Post by The Admin on Aug 9, 2021 9:49:13 GMT -6
Oklahoma high school football: Things to know as practice begins Monday
www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2021/08/08/oklahoma-high-school-football-what-know-practice-begins-monday/5452951001/
www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2021/08/08/oklahoma-high-school-football-what-know-practice-begins-monday/5452951001/
High school football practice kicks off across the state Monday, signaling the unofficial start of the season.
Some teams are aiming to break state records, others are looking to further their own and some teams are champing at the bit to get their names into the record books.
Here are some things to know heading into the 2021 season:
# Carl Albert eyes quest for six straight titles
After knocking off McGuinness last December in the Class 5A state championship game, Carl Albert became only the fifth team in state history to win at least five straight titles. The Titans joined Morrison (seven in Class B from 1988-94), Jenks (six in Class 6A from 1996-2001), Shattuck (six in Class C from 2003-08) and Carl Albert (five from 1997-2001).
This season, Carl Albert has a new coach with alumnus Mike Dunn taking the reigns after four seasons at Del City. The Titans also have to replace quarterback Ben Harris, who went 52-2 as a starter.
But with star Buddy Bizzell back, Carl Albert will have an excellent chance to win yet another title.
# Bixby going for state’s longest 11-man win streak
Similar to Carl Albert, Bixby has been on a tear since the Class 6A split.
The Spartans have won six of the seven 6A-II state championships, including three straight. Perhaps more impressive is how dominant Bixby has been, especially recently.
It’s on a 36-game win streak heading into the season and has a great chance to tie or surpass Wagoner’s 11-man record mark of 48.
Shattuck has the state's longest 8-man win streak at 93 games.
With stars such as senior Braylin Presley and junior Luke Hasz poised for big seasons, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Spartans set a record, but teams like Choctaw and Tulsa Booker T. Washington have other plans.
# Can Shettron brothers lead West-side team to the top?
Edmond Santa Fe accomplished a rare feat last season, becoming one of a handful of West-side teams in the state’s top classification to make the championship game.
It started well, too, with Angelo Rankin Jr. returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown. After that, however, Jenks was in control, keeping the gold ball on the East side for yet another season.
Midwest City was the last to accomplish the feat in 1995. Since then, Jenks, Tulsa Union, Owasso and Broken Arrow have controlled the class.
But this season, Edmond Santa Fe brings back plenty of talent, especially on offense. It starts with Oklahoma State commits Talyn and Tabry Shettron.
The brothers, Talyn at wide receiver and Tabry at tight end, are a formidable force on both sides, but their impact on offense will help Santa Fe have one of the best offenses in the state.
Quarterback Scott Pfieffer, a Houston Baptist commit, and others will be key in the Wolves’ season, but Talyn and Tabry are key to another deep run.
# Will Oklahoma Christian School have another deep run?
As the season progressed and the playoffs came around, there seemed to be a handful of teams in Class 2A who were capable of winning the title.
Oklahoma Christian School was one of those. The Saints went 12-1 and made it into the semifinals, falling to Tulsa Metro Christian, the eventual state champion.
Although OCS graduated numerous key players, it brings back plenty of talent as well, but no one more important than Collin Matteson, the senior wide receiver and defensive back.
Last season, he had 16 touchdowns on offense while recording 110 tackles and 10 interceptions on defense, earning second-team All-State honors. With another big season, Matteson could help the Saints have another deep run.
# Carson May’s final ride
Even before his first start for Jones, Carson May had hype surrounding his presence.
Now heading into his senior year, the Iowa quarterback commit has one thing on his mind: winning a state championship.
Last season, the Longhorns fell in the 2A third round 26-22 to Washington, which eventually made it to the state title game. Jones was one of the favorites to win the championship in 2A, but a loaded bracket made a challenging path to the title game.
Jones again is one of the favorites heading into this season, and May is a big reason why. He’s widely regarded as the best senior quarterback in the state, and it’s likely the Longhorns will go as far as May can take them. His final ride will be fun to watch.
Some teams are aiming to break state records, others are looking to further their own and some teams are champing at the bit to get their names into the record books.
Here are some things to know heading into the 2021 season:
# Carl Albert eyes quest for six straight titles
After knocking off McGuinness last December in the Class 5A state championship game, Carl Albert became only the fifth team in state history to win at least five straight titles. The Titans joined Morrison (seven in Class B from 1988-94), Jenks (six in Class 6A from 1996-2001), Shattuck (six in Class C from 2003-08) and Carl Albert (five from 1997-2001).
This season, Carl Albert has a new coach with alumnus Mike Dunn taking the reigns after four seasons at Del City. The Titans also have to replace quarterback Ben Harris, who went 52-2 as a starter.
But with star Buddy Bizzell back, Carl Albert will have an excellent chance to win yet another title.
# Bixby going for state’s longest 11-man win streak
Similar to Carl Albert, Bixby has been on a tear since the Class 6A split.
The Spartans have won six of the seven 6A-II state championships, including three straight. Perhaps more impressive is how dominant Bixby has been, especially recently.
It’s on a 36-game win streak heading into the season and has a great chance to tie or surpass Wagoner’s 11-man record mark of 48.
Shattuck has the state's longest 8-man win streak at 93 games.
With stars such as senior Braylin Presley and junior Luke Hasz poised for big seasons, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Spartans set a record, but teams like Choctaw and Tulsa Booker T. Washington have other plans.
# Can Shettron brothers lead West-side team to the top?
Edmond Santa Fe accomplished a rare feat last season, becoming one of a handful of West-side teams in the state’s top classification to make the championship game.
It started well, too, with Angelo Rankin Jr. returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown. After that, however, Jenks was in control, keeping the gold ball on the East side for yet another season.
Midwest City was the last to accomplish the feat in 1995. Since then, Jenks, Tulsa Union, Owasso and Broken Arrow have controlled the class.
But this season, Edmond Santa Fe brings back plenty of talent, especially on offense. It starts with Oklahoma State commits Talyn and Tabry Shettron.
The brothers, Talyn at wide receiver and Tabry at tight end, are a formidable force on both sides, but their impact on offense will help Santa Fe have one of the best offenses in the state.
Quarterback Scott Pfieffer, a Houston Baptist commit, and others will be key in the Wolves’ season, but Talyn and Tabry are key to another deep run.
# Will Oklahoma Christian School have another deep run?
As the season progressed and the playoffs came around, there seemed to be a handful of teams in Class 2A who were capable of winning the title.
Oklahoma Christian School was one of those. The Saints went 12-1 and made it into the semifinals, falling to Tulsa Metro Christian, the eventual state champion.
Although OCS graduated numerous key players, it brings back plenty of talent as well, but no one more important than Collin Matteson, the senior wide receiver and defensive back.
Last season, he had 16 touchdowns on offense while recording 110 tackles and 10 interceptions on defense, earning second-team All-State honors. With another big season, Matteson could help the Saints have another deep run.
# Carson May’s final ride
Even before his first start for Jones, Carson May had hype surrounding his presence.
Now heading into his senior year, the Iowa quarterback commit has one thing on his mind: winning a state championship.
Last season, the Longhorns fell in the 2A third round 26-22 to Washington, which eventually made it to the state title game. Jones was one of the favorites to win the championship in 2A, but a loaded bracket made a challenging path to the title game.
Jones again is one of the favorites heading into this season, and May is a big reason why. He’s widely regarded as the best senior quarterback in the state, and it’s likely the Longhorns will go as far as May can take them. His final ride will be fun to watch.
