Three storylines entering high school football practice

High school football practice opens across the state Monday, marking the beginning of a new season.

Hope abounds for all, classes have been shuffled and coaches have moved since the last gold ball was raised in December. Here is a look at three storylines entering the season:

Realignment brings Millwood challenges

Class 2A got a lot more interesting thanks to realignment.

With Class 3A shifting back to 32 teams, Class 2A evened out at 64 but with some traditional powers moving to the class looking to challenge two-time champion Millwood.

Jones is now in Class 2A after a 2016 title and 2017 semifinal run. Class 3A state runner-up Beggs is also in the class. So is Tulsa’s Metro Christian, which spent the past few years in Class 4A.

For Millwood, which has the state’s longest active 11-man winning streak, the challenge is tougher, but the Falcons still have plenty of talent.

Of course, Millwood’s first test will be last year’s Class 4A state champion Heritage Hall, which moved back to Class 3A.

A shift in power?

Last fall, many wondered if Bill Blankenship’s arrival at Owasso would change things in Class 6A-I. After beating Tulsa Union for the state championship, many wonder if Owasso can do it again or if the class will go back to a two-school race for the title.

The Rams had a plethora of talent last season, including several seniors who are now playing Division I football. They return star quarterback Will Kuehne and speedster Isaiah Jacobs is turning heads.

But is that enough to compete with a talentladen Tulsa Union for a second straight year?

All eyes on Dax

Tulsa Booker T. Washington superstar safety Dax Hill is arguably the state’s most-talked about player in years.

He’s the first Rivals. com five-star player from Oklahoma since Gerald McCoy, who has done well for himself since. With that has come a huge spotlight on his every move. Naturally quiet, Hill has given little hint to where he is leaning right now.

He could follow his brother’s footsteps to Oklahoma State or go to the Bedlam rival. Or, he could head out of state to Alabama, Clemson, Michigan or Ohio State.

Either way, he’ll be under the microscope throughout the season.