Way WAY Too Early Rankings
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All of our postseason content has all been published and we now officially welcome the offseason! And our first post of offseason content might be a popular one, but how accurate it is could be up for debate. But that’s what the offseason is for right? So without further ado, here are our “Way WAY Too Early Rankings” for the 2022 football season. Keep in mind a few things. We say it ourselves in the title, these are way, WAY too early rankings. Also, the 2022 football season will have a district shakeup with teams not only in new districts but in new classes as well. This won’t be the only ranking between now and the start of the season. We’ll have our “Way Too Early Rankings” later on in May. Then our official 2022 preseason rankings will drop on July 1st, kicking off a month full of team previews on the website!
CLASS 6A-1
Two defending champions top the 6A-1 rankings as Bixby moves up to 6A-1 this year with a 49-game winning streak and four consecutive state championships. They narrowly edge out Jenks for the top spot but the Trojans are certainly right there and those two will be the heavy favorites going into the new year. And by the way, they’re in the same district and will meet in week ten. Mark your calendars. After that, you have teams like Broken Arrow, Mustang, Owasso and Union who all have to replace some key areas but should be in the mix again. Then over on the west side, Edmond Santa Fe, Moore, Norman and Norman North will all challenge Mustang for that “best in the west” title.
1) BIXBY
2) JENKS
3) OWASSO
4) UNION
5) MUSTANG
6) BROKEN ARROW
7) EDMOND SANTA FE
8) NORMAN NORTH
9) NORMAN
10) MOORE
CLASS 6A-2
When Bixby came off the field at UCO with their fourth straight title and seventh in the last eight years, they officially ended an era where the Spartans owned Class 6A-2. Now, it’s time for a new era starting in 2022 and it’ll be quite the season with new contenders emerging. At the top it’s a three-team race for the favorite in 6A-2. Booker T Washington, Choctaw and Stillwater are all in the mix to be the new favorite heading into the 2022 season. After that, you have to look at Deer Creek and Sand Springs after they both had tremendous 2021 seasons. Then look for Muskogee to blow up in a big way with a wealth of younger talent. After that, it’s an absolute toss up in the new era of 6A-2.
1) CHOCTAW
2) BOOKER T WASHINGTON
3) STILLWATER
4) DEER CREEK
5) SAND SPRINGS
6) MUSKOGEE
7) PUTNAM CITY NORTH
8) LAWTON
9) BARTLESVILLE
10) PONCA CITY
CLASS 5A
The 2021 season saw Carl Albert’s reign come to an end as Collinsville defeated the Titans in the semifinals before winning a championship classic over McAlester. Don’t expect a drought by any means for Carl Albert as the Titans top the rankings going into the offseason. Right behind them is another usual suspect with district rival Bishop McGuinness. Both teams had plenty of young talent in 2021 and they should be ready to come back with a vengeance. Del City will be in the mix as well as they drop down to 5A after winning a district crown in 6A-2. Then the two title game competitors Collinsville and McAlester will be in the mix but they lose a lot of seniors. After that, look for Grove and Midwest City to make an impact in their first years in Class 5A. Noble’s high-powered offense should be one of the best in the state once again.
1) CARL ALBERT
2) BISHOP McGUINNESS
3) DEL CITY
4) McALESTER
5) COLLINSVILLE
6) NOBLE
7) GROVE
8) ARDMORE
9) COWETA
10) MIDWEST CITY
CLASS 4A
Clinton dominated their way to the 4A crown in 2021 but after losing multiple starters on both sides, the Red Tornadoes will have to reload. Meanwhile, Cushing and Wagoner come in as the two favorites in Class 4A with so much experience returning. And those two teams will end up battling it out in the regular season as Cushing moves over to Wagoner’s district. Perennial powers Poteau and Tuttle will once again be in the mix and you can’t count either of them out. After the top five, it’s anyone’s guess who will step up and attempt to challenge some of the top teams in Class 4A. This has been a class that has been dominated by the top teams for the last several years and we don’t expect a dark horse to make a run this year either.
1) CUSHING
2) WAGONER
3) POTEAU
4) TUTTLE
5) CLINTON
6) HILLDALE
7) BLANCHARD
8) BETHANY
9) NEWCASTLE
10) FORT GIBSON
CLASS 3A
Class 3A has been dominated by the private schools like Holland Hall, Heritage Hall and Lincoln Christian. And not much is going to change in 2022 as those three all find themselves in the top four. However, they’re all looking up at a Verdigris team that is finally ready to take that final step and truly contend for a state championship. With three and four-year starters returning, the Cardinals are ready to dethrone the private schools and be the first public school to capture the 3A crown since 2017. By the way, those three private powers are getting some more company as Metro Christian and Cascia Hall each bump up to 3A from 2A. Other perennial powers like Plainview, Berryhill and Seminole will all be in the mix as well.
1) VERDIGRIS
2) HOLLAND HALL
3) HERITAGE HALL
4) LINCOLN CHRISTIAN
5) PLAINVIEW
6) METRO CHRISTIAN
7) BERRYHILL
8) CASCIA HALL
9) SEMINOLE
10) McLOUD
CLASS 2A
The third time has to be the right time right? Washington has made it to back to back title games but settled for the silver ball. They’ll go into 2022 as one of the favorites with defending champion Marlow moving up to Class 3A. Right there with Washington is a Beggs team that is hungry to make it back to the title game. Those two will be the two favorites going into the season. Then Rejoice Christian and Pawhuska will use high-powered offenses with two outstanding quarterbacks to keep them in contention. Then the usual suspects like Vian, Jones (under new leadership) and OCS will continue to be in the mix. After a rare year where Millwood missed the playoffs, expect the Falcons to bounce back in a big way in 2022.
1) WASHINGTON
2) BEGGS
3) REJOICE CHRISTIAN
4) PAWHUSKA
5) VIAN
6) EUFAULA
7) JONES
8) OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
9) MILLWOOD
10) BETHEL
CLASS A
Cashion comes in as back to back champs and had three straight trips to the state championship game. But they have a lot of senior talent to replace coming into the 2022 season. Despite that, they’ll still be one of the teams to beat in Class A. But we look at a Gore team that brings back every starter except for the quarterback and wonder if the Pirates have what it takes to get the job done. You know Ringling will be in the mix once again and then Fairview and Hominy both have a wealth of talent coming back for potential playoff runs. After that, you’ll see a lot of the usual suspects in Class A and a few new names that might surprise you. Cashion has dominated Class A in the last few seasons but this season should be more unpredictable.
1) GORE
2) CASHION
3) RINGLING
4) FAIRVIEW
5) HOMINY
6) ELMORE CITY
7) POCOLA
8) PAWNEE
9) HOOKER
10) MORRISON