HEAD OF THE CLASS
Can anyone challenge preseason favorite and defending champion Heritage Hall for the Class 3A state title?
Will Seminole's Mike Snyder set all-time wins mark?
Sitting at 360 wins, Seminole coach Mike Snyder needs only four more to solidify himself as the state's winningest coach. He'll have an excellent chance to accomplish the feat this season with a strong returning cast of experienced players.
What teams can test Heritage Hall?
Lincoln Christian returns plenty of starters on offense, including quarterback Chase Ricke and wide receiver Sam Brueggemann.
Plainview has two stars in TCU wide receiver commit Blake Nowell and Oklahoma State offensive line commit Eli Russ leading the way. Plain view reached the state title game when the duo were freshmen, so it is hoping to get back this season.
Sulphur was last season's runner-up and returns 14 starters, including senior wide receiver and defensive back Tavius McDonald. If they can stay healthy, the Bulldogs could make another deep run.
Returning stars
Will Dunn, Sr., Heritage Hall: Dunn, who plays
defensive end and tight end, can do it all. He racked up 95 tackles and 13 sacks. He also played some quarterback. Blake Nowell, Sr., Plainview:
The TCU commit caught 45 passes for 832 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Nowell, a senior, is also a standout returning kicks and punts, as he scored twice on returns last season.
Chase Ricke, Sr., Lincoln Christian: Ricke has been astounding throughout his career as a quarterback. He's thrown for 6,171 yards and 59 touchdowns over the past two seasons while rushing for 907 yards and 14 scores.
Bryce Stephens, Jr., John Marshall: Stephens is one of the state's top recruits in the 2021 class. As a sophomore, he caught 42 passes for 1,042 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Key games
Sulphur at Plainview, Week 7: Two of the state's top teams, including last season's state runner-up in Sulphur, battle it out in a game that's likely to decide the district and will be key in playoff seeding.
Idabel at Seminole, Week 6: District 3A-3 is one of the toughest. Five teams had winning records last season, and only four went to the playoffs. The winner of this game will give itself an advantage of clinching one of the four spots.
Coaches' polls
District 3A-1
1. Heritage Hall (13-1)
2. Kingfisher (9-4)
3. John Marshall (8-3)
4. Perkins-Tryon (7-4)
5. Mannford (3-7)
6. Mount St. Mary (2-8)
7. Blackwell (2-8)
8. Bridge Creek (1-9) District 3A-2
1. Sulphur (12-2)
2. Plainview (9-3)
3. Marlow (5-6)
4. Purcell (7-4)
5. Pauls Valley (5-5)
6. Lone Grove (2-8)
7. Bethel (2-8)
8. Douglass (1-9)
District 3A-3
1. Lincoln Christian (11-2)
2. Checotah (6-4)
3. Stigler (9-3)
4. Seminole (8-3)
5. Idabel (8-4)
6. Roland (3-7)
7. Okmulgee (1-9)
8. Tulsa Webster (2-8)
District 3A-4
1. Berryhill (11-1)
2. Vinita (6-4)
3. Verdigris (5-6)
(tie) Jay (3-7)
5. Cascia Hall (7-4)
6. Locust Grove (8-3)
7. Inola (5-5)
8. Seq. Claremore (0-10) *Last year's record in parentheses