CLASS 6A-II 2022 FOOTBALL DISTRICT PREVIEWS
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Who will take the crown? With Bixby, the program with the state’s longest 11-man win streak, moving to Class 6A-I, the field is wide open for Class 6A-II contenders. Bixby won seven of the last eight Class 6A-II state championships, with Booker T. Washington being the lone program to take a crown during that stretch. Tulsa Washington is primed to take another, along with Deer Creek, Choctaw and Stillwater as the other likely contenders. Each team played Bixby in the state final over the last five years, but now it’s anyone’s championship to take.
Can Deer Creek build on monumental season? After going without a winning season since its Class 6A-II inauguration in 2016, Deer Creek coach Wade Standley led the Antlers to a 10-3 record and a state championship appearance last year. It was just the second time Deer Creek’s football program advanced to a state championship game in school history; it won the 2000 Class 3A state championship. The Antlers are now regrouping after losing key seniors but they remain loaded with talent, including cornerback Dale Miller, a transfer from Alabama who is a member of The Oklahoman’s Super 30 recruits. On offense, senior running back Deontaye Wilson should be the igniter after rushing for more than 1,000 yards last season.
Will the turnaround happen this year? Muskogee has won just two games over the past two seasons, but things are a lot different now. The Roughers have a new stadium and experience on its roster, bringing back eight on offense and five on defense. With a three-headed attack on offense, second-year coach Travis Hill says competing for a district championship and a playoff spot are his expectations. Quarterback Jamarian Ficklin threw for 2,328 yards and 18 touchdowns last season to go along with 38 rushes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Receiver Jayden Bell caught 50 passes for nearly 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns; he averaged 19.36 yards per catch. Rounding out the trio is Brandon Tolbert, who ran for nine touchdowns last season.
Returning stars
Gage Gundy, QB, Stillwater: Last year, Gundy threw for 1,531 yards and 19 touchdowns with a completion percentage of 57.78. He also rushed 107 times for 476 yards and eight touchdowns. He’ll be the spark for Stillwater.
Taje McCoy, DE, Putnam City: The 6foot-3, 245-pound defensive lineman was one of the best in the state last year. He finished with 95 tackles and eight sacks last year. Now, the senior will look to lead the Pirates to a winning record.
Bryan Rouse, DB/WR, Deer Creek: The senior was a dual athlete, helping the Antlers to a state championship appearance. As a defensive back, Rouse totaled 93 tackles and five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. As a wide receiver, he tallied 25 catches for 312 yards and two touchdowns.
Micah Tease, WR, Booker T. Washington: Tease has had such a dominant career that former NFL player Robert Meachem is allowing Tease to wear his retired Tulsa Washington number this season. Tease, an Arkansas commit, will try to lead his school to its first state championship since 2017.
Steele Wasel, QB, Choctaw: The 6foot-4, 210-pound quarterback committed to Akron in March. Now that his recruitment is handled, his mind is only on bringing Choctaw a state championship. He’s thrown for over 5,000 yards and 73 touchdowns in his career.
Key games
Stillwater at Tulsa Washington, Week 4: This game will feature two state championship contenders with two of the best athletes on each side of the ball. The game will be a first-round state playoff rematch where Stillwater
came away with a 36-29 win.
Sand Springs at Tahlequah, Week 5:
These teams are coming off impressive seasons with Sand Springs posting an 8-4 record and Tahlequah a 7-4 record. Just the second game in district play, the implications of the game will let each team know where they stand as they battle for a postseason spot. Sand Springs brings back six on both sides of the football while Tahlequah brings back seven on each. Tahlequah has to replace its quarterback and running back but defensive back Dylan Leep will lead what’s expected to be a stout defense.
Deer Creek at Choctaw, Week 6: This is a first-round playoff rematch. Deer Creek took a 36-29 win. With each team expected to be a state championship contender, the game will draw a lot of fireworks.
Coaches’ polls 6A-II-1
1 Choctaw (8-3)
2 Deer Creek (10-3) 3 Putnam North (5-6) 4 Ponca City (4-6) 5 Lawton (4-6)
6 Putnam City (3-7) 7 Capitol Hill (0-10) 8 Northwest Clasen (0-10)
6A-II-2
1 Stillwater (8-3)
2 Booker T. Washington (8-3) 3 Sand Springs (8-4) 4 Muskogee (2-8) 5 Tahlequah (7-4) 6 Bartlesville (2-8)
7 Putnam West (0-10)
8 U.S. Grant (2-8)