First Reactions From New Class And District Lineups

Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!   The OSSAA approved the recommendations from the OFBCA on the new district lineups for each class. These districts will be in place for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. In this breakdown, we're taking a look at each new class, along with the district lineups. We're giving our instant reactions to the new lineups, storylines and more for each class heading into the 2026 season. Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma next week as we will have our way WAY too early team rankings for the 2026 season in each class!   CLASS 6A-1   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Screen-Shot-2026-03-25-at-6.45.15-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2158603"/></figure>   The annual Backyard Bowl between Jenks and Union will now take place in district play for the first time in nearly three decades. These rivals have been non-district opponents for a long time but that streak comes to an end in 2026. We'll also see semifinal rematches in district play as Bixby and Broken Arrow are now in the same district while Jenks and Owasso are in the other. Southmoore is the only newcomer as they are back up in the state's largest class after a couple seasons competing in Class 6A-2. This class will only have 15 teams as Enid was approved as an independent by the OSSAA for at least the next two seasons.   CLASS 6A-2   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Screen-Shot-2026-03-25-at-6.45.27-PM.png" alt="" class="wp-image-2158870"/></figure>   The major takeaway with the new alignments for 6A-2 is the number of teams. 6A-2 will be a 13-team class with Capitol Hill, Northwest Classen and U.S. Grant all being approved for independent play for the next two seasons. That leaves only six teams in district 2 and with six teams making the 6A-1 and 6A-2 playoffs from each district, we know that those six will be playoff teams. The other major headlines are the new teams entering 6A-2. Booker T Washington is back after playing two seasons in Class 5A. Norman has dropped down from 6A-1 after Southmoore moved up. Both teams are expected to be instant impact teams when the season kicks off in 2026.   CLASS 5A   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Screen-Shot-2026-03-25-at-6.45.43-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2158871"/></figure>   The districts in Class 5A look relatively balanced from a competitive standpoint. 5A-4 looks like it will be the toughest for those four playoff spots. But the main takeaway in Class 5A is Bishop McGuinness and Del City going east. That's nothing new for Del City as they've been in an east side district for the last few years. But for McGuinness, they'll be hitting the road more as a new member of 5A-4. As far as new teams, there's no doubt that the headliner is Elgin returning to Class 5A. The Owls dropped down to 4A for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. During that stretch, they went 27-1 with a state championship and a runner up finish. Now, they're back in Class 5A and they expect to be right back in the mix for championship contention. This will be a 30-team class as Classen SAS and Guymon were approved for independent play for the next two seasons. So 5A-1 and 5A-2 each have seven teams.   CLASS 4A   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Screen-Shot-2026-03-25-at-6.45.55-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2158875"/></figure>   Class 4A feels like the class that is remaining status quo with no real major moves from the class and district shakeups. 4A-1 will be a 7-team district with [player_tooltip player_id='2136437' first='John' last='Marshall'] being approved for independent play for the next two seasons. Elgin moving back up to Class 5A might be the biggest takeaway for what Class 4A will look like in the next two seasons. They dominated the class along with Tuttle for the last two years. Now, Tuttle looks to defend their title and continue their dominance over the class. 4A-4 will continue to be a very competitive class. Broken Bow could be the favorite to win the 4A title but Ada, Poteau and Sallisaw will all certainly have something to say about that.   CLASS 3A   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Screen-Shot-2026-03-25-at-6.46.12-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2158878"/></figure>   Class 3A looks completely different and is right there near the top for the most intriguing class heading into this season. Jones, Marlow, Metro Christian, Mount St. Mary and Oklahoma Christian School are all moving up from Class 2A-1. Jones captured the 2A-1 state title last season and will look to contend immediately in Class 3A. The districts are certainly balanced from a competitive standpoint but geographically, these teams are all over the place. Heritage Hall will take their lengthy district winning streak into a new district, featuring almost exclusively east side programs. Jones also finds themselves in an east side district. At first glance, this class feels like it will be incredibly competitive from top to bottom. That hasn't been the case the last two seasons as Lincoln Christian and Sulphur have dominated Class 3A. Lincoln is no longer in the class and Sulphur has to replace a lot due to graduation. We think that will open the door for 3A to be one of the more wide open classes in the state.   CLASS 2A-1   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Screen-Shot-2026-03-25-at-6.46.28-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2158882"/></figure>   It's not even up for debate here. The biggest takeaway is Lincoln Christian dropping down to Class 2A-1 after winning the last three state championships in Class 3A and bringing a 42-game winning streak with them. But they're not the only defending champion that's entering the fight in 2A-1. Rejoice Christian is also moving up after winning the last two Class A-1 state championships and they might have one of the best athletes in the state leading their offense. Cascia Hall and Holland Hall also drop down to 2A-1. Defending champion Jones is up in 3A but Washington is still in 2A-1 after their sixth consecutive state title game appearance last year. To sum it up, there are some real heavy hitters in 2A-1 and the race for the gold ball is going to be incredibly intense.   CLASS 2A-2   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Screen-Shot-2026-03-25-at-6.46.42-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2158893"/></figure>   Taking a look at Class 2A-2 and district 1 immediately stands out for a few reasons. First, you have a couple newcomers as Millwood moves down from 2A-1 while Cashion and Christian Heritage are moving up from A-1. Then you look at the district lineup as a whole and this could be one of the more competitive districts in the state, regardless of class. This district has a chance to be an absolute gauntlet week in and week out. Defending champion Adair remains in 2A-2, along with 2024 champion Davis. There will also be a new football program to OSSAA football as this will be the first season of play under the OSSAA for KIPP Tulsa.   CLASS A-1   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Screen-Shot-2026-03-25-at-6.46.57-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2158955"/></figure>   Class A-1 has all the makings for another deep and competitive class from top to bottom. Two-time champion Rejoice Christian has moved up to 2A-1 so we're guaranteed to see a new state champion here and there are plenty of teams that could make some noise. Fairview, Hooker and Tonkawa all in district 1 all have recent memories of trips to Edmond. Mangum is a team moving up from Class A-2 but they have a ton of players back from last season. Then you have district 4, where Pocola is looking to break through and punch their ticket to Edmond after knocking on the door. But for the entire class, district 4 might be where the boogyman now lurks. Vian comes down from 2A-2 after making it to the state championship but settling for silver the last two years. The Wolverines expect to contend for state championships every season and despite losing a strong senior class, this year will be no different.   CLASS A-2   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Screen-Shot-2026-03-25-at-6.47.06-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2158959"/></figure>   Class A-2 will see several programs make the transition from 8-man football to 11-man football this fall. But when it comes down to the headlines of it, Talihina is still in the class and they are expecting to capture another state championship this fall. It will be interesting to see how perennial contenders like Hominy, Ringling, Thomas and Woodland reload to make another run this fall. And perhaps there are some teams that are flying under the radar that rise up and push Talihina. But for the second straight year, the champs bring nearly everyone back and they expect to make another trip to Edmond and defend that gold ball they won in 2025.   8-MAN CLASSES   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/03/Screen-Shot-2026-03-25-at-6.47.22-PM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2159009"/></figure>   There's no doubt about the headline with the 8-man classes. Class B-1 will be intense from start to finish. Dewar, Laverne, Seiling and Weleetka are the four teams that competed for the B-1 and B-2 state championships over the last two seasons. Now, they are all in the same class. The competition to make it to Edmond will be incredibly intense. Now, on the flip side, that's going to open things up in Class B-2 for another team to emerge there and make a run. In Class C, Ryan will look to defend their title but they'll have plenty of teams pushing them.

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