Top 25 Oklahoma high school football rankings (9/20/2023)

Many ranked teams back in action for district openers following bye weeks

The new SBLive Oklahoma Top 25 football rankings are out and there are not too many changes since most teams got a breather in Week 3 of the regular season. 

After all, they opened their campaign on Zero Week.

Most teams maintained the same ranking they held last week, but there were some that moved.

Three teams climbed because of victories and one slid after a loss. Another dropped out of the rankings, allowing another to move in.

Class 5A Guthrie moved up from No. 10 to seventh after a win over longtime power Tuttle, now playing in Class 4A. That caused Oklahoma City Heritage Hall (3A), Choctaw (6AII) and Muskogee (6AII) to go down one notch, respectively, to No. 8, 9, and 10, despite Heritage Hall applying a 55-6 rout to fellow OKC school John Marshall, and Choctaw and Muskogee being idle.

Gore (Class A) moved up one notch to 21st although it did not play last Friday, Claremore (5A) moved up three spots to 22nd after a 63-13 rout of Hilldale, Tuttle dropped three spots to No. 24 and Piedmont (5A) entered at No. 25.

Ringling, which was 25th last week, fell out after a 26-0 loss to Apache.

Here is this week's SBLive Oklahoma Top 25. 

1. Bixby (3-0, 0-0 in District 6AI-1)

Previous Game: Idle

Ranking Last Week: No. 1

The Spartans will be ready to play again after taking time off. They host Norman North this week, whom they beat, 63-7, last year.

Next game: vs. Norman North (3-0, 0-0), Friday

2. Midwest City Carl Albert (4-0, 0-0 in District 5A-2)

Previous Game: Beat Elk City, 56-14

Ranking Last Week: No. 2

The Titans keep rolling after dismantling Elk City last week. Things are looking like a battle could be brewing between CA and Guthrie, who is putting up points while giving up only three this season.

But the Titans must stay focused on the Eagles of Lawton Eisenhower for now.

Next Game: vs. Lawton Eisenhower (3-1, 0-0), Friday

3. Jenks (1-2, 0-0 in District 6AI-1)

Previous Game: Idle

Ranking Last Week: No. 3

After a big win over arch-rival Tulsa Union in the "Backyard Bowl" in Week 2, the Trojans hope rest, relaxation and some momentum will carry over as they travel to the west side of the state this week to take on Enid, whom they beat, 55-28, last year.

Next Game: at Enid (1-1, 0-0), Friday

4. Tulsa Union (2-1, 0-0 in District 6AI-2)

Previous Game: Idle

Ranking Last Week: No. 4

With a week off, the Redhawks hope to put the loss to Jenks behind them and focus on the task of beating the Rams in their district opener.

It will not be easy. Since losing to Bixby in the season opener, the Rams have been impressive in wins over Jenks and Broken Arrow. But those games were at Owasso.

Union also looks to ease the pain of last year’s loss in six overtimes to the Rams in the Class 6AI state semifinals.

Next Game: vs. Owasso (2-1), Friday

5. Wagoner (3-0, 0-0 in District 4A-3)

Previous Game: Beat Grove, 35-14

Ranking Last Week: No. 5

The Bulldogs got a big win against previously unbeaten Grove, plus they beat a team they lost to a year ago.

Division I recruits Alex Shieldnight and Kale Charboneau, both juniors, had big nights. Charboneau threw for two touchdowns and 327 yards on 22-of-39 attempts and ran for two more scores as quarterback. Shieldnight caught six passes for a team-high 113 yards. On defense, he forced four tackles for loss, two sacks and four pressures.

Next Game: vs. Skiatook (1-2, 0-0), Friday

6. Washington (3-0, 0-0 in District 2A-3)

Previous Game: Idle

Ranking Last Week: No. 6

The Warriors return to action with a trip to the southwestern corner of the state.

Next Game: at Frederick (2-1, 0-0), Sept. 22

7. Guthrie (4-0, 0-0 in District 5A-2)

Previous Game: Beat Tuttle, 20-3

Ranking Last Week: 10

The Blue Jays may have not recorded another shutout, but they still kept their opponent out of the end zone, limiting a strong Tuttle team to one field goal.

Guthrie has now outscored its opposition, 194-3, in four games. Against Tuttle, Jaylen Harper ran for one TD and 117 yards on 39 carries.

In an article in one of the state’s top newspapers, the Blue Jays have made it clear of their intention to win the Class 5A championship and their belief in knocking off Carl Albert, the 2022 state champion. Both teams play in the same district and are scheduled to meet at Guthrie on Oct. 19.

The Blue Jays are off this week.

Next Game: vs. Piedmont (3-0, 0-0), Sept. 29

8. OKC Heritage Hall (4-0, 0-0 in District 3A-2)

Previous Game: Beat OKC John Marshall, 55-6

Ranking Last Week: No. 7

The Chargers keep showing why they're at the top of Class 3A with a domination of the Bears. A challenge against an unbeaten Lone Grove Longhorn squad is next.

Next Game: vs. Lone Grove (3-0, 0-0), Friday

9. Choctaw (1-0, 0-0 in District 6AII-2)

Previous Game: Idle

Ranking Last Week: No. 8

The Yellowjackets will be coming off a bye week. The Aug. 25 game against Del City is now being listed as suspended by OSSAA and is no longer counting as a loss on their record. So with that game and another canceled as a result of the shooting incident, Choctaw only has one game result recorded on its record.

It seeks another win in its district opener this week.

Next game: at Putnam City North (2-2 overall, 1-0 in District 6AII-2), Sept. 22

10. Muskogee (2-1, 0-0 in District 6AII)

Previous Game: Idle

Ranking Last Week: No. 7

The Roughers seek to bounce back after being pummelled at home by Carl Albert in Week 2. They had the chance to regroup with an off-week last week.

They host a Sand Springs team that is coming off a 27-14 win against Ponca City, but was derailed, 61-7, by Bixby two weeks ago.

Next Game: vs. Sand Springs (2-1, 0-0), Friday

11. Poteau (3-0, 0-0 in District 4A-4)

Previous Game: Beat Chandler, 42-21

Ranking Last Week: 11

The Pirates picked up another win by having their way at home with the Lions.

Next Game: at Ft. Gibson (1-3, 0-0), Friday

12. Tulsa Lincoln Christian (3-0, 0-0 in District 3A-3)

Previous Game: Beat Shiloh (Ark.) Christian, 20-14

Ranking Last Week: 12

While Lincoln Christian is best known for its offense, it was its defense that won the game against Shiloh Christian, based out of Springdale, Ark.

The Bulldogs forced three interceptions – one by Malakai Dillard for a pick-six, another by his brother Kailib Dillard that caused a turnover on downs, and the final by Kylan Schultheis that sealed the game. They also held Saints’ running back Bo Williams to 83 yards on 29 carries.

The Lincoln defense also pitched a second-half shutout.

Moses Fullingim rushed for 144 yards on 28 carries and Sawyer Brooks ran for 46 yards on nine handoffs, including a tie-breaking 8-yarder with 8:37 left in the first half, that gave Lincoln a 14-7 lead.

Next Game: vs. Berryhill (1-2, 0-0), Friday

13. Collinsville (3-0, 0-0 in District 5A-4)

Previous Game: Beat Bartlesville, 27-14

Ranking Last Week: 13

Hudson Henslick returned a kickoff 94 yards for a Cardinal TD after Bartlesville scored first.

The senior wide receiver then caught scoring passes of 10, which came on fourth down, and 57, which gave his team a 20-7 lead at halftime.

Scott Rigby then added a TD for the Cardinals on a 42-yard run in the final minutes to seal the win.

Next Game: at Pryor (1-2, 0-0), Friday

14. Owasso (2-1, 0-0 in Class 6AI-2)

Previous Game: Idle

Ranking Last Week: 15

Since losing by 26 points in their season-opening loss to Bixby, the Rams have picked up character and momentum in wins against Jenks and Broken Arrow.

But both wins were at home and they will be tested against a hungry Union team looking to rebound from a loss at Jenks and for revenge over the loss from last year, when Owasso beat the Redhawks, 50-47, in six overtimes in the Class 6AI semifinals in Broken Arrow.

Next Game: at Tulsa Union (2-1, 0-0), Friday

15. OKC Millwood (2-1, 0-0 in District 2A-1)

Previous Game: Beat Scott City (Kan.), 6-0

Ranking Last Week: No. 15

After getting over 80 points one week earlier against OKC Douglass, the Falcons only got six in a road win north of the state line in Scott City, Kansas. But it was just enough to win and get another shutout.

Next Game: at Alva (1-2, 0-0), Friday

16. Norman North (3-0, 0-0 in District 6AI-1)

Previous Game: Beat Yukon, 57-28

Ranking Last Week: 16

The Timberwolves got up 29-0 before allowing the Millers to get on the board. In that span, Mason James scored twice on runs, Owen Eschelman tossed a TD pass to Carter Hammer and Carver Rogers scooped up a fumble return for a score.

However, Norman North, which tied with Jenks and Bixby for the district title last year, now must face the latter on the road this week in what will be a major challenge.

The Spartans beat the T’Wolves, 63-7, last year.

Next Game: at Bixby (3-0, 0-0), Friday

17. Mustang (3-0, 0-0 in District 6AI-2)

Previous Game: Beat Springdale (Ark.) Har-Ber, 49-47

Ranking Last Week: 17

The Broncos rally from an early three-TD deficit and kick a game-winning field goal in the end to win it. But their struggles cost them a few spots in the poll. Their Canadian County rival is next.

Next Game: vs. Yukon (1-2, 0-0), Friday

18. Fairview (3-0, 0-0 in District A-1)

Previous Game: Idle

Ranking Last Week: 18

The Yellowjackets look forward to getting back to the grind after a break last week.

Next Game: at Hooker (2-1, 0-0), Friday

19. Hominy (3-0, 0-0 in District A-5)

Previous Game: Idle

Ranking Last Week: 19

The Bucks are also ready to back into high gear.

Next Game: vs. Pawnee (3-0, 0-0), Friday

20. Del City (2-0, 0-0 in District 5A-3)

Previous Game: Idle

Ranking Last Week: 20

Del City has one less win due to the Week Zero game against Choctaw now being declared suspended on the OSSAARankings.com website. It is not being counted as an official result.

The Eagles are still unbeaten on the young 2023 season and look to keep their momentum going as they open district along with the rest of the state this week.

Next Game: vs. Tulsa East Central (1-2, 0-0), Friday

21. Gore (3-0, 0-0 in District A-8)

Previous Game: Idle

Ranking Last Week: 22

The Pirates intend to keep their winning streak alive after their bye week, with their district opener at home looming.

Next Game: vs. Talihina (2-1, 0-0), Friday

22. Claremore (3-0, 0-0 in District 5A-4)

Previous Game: Beat Hilldale, 63-13

Ranking Last Week: 25

The Zebras move up three spots after rolling over Hilldale by 50 points. A key performer was senior running back/cornerback Eli Rogers, who caught five receptions for 101 yards and two TDs, passed for another TD, and had one interception on defense.

Next Game: vs. Tulsa Hale (0-3, 0-0), Friday

23. Ada (3-0, 0-0 in District 4A-4)

Previous Game: Idle

Ranking Last Week: 23

The Cougars should have some momentum after an off week, preceded by a big win over McAlester, last year’s runner-up in Class 5A.

But they will have a challenge ahead in Sallisaw, which has won two games after winning only one combined the last two years. The Black Diamonds are coached by Brandon Tyler, who led Gore to the Class A final last season.

Next Game: vs. Sallisaw (2-1, 0-0), Friday

24. Tuttle (2-1, 0-0)

Previous Game: Lost at Guthrie, 20-3

Ranking Last Week: 21

The Class 4A Tigers took a tough loss to the Class 5A Blue Jays, but kept a team that had averaged 58 points in their first three games to just 20, and scored some points against a team that had pitched shutouts in those same three games.

Tuttle drops three spots, but should be back to winning this week.

Next Game: vs. Bethany (2-1, 0-0), Friday

25. Piedmont (4-0, 0-0 in District 5A-2)

Previous Game: Beat Duncan, 54-3

Ranking Last Week: Unranked

The Wildcats enter the SBLive Oklahoma Top 25 for the first time in 2023. They dominated the Demons of Duncan and will aim to keep rolling this week against Oklahoma City Southeast.

Next Game: at OKC Southeast (2-1, 0-0), Friday

Dropped Out: Ringling

Photo of Wagoner's Kale Charboneau (with ball) and Alex Shieldnight (12) by Michael Kinney

-- Mike Moguin | @SBLiveOK