A Way Too Early Look At Class 4A

<!-- 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>Throughout the month of January, we've been recapping the 2024 football season with All State teams, season recaps and many more player awards. But it's now 2025 and it's time to take a far too early look at the 2025 football season and we continue in Class 4A. Now again, it's January and we are seven months away from the 2025 season kicking off so there are quite a few things that can change between now and then. For instance, looking back at our way too early look at the 2024 season in Class 4A, we couldn't see what was coming with the emergency redistricting shuffle in April. Four teams in our top ten at this time last year would eventually be in a different class. Bethany was also #10 at this time last year along with Clinton not being ranked at all and they both ended up in the top five. And when we look at the rankings we have below, there are definitely parts that seem absurd. But nevertheless, it's time to take a look ahead and see how 2025 could shape up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>WAY TOO EARLY TOP TEN FOR CLASS 4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>1) TUTTLE<br></strong>- Tuttle had a memorable 2024 campaign but they had to settle for silver in the 4A title game. In 2025, they have a chance to earn gold with a decent core of players returning to make another run in what seems to be a wide open Class 4A. 2026 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='473754' first='Cruz' last='Campbell'] returns to lead an offense that was one of the more explosive units in the state. He's joined in the backfield by [player_tooltip player_id='1400727' first='Shawn' last='Rounsaville Jr'] at the running back position and they have some up and coming wide receivers. Defensively, they'll need to find new guys to step up but Tuttle got a taste of the championship in 2024 and they'll want to finish the job. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2) ADA <br></strong>- For decades, Ada has been the state's all time leader in state championships. Now, they are in a tie with Carl Albert for that title as they haven't won a championship since 1996. 2025 could be the year that the drought comes to an end because the Cougars look like they have a wealth of talent coming back. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='911940' first='Brock' last='Boyles'] returns along with some offensive playmakers and one of the top offensive lineman prospects in Class 4A with [player_tooltip player_id='591882' first='Dawson' last='Matthews'] up front. Ada won a district championship in 2024 but came up short in the playoffs. They'll look to contend for the state championship in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>3) ELGIN <br></strong>- The Elgin Owls will go into 2025 as the defending champions for the first time in school history. And while this is going to be new territory for Elgin, it's also going to be a very new-looking team on the field in 2025. They have to replace arguably the school's best quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='211570' first='Tres' last='Lorah'] along with their stars on the offensive line and several other key contributors to their championship run. However, Elgin saw the emergence of star running back [player_tooltip player_id='472321' first='Ritson' last='Meyer'] in 2024 and he'll be back. And as we saw in the title game when he carried the ball 42 times, Meyer has no problem putting this team on his back when they need him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>4) BROKEN BOW<br></strong>- Broken Bow might have the most dynamic quarterback in the state, regardless of class when we kick off the 2025 football season. 2027 signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='1525562' first='Greydon' last='Howell'] quickly became a star during the 2024 football season and he's arguably the best dual-threat quarterback in the state today. Now, he'll need some other guys to step up around him but the Savages are not lacking talent at the skill positions and Howell is a player that can make a lot of things happen offensively. We like the talent returning and think that the Savages can go from narrowly missing the playoffs in 2024 to contending for the title in 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>5) SALLISAW<br></strong>- Head coach Brandon Tyler has done it again. He's taken a program that was 1-19 in the two seasons before he took over and they have made back to back quarterfinal appearances and were playing for the district championship in week ten last fall. And looking at what the Black Diamonds bring back in 2025, this could be the year where they go on a deeper run. The offense will be headlined by 2026 standout [player_tooltip player_id='1678737' first='Jackson' last='Harris'] and there is a lot of experience returning on the defensive side of the ball. Don't be surprised if the Black Diamonds end up crashing the party and turn into a legitimate contender for the 4A crown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>6) CUSHING <br></strong>- We really like what Cushing brings back in 2025 and the Tigers could end up being one of the top teams in this class when you look up and down their roster. The team will be headlined by quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1719591' first='Roman' last='Tucker'] following his fantastic junior season and he'll be joined in the backfield by [player_tooltip player_id='1292085' first='Kellen' last='Fry'] at the running back position. Now, the Tigers will need to have some new wide receivers step up but having that 1-2 punch with Tucker and Fry will certainly be beneficial to this offense. And don't overlook that same duo on the defensive side of the ball. Fry led the team in tackles and Tucker was second in that category. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>7) BETHANY<br></strong>- It feels like Bethany is always a top ten team and they are knocking on the door in Class 4A. In 2025, they'll look to kick that door down and truly contend for the state championship. Like everyone else on this breakdown, the Bronchos will have quite a few new names that have to step up. They lose a very experienced quarterback in [player_tooltip player_id='917666' first='Jackson' last='Payne'] but we think that Bethany might go into this season with the best two-way player in Class 4A football. 2026 standout [player_tooltip player_id='1348269' first='Judson' last='Gilliland'] ran for nearly 1,400 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2024 and he turned around and led the team in tackles on the defensive side of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8) WAGONER<br></strong>- Here's the ranking that just seems absurd on the outside looking in. Wagoner isn't used to spending any time outside of the top five but there are so many unknowns with the Bulldogs heading into 2025. Legendary head coach Dale Condict has moved on to Muskogee and they replaced him with Chisholm head coach Kimes Gilbert. But the biggest question marks for us are on the field. The Bulldogs lose a ton of experience to graduation. Replacing players like [player_tooltip player_id='294262' first='Alex' last='Shieldnight'] and [player_tooltip player_id='530573' first='Kale' last='Charboneau'] is not going to be easy. But the silver lining is the district slate sets up for Wagoner to improve throughout the year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9) BLANCHARD<br></strong>- Blanchard is another 4A program, similar to Wagoner, that might not be used to being this low in any top ten ranking but they will start a new era as well in 2025. Their legendary head coach Jeff Craig took the McAlester job a few weeks ago and similar to Wagoner, Blanchard also loses a very special senior class. Finding replacements for [player_tooltip player_id='268307' first='Brayson' last='Carter'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1100200' first='Coric' last='Pierce'] isn't going to be easy but the Lions aren't completely lacking talent as we turn the page to 2025. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1307135' first='Noah' last='Smith'] got some playing time as a sophomore during the 2024 season and will look to use that as momentum going into this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10) HILLDALE<br></strong>- Rounding out the top ten is Hilldale and the Hornets are looking to build off their run to the 4A quarterfinals in 2024. Headlining this team in 2025 will be 2026 wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='382955' first='Brady' last='Scott'] and he's coming off an All State junior season. He's incredibly dynamic in all three phases of the game and he's not returning alone. The Hornets will also have one of the more disruptive defensive tackles in 4A football with 2027 DL [player_tooltip player_id='933579' first='Kaiden' last='Ford'] returning. Now, the biggest hurdle will be their district. As seen above, three of the top five teams in these rankings are all from the same district so it's going to be an absolute battle. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->