THE OKLAHOMAN’S 2021 CLASS 6A-I FOOTBALL PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Owasso (11-1): The Rams are loaded on both sides of the ball, but their defense will lead the way with lineman Chris McClellan and linebacker Jake Clifton leading the charge. Receiver Cole Adams will look to build on his breakout year while coach Bill Blankenship looks for title No. 3 in his fifth season.
2. Jenks (11-1): The defending state champions lost a lot of key players who graduated but return plenty of talent, as well, such as defensive lineman AJ Brown. If the Trojans can find a quarterback, they will again be a force come the playoffs.
3. Tulsa Union (6-5): With eight starters returning on offense and 10 on defense, Tulsa Union is one of the most experienced teams in 6A-I. Stars like Jayden Rowe and Junior Smith are looking to lead Union back to the top.
4. Edmond Santa Fe (10-3): Although the defending state runners-up lost plenty of talent, the Wolves return their best player in senior wide receiver Talyn Shettron, who will also play some defensive back.
5. Broken Arrow (7-4): Under new coach Josh Blankenship, the Tigers will rely on stars Maurion Horn and Robert Spears-Jennings to try and recapture the magic of their 2018 state title run.
6. Norman North (6-4): Last season was the best for coach Justin Jones in his third season at Norman North. Gavin Frakes steps in at quarterback, as the Timberwolves look to continue building as one of the West’s top teams.
7. Mustang (5-7): Lee Blankenship enters his third season at the helm, and the Broncos have one of their deepest teams yet. Tight end Andre Dollar and wide receiver/defensive back Jacobe Johnson will lead the way.
8. Westmoore (6-5): The Jaguars have been a constant playoff contender under coach Lorenzo Williams but have to retool at quarterback this season.
9. Norman (2-7): Last season was a rebuilding year for the Tigers, but they may have found their next star in Tias McClarty, the junior dual-threat quarterback who is poised for a big season.
10. Moore (3-8): After a run to the state semifinals in 2019, Moore faced an uphill battle last season but is hoping the experience its young players gained will pave the way for a deep run.
11. Putnam City (4-6): Putnam City exceeded expectations in Carter Whitson’s first season as coach last year, but he’s expecting big things from his defensive line and senior quarterback TJ Hawkins this season.
12. Yukon (6-5): After earning its first playoff berth since 2013, Yukon is looking for repeated success with first-year coach Marshall Hahn taking the ropes.
13. Southmoore (3-7): Josh Norman enters his second season as head coach with returning senior quarterback Noah Peters, who became a star as the season progressed last year.
14. Edmond North (1-7): Playmakers Sedrick Frazier Jr. and Lebron Jones will carry a big load for the Huskies, who are looking to turn the corner and get back into the playoffs.
15. Edmond Memorial (0-10): Logan Thomas takes over a program that has plenty of excitement surrounding its revamped coaching staff and scheme, but depth could be an issue.
16. Enid (3-7): The Plainsmen look to build off their best season since 2017 with plenty of experience returning on both sides of the ball.
*-Last season’s record in parenthesis