THE OKLAHOMAN’S 2021 CLASS A FOOTBALL PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Cashion (16-0): The defending state champions again return with plenty of star power, including senior quarterback Ben Harman and his two big targets, Landon Lagasse and Mason Manning.
2. Pawhuska (12-1): After a disappointing semifinal loss against Cashion last year, Pawhuska returns with a talented cast of stars, including wide receiver Mason Gilkey and linebacker Jack Long, looking for revenge.
3. Ringling (10-1): Since coach Phil Koons has taken over, the Blue Devils have lost only three games in three seasons and won the 2019 state title. With eight returning starters on defense, Ringling will again be dominant.
4. Morrison (10-3): A surprise team to many last season making a run to the state quarterfinals, Morrison returns as one of the top teams with senior running back Tyler Voss leading the way.
5. Hooker (7-2): The Bulldogs are going to be one of the top offensive teams this season, and it starts with senior quarterback Gavynn Parker, who threw for more than 3,000 yards and 35 touchdowns last season.
6. Gore (8-1): The Pirates should have plenty of camaraderie early, with 11 starters returning on both sides of the ball. Coach Brandon Tyler is hoping that experience could lead to a deep playoff run.
7. Mooreland (7-6): A young Bearcat team made a deep playoff run last season, so with most of its starters returning, including junior quarterback Carter Sampson and running back Conner Scarborough, Mooreland is expecting similar results.
8. Thomas (12-2): Both of Thomas’ losses last season came against Cashion, with the final one being in the state championship game. The Terriers will again be tough, with Camden Billy anchoring the offensive line.
9. Pawnee (9-2): Pawnee returns six starters on offense and seven on defense, but with coach Jay Vernon taking over late this summer after longtime coach Russell Cook’s departure, it will be interesting to see how the team adapts.
10. Tonkawa (9-3): Although the Buccaneers will have a sophomore starting at quarterback in Ryan Morgan, they return plenty of starters on both sides and are capable of another deep playoff run.
11. Woodland (12-2): Woodland had one of the biggest turnarounds last season, going from a 2-win team to 12. Junior quarterback and linebacker Aiden Rhodes returns and looks to have an even bigger season.
12. Apache (6-3): Apache’s 2020 season ended with a win, but it wasn’t in the state championship game. A COVID issue made them forfeit the secondround playoff game, but Apache has plenty of momentum heading into the year.
13. Wewoka (10-1): Although Wewoka
will have to replace most of its starters from last season’s team, star Aaron Hamilton returns and will carry the load offensively.
14. Okemah (7-2): Eight starters return on defense for the Panthers, who also had their season end prematurely because of a COVID-19 issue in the playoffs.
15. Colcord (10-2): Do-it-all senior
Stormy Odle returns after rushing for 1,008 yards, passing for 741 and having 83 receiving yards along with 22 touchdowns last season.
16. Minco (7-3): The Bulldogs will be one of the younger teams in Class A this season. Sophomore Reed McMurtrey steps in at quarterback behind an experience offensive line looking to challenge for a district title.
Others: 17. Elmore City-Pernell (5-3); 18. Crescent (9-3); 19. Konawa (8-3); 20. Texhoma (9-3); 21. Hobart (6-4); 22. Mangum (4-5); 23. Hominy (5-5); 24. Central Sallisaw (5-6); 25. Wayne (6-3); 26. Commerce (5-5); 27. Dibble (6-5); 28. Allen (6-6); 29. Warner (7-5); 30. Fairview (3-8); 31. Oklahoma Union (5-3); 32. Caney Valley (5-6); 33. Wyandotte (4-5); 34. Rush Springs (4-7); 35. Healdton (3-6); 36. Quapaw (5-3); 37. Chelsea (3-6); 38. Watonga (2-7); 39. Afton (3-6); 40. Burns Flat-Dill City (4-5); 41. Stratford (2-7); 42. Sayre (4-7); 43. Stroud (1-8); 44. Mounds (3-7); 45. Hulbert (0-6); 46. Porter (2-7); 47. Canadian (2-8); 48. Liberty (2-6); 49. Walters (0-5); 50. Carnegie (1-5); 51. Hinton (1-8); 52. Merritt (2-9); 53. Savanna (2-7); 54. Oklahoma Christian Academy (1-10); 55. Fairland (1-6); 56. Cordell (3-5); 57. Wynnewood (0-8); 58. Chouteau (0-10); 59. Talihina (0-4); 60. Ketchum (0-9)