Class A Playoff 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>The 2022 regular season has come to an end and it's time to start taking a look at the playoffs! Prep Redzone Oklahoma will be your home for the playoffs from now until the last state champion is crowned in Edmond. In this post, we're taking a complete look at the Class A playoffs. From the favorite to all of the contenders, match-ups to keep an eye on and players to watch, we have you completely covered. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>PLAYOFF BRACKET</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":510847,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/11/A-Bracket-1-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-510847"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>TEAM TO BEAT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gore Pirates (10-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gore Pirates have been in the number one spot in Class A all season and for good reason. This team has been absolutely dominant all season and the numbers absolutely back that up. The Pirates come into the playoffs with a perfect 10-0 record, but what's more impressive is how dominant they've truly been. They come into the playoffs after giving up just 33 points all season. And even crazier than that, those 33 points came in two games. Only two of the ten teams they faced this year scored points. We're not the best at math but that means they have eight shutouts coming into the playoffs, including in four consecutive games. That's a remarkable number but it's time to prove it against the best of the best. Gore was upset early in the playoffs a year ago and they're determined not to have a repeat of last season. </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 {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>TOP CONTENDERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fairview Yellowjackets (10-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Similar to Gore, Fairview has been one of the top teams in Class A this season from the start of the season. In fact, all of the top contenders have been as the top four teams in Class A are all unbeaten heading into the playoffs. Fairview has been strong all season with all ten of their wins coming by 21 points or more. But like Gore, they have not been challenged basically all season. A big question for them will be how they react and play when they have to play all four quarters. It's unlikely that the Yellowjackets continue to blow everyone out so what happens when they have to end up playing all four quarters. It should definitely be a storyline to follow. But we do like the path for the Yellowjackets to make a deep run in the playoffs, and from there , anything can happen. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hominy Bucks (10-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arguably the most battle-tested team in Class A has been Hominy. Not only are they another undefeated team heading into the playoffs, the Bucks have played a tough schedule throughout the year. They were in arguably the toughest district in Class A and also tested themselves multiple times during non-district play. Each and every week, the Bucks would respond to the challenge with a win. The Bucks have recent success as they captured a state championship in 2016 and were led by a superstar quarterback on the way to that gold ball. This season, they have another potential superstar at quarterback and are hoping to go all the way to the state championship game. However, the Bucks haven't had much playoff success over the last few years. They're looking for their first playoff win since 2017. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ringling Blue Devils (10-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no doubt that legendary head coach Phil Koons has returned Ringling to becoming a contender year after year in southwestern Oklahoma. The Blue Devils have reached two out of the last three state championship games in Class A and in the one year they fell short, it was in the semifinal round. Ringling captured the 2019 gold ball but had to settle for silver last season. The Blue Devils are determined to not only make a return trip to Edmond, they want another state championship. This has been a very talented and obviously experienced senior class and they're looking to go out on top. The Blue Devils are yet another team that has been perfect all season. The defense is once again a calling card after they had four shutouts and haven't given up more than 18 points all year. </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 {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DARK HORSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wynnewood Savages (8-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wynnewood Savages haven't won a playoff game since making it all the way to the 2016 state championship but coming up short to Hominy. This season, the Savages are 8-2 and have to be taken seriously in the contender conversation. Their only two losses this year were to unbeaten Ringling and 2A powerhouse Davis during non-district play. The Savages have one of the best players in Class A, who we'll dive into a little more later, and Wynnewood will look for the young superstar to carry them to new heights this postseason. The Savages are on the same side of the bracket with several other top teams. So the path to Edmond is going to be bumpy. But we've seen superstars carry their teams to deep playoff runs. We could see that again this season. </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 {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MARQUEE MATCH-UP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cashion (4-6) AT Ringling (10-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Based on the records alone, this obviously looks like another first round match-up that will turn into a blowout. And that could very well happen on Friday night. However, it's hard not to put a spotlight on this game as it's a match-up we've seen two out of the last three years and they've been pretty special both times. In 2019, Ringling beat Cashion for the Class A state championship. Last season, Cashion won their second consecutive state title at the expense of the Blue Devils. Ringling is back in the championship hunt while Cashion is rebuilding after losing a truly special senior class. While Ringling comes into this game as the clear favorite, Cashion is still the two-time defending champions and they're not going to go down without a fight. </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 {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["353410"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"We mentioned how Wynnewood has a young superstar and that would be sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='353410' first='Caden' last='Knighten'], who is one of the top runners, not only in Class A, but in the state overall. Knighten has put up some serious numbers this season and is a big reason why the Savages have to be considered a dark horse. Not only is he a good football player at the Class A level, putting up big numbers, he's one of the top prospects in the state's 2025 class. We're looking forward to seeing what Knighten can do on the biggest stage and what kind of numbers he can produce over the next several weeks. If Wynnewood makes a run, it's going to be because Knighten goes off.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["189918"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"One of the top producing players in the state this year has been Gore senior [player_tooltip player_id='189918' first='Gunner' last='Dozier']. In fact, he's been one of the highest producing players in Class A over the last few years. And what's impressive about Dozier this year is he has still put up some monster numbers, especially with touchdowns, and he has mostly been done by halftime. So going into the playoffs, the running back and linebacker is fresh for potentially five more games. Dozier has 28 touchdowns on the season and has only carried the ball 86 times this year. That's an insane ratio and backs up the u0022fresh legsu0022 theory. Dozier is averaging a touchdown every third carry. It's pretty remarkable and we're curious where his numbers end up after the playoffs.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["386581"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"We mentioned how Hominy had another quarterback that could end up leading them all the way to a state championship and that's junior QB [player_tooltip player_id='386581' first='Jaxon' last='Woods']. After his breakout season a year ago, Woods came into this season with high expectations and it's hard to say that he hasn't delivered. He's put up big numbers on both sides of the ball and it seems like he's always playing at his best in Hominy's biggest games of the year. Woods is a true dual-threat at quarterback as he's thrown for over 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns and he's run for nearly 1,500 yards and 23 touchdowns. He has a legitimate chance to become the next Oklahoma standout to join the u00222K2K Clubu0022 with passing and rushing yards if the Bucks go deep into the playoffs.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-68a5811d454ae"} /--> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>CRYSTAL BALL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gore Over Ringling</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They say that defense wins championships so we're going with the two best defenses to make it to Edmond. Gore and Ringling have been two of the best teams in Class A so they are definitely the favorites to make it to this year's title game for us. For Gore, they've been on top of Class A all season and they are our pick to not only make it to Edmond, but capture a gold ball. On the other side, you have a Ringling team that not only knows how to win in November and December, they expect it at this point. Both teams have been flat out dominant all season. But Ringling definitely has more experience when it comes to the playoffs. That could definitely play a factor if they end up facing off in December. But we're giving the slight edge to the Pirates. There's a lot of football between now and then. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->