high for Antlers bunch that is loaded with experience.
9. Coweta - Brutal opening stretch will show just how far veteran core can lead them.
10. McGuinness - Must find a host of newcomers to step up on defensive side to make another run.

Class 4A
1. Wagoner - Peterson and other 2011 stars left big holes to fill, but defending champs have talent ready to fill in.
2. Douglass - Trojans have possibly the two best players in the class - in any class - in Ward and Clark.
3. Clinton - Red Tornadoes still smarting from title game shutout loss and must reload with just 7 starters back.
4. Cascia Hall - Makes the move up the Class 4A after successful 3A run. Look for this version to be bigger up front.
5. Ada - Passing game will get college scouts' attention as well as opposing D-coordinators as Cougars drop from 5A.
6. Sallisaw - Oberste a tremendous all-around talent, but Black Diamonds lost 10 starters from defense.
7. Glenpool - Coming off down year by Warrior standards but still reached second round of playoffs and will contend this time.
8. Catoosa - The only team to beat Wagoner last year is hoping to build on momentum of last two seasons.
9. Weatherford - Last year's young squad reached playoffs; this year's group has 15 starters coming back.
10. Broken Bow - Maybe not as much star power, but Savages have as much experience back as anyone.

Class 3A
1. Berryhill - Have as much experience back as anyone and went further in playoffs than anyone else in top-four.
2. Kingfisher - Nault is a workhorse and has a massive O-line; defense will have to improve as season progresses.
3. Tuttle - A couple of early playoff exits have the Tigers hungry and 17 starters back could help them eat.
4. Seq. Tahlequah - Scott is obviously one of best QBs in state. Indians need to prove they can win in playoffs.
5. Heritage Hall - Star power is gone, but Andy Bogert will no doubt field a talented team that will contend for crown.
6. Metro Christian - Must replace Hearon at QB and must also endure very top-heavy 3A-5, but should be playoff-ready.
7. Seminole - Chieftains were perhaps a year away in 2011 and Snyder will make sure team learns from Heritage Hall loss.
8. Lincoln Christian - Bulldogs make the leap from Class 2A, but it shouldn't change much. They'll still be in annual hunt.
9. Blanchard - Lions have tremendous ground game and scary weapons at WR; also have pesky defensive scheme.
10. Jones - Any number of teams could fill last two spots. Look for 2011 2A runners-up to have success in 3A.

Class 2A
1. Hennessey - Luetjen moves from O-coordinator to head coach, but don't expect much to change for Eagles.
2. Millwood - Yet another talented squad - and this one with loads of experience - that looks to get over semifinal hump.
3. Vian - Wolverines will put up a ton of rushing yards and points, but may not be truly tested until playoffs.
4. Davis - Only the names change in Davis. The Wolves and their wishbone will have a say in who wins it all.
5. Stroud - Lots of experience back from a one-loss team that should put another big number in the win column this year.
6. Lindsay - The connections will have different names, but the Leopard passing attack should still be dangerous.
7. Frederick - The Bombers have continued to improve and should yet again find themselves in a hunt for at least a district crown.
8. Oklahoma Christian - A solid post-season push has the Saints looking for more - through the air - in 2012.
9. Adair - Should be a two-team battle for the district crown, but Warriors' Bradbury gives them a little separation.
10. Commerce - Yet another program that always seems to be in the mix; reached second round and has talent coming back.

Class A
1. Wynnewood - Savages look back to form of early '90s when they terrorized many opponents.
2. Wayne - Josh Way is gone but last year's champs have a lot of experience back to defend.
3. Thomas - Good news for veteran Terriers is Woodland has moved down to Class B this year.
4. Texhoma - Have to fill couple of key defensive holes but expectations are very high.
5. Cashion - Ready to be a major challenger with talented group of multi-year starters.
6. Ringling - Perennial powers have another solid crew that will have Blue Devils in mix.
7. Watonga - Always dangerous and dropping from 2A with veteran Travis Hartfield at QB.
8. Morrison - Must find new skill players but Wildcats should have time to prep for playoffs.
9. Okeene - Very talented youth movement will get major tests early with rugged opening slate.
10. Minco - Bulldogs expect to pick up where they left off in surprising quarterfinal run.

Class B
1. Woodland - Perennial powerhouse in Class A finds itself at top of Class B title chase.
2. Laverne - One of the early favorites with a wealth of experience from semifinal showing.
3. Davenport - Won't be as much ground and pound with Matt Miller and Kevin Thomas spurring attack.
4. Wetumka - Chieftains welcome back a host of veterans on each side of the football.
5. Pond Creek - Sensational one-two punch with Rayner and Krittenbrink leading the way.
6. Fox - Always athletic Foxes expected to reload again in time for postseason push.
7. Seiling - Versatile Buster Horn returns after putting up impressive numbers as a junior.
8. Gans - Trent Holt's club could score with anyone last season, including 84 points vs. Allen.
9. Welch - Don't expect much dropoff for Wildcats despite losing a host of seniors a year ago.
10. Covington-Douglas - Making jump from Class C right into one of toughest districts around.

Class C
1. Tipton - Explosive Josh Torres best player in the class for last year's state runner-up.
2. Cherokee - Solid core of returning experience for successful crew dropping from Class B.
3. Shattuck - Coaching change for first time in decade but you know what they say about tradition.
4. DC-Lamont - Veteran nucleus will have Coach David Zachary's Eagles in normal contention.
5. Ryan - Up-and-coming group appears ready to make noise with loads of enthusiasm and returnees.
6. Forgan - Took a few lumps last year but could be dishing those back out with plenty of experience.
7. Temple - Several big holes to fill from semifinal squad but should remain in district title hunt.
8. Sharon-Mutual - Trojans took major step for program with last season's win over eventual state champs.
9. Timberlake - Underclassmen must make early contributions in new roles to keep Tigers in mix.
10. Thackerville - Picked up huge experience in push to opening round of playoffs a season ago.

article updated on 08/26/12 21:26