Class 2A 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 2023 regular season is in the books! And it's time to start talking playoff football across Oklahoma. It feels like yesterday that we were previewing the 2023 football season and the year was kicking off. Now, teams truly begin their journey on the road to Edmond. Before we know it, we'll be at UCO crowning state champions to wrap up a fantastic 2023 season. Prep Redzone Oklahoma will have you completely covered for the 2023 playoffs. From all the teams and players you need to know about to the best state championship coverage in the state, we'll have wall to wall coverage of the 2023 playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this post, we're taking a look at Class 2A. From the team to beat to the top contenders and storylines to follow and so much more! For a complete breakdown on all the top players on each team heading into the 2A playoffs, <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/11/class-2a-players-to-watch-playoff-edition/">CLICK HERE.</a></strong> And check back each day for more playoff preview content ONLY on Prep Redzone Oklahoma!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>PLAYOFF BRACKET</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1083648,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/11/2A-Bracket-.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1083648" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>TEAM TO BEAT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Washington Warriors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's time we start talking (if we haven't already) about Washington as a dynasty in small school football. The Warriors are once again the team to beat in Class 2A after capturing the 2A state title a year ago. They will not only be looking for their second straight gold ball in December but their fourth straight trip to Edmond. And Washington comes in as the unquestioned number one team after dominating in the regular season. They played a challenging non-district schedule and had no problems there. They would then dominate the district slate. They come into the playoffs with six straight shutouts. They haven't given up a point since September 22nd. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>TOP CONTENDERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Idabel Warriors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Idabel Warriors had high expectations coming into this season to begin with and they have been perfect so far. Idabel has blown out just about everyone on their schedule. The closest game was a 22-point win over Heavener. They even beat rival Eufaula with ease in a week ten game to decide the district championship. The Warriors are incredibly explosive and have some very talented players on both sides of the ball. So when you talk about the top contenders in this class, you have to include Idabel in the conversation. They've been a top five team but it will be interesting to see how they respond against tougher competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jones Longhorns</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We knew that as long as Jones didn't get too banged up while playing a brutal non-district schedule, they would be right back in a position to contend for the 2A state title. They played ranked teams from 4A, 3A and 2A to start the season and went 1-2. But that didn't slow them down from absolutely dominating once they got into district play. And that non-district schedule will certainly pay off now as the Longhorns go into the playoffs and play tougher teams each week they are able to win. Class 2A is loaded this season and there isn't an obviously favorable path. But a potential rematch with defending champ Washington could be looming.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kiefer Trojans</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Kiefer Trojans finished off a perfect regular season by beating Victory Christian in overtime. In our opinion, Kiefer is without a doubt the most underrated of the "top contenders" coming into the 2A playoffs and nobody should overlook the Trojans as a team to beat. This is a Kiefer team that is battle-tested, facing their two toughest district opponents on the road and winning. They are an experienced team with the majority of their starters back from last year. And we think that the bracket could set up nicely for the Trojans to make a run all the way to the semifinals. They'll be tested along the way but they should be ready. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Millwood Falcons</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millwood's run to the 2A state championship game was not a surprise to us despite the Falcons missing the playoffs all together in 2021. They fell to Washington in the title game a year ago and standing on the field following that game, we immediately thought we could see these two do it again in 2023. Millwood has been right behind Washington in the Class 2A rankings all season. They tripped up in the season opener to Heritage Hall but the Falcons have looked good the rest of the way. They got a big win over a very good OCS team in late October to capture the district championship. With big time talent, the Falcons are primed for another run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>DARK HORSE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Victory Christian Conquerors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Victory Christian tripped up in week ten, losing to Kiefer in an overtime classic. That lost the Conquerors the district championship and dropped them to the 2-seed in the playoffs. But overlooking the Conquerors in the playoffs would be a mistake. They made a run all the way to the 2A semifinals a year ago and it wouldn't be surprising to see them make a similar run again this year. The Conquerors have a very explosive offense with some playmakers that are among the best in the state. And when you look at the way the bracket falls, we could certainly see Victory Christian making a run this month. But it starts this week against Rejoice Christian. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MUST WATCH 1ST ROUND MATCH-UP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Vian AT Eufaula</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Vian surprisingly dropping back to back games to wrap up the regular season has put them in an interesting position. The Wolverines are going on the road to face Eufaula in the first round and this is a rematch of a game earlier this season. These two routinely meet in non-district play but the Wolverines falling to Prague and Tahlequah Sequoyah in back to back weeks has put them as the 3-seed heading into the postseason. Vian beat Eufaula 35-27 back in week one and have dominated this series as of late. But it's anyone's guess how this match-up is going to turn out. Both teams tripped up in week ten but the winner of this game could set themselves up for a run in the playoffs this month. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MORE 1ST ROUND GAMES TO CIRCLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kansas AT Pawhuska</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pawhuska comes into the playoffs with some momentum after going on the road in week ten and beating Rejoice Christian to lock up a home game in the first round. This came after dropping back to back games so the Huskies have to be feeling good. On the other side they face a Kansas team that is not your typical 3-seed coming into the playoffs. The Comets are 8-2 with their only losses coming to Kiefer and Victory Christian. This should be a good match-up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meeker AT Oklahoma Christian School</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another game to watch on Friday night will see OCS hosting Meeker in the first round. It's been an up and down year for Meeker but they won three straight to close out the regular season and have some really talented offensive playmakers. OCS has been nearly perfect this season with the only loss coming in a close one to Millwood. The winner of this game will more than likely get defending state champion Washington in the next round. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>TOP STORYLINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Change Coming To Class 2A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ever since Class 3A went back to having 32 teams in their class, dropping quite a few heavy hitters into Class 2A, this class has been one of our favorites in the playoffs. But this is the last year of the current Class 2A. Starting in 2024, Class 2A, A and B will be split into two equal divisions. So when the playoff bracket came out, we were curious to see where the teams in this year's bracket fall in next year's classes. Would it mainly be the schools that are going to be in the larger division? Yes, but not by much. 16 of the 32 playoff teams will be in the larger division of the new Class 2A. 11 of the 32 teams will be in the smaller division and there are five teams that will either be in Class 3A or A next season. That split honestly surprised us and Class A is even more even than that. Nevertheless, this is the last year where we will have a playoff journey that takes five weeks to crown a state champion. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->