Week Zero’s Ten Best Games

<!-- 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>The 2023 football season is finally here as week zero will kick off the season this week. Every single Monday, we're taking a look at the week's ten best games across the state and a few others to keep an eye on this week. Disclaimer, these games are listed in alphabetical order. There is no specific order for the ten best games every single week. But they feature the best match-ups and all of the top teams and players. Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma throughout the week for more preview content of this week's game. We'll have a practice report on Victory Christian on Tuesday, an in-depth preview of the Choctaw-Del City game on Wednesday and a spotlight on this week's players to watch on Thursday. And be sure to check back every Monday for another breakdown on the week's top games across Oklahoma!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4A #10 BETHANY AT 2A #3 JONES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two perennial top ten teams have gotten used to opening up the season against one another. 4A's #10 Bethany will hit the road to face off with 2A's #3 Jones in the season opener on Friday evening. Bethany has a lot to replace from last year's playoff team but we do like some of the younger talent they bring back on both sides of the ball. They'll be tested by a Jones team that is one of the more experienced squads in Class 2A. The Longhorns made it all the way to the semifinals a year ago and they are hungry for more this season. Both teams play tough non-district schedules but the Longhorns have a non-district slate that is brutal. They begin their gauntlet start to the season at home. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5A #8 BISHOP KELLEY AT 4A #2 POTEAU</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two teams might be in different classes but they might as well be mirror images of one another. Bishop Kelley and Poteau both take a lot of pride in a strong running game and an even stronger defense. Poteau will play host to the Comets and the Pirates feel like 2023 could be a special year as they look to contend for that 4A title with nearly everyone back on both sides of the ball. Bishop Kelley is in a similar situation where they bring back the majority of their starters and they want to turn things around against the Pirates. These two teams have opened the season against one another in each of the last three seasons. While Bishop Kelley won the first meeting in 2020, Poteau has won the last two. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6A-1 #1 BIXBY VS 6A-1 #4 OWASSO (Thurs. @ TU's CHAPMAN STADIUM)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're kicking off our game coverage this week at TU's Chapman Stadium for the "Battle Of The Burbs" clash between top-ranked Bixby and #4 Owasso. These two teams met twice last year with the first coming in the QuikTrip-sponsored event and the second meeting came in Edmond with the 6A-1 state championship on the line. In both games, Bixby was dominant. The Spartans are now coming into their second season in 6A-1 and they are looking to make more history this fall. Owasso might look a little different this season but the Rams are not lacking talent that can carry them to another trip to Edmond. And the Rams certainly haven't forgotten how the last meeting with Bixby went. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5A #2 DEL CITY AT 6A-2 #2 CHOCTAW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Friday night, we'll see a match-up featuring second ranked teams as 6A-2's Choctaw will host Del City. The Eagles were able to hand Choctaw their only loss during the regular season a year ago in a shootout. It wouldn't be all that surprising to see another shootout when these teams hit the field on Friday night. Del City made plenty of headlines this season as they added several notable move ins to their team, making their offense one of the top units in terms of skill positions in the state. Choctaw looked good when we got a chance to see them in person at the Jenks Preview on Friday. But the Yellowjackets are already dealing with some of their top players missing time to injuries. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>B #4 REGENT PREP AT B #2 WELEETKA</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8-man football doesn't get as much coverage as some of the other classes but this week is not one of those instances because of the big Class B clash between #2 Weleetka and #4 Regent Prep. Both teams expect to contend for the gold ball this fall and to potentially knock back to back champ Laverne off the throne. We're going to get a good look at these two teams as top contenders in Class B. Both teams bring back nearly everyone from last year's teams and the Outlaws have some serious young talent. Regent Prep brings back everyone but this is also the last year for the Rams in Class B as they'll be making the transition to 11-man football next year so they want to go out with a bang. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5A #5 SAPULPA AT 6A-2 #5 SAND SPRINGS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the annual Highway 97 rivalry game between Sand Springs and Sapulpa and this year's match-up features two teams that are certainly teams to watch in their respective classes. The Sandites will play host to their rivals from Sapulpa and Sand Springs looks to continue their ownership of Highway 97. They've won seven in a row against the Chieftains with Sapulpa's last win coming back in 2013. The Sandites bring back some solid experience on the offensive side of the ball and they'll need it against a Sapulpa offense that looks absolutely loaded on paper. The Chieftains, in our opinion, are a dark horse to make a deep run in Class 5A. The latest chapter of this rivalry should provide some fireworks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6A-1 #2 UNION AT 6A-1 #5 WESTMOORE (Thurs.)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The "Battle Of The Burbs" isn't the only Thursday game featuring two top five teams in the state's largest class. Over in the OKC area, Westmoore will be playing host to Union and we're going to find out real quick just how serious the Jaguars are as a team to watch out for in 6A-1. Last season, Westmoore went 3-8 and lost in the first round of the playoffs. This year, they have higher expectations based on some of the talent they have on both sides of the ball. This is a perfect example of a "measuring stick" game for the Jaguars because they will be challenged by a Union team that is right there near the top of the class. Union dominated the meeting with Westmoore a year ago. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2A #8 VIAN AT 2A #1 WASHINGTON</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 2A's reigning state champion and top-ranked team heading into this season is Washington and the Warriors will kick off their title defense against a top ten team in Vian. We love this match-up, not only because it features two top ten teams that are among the state's best, but because it's a perfect example of teams testing themselves. Both Vian and Washington play incredibly tough non-district schedules so by the time district play rolls around and then the playoffs follow, each team will be ready. Washington was dominant last year when they met the Wolverines as they would jump out to a big lead early on and then would cruise to the week zero win. Vian looks to get some payback with a massive win to open their season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2A #5 VICTORY CHRISTIAN AT 3A #9 CASCIA HALL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a battle of Tulsa private schools that are each in the preseason rankings, Cascia Hall will host Victory Christian on Friday night. Cascia Hall and Victory Christian have opened up the season against each other in each of the last three seasons. Cascia Hall has been in control of this series since it restarted in 2020. They also had a meeting in the 2021 playoffs and the Commandos were victorious there as well. But the Commandos were hit hard by graduation while the Conquerors bring nearly everyone back. Victory also looks to finish the job this year against Cascia Hall. Last year, they had a massive comeback in the season opener but came up just short of pulling off the win in week zero. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4A #5 WEATHERFORD AT 4A #6 NEWCASTLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While 4A has a couple ranked teams facing tough competition, the marquee game this week in 4A has to be when #6 Newcastle hosts #5 Weatherford. Both teams are wanting the exact same thing and that's to make a trip to Edmond in December. Newcastle has an offensive unit that we think could be pretty special. Weatherford also features arguably the best dual-sport prospect in the state so this match-up isn't lacking firepower or star power. Newcastle is in arguably the toughest district in Class 4A so this season opener will get them ready for what's to come when district play begins. Weatherford also plays a tough schedule and the winner here is going to have some strong momentum. </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>FIVE BONUS GAMES </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>COWETA AT 5A #1 CARL ALBERT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Defending champion Carl Albert begins their title defense on Friday night against Coweta. The Titans fell to Coweta in their season opener a year ago but would go on to win the state championship. Coweta will look quite different after graduation hit the Tigers hard but they'll come into this season opener ready for a fight with the champs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>EDMOND SANTA FE AT 6A-1 #3 JENKS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year, this was a low scoring and fairly competitive game throughout as Jenks triumphed over Edmond Santa Fe. The Wolves would go on to have a forgettable 1-9 season while Jenks made it to the 6A-1 semifinals. Both teams have reloaded and are ready to make more noise in 6A-1. Both teams also feature really good running backs and front sevens on defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3A #8 HOLLAND HALL AT 3A #2 LINCOLN CHRISTIAN</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This 3A clash featuring top ten teams is also a rematch of the 2020 and 2021 3A state championship games with Holland Hall winning back to back gold balls. Lincoln Christian got a bit of payback last season when they dominated the Dutch in the season opener a year ago. While both teams are 3A contenders they are also heading up to 4A, starting in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2A #6 KIEFER AT NOAH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kiefer is one of the top teams in an absolutely loaded Class 2A and they'll come up to Broken Arrow to face NOAH to open their season. NOAH plays all their home games at Broken Arrow's freshman academy and they also feature the best college football prospect in the state. This game is not lacking talent and we should see some playmaking in this one. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6A-2 #8 PONCA CITY AT 5A #3 GUTHRIE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ponca City is ready to take the next step in Class 6A-2. They showed that last season by overcoming a slow start to make it to the playoffs and really make some noise. They get their first shot to take that next step against a Guthrie team that is incredibly experienced. The Blue Jays anticipate competing for the state title this fall. Ponca City is their first test on Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->