Class 4A Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are now less than two weeks away from the opening games kicking off as the 2023 football season in Oklahoma is right around the corner. And Prep Redzone Oklahoma will have you covered from start to finish. Since July 1st, we've been in preview mode and we've been pumping out a ton of preview content with over 100 team previews. If you missed any of them, you can check them out&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/oklahoma/team-previews/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RIGHT HERE</a></strong>. Last week, it was all about the individuals with Preseason All State teams as well as comeback players and freshmen to watch. Now, it's time to take a big picture approach with class by class previews.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this post, we're taking a look at Class 4A. From our preseason rankings (including links to each team's preview) to our All Class teams and much more, we're getting you ready for the 2023 football season in 4A. Perennial powerhouse Wagoner is your 4A defending champion and they find themselves at the top of the preseason rankings once again. But the Bulldogs will have to fight to repeat as champion as they'll have plenty of company along the road to Edmond. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>PRESEASON RANKINGS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/wagoner-bulldogs-ok-2023-team-preview/">WAGONER</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/poteau-pirates-ok-2023-team-preview/">POTEAU</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/blanchard-lions-ok-2023-team-preview/">BLANCHARD</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/tuttle-tigers-ok-2023-team-preview/">TUTTLE</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/weatherford-eagles-ok-2023-team-preview/">WEATHERFORD</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/newcastle-racers-ok-2023-team-preview/">NEWCASTLE</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/clinton-red-tornadoes-ok-2023-team-preview/">CLINTON</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/ada-cougars-ok-2023-team-preview/">ADA</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/elk-city-elks-ok-2023-team-preview/">ELK CITY</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10) <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/bethany-bronchos-ok-2023-team-preview/">BETHANY</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>OTHER TEAM PREVIEWS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/cushing-tigers-ok-2023-team-preview/">CUSHING</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/harrah-panthers-ok-2023-team-preview/">HARRAH&nbsp;</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/hilldale-hornets-ok-2023-team-preview/">HILLDALE</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>- <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/07/miami-wardogs-ok-2023-team-preview/">MIAMI</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><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='363852' first='Carson' last='Cooksey'] - Senior - Blanchard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB - [player_tooltip player_id='522126' first='Jackson' last='Sommers'] - Senior - Poteau</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RB - [player_tooltip player_id='449184' first='TJ' last='Bradford'] - Sophomore - Newcastle</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR - [player_tooltip player_id='268307' first='Brayson' last='Carter'] - Junior - Blanchard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR - [player_tooltip player_id='353421' first='CJ' last='Nickson'] - Junior - Weatherford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>WR - [player_tooltip player_id='410947' first='Elijah' last='Green'] - Senior - Classen SAS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL - [player_tooltip player_id='591882' first='Dawson' last='Matthews'] - Sophomore - Ada</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL - [player_tooltip player_id='447554' first='Dax' last='Griffin'] - Junior - Wagoner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL - [player_tooltip player_id='360242' first='Gage' last='Stegall'] - Senior - Weatherford</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL - [player_tooltip player_id='928463' first='Grayson' last='Hall'] - Sophomore - Hilldale</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>OL - [player_tooltip player_id='894431' first='Jace' last='Warren'] - Senior - Tuttle</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='318622' first='Gunner' last='Wilson'] - Junior - Catoosa</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - [player_tooltip player_id='948913' first='Montiel' last='Crane'] - Senior - Clinton</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DL - [player_tooltip player_id='410949' first='Noah' last='McDoulett'] - Senior - Tuttle</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='294262' first='Alex' last='Shieldnight'] - Junior - Wagoner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='628151' first='Fisher' last='Marr'] - Senior - Ada</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='855006' first='Keyton' last='Cole'] - Senior - Wagoner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LB - [player_tooltip player_id='383303' first='Tyler' last='Hughes'] - Senior - Blanchard</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='322496' first='Deandre' last='Hamilton'] - Junior - Catoosa</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='611313' first='Dennis' last='Nolan'] - Senior - McLain</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='402375' first='Evenson' last='Malaska'] - Sophomore - Bethany</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>DB - [player_tooltip player_id='713281' first='Marquan' last='Krush'] - Senior - Tecumseh</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='948920' first='Cash' last='Schiller'] - Junior - Hilldale</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH - [player_tooltip player_id='215570' first='Brady' last='Mcadoo'] - Junior - Tuttle</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH - [player_tooltip player_id='215196' first='Dax' last='Collins'] - Senior - Poteau</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH - [player_tooltip player_id='530573' first='Kale' last='Charboneau'] - Junior - Wagoner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>ATH - [player_tooltip player_id='268445' first='Witt' last='Edwards'] - Senior - Wagoner</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MARK YOUR CALENDARS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>August 25th - Weatherford AT Newcastle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The season gets underway in week zero with a non-district clash featuring top ten teams. #5 Weatherford goes on the road to face #6 Newcastle as both teams will prepare for tough district schedules with really strong competition in the non-district slate. Both teams are looking to take the next step this fall and really start knocking on the door of contending in Class 4A. Weatherford has seen recent success with a run to the state title game a few years ago and Newcastle has been getting closer to becoming a title contender. This game is good but the ultimate goal comes later in the year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>October 6th - Clinton AT Weatherford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Weatherford, we talked about them becoming that consistent contender and in week six, they get their shot at one of the top teams in the class and one of the top programs in state history. The Eagles will host Clinton in week six and while Elk City is the defending district champion, these two teams on paper look like the two teams to beat when it comes to this district. Clinton is looking to make it back to contending for the state title after winning it all in 2021 but losing last year in the quarterfinals. Don't be surprised when the playoffs roll around if the winner of this game is the district champ. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>October 6th - Cushing AT Wagoner</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In week six, defending champion Wagoner will play host to Cushing in a rematch of last year's 4A state championship instant classic. The story has been told a few times since that evening in Edmond. But for those unfamiliar, Cushing would beat Wagoner 42-0 in district play last season but the Bulldogs would stun the Tigers 24-21 in the state title game on a field goal as time expired. Wagoner head coach Dale Condict still says it's the biggest win that he's been apart of and the rematch will have a lot of attention. While Cushing appears to be rebuilding, they'll be ready to get another shot at the Bulldogs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>October 6th - Tuttle AT Blanchard</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you haven't picked up on the theme here, October 6th and week six is going to be a pretty big part of the story in Class 4A this season. In another game that will more than likely decide the district champion when the playoffs roll around, Blanchard will play host to Tuttle. And just like the Cushing-Wagoner game, the last time we saw Blanchard and Tuttle on the field together, it turned into an instant classic. Blanchard stunned Tuttle on the road with a game-winning touchdown in the final seconds. We can only hope that when the Tigers and Lions meet up in week six, we get to see even more late game dramatics with major implications. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>October 13th - Broken Bow AT Poteau</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Poteau Pirates look like a major favorite to run away with the 4A-4 title this season but there are a few other teams that will certainly have something to say about that. Arguably the top contender to the Pirates winning the district championship is Broken Bow. In week seven, the Pirates will play host to the Savages. Last season, Poteau would still win the district championship despite Broken Bow knocking off Poteau 28-14 in the regular season. The Savages would end Poteau's four-game winning streak against Broken Bow with the win. If they beat the Pirates again, they'll look to finish the job with a district title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE STORYLINES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>4A-2 A Gauntlet Once Again</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At this time last year, we were writing about how district 4A-2 was going to be one of the toughest districts in the state and it played out that way. Last year, four teams from that district were in the preseason rankings and those same four teams are in the preseason rankings again as we head into the 2023 football season. And this time around, they are ranked even higher. Three of the top six teams are from the same district. Blanchard (#3) Tuttle (#4) Newcastle (#6) and Bethany (#10) headline this district that is going to be an absolute gauntlet throughout the regular season. In the last section, we mentioned the Blanchard-Tuttle game being one of the top match-ups in Class 4A this season but it feels like every week in this district is going to be a must-watch game. We're looking forward to seeing how this district plays out throughout the 2023 season. Only time will tell if this district ends up truly being one one of the top districts in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Perennial Programs Not Going Anywhere</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The last five state champions in Class 4A have been four of the best programs in the class during the last four seasons. Wagoner (2022 &amp; 2020) Clinton (2021) Poteau (2019) and Tuttle (2018) are routinely at the top of Class 4A and that's the case again this fall. Wagoner is back on top of the Class 4A preseason rankings and Poteau (#2) Tuttle (#4) and Clinton (#7) are right behind the champs. In the last five years, these four teams have dominated Class 4A. Tuttle leads the pack in wins with a 58-8 record over the last five seasons. Poteau is right behind them at 55-10. Wagoner is 54-11 but they have won two state championships in the last three seasons. And Clinton is fourth with a 45-16 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>Private Powerhouses Coming In 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This isn't as much of a storyline for the 2023 football season but it's definitely something that's on the horizon that will have a rather big impact on 4A football. Because of the recent class and district realignment as well as the passing of Rule 14, three private school powerhouses are going to be joining the class in 2024. In addition to having our usual suspects like Clinton, Poteau, Tuttle and Wagoner, we're also going to see Heritage Hall, Holland Hall and Lincoln Christian joining the class, making Class 4A even deeper and more competitive. These three teams have won the last five state championships in Class 3A with Heritage Hall winning it in 2018 and 2022. Holland Hall went back to back in 2020 and 2021 and Lincoln Christian won it all in 2019 but also made two other state championship game appearances. Heritage Hall did spend two years in Class 4A a few years ago and they won it all in 2017 before moving back to 3A. 4A football is about to be loaded. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->