THE OKLAHOMAN’S 2021 CLASS 4A FOOTBALL PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Tuttle (11-2): The Tigers are on a mission to claim their first state title since 2018 after advancing to the quarterfinals last year and the semifinals in 2019.
2. Cushing (9-4): The Tigers’ high-powered offense will likely be one of the best in Class 4A.
3. Clinton (8-4): The Red Tornadoes have a storied program and 16 state titles.
4. Poteau (9-3): The Pirates have been dominant in recent years and won their first state title in school history in 2019.
5. Wagoner (14-0): The Bulldogs are the defending champions but have just two starters from last year’s team.
6. Hilldale (11-2): Junior tailback Eric Virgil is expected to have a big year, and the Hornets will lean on him to pave the way for the offense.
7. Weatherford (8-1): The Eagles advanced to the 2019 state title game but are coming off a disappointing season that ended with a second-round playoff loss to Cushing.
8. Blanchard (10-3): The Lions had a successful 2020 season and beat Tuttle in their regular-season finale for the District 4A-2 championship.
9. Grove (7-4): The Ridgerunners were solid last year and advanced to the second round of the playoffs, losing 43-42 to Hilldale.
10. Broken Bow (5-5): It also had a 1point loss in the second round. Bristow advanced with a 35-34 win.
11. Skiatook (6-4): The Bulldogs have seven returning starters from last year’s team.
12. Bethany (5-6): The Bronchos will look to bounce back from an up-anddown season and become a contender.
13. Cache (5-5): The Bulldogs will try to rebound from an inconsistent season.
14. Sallisaw (5-5): The Black Diamonds have a talented defensive line led by senior Ty McHenry.
15. Bristow (9-4): The Pirates run the triple-option flexbone offense and made it to the quarterfinals last year.
16. Fort Gibson (6-5): The Tigers are ranked No. 5 in the preseason coaches’ poll for District 4A-4.
Others: 17. Newcastle (7-3); 18. Ada (5-4); 19. John Marshall (4-6); 20. Oologah (3-6); 21. Tecumseh (4-7); 22. Cleveland (5-5); 23. Chickasha (2-7); 24. Elk City (3-5); 25. Harrah (1-5); 26. Stilwell (1-6); 27. Tulsa McLain (1-9); 28. Muldrow (1-8); 29. Elgin (0-8); 30. Catoosa (0-7); 31. Classen SAS (0-7); 32. Miami (0-10)
*-Last year’s records are in parenthesis.