Class 4A Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's August and we are now less than a month away from the 2022 football season! After a month in July where we were previewing individual teams, we're taking a bigger picture look at the 2022 season. In this post, we take a look at Class 4A heading into the season. From our preseason rankings (which includes links to each team's preview) to the All 4A Team and much more, we'll get you ready for everything 4A heading into the season. Which games do you need to know about? What are some of the bigger storylines heading into the year? Get all of the answers right here with our in-depth 4A preview. And stay tuned throughout the week for more class previews.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong>Class 4A Preseason Rankings</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/cushing-team-preview-2/?conversions=no" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/cushing-team-preview-2/?conversions=no" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CUSHING</a></strong><br><strong>2) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/wagoner-team-preview-2/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/wagoner-team-preview-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">WAGONER</a></strong><br><strong>3) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/poteau-team-preview-2/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/poteau-team-preview-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">POTEAU</a></strong><br><strong>4) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/tuttle-team-preview-2/?conversions=no" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/tuttle-team-preview-2/?conversions=no" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TUTTLE</a></strong><br><strong>5) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/clinton-team-preview-2/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/clinton-team-preview-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CLINTON</a></strong><br><strong>6) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/hilldale-team-preview-2/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/hilldale-team-preview-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">HILLDALE</a></strong><br><strong>7) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/bethany-team-preview-2/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/bethany-team-preview-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BETHANY</a></strong><br><strong>8) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/blanchard-team-preview/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/blanchard-team-preview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BLANCHARD</a></strong><br><strong>9) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/newcastle-team-preview-2/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/newcastle-team-preview-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NEWCASTLE</a></strong><br><strong>10) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/catoosa-team-preview/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2022/07/catoosa-team-preview/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CATOOSA</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong>All 4A Team</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>OFFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>QB - [player_tooltip player_id='54349' first='Blaze' last='Berlowitz'] - 2023 - Cushing<br>RB - [player_tooltip player_id='157514' first='Eric' last='Virgil'] - 2023 - Hilldale<br>RB - [player_tooltip player_id='57161' first='Malek' last='Murphy'] - 2023 - Chickasha<br>RB - [player_tooltip player_id='54485' first='Tyler' last='Woodson'] - 2023 - Tuttle<br>WR - [player_tooltip player_id='410947' first='Elijah' last='Green'] - 2024 - Classen SAS<br>WR - [player_tooltip player_id='268445' first='Witt' last='Edwards'] - 2024 - Wagoner<br>OL - [player_tooltip player_id='410948' first='Chad' last='Craft'] - 2024 - Newcastle<br>OL - [player_tooltip player_id='57160' first='Evan' last='Keefe'] - 2023 - Hilldale<br>OL - [player_tooltip player_id='268343' first='Joseph' last='Rendina-Brown'] - 2023 - Cache<br>OL - [player_tooltip player_id='38811' first='Kenny' last='Wermy'] - 2023 - Cache<br>OL - [player_tooltip player_id='410944' first='Trace' last='Decker'] - 2023 - Elk City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DEFENSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL [player_tooltip player_id='410945' first='Gage' last='Eastman'] - 2023 - Elk City<br>DL - [player_tooltip player_id='318622' first='Gunner' last='Wilson'] - 2025 - Catoosa<br>DL - [player_tooltip player_id='410949' first='Noah' last='McDoulett'] - 2024 - Tuttle<br>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='294262' first='Alex' last='Shieldnight'] - 2025 - Wagoner<br>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='292484' first='Jake' last='Tucker'] - 2023 - Tuttle<br>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='149337' first='Riley' last='Matheson'] - 2023 - Cushing<br>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='211563' first='Trae' last='Kibble'] - 2025 - Cache<br>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='268334' first='Ce'Alm' last='Kilpatrick II'] - 2023 - Sallisaw<br>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='133792' first='Damontre' last='Patterson'] - 2024 - Ada<br>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='185888' first='Davien' last='Taylor'] - 2024 - John Marshall<br>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='57167' first='Taelen' last='Laird'] - 2023 - Woodward</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>KICKER/ATHLETES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>K - [player_tooltip player_id='410946' first='Cole' last='Mahaney'] - 2023 - Fort Gibson<br>ATH - [player_tooltip player_id='38715' first='Camden' last='Crooks'] - 2023 - Cushing<br>ATH - [player_tooltip player_id='215196' first='Dax' last='Collins'] - 2024 - Poteau<br>ATH - [player_tooltip player_id='231450' first='Gabe' last='Rodriguez'] - 2023 - Wagoner<br>ATH - [player_tooltip player_id='157521' first='Taylor' last='Heim'] - 2023 - Bethany</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong>Mark Your Calendars</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>September 16th - Guthrie AT Tuttle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are several 4A vs 5A match-ups that should be pretty good throughout the non-district portion of the schedule. But we're putting a spotlight on Tuttle hosting Guthrie in a battle between two top five teams that have strong rushing attacks and defenses. Tuttle in particular, plays one of the tougher non-district schedules in Class 4A and this week three clash will be the final tune up before district play opens up in week four. The Tigers have been one of the winningest 4A programs over the last five years and they haven't lost many regular season games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>September 23rd - Tuttle AT Bethany</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The very next week after a showdown with Guthrie, Tuttle will open up district play on the road against Bethany. We mentioned how tough Tuttle's non-district schedule was but they're in arguably the toughest district in Class 4A. They're one of four teams from the district that are ranked in the preseason top ten. Bethany is the next highest ranked team behind Tuttle in this district. This is just the district opener but it will go a long way to deciding playoff seeding in November. Other showdowns with Blanchard and Newcastle await both teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>September 30th - Clinton AT Elk City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the other west side district, Clinton comes in as the big favorite to repeat as district champion. Not only are they the defending district champs, but they are reigning state champions. Elk City will definitely have this game circled on their schedule after facing off with Clinton twice last season. They were blown out in the regular season and then pushed Clinton in the semifinals but had their season come to an end in that semifinal clash. The winner here will more than likely be in the driver's seat for the district crown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>October 7th - Hilldale AT Poteau</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The first of two massive 4A showdowns in week six will feature Poteau hosting Hilldale. The Hornets have been knocking on the door of becoming a major contender in Class 4A but Poteau has been the hurdle that they have been unable to overcome. If the Hornets are going to contend for the gold ball, they first have to contend for the district crown. Poteau has been the king of this district and they're still the favorites to win it coming into this year. This game could end up deciding who walks away with the district championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>October 7th - Wagoner At Cushing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the same night that Poteau hosts Hilldale, we'll have another 4A showdown as Cushing hosts Wagoner. If the rankings are the same in week six, it will feature #1 Cushing and #2 Wagoner as these two teams are two of the favorites coming into the season. It will feature Cushing's high-powered offense going against Wagoner and their stingy defense and rushing attack. The winner here will not only be the favorite for the district crown, but there's a good chance they'll be the favorite for the 4A state championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"25px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:25px"><strong>Notable Storylines</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>4A-2 The Gauntlet</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every year, certain districts end up being a little more top-heavy then the other districts and that's the case with district 2 in Class 4A. They have four teams cracking our preseason top ten, including perennial power Tuttle leading the way at #4. After them, you have #7 Bethany, #8 Blanchard and #9 Newcastle. Outside of those four teams, you also have some programs on the rise like Harrah that could make things interesting this fall for the four teams in the top ten. But one thing is for sure when it comes to those four teams, they're going to beat up on one another. The path during district play for teams in 4A-2 will be a little more challenging than the other districts in Class 4A. Tuttle comes in as the favorite in this district but they've also been tripped up a few times in district play over the last several years. Blanchard in particular has been a thorn in their side and the Lions are ready to take that next step this fall. The same can be said for Bethany and Newcastle as all four of these ranked teams have their sights set on contending for the gold ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Perennial Powers On Top Again</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last four state champions in Class 4A have been four of the best programs in the class during the last four seasons. Clinton (2021) Wagoner (2020) Poteau (2019) and Tuttle (2018) are routinely at the top of Class 4A and that's the case again this fall. Despite Cushing be the #1 team in our preseason rankings, these four perennial powers are right behind them. In the last four years, these four teams have dominated Class 4A. Tuttle leads the pack with a 49-5 record over the last four seasons. They have made it to at least the semifinals in all four seasons. Poteau is 45-7 during that stretch, with their worst record being 9-3. Wagoner is 43-8 and they're coming off a 9-3 campaign, which snapped a streak of 10-win seasons. Clinton is fourth with a 38-12 record. Ever since Clinton head coach John Higbee took over, he turned this Clinton back into a championship contender year after year. The Red Tornadoes are up there among the state's all time best programs and they're back to contending every single season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Will An Underdog Emerge?</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Class 4A has been dominated by perennial powers over the last five years, we still saw an underdog emerge last season in the playoffs. Elk City was not in the preseason top ten at this time last year but they found a way to make it all the way to the semifinal round. In fact, they also made quite a bit of history when they punched their ticket to the semifinals to face off with district foe Clinton. Elk City hadn't won a playoff game since 2006 and they hadn't been in the semifinal round since 2004. Since winning in the first round game back in 2006, the Elks had lost five consecutive playoff games, until they went on the road and stunned Cushing and then did it again in the quarterfinals. They would travel over 300 miles from western Oklahoma to northeastern Oklahoma and knocked off the district champion Ridgerunners from Grove. Elk City is once again outside of the preseason top ten coming into this year, maybe they can repeat history, or maybe another team outside of the top ten will make an unexpected run in November. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->