5A Playoff Guide

Get 25% Off Your Subscription By Entering Knight25 In The Coupon Code Area. Enjoy!   The 2025 regular season has come to a close and it's time to shift our focus to the postseason! Throughout this week, we'll have a ton of playoff preview content in each class. We continue our preview coverage by taking an in-depth look at Class 5A with our complete guide to the playoffs! From the bracket to players to watch and so much more, we'll get you completely ready for the 5A playoffs! Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma every day for playoff preview content!   5A BRACKET   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/11/5A-Bracket-.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2044492" /></figure>   5A OVERVIEW   There's no sugar-coating things when you're talking about Class 5A. Carl Albert has had a stranglehold on this class for the last decade. They have won eight of the last nine state championships, including the last three. They bring into the playoffs a 49-game winning streak, which is the second longest by an 11-man program in state history. They are the defending champion and the overwhelming favorite but they will have company. Pryor is undefeated and have perhaps their best team in school history. In order to make that trip to Edmond, they'll have to go through Carl Albert as they're on the same side of the bracket. Del City lost to Pryor in week ten and that put them on the opposite side of the bracket, which could end up paying off for the Eagles but their side of the bracket isn't a cakewalk.   The trio of Bishop McGuinness, Lawton MacArthur and Newcastle all beat up on each other in district play but all three teams have the potential of making a run to the semifinals or even to the championship game. Guthrie is coming off an appearance in the state title game a year ago and the Blue Jays are the only team this season to really push Carl Albert for all four quarters. Coweta is a district champion that seems to be flying under the radar despite a 9-1 record and one of the better running backs in Class 5A football.   You also have a program like Altus that has risen from the ashes. The Bulldogs have struggled over the last few seasons but they are back in the postseason and the future seems brighter than ever. For other teams like McAlester and Noble, the playoffs are the prize for staying in the fight. Both teams began this season 0-3 but stayed in the fight and clinched a playoff spot.   PLAYERS TO WATCH FROM EACH TEAM   [player_tooltip player_id='670654' first='Aivan' last='Locklin'] - Senior Quarterback - Lawton MacArthur   Lawton MacArthur captured the district championship in week ten by handing Bishop McGuinness their first loss of the season. Leading the way was senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='670654' first='Aivan' last='Locklin'] who could not be stopped on the ground. Normally, Locklin is torching defenses with the deep ball but with the district title on the line, Locklin ran for over 200 yards and four touchdowns. He came into this season as a three-year starter and has the Highlanders playing really good football this season. The path to making it to the state title game is tough but Lockin and the Highlanders will take it one game at a time.   [player_tooltip player_id='1366322' first='Braden' last='Ward'] - Senior Quarterback - Pryor   We mentioned earlier how Pryor might have their best team in school history this season. That conversation starts with senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1366322' first='Braden' last='Ward'] and he has helped lead the Tigers to a 10-0 record in the regular season. Ward has been absolutely lights out all season and he's done it as a passer and as a runner. He's put up numbers that frankly, we didn't see coming before the season. He has the Tigers as a serious threat to the 5A state title but again, a potential showdown with fellow unbeaten Carl Albert could be waiting in the semifinals. But every test they've faced, they've passed with ease this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='1175581' first='Brandon' last='Smith'] - Junior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back - McAlester   McAlester started a new era this season under head coach Jeff Craig but they stumbled out of the gate, losing four straight to start the season. But McAlester is one of the hottest teams in Class 5A as we head into the postseason, they've won six straight and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1175581' first='Brandon' last='Smith'] is enjoying a breakout season. Smith has emerged as McAlester's top target in the passing offense. And the Buffaloes have several big time playmakers at wide receiver but Smith has been consistent from start to finish this season. He's also leading the team in interceptions on the defensive side of the ball.   [player_tooltip player_id='474870' first='Brock' last='Heilmann'] - Junior Running Back - Coweta   Coweta has gone through their fair share of growing pains over the last few years and it's paid off as they took home the district title this season and come into the playoffs at 9-1. Junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='474870' first='Brock' last='Heilmann'] has seen a lot of football over the last three seasons. He got on the field as a freshman and has steadily improved every season since. Now, he has the Tigers as a very interesting team to follow as the playoffs begin Friday. Heilmann has put up monster numbers this season but he's also been dynamic in the return game. He's taken a major step forward as a running back this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1830748' first='Cecil' last='Garrett'] - Senior Running Back - Claremore   Claremore senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1830748' first='Cecil' last='Garrett'] has been arguably one of the most underrated running backs in the state this season. Just look at his numbers in the first half of the regular season when the Zebras jumped out to a 5-0 start. He was dominant on a weekly basis. But Garrett and the Zebras also found themselves in one of the toughest districts in the state so they head into the playoffs as the underdogs. They'll face district champion Coweta in the first round and what a great running back match-up we'll see in that one. Garrett and Claremore won't be backing down from a battle Friday.   [player_tooltip player_id='693905' first='Delijah' last='Matthews'] - Junior Running Back - Carl Albert   Carl Albert junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='693905' first='Delijah' last='Matthews'] has been the unquestioned breakout star of the 2025 football season. The Titans have had a great run at the running back position over the last decade and Matthews is the next name that you have to know about. He has been dominant all season and is one of the state's leading rushers. He's run for more than 1,600 yards and 31 touchdowns. If the Titans make a run and win another state title, it's possible that Matthews shatters the Carl Albert single season touchdown record. He is having a very special junior season for the Titans this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1689435' first='Gage' last='Chance'] - Junior Quarterback - Bishop McGuinness   Bishop McGuinness will go into the playoffs with a huge chip on their shoulder. The Irish were undefeated heading into week ten, lost to Lawton Mac and after a three-way tie, they finished third. Junior quarterback leads a very hungry McGuinness team into the postseason and in our opinion, Chance has been one of the breakout stars in Class 5A this season. He took over a McGuinness offense that had some really talented skill players and he's made the most of this season. He's been very impressive so far this season and he'll try to continue that in the first round against former district rival Guthrie.   [player_tooltip player_id='1348256' first='Gavin' last='Nichols'] - Senior Athlete - Bishop Kelley   Bishop Kelley has been playing like they have been in the playoffs over the last several weeks. Heading into week eight, the Comets were 2-5. They won three straight to punch their ticket to the postseason. Senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='1348256' first='Gavin' last='Nichols'] is the player to watch for the Comets. Over the last three to four years, it feels like Nichols has played roughly ten different positions on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. But recently, he's been standing out at running back. He had a dominant performance on the ground in week ten, in their 30-point win over Durant. Nichols and the Comets look to keep this momentum going Friday.   [player_tooltip player_id='1667339' first='Jeymon' last='Reed'] - Freshman Quarterback - Altus   We've said it before but just in case you're new here, Altus quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1667339' first='Jeymon' last='Reed'] is the runaway favorite for this year's Freshman Of The Year and we don't think that's much of a stretch. Reed has been putting up monster numbers every single week as a passer and a runner. We came into this season with high expectations for Reed and he easily exceeded them and it didn't take him very long. Reed has helped lead the Bulldogs back to the playoffs, a decade after they captured the 5A state title. They open up on the road against Newcastle in the first round on Friday night.   [player_tooltip player_id='913667' first='Kade' last='Barton'] - Junior Defensive Lineman - Guthrie   We wrote about Guthrie defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='913667' first='Kade' last='Barton'] when we were putting out our 2027 prospect breakdowns. But we'll throw this out again. Barton's performance against Altus in week eight was arguably the best individual performance we watched in person from a defensive player. Barton is so disruptive coming off the edge for the Blue Jays. And when you look at Guthrie on offense, they are so balanced that they have several different players that could stand out on any given night. No matter the night or the opponent, Barton is definitely a player that opponents will need to worry about   [player_tooltip player_id='858873' first='Mykah' last='Washington'] - Senior Running Back - Booker T Washington   Booker T Washington senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='858873' first='Mykah' last='Washington'] leads the Hornets back into the playoffs. Booker T Washington has played two different quarterbacks at various times throughout the season but Washington has been a steady presence in the Hornet backfield. He's also playing some of his best football right now. In week nine, Washington and the Hornets went on the road and handed Coweta their first and only loss on the season. He torched the Tigers with 200+ yards and five touchdowns. He'll look to keep that momentum going in a first round showdown with Del City.   [player_tooltip player_id='587262' first='Ricklan' last='B Holmes II'] - Senior Running Back/Linebacker - Del City   Del City senior [player_tooltip player_id='587262' first='Ricklan' last='B Holmes II'] has been one of the best players in Class 5A football for the last 18 months. This season, Holmes has been even better on the offensive side of the ball, becoming more of a destructive force at the running back position. Defensively, Holmes is still a heat-seeking missile at the linebacker positions and one of the best at the position in the 2026 class. Holmes and the Eagles will head into the playoffs with a sour taste in their mouth after losing in week ten to Pryor. But they could take their frustrations out on the top side of the bracket and make a run to Edmond.   [player_tooltip player_id='437049' first='Sawyer' last='Rice'] - Senior Quarterback - Duncan   The Duncan Demons have a tall task in the first round as they will square off with defending champion Carl Albert. But Duncan also has one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the state, regardless of class. Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='437049' first='Sawyer' last='Rice'] is another very experienced quarterback in this playoff field. He's also a standout on the track so that is something to keep in mind as the Demons try to pull off the upset Friday night. Rice has also steadily improved as a quarterback prospect and he can do a lot of things very well on the football field. That will help as Duncan tries for a first round miracle.   [player_tooltip player_id='1018641' first='Scott' last='Rigby'] - Senior Running Back - Collinsville   Collinsville is back in the postseason and senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1018641' first='Scott' last='Rigby'] is a big reason behind it. Last season, Rigby was one of the top running backs in Class 5A but nagging injuries limited the impact he was able to have. This season, Rigby has been unleashed and he's a threat to go to the house every time he touches the ball. The thing we say about Rigby is that he feels as close to automatic for 150 yards and two or three touchdowns. Collinsville is going through a bit of a youth movement this season but Rigby is a vet that can help lead the Cardinals on a run in the playoffs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1836753' first='Seth' last='Wilson'] - Senior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back - Noble   Noble rallied in the final three weeks, winning all three games to punch their ticket to the playoffs. Senior wide receiver and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1836753' first='Seth' last='Wilson'] is a playmaker to watch in the playoffs. he recently committed to Dordt after being recruited by several local D2 programs. In their game against Guthrie a month ago, Wilson went off for over 200 yards. He brings that kind of playmaking to the field and as the Bears head into the playoffs, they'll lean on Wilson as they make the trip to southwestern Oklahoma, looking to take down district champion Lawton MacArthur in the first round.   [player_tooltip player_id='449184' first='TJ' last='Bradford'] - Senior Running Back/Defensive Back - Newcastle   Newcastle senior [player_tooltip player_id='449184' first='TJ' last='Bradford'] might be the most experienced player in the 5A playoff field. Bradford has been starting since his freshman season and has been electric on offense at running back and so underrated as a stopper on the defensive side of the ball. This season, Bradford eclipsed 1,000 yards once again but he's also taken his game up a notch on defense. The Newcastle senior is one of the team's leaders in tackles this season. The Racers open up the playoffs at home against Altus in the first round. They came up one game shy of the title game last year, they look to punch their ticket this time around.   BIGGEST STORYLINE   Carl Albert's Pursuit Of #20   The Carl Albert Titans are used to making history and they now begin their pursuit of a mark that puts them in a league all to themselves. Carl Albert currently sits in a tie with Ada for the most state championships in state history with 19 state titles. Ada reached #19 nearly three decades ago. For what it's worth, the Cougars also have a chance at #20 as well but they are certainly considered an underdog in the 4A playoff race. When head coach Mike Dunn was a football player at Carl Albert, he saw Ada win their 19th state title and thought how that number was unattainable and nobody could catch the Cougars. He now has Carl Albert four wins away from surpassing that number. Not only would Carl Albert be on top of the mountain all by themselves, they'd forever be the first program in state history to capture 20 gold balls. Throw in the fact that the Titans have a 49-game winning streak and if they win another gold ball, they'll go into 2026 with 53 straight wins. They would be in pursuit of even more history next season. Bixby holds the 11-man state record with 58 consecutive wins. But first things first, the Titans have their sights set on capturing #20 and whenever you have a team pursuing that type of history. That's hands down the top storyline going into the playoffs.

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