Oklahoma high school football Top 25 rankings (11/1/2023)

Several highly ranked squads face important tests in regular season finales this week

The final week of the 2023 regular season of high school football is here, believe it or not.

It seems like only yesterday it was just getting under way. But here we are, and you can tell because the weather is getting cold and some crucial games will decide some district championships, as well as some playoff spots.

This week, you have Bixby at Jenks, Muskogee at Stillwater, Elgin at Midwest City, Collinsville at Claremore, and the latest SBLive Oklahoma Top 25 football list.

Bixby remains at the top, followed by Midwest City Carl Albert at No. 2. Despite wins, Tulsa Union and Muskogee dropped because of struggles in their games. That allowed other teams in the Top 10 to move up.

Oklahoma high school football computer rankings (10/31/2023)

Ada dropped from 20th to No. 25 after losing in a rout. The three teams behind it last week moved up by one spot. Coweta dropped out after losing at home to Del City in a rout, and Stillwater, which won the Class 6AII state championship last season, is back in the rankings, just in time for its District 6AII-2 showdown with Muskogee.

Here is this week's SBLive Oklahoma Top 25. 

1. Bixby (9-0 overall, 6-0 in District 6AI-1)

Previous Game: Beat Moore, 68-5

Ranking Last Week: No. 1

Another week. Another one-sided game of domination for the Spartans.

The visiting Lions could only get one field goal and a safety for points.

Kordell Gouldsby scored the first touchdown on a 41-yard reception from Clay Peters, part of Bixby’s three-quarterback rotation system. Cord Nolan caught a pass from Cooper Parker for the two-point conversion. Troy Nguyen added a field goal to make it 11-0 in the first quarter.

Jett Turner scored on a 4-yard run before Moore got its field goal, making it 18-3. Bixby would lead 33-3 at the break after a 23-yard TD from Carson Kirby to Blake Hogshooter and a 1-yard rush into the end zone by Parker.

In the third quarter, Turner scored from 57 yards, Ghoulsby got his second TD on a 52-yard punt return, along with a Kirby to Nolan connection for 71 yards. It was 54-3 going into the final quarter, in which Cody Crull added a TD.

The Spartans just need one more win to capture the 6AI-1 district championship outright. They are in a different scenario than last year going to Week 10 with a date against Jenks.

Bixby is in first place and leads the Trojans by one game. A loss to the Trojans would force a tie but give the tie-breaking advantage to Jenks and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

When Jenks won last year, it forced a three-way tie between both teams and Norman North, but Bixby still got the top seed due to points.

Another difference is there is no national TV hype. ESPN2 is not coming to telecast the matchup between the two programs as they did last year when the Trojans came in and snapped the Spartans’ 58-game winning streak, 38-35.

Bixby has a new streak going, 14 straight since, which includes avenging that loss with a 28-14 win against Jenks in the Class 6AI state semifinal a year ago.

Next Game: at Jenks (6-3, 5-1), Friday

2. Midwest City Carl Albert (9-0, 5-0 in District 5A-2)

Previous Game: Idle

Ranking Last Week: No. 2

With one week of rest after passing a major test against Guthrie, the Titans face another against Piedmont. Then comes the playoffs.

As the Titans embark on their journey to repeat, they will face other teams that will provide a stiff challenge. Besides Guthrie, there is Del City and Elgin, who are unbeaten and rocking foes off. Then you have teams from the east, such as Tulsa Bishop Kelley, Claremore and Collinsville, the 2021 5A champions.

Next Game: vs. Piedmont (7-2, 3-2) Friday

3. Wagoner (9-0, 6-0 in District 4A-3)

Previous Game: Beat Catoosa, 54-23

Ranking Last Week: No. 4

The Bulldogs continue to be strong and move up a notch after a rout of the Indians.

Junior linebacker Bryce Steel had a big night on defense by recording 15 tackles with four for losses.

The Class 4A state champion from 2022 has clinched at least a share of the district title and can win it outright with a win in its regular season finale this week.

Next Game: vs. Miami (6-3, 4-2), Friday

4. Washington (9-0, 6-0 in District 2A-3)

Previous Game: Beat Comanche, 62-0

Ranking Last Week: No. 5

The Class 2A state champion from 2022 also clinched at least a share of their district with a dominating win against another group of Indians. They also get a move up by one spot.

A win this week will give the Warriors the district title outright, and they can move on and focus on their goal to repeat as state champs.

Next Game: at Little Axe (1-7, 1-4), Friday

5. OKC Heritage Hall (9-0, 6-0 in District 3A-2)

Previous Game: Beat Sulphur, 35-14

Ranking Last Week: No. 7

The Chargers climb up two spots to No. 5 after a 21-point win over Sulphur. Coach Brett Bogert got his 110th victory while coaching his squad to their 19th district championship.

Next Game: vs. Marlow (7-2, 4-2), Friday

6. Guthrie (8-1, 4-1 in District 5A-2)

Previous Game: Beat Lawton Eisenhower, 51-6

Ranking Last Week: 6

After its heartbreaking loss to Carl Albert, the Blue Jays bounced back nicely in a 45-point romp over Lawton Ike.

Senior running back Jaylen Harper ran for 163 yards and three TDs. Harper continued his streak of rushing for 100 yards in every game in 2023.

The Blue Jays have now outscored opponents 389-33 this season, with less than two-thirds of those points coming from CA.

A win this week will ensure a home game in the first round in the playoffs.

Next Game: vs. Shawnee (3-6, 1-4), Friday

7. Tulsa Union (8-1, 6-0 in District 6AI-2)

Previous Game: Beat Edmond Memorial, 37-21

Ranking Last Week: No. 3

The Redhawks continue to go through a trial by fire without injured quarterback Shaker Reisig. They won, but it wasn’t easy, nor was it pretty, and caused them to drop down four spots to No. 7 in the poll.

Union was down 14-13 at halftime and the score held through the end of the third quarter.

Both teams exchanged TDs before the Redhawks scored a pair of TDs and a safety to finish off the game.

Power running by Isaiah Covington proved to be the key again.

Covington scored four TDs on runs of 7, 43, 60, and 53 yards while compiling 227 yards on 18 carries.

Freshman Kason Delgado, starting his third game in place of Reisig, threw a 51-yard TD to Jino Boyd.

A win by Union Friday night will give it the 6AI-2 championship outright and a No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

Next Game: vs. Edmond North (3-6, 2-4), Thursday

8. Poteau (9-0, 6-0 in District 4A-4)

Previous Game: Beat Ada, 40-7

Ranking Last Week: No. 9

The Pirates stayed unbeaten after derailing another unbeaten in Ada for the district crown in 4A-4. They also moved up one spot in the poll.

University of Tulsa commit Dax Collins scored the first TD for Poteau, putting his team up 7-0 early. Ethan McBee then added a field goal to make it 10-0.

After an Ada TD, Jackson Sommers scored a TD and the team picked up a safety en route to a 19-7 halftime lead.

Next Game: at Stilwell (2-7, 0-6), Friday

9. Muskogee (8-1, 6-0 in District 6AII-1)

Previous Game: Beat Bartlesville, 30-27

Ranking Last Week: No. 8

The Roughers, the top team in 6AII, struggled to beat an average Bartlesville team and it cost them a spot down in the poll.

Were they looking ahead to Stillwater? Who knows.

Muskogee trailed 27-23 going into the final quarter before scoring a late TD to get the win.

Now they focus on their long-awaited matchup this week against Stillwater, last year’s 6AII state champion. They will have the task of playing the Pioneers on the road.

Next Game: at Stillwater, (7-2, 6-0), Friday

10. Owasso (7-2, 5-1 in District 6AI-2)

Previous Game: Beat Edmond Santa Fe, 57-53

Ranking Last Week: No. 10

Knox Dyson set a school record passing for 509 yards, completing 19-of-25 passes and seven TDs, including a game-winner with 14 seconds left to conclude the Rams’ comeback victory against the Wolves. The winning TD was made on a 1-yard catch in the end zone by Deuce Chalk.

Chalk and J’Kharri Thomas were Dyson's top receivers as he threw three TDs to each.

The Rams trailed 53-42 after a Santa Fe TD with 4:14 remaining, then Knox threw a 28-yard TD to Thomas, before his game-winner to Chalk.

Owasso will aim to win this week so it may get a bye and host a playoff game in the second round.

Next Game: at Norman (4-5, 4-2), Friday

11. Tulsa Lincoln Christian (8-0, 4-0 in District 3A-3)

Previous Game: Beat Muldrow, 63-13

Ranking Last Week: No. 11

The Bulldogs remained unbeaten as one of the top teams in Class 3A in a 50-point blowout of Muldrow at home.

They wrap up their regular season on the road this week, aiming to seal their district crown.

Next Game: at Locust Grove (3-6, 2-3), Friday

12. Jenks (6-3, 5-1 in District 6AI-1)

Previous Game: Beat Broken Arrow, 42-14

Ranking Last Week: No. 12

It was an emotional night of sorts for both quarterback Owen Jones and running back Kaydin Jones as they returned to their former stomping grounds. Both impacted the Tigers in nearly upsetting Jenks a year ago before the Trojans walked away with a 35-34 win in overtime after the block of an extra point.

But now they are on the other side, and they helped Jenks in a 28-point rout of their former team.

Owen Jones threw three TD passes, including the first to Kaydin Jones for 69 yards to give Jenks a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

Kaydin later had a rushing TD that gave the Trojans a 35-0 advantage in the third period.

Jenks was up 42-0 by the end of the third before BA got on the board.

The Trojans can win the district with a win over Bixby this week. 

Next Game: vs. Bixby (9-0, 5-0), Friday

13. OKC Millwood (8-1, 6-0 in District 2A-1)

Previous Game: Beat Hennessey, 65-17

Ranking Last Week: No. 13

The Falcons had no problem flying through for points with a rout of Hennessey.

They already have first place clinched in 2A-1 and will be hosting a playoff game in Class 2A. Of course, like anyone else, they intend to close the regular season strong this week with a victory.

Next Game: at Blackwell (1-8, 1-5), Friday

14. Choctaw (6-2, 5-1 in District 6AII-2)

Previous Game: Beat Putnam City, 65-20

Ranking Last Week: No. 14

The Yellowjackets, the 2022 Class 6AII runner-up, ran wild in a romp over the Pirates. They are battling Ponca City for second place in 6AII-2 and must beat the Wildcats to clinch it when they face off this week.

Next game: vs. Ponca City (4-4, 4-1), Friday

15. Fairview (9-0, 6-0 in District A-1)

Previous Game: Beat Burns Flat-Dill City, 58-0

Ranking Last Week: No. 15

The defending Class A champion seems to be in good standing in its plans to repeat after another dominating win. Burns Flat-Dill City was the latest foe to take a sting from the Yellowjackets.

They have first place wrapped up for A-1.

Next Game: vs. Merritt (2-7, 1-5), Friday

16. Hominy (9-0, 6-0 in A-5)

Previous Game: Beat Woodland, 23-20

Ranking Last Week: No. 16

The Bucks survived a big challenge with a win over Woodland for the District A-5 Championship.

Hominy trailed most of the game, but took the lead at 15-14 early in the fourth quarter. But after the Cougars regained the advantage with a TD that made it 20-15 with more than two minutes left, the Bucks had to answer the call. They did it as Jaxon Woods completed a 40-yard TD pass to Bryon Marshall with 42 seconds left. Woods then ran in the two-point conversion.

Next Game: at Chouteau-Mazie (3-6, 2-4), Friday

17. Del City (9-0, 6-0 in 5A-3)

Previous Game: Beat Coweta, 43-14

Ranking Last Week: No. 17

The Eagles took care of business by grabbing a 28-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.

River Warren threw three TDs, cousins LaDainian “DaeDae” and Rodney Fields each scored two TDs, respectively, via receiving and rushing.

LaDainian “DaeDae” Fields, a TCU commit, caught seven passes for 146 yards.

Rodney Fields, an Oklahoma State commit, rushed for 105 yards on 12 carries.

Warren threw for 182 yards on 10-of-12 attempts.

Del City led 36-7 at halftime and 43-7 through the close of the third quarter. They avenged an 18-17 loss to the Tigers at home last year that cost them the district title.

This year, they win it.

Next Game: vs. Durant, (5-4, 3-3), Thursday

18. Collinsville (8-1, 5-1 in District 5A-4)

Previous Game: Beat Tulsa Edison Prep, 42-12

Ranking Last Week: No. 19

Sophomore running back/linebacker Scott Rigby had 15 carries for 134 yards and three TDs and seven tackles in the Cardinals’ 30-point win against the Eagles.

A big showdown with Claremore for second place in the district is on the agenda this week. The winner, as a No. 2 seed, gets to host a Class 5A playoff game at home.

Next Game: at Claremore (8-1, 5-1), Friday

19. Claremore (8-1, 5-1 in District 5A-4)

Previous Game: Beat Tulsa Will Rogers, 55-14

Ranking Last Week: No. 18

After losing to Tulsa Bishop Kelley in a high-scoring battle the previous week, Claremore bounced back with a convincing rout of the Ropers.

The Zebras trailed 7-6 early before reeling off 49 points.

A big showdown with Collinsville for second place in the district is on the agenda this week. The winner, as a No. 2 seed, gets to host a Class 5A playoff game at home.

Next Game: vs. Collinsville (8-1, 5-1), Friday

20. Elgin (9-0, 6-0, in District 5A-1)

Previous Game: Beat Lawton MacArthur, 62-14

Ranking Last Week: 21

The Owls move up another spot after obliterating the Highlanders of Lawton Mac.

Matt Lund rushed for 155 yards on 15 carries and two TDs while junior quarterback Tres Lorah threw for 177 yards and four TDs on 9-of-11 attempts.

The defense forced five turnovers, including a 47-yard pick-six by Michael Adesola and a 22-yard scoop-and-score by his younger brother, Josh Adesola.

Elgin is 9-0 for the first time in school history and will try to finish the regular season a perfect 10-0 when they play Midwest City. The Owls will be seeking the 5A-1 title and revenge after losing to the Bombers in the final seconds of last year’s game.

Next Game: at Midwest City (6-3, 5-1), Friday

21. Blanchard (8-1, 6-0 in District 4A-2)

Previous Game: Beat Bethany, 27-7

Ranking Last Week: 22

The Lions have first place clinched in their district and move up a spot. They intend to close the regular season this week with a win heading into the postseason.

Next Game: at Tecumseh (3-6, 1-5), Friday

22. Edmond Deer Creek (7-2, 6-0 in District 6AII-2)

Previous Game: Beat OKC Capitol Hill, 52-8

Ranking Last Week: 23

The Antlers have 6AII-2 wrapped up. They have won six straight since a 1-2 start.

Next Game: at Putnam City North (4-5, 3-3), Friday.

23. Tulsa Bishop Kelley (7-2, 6-0 in District 5A-4)

Previous Game: Beat Tulsa Nathan Hale, 55-20

Ranking Last Week: No. 24

The Comets followed up their upset of Claremore with a rout of the Rangers. They have first place wrapped up for 5A-4 and have given each the Zebras and Collinsville their only defeat so far this season.

Next Game: vs. Grove (5-3, 3-2), Thursday

24. Stillwater (7-2, 6-0 in District 6AII-1)

Previous Game: Beat Tahlequah, 55-14

Ranking Last Week: Unranked

The defending Class 6AII champion Pioneers return to the Top 25 poll after a seven-week absence.

Stillwater lost their first two games and took an exit. But since then, it has been winning (even straight) and is now in a position to battle for the district championship.

It will meet Muskogee at home this week in its regular-season finale, with the winner taking first place and a top seed in the playoffs.

Both teams were unbeaten when they met last year in Muskogee, with Stillwater winning, 38-21.

Next Game: vs. Muskogee (8-1, 6-0), Friday

25. Ada (8-1, 5-1 in District 4A-4)

Previous Game: Lost to Poteau, 40-7

Ranking Last Week: No. 20

After taking a beating from the Pirates in a battle of unbeatens, the now previously unbeaten Cougars slide down to No. 25. They do have second place in 4A-4 clinched and will at least host a playoff game in the first round.

Next Game: vs. Broken Bow (3-5, 3-3)

Dropped Out

Coweta

Teams Outside Top 25 to Watch

Prague, Minco, Perkins-Tryon, Tulsa Victory Christian 

Photo of Muskogee QB Jamarian Ficklin by Daniel Shular, Tulsa World

-- Mike Moguin | @SBLiveOK