Defending Champs Most Likely To Run It Back

Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!   Last week, we released our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/way-way-too-early-2026-rankings/" type="link" id="https://prepredzone.com/2026/04/way-way-too-early-2026-rankings/">way WAYY too early rankings</a> for the 2026 football season. There's no doubt that things will look a little different with classes and districts getting quite the shakeup in March. In this breakdown, we're taking a look at the nine defending champions from the 11-man classes. And we're ranking them from most likely, to least likely to capture the gold ball again in December. We also break down why they could end up winning and all and what could potentially trip them up.   1) TALIHINA   Why Talihina Will Win It All Again: [player_tooltip player_id='1524935' first='Landen' last='Griffith'] And The Crew Run It Back. At this time last year, Talihina was the favorite to win it all in Class A-2. They were coming off a runner up finish in 2024 but they brought everyone back coming into 2025. And it started with quarterback and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1524935' first='Landen' last='Griffith'] and he lived up to the hype and then some. He was one of the best players in the state and now, he's heading into his senior season. And not only is Griffith back but the Golden Tigers bring nearly every starter back for the second straight year. They are heavy favorites to win another state championship and in our opinion, they are the defending champion that is most likely to capture another gold ball when we get to December. And we don't think that is that bold of a take on our part.   What Could Trip Them Up: Injuries Or Ketchum. Like we mentioned, Talihina brings everyone back for another run at the gold ball. They have one of the state's best players leading them at quarterback and there wasn't a team capable of stopping him in 2025. So on paper, it certainly looks like they should run away with another championship. But what if they don't. Injuries are real and they could lose a key piece or two in their pursuit of a second straight gold ball. Also look out for Ketchum as a serious challenger to Talihina in 2026. They come in at #2 in our way WAYY too early rankings for Class A-2. They bring nearly everyone back and have a ton of production returning to keep up with Talihina if they were to run into them. But the Golden Tigers are still heavy favorites to raise gold again in 2026.   2) CARL ALBERT   Why Carl Albert Will Win It All Again: [player_tooltip player_id='693905' first='Delijah' last='Matthews'] & The Pursuit Of More History. Running back [player_tooltip player_id='693905' first='Delijah' last='Matthews'] emerged as one of the breakout stars for Carl Albert during their run to the 2025 state championship. He will be front and center as the Titans try to capture a fifth consecutive gold ball and their tenth in the last eleven years. Carl Albert also comes into this season with a 53-game winning streak. After winning a state record-breaking 20th state championship in 2025, now they set their sights on breaking Bixby's state record of 58 consecutive wins. Carl Albert does not back down from embracing the pursuit of history and championships. And Matthews isn't the only star returning for another run in 2026. [player_tooltip player_id='1680079' first='Beau' last='Davis'], [player_tooltip player_id='1680084' first='Makauri' last='Johnson'] and emerging star [player_tooltip player_id='1701291' first='Jax' last='Wilkerson'] all return to give the Titans more than enough firepower to win it all again.   What Could Trip Them Up: A Hungry McGuinness Squad. Carl Albert is the favorite in Class 5A and that's the way it will be until someone knocks them off. But could Bishop McGuinness be that team to do so? The Irish definitely surprised us last year by making it to the state title game and with a really strong core of players returning, we could see the Irish running it back and making another trip to Edmond in 2026. [player_tooltip player_id='1836884' first='Jr' last='Harris'] emerged as do-it-all athlete that could play just about any skill position the Irish needed him to play. In fact, we really like what McGuinness brings back at the skill positions and in the back seven of their defense. And let's face it, they certainly haven't forgotten how last year's title game went and that can certainly provide them with a hunger and a motivation to make it back and knock the Titans off the 5A mountaintop.   3) BIXBY   Why Bixby Will Win It All Again: They're Bixby - Enough Said. It seems like a cop out reason but is it really? Bixby has made 12 consecutive appearances in the state championship game. They've won 11 of those 12 title game appearances. Bixby has made UCO a home away from home. The Spartans will look pretty different in 2026 but they also have some massive names returning. They have arguably the top overall prospects in the state's 2027 and 2028 classes with [player_tooltip player_id='528027' first='Kaeden' last='Penny'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1689504' first='Connor' last='Arant'] respectively. The defense could be incredibly talented, specifically in the front seven. And the Spartans are going to have new names emerge that we don't even know about right now. The Spartans are on top of the Oklahoma high school football mountain right now and it will take someone's best shot to knock them off.   What Could Trip Them Up: Too Many New Names On Offense. Not many things have tripped up Bixby over the last 12 years. In fact, Booker T Washington in 2017 is the only team that keeps Bixby from sitting here with 12 consecutive state championships. So betting on Bixby tripping up wouldn't be a wise bet. But if you were to make that prediction, look to the offensive side of the ball. The Spartans have to replace a three-year starter at quarterback, along with a 1,500-yard running back and every wide receiver in the starting lineup. Bixby reached new heights in offensive efficiency in 2025 because of the experience and overall talent they had. Now, they'll be starting over with new faces everywhere, except the offensive line. Other teams like Broken Arrow, Jenks, Mustang and Owasso will try to knock off the Spartans while they can.   4) LINCOLN CHRISTIAN   Why Lincoln Christian Will Win It All Again: They're Lincoln Christian - Enough Said Again. So Lincoln Christian has won 42 consecutive games. They went 14-0 and won the 3A state title in each of the last three seasons. Now, they find themselves in Class 2A-1 and immediately the team to beat. Honestly, having Lincoln Christian listed here at #4 for champions likely to repeat feels so incredibly disrespectful. Honestly, Carl Albert, Bixby and Lincoln Christian could all be tied for #2. The Bulldogs will have a new quarterback this fall but that's a program that produces quarterbacks at a high level every year. The defense will be incredibly talented once again. All signs point to Lincoln Christian raising another gold ball this season but in a new class, with plenty of new faces, they could hit a speed bump or two.   What Could Trip Them Up: The Washington Warriors. Just like with Bixby and Carl Albert, betting against Lincoln Christian just simply hasn't been wise over the last few years. But, if the Bulldogs don't win it all again, don't be surprised if Washington ends up being the team that does them in. The Warriors have been the dominant team in Class 2A and now 2A-1 since the start of this decade. They came up short in the 2A-1 championship game last year and they will certainly come into this season with a sour taste in their mouth. Just like Lincoln Christian, Washington expects to make a trip to Edmond every December. And with arguably the best 1-2 punch at quarterback and running back returning, in addition to one of the top 2027 prospects in the state, Washington will not back down from the newcomer Bulldogs.   5) JONES   Why Jones Will Will Win It All Again: [player_tooltip player_id='1667339' first='Jeymon' last='Reed'] & Company Roll. Jones didn't take long to find their next head coach. Jeremy Reed was hired last week to replace Kevin Witt and with him, comes his son, the 2025 Freshman Of The Year in [player_tooltip player_id='1667339' first='Jeymon' last='Reed'] at quarterback. The Longhorns won it all in 2A-1 a year ago but they needed a new quarterback, along with a head coach after Witt left for Minco. They got the package deal of all package deals with the Reeds. And as they move up to Class 3A, we expect the Longhorns to be one of the best units in the class on the offensive side of the ball. Between Reed and some of the names they bring back in the skill position department, the Longhorns certainly have the firepower to go after another state championship in 2026.   What Could Trip Them Up: Too Much New In A Wide Open 3A. The Longhorns are moving up to Class 3A and there are a ton of teams in this new class that could end up making a run to Edmond. With a new head coach, new quarterback and new class, there might be too much new for the Longhorns in year one in Class 3A. Now, we don't necessarily think that there will be too much new as we have Jones as the #1 team in our way WAYY too early rankings for Class 3A. But when you look at the rest of the top ten in this class, you see plenty of teams that could end up making some noise and tripping up the Longhorns on their potential road to Edmond. Perennial 3A Powerhouses Sulphur and Heritage Hall as well as 3A newcomers Mount St. Mary and Metro Christian could all be teams capable of knocking off the Longhorns.   6) SAND SPRINGS   Why Sand Springs Will Win It All Again: Battle-Tested Sandites Ready For Playoff Push. Sand Springs captured their first state championship in nearly six decades in 2025 and they aren't going to give up the crown without a fight. The Sandites will once again test themselves against a tough non-district schedule, featuring three top ten teams in 6A-1. They also find themselves in the same district as Stillwater (but more on them in a bit) so by the time the playoffs roll around, the Sandites will be battle-tested and ready for anything. While they will need some new faces to step up, they do bring back arguably the most productive wide receiver in the state over the last two seasons with [player_tooltip player_id='1530080' first='Dom' last='Forbes'] returning for his senior season. He's one of several playmakers returning that make Sand Springs a tough team to keep down.   What Could Trip Them Up: The Stillwater Pioneers. The Sandites also need to find someone to replace [player_tooltip player_id='449993' first='Easton' last='Webb'] at the quarterback position. Plugging in someone new to replace a four-year starter at quarterback could end up being a tall task for the Sandites. But when we look at Class 6A-2 right now, months away from things kicking off, Stillwater feels like the team to beat here. The Pioneers bring back a ton of experience and production on both sides of the ball. We'll get a sneak peek at who the best in 6A-2 is when these two square off on October 15th in district play. The winner of that game will be in the driver's seat for the district title. The Sandites aren't going to back down from anyone in 2026. But neither is Stillwater and the Pioneers appear to be hungrier as ever to make it back to the top of 6A-2.   7) TUTTLE   Why Tuttle Will Win It All Again: The Tigers Reload In A Wide Open 4A. The Tigers come in at #7 on this list but they are #2 in our way WAYY too early rankings for the 2026 season. So it's not out of the realm of possibilities that Tuttle makes it back to Edmond for the third consecutive season. But they will need to reload to make another run when you consider some of the pieces they have to replace. They'll bring back some serious firepower at wide receiver so whoever wins the QB1 job will have some really solid pass catchers. And when we look at Class 4A right now, it feels like it could be completely wide open. Broken Bow sits atop the early rankings and Fort Gibson, Ardmore and Cushing all bring back quite a bit but unlike the last two years, where it's been the Elgin/Tuttle show, it feels like 4A could be more wide open in 2026.   What Could Trip Them Up: New Names Come Up Short In A Wide Open 4A. The Tigers have to replace [player_tooltip player_id='473754' first='Cruz' last='Campbell'] at quarterback and that simply won't be easy. Shawn Rounsaville was also a very underrated part of this Tuttle squad and they have to find a new name at running back. That 1-2 punch put up a lot of yards and touchdowns over the last two seasons. You don't simply just plug in new names and get the same kind of production. And as we mentioned with why they could win it, Class 4A being wide open could also be a negative for the Tigers. They could trip up when they square off with some of these teams that have more experience. But let's face it, Tuttle is always going to be considered a contender so we're not expecting them to take a step back by any means. But conquering Class 4A will be tougher than it was in 2025 because of the depth of the class.   8) ADAIR   Why Adair Will Win It All Again: New Names Emerge In Key Spots. Adair went undefeated and captured the 2A-2 championship in 2025 behind a roster full of seniors but plenty of talented underclassmen. If the Warriors go ahead and capture another state championship in 2026, it will be because those underclassmen step into bigger roles and flourish throughout the year. Sophomore Kyler Green is expected to play a key role for the Warriors moving forward. They also saw the emergence of freshmen Brett Pursley and [player_tooltip player_id='2124494' first='Zack' last='Wilson'] throughout the 2025 season. The Warriors could very well make another run if they have these key players step into their new roles, along with seeing the emergence of new names throughout the year. It wouldn't be crazy to see Adair make another run to contending for the state title in 2026.   What Could Trip Them Up: Replacing McCord Ends Up Being Too Much. Adair is still one of the favorites in Class 2A-2, coming in at #2 in our way WAYY too early rankings. But players like [player_tooltip player_id='1328091' first='Cooper' last='McCord'] don't come along very often and there's no doubt that he meant a lot to the Warriors during their run to the state championship in 2025. Not only do they need to find a new name to replace him at quarterback, which they think they have the right guy for the job. But they also have to find someone to step up on the defensive side of the ball as the leader of that unit. It wouldn't be surprising to see the Warriors make another run in 2026 and contend for the state championship. But anyone who watched this squad last season knows that McCord was the heart and soul of the team and replacing him could end up being too much.   9) REJOICE CHRISTIAN   Why Rejoice Christian Will Win It All Again: [player_tooltip player_id='1328118' first='Kamieon' last='Compton-Nero'] Becomes Superman. The Eagles are moving up from Class A-1 to Class 2A-1 and find themselves in the same class with Lincoln Christian and Washington, two programs that pencil in trips to Edmond on their schedules at the start of the year. But if Rejoice Christian wins a third consecutive gold ball, we believe that it will be on the back of Compton-Nero and him taking a massive step forward as an overall superstar. And that's not out of the realm out possibilities. We saw him take those first steps last year as a full time starter at quarterback, in addition to defense. He is, without question, one of the top two-way players in the state. He could very well put the Eagles on his back and carry them to another state championship. But that hill to climb is a lot a taller.   What Could Trip Them Up: The Hill Is Too Much To Overcome. Rejoice Christian was ranked #3 in our way WAYY too early 2026 rankings so we like their chances to make plenty of noise. But they are now dealing with a program like Lincoln Christian, that has won 42 straight games and three straight state titles in Class 3A. And Washington, that has played for the 2A or the 2A-1 title every year since 2020. The hill is certainly much taller to climb and there are going to be massive hurdles along the way. And there are quite a few programs not mentioned here that also dropped down from 3A to 2A-1. This class is going to be an absolute gauntlet throughout the season. It's a step up in competition that might be too much for the Eagles to overcome in year one. Someone had to be last on this list and while it's not impossible, it will be tougher than ever before.

Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!