SBLive Oklahoma All-State Football 2023: Jamarian Ficklin, LaDainian Fields among those receiving top honors

Blanchard's Craig receives Coach of the Year; Midwest City Carl Albert's Sperry named top newcomer

SBLive Oklahoma is proud to announce the superlative winners of its All-State football team from the 2023 season. 

The MVP award goes to Midwest City Carl Albert senior tailback Xavier Robinson. Here are the rest of the superlative award winners:

Muskogee quarterback Jamarian Ficklin (with ball) by Michael Kinney 

Offensive Player of the Year: Jamarian Ficklin, Muskogee

Jamarian Ficklin has been making an impact from his first days on campus at Muskogee High School.

As a freshman, his talent immediately was clear as he took the reins at the quarterback position as the Roughers tried to rebuild from the bottom of Class 6AII to past glory evident in the school's crowded trophy case. It happened, and it happened perhaps more quickly than anyone could have imagined.

Just two years later, Ficklin took the Roughers all the way to the top in his junior season, leading Muskogee to the Class 6AII state championship, the first since 1986 for a storied program that now has 10 state football championships but had waited a long while for this one. His efforts also have earned Ficklin the honor of being SBLive Oklahoma's Offensive Player of the Year for the 2023 football season.

Muskogee 2025 quarterback Jamarian Ficklin puts team on his back with 4-TD performance 

Ficklin has the skill set of one of those players who observers say "can do it all." He even showed that by at one point in his sophomore season being one of the state's leaders in average yards per punt.

But his damage comes much more from using his legs to run, not kick, and his rifle of a left arm to throw to a talented array of playmakers for the Roughers.

Ficklin passed for 3,249 yards and 32 touchdowns on the season, completing more than 67 percent of his passes. And he was the definition of a dual-threat quarterback, adding another 953 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns. He even scored a defensive touchdown on an interception return.

“He is very consistent,“ said Muskogee coach Travis Hill of his quarterback. “The thing I really love about him as a quarterback is that every time he makes a mistake, some put their head down and it bothers them, but he is able to put it in the rear view (mirror) really well.”

And there were some growing pains as an individual and as a program for Muskogee when Ficklin started at quarterback as a freshman two seasons ago. That was the next season after the Roughers went 0-7 in the Covid-shortened 2020 campaign.

A state championship seemed the furthest thing from anyone's mind. Hill took over as head coach in 2021, a year that saw modest improvement to a 2-8 overall record. But the progress of Ficklin and many of his young teammates was undeniable.

The next season, they leaped right into the middle of the chase, winning their first nine games in 2022 before falling in a de facto district championship game in Week 10 against Stillwater. The Roughers went on to fall to Choctaw in the 6AII semifinals that year, while Stillwater beat the Yellowjackets for the championship the next week.

"We matured through a lot of stuff to the point where we were telling each other, we're not going to let adversity get us down," Ficklin said.

And they came back with a passion in 2023. Despite an early-season loss to defending Class 5A champion Midwest City Carl Albert, the Roughers remained confident.

Even a second straight close loss to Stillwater to finish the regular season still didn't deter the Roughers. They kept pushing.

A first-round win against Ponca City, followed by a down-to-the-wire triumph against Edmond Deer Creek in the semifinals got the Roughers to the big stage. And when they got there, a familiar foe in Stillwater awaited again.

But this time, they were up to the challenge. And it was Ficklin in the starring role, rushing for three touchdowns and throwing for a fourth in a 28-26 win that ended decades of championship frustration for the green and black.

“I knew it would all progress through at some point. Everybody was up on the sideline saying, ‘We’re gonna get this. We’re gonna do it,’” Ficklin said. “And for us to be able to do it, it just means a lot.

"We knew Stillwater would make plays, but it feels great to beat them. It never was going to be easy."

“I wanted a ring and we got it,” Hill said. “There is really good football in this class and it is nice to finally finish the deal."

On an individual level, Ficklin is making a huge mark on the record books at Muskogee. He's already the school's career leader in passing yards, with 8,492, and passing touchdowns with 91, as well as rushing touchdowns with 30. He may well put those marks completely out of anybody's reach next season.

“I will always have a chip on my shoulder,” Ficklin said, “I am happy we make plays and credit our wide receivers, because they are the ones who make me look good when they catch the ball.”

And they have a group that made history, sparking a celebration throughout a community rich in football tradition, and bringing a renewed level of pride inside the hallways of the high school.

“There were a whole lot of congratulations,” Ficklin said of the first days back at school after winning it all. “We’ve done it. We accomplished a mission we all prepared for and we all said we’re going to do.”

Recruiting season is likely to heat up for Ficklin in the coming months. He currently has offers from Tulsa, Florida A&M, UNLV, Grambling State and Northern Arizona, but many big names could still be lurking for a talent of this type.

For now, though, it's all about focus on another season, which is bad news for opposing coaches and student-athletes in 6AII who have another entire year of facing Ficklin as he tries to run it back in his senior campaign in the fall.

-- Christian Potts | @SBLiveOK 

Del City's LaDainian Fields by Daniel Shular, Tulsa World 

Defensive Player of the Year: LaDainian Fields, Del City

Coach Robert Jones knew what he was getting when LaDainian Fields decided to transfer to Del City.

While he had seen a glimpse of what Jones could do on the gridiron while at Oklahoma City's Southeast High, it was another arena that really let Jones know how special Fields could become.

“I had studied film and then I also watched him on the basketball court,” Jones said. “So, I've watched him over the years because me and his dad are pretty good friends. I watched him manifest and grow over the last three years. I saw how basketball helped him.”

Del City coach on 2024 WR/CB LaDainian Fields: 'He's the best player in the state'

Yet, it's hard to imagine Jones saw the full potential of what Fields would be able to do in his one and only season at Del City. Fields also led the Eagles with 1,248 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns across 59 receptions as he helped the team to a 13-1 record and a spot in the 5A state championship game.

Yet, while Fields’ play on the defensive side of the ball may have been overshadowed by his offensive highlights, it was just as integral to the Eagles' success.

During the regular season, Fields recorded 40 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery on defense. But the biggest stat was not allowing a single touchdown pass to be completed against him.

Fields turned up his defensive prowess during the postseason. He picked off two more passes that were returned for touchdowns (four on the season). That includes one against Guthrie in the 5A quarterfinals that Jones says turned the tide of the game.

“I feel like that play versus Guthrie really kind of sealed the deal for us,” Jones said. “They were going in for the score and that could have changed the game. They could have started their little comeback.”

Despite losing to Carl Albert in the 5A state championship game, Fields showed why he could make a claim for being the best player in a contest with multiple future Division I athletes on both sides of the ball.

“I think he showed that in the playoffs versus other highly talented DI recruits, especially in the state championship. You got (Carl Albert's) Trystan Haynes, who I'm seeing getting offers from Georgia and LSU,” Jones said. “And if you didn't know anything and you just went to the game, you would've thought LaDainian was a guy getting offers from Georgia and LSU with the outcome and how it played out as far as from an individual performance.”

Fields finished his career with more than 100 tackles, eight interceptions, 14 pass breakups, three tackles for loss and two INTs returned for touchdowns, as well 16 kickoff returns for 250 yards and 17 punt returns for 405 yards and three touchdowns.

Fields originally had been committed to play football at TCU. But in the days leading up to the early signing period, he flipped and decided to join his cousin, Rodney Fields, and signed with Oklahoma State.

“On my visit, OSU made me feel like family,” LaDainian Fields said. “So, when you actually have football family there with you and your actual blood family not too far away, it made choosing OSU a no-brainer."

Del City cousins LaDainian, Rodney Fields teaming up for Eagles' unbeaten run this season 

Jones says Fields can have the same type of impact with the Cowboys that he had at Del City.

“This a great kid. He has a knack for the ball, man,” Jones said. “I think he's going to be a guy that goes up there and probably be a possible freshman starter at Oklahoma State just because he has some abilities that you can't coach.

"They just have to be born with it, and I think he has those tools. I'm so excited to see him get up there; it was great to work with him.”

-- Michael Kinney | @SBLiveOK

Blanchard coach Jeff Craig by Michael Kinney

Coach of the Year: Jeff Craig, Blanchard

Football has been the talk of the town in Blanchard the past few months and rightfully so, as they won the Class 4A state title game when they defeated Wagoner, 19-14.

Blanchard won its third state championship in football and head coach Jeff Craig was nominated as SBLive Oklahoma's head coach of the year for the 2023 season.

“Any time we get recognition like this, it is a huge honor,” Craig said. “There are several great coaches in Oklahoma and our kids have put in great effort. It was an incredible football season.

"Winning a state championship is an incredible deal and it is something these kids will always remember.”

Craig now has two state titles for Blanchard and the first one since 2012. With it being the third state championship in school history, Craig said this could not have been done without the leadership of their 16 seniors.

“This was a solid group of young men and I am so proud of them,” Craig said. “They put in so much work and all helped our team. They left a huge legacy for our team and had fun at the same time.”

Along with being a football coach, Craig is the school's athletic director and next football season will be year No. 20 for him at Blanchard. He said being an athletic director keeps him busy, but he enjoys it.

He has enjoyed the winter and has gotten to travel to watch his daughter, who plays college basketball at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. When the weather warms up, Craig plans to work on his golf game.

The state championship win over Wagoner makes it win No. 2 over the Bulldogs, as they also beat Wagoner in 2017, which snapped its 48-game win streak, which was then a state record.

Blanchard faced adversity all season, and the state title game was delayed two hours and 15 minutes. It did not kick off until 9:15 p.m. Wagoner turned the ball over six times, credit to Blanchard’s defense.

In the final seconds, Blanchard was ahead 19-14 and held on until the final play when Wagoner moved the ball into the Blanchard red zone. Fortunately for Blanchard, Wagoner threw an incomplete pass on the final play. Craig remarked the defense was clutch all season.

“Any time you beat Wagoner, it is a big deal,” Craig said. “As the game came down to the end, I did not want to lose the win we built. We held on and needed one more play to survive and be state champions.

"It was hectic and we were hanging on for dear life. Once the ball went in the back of the end zone, it was satisfying that the job was done.”

Blanchard stops Wagoner from another dramatic final-play win for Class 4A championship 

The defense has been huge for Blanchard all season and gave up an average of 13 points per game. This included two shutouts.

One of the Lions' biggest defensive performances was against Tuttle. Blanchard won the game, 20-6, and the defense scored three times, part of forcing six turnovers.

“This win was a pivotal win for us,” Craig said. “It was great being home and not having to travel to Wagoner or Poteau like we have in the past. Not having to ride a bus halfway across the state is a huge deal.”

Another huge defensive performance was in the semifinals against Poteau. The high powered offense scored less than 30 points all year long. But in the semifinals, Blanchard held Poteau to 14 points.

“We shut down Poteau and our defense did a tremendous job,” Craig said. “They are good every year and score lots of points. I am happy our defense played well and executed, because we knew it would be a challenge.”

Blanchard’s lone loss came to Piedmont, a 21-7 decision. Since that loss, well, the rest is history.

The week after the loss, Blanchard won in an offensive shootout, 34-31 over Shawnee, which was the most points Blanchard gave up all year.

“We struggled the next week against Shawnee,” Craig said. “We made some adjustments and gave up too much against Shawnee, but fortunately, our offense pulled it out.

"Those two weeks were a wake-up call and we all did a better job preparing. That shake-up and preparing better made the difference in our season.”

For next season, Craig knows Blanchard will be hunted. To make matters more challenging, there will be a new district realignment, along with three private schools coming into 4A, including Heritage Hall, Lincoln Christian and Holland Hall.

Lincoln Christian won 3A and Heritage Hall was the 3A runner-up. But these teams are not in the Lions' district. The teams in Blanchard’s district are: Ardmore, Bethany, Cushing, Harrah, Madill, Tecumseh and Tuttle.

“With the three private schools coming up, that makes it much more tough, but we like it that way,” Craig said. “Whoever comes out on top next season, they will have earned it.

"Winning a district title will be goal No. 1, and then we will worry about making a playoff run.”

-- Josh Jennings | @SBLiveOK

Midwest City Carl Albert quarterback Kevin Sperry by Michael Kinney 

Newcomer of the Year: Kevin Sperry, Midwest City Carl Albert 

Kevin Sperry already had plenty of hype attached to his name before the quarterback even arrived at Carl Albert High School in Midwest City last summer.

The junior-to-be also brought with him a commitment to the University of Oklahoma. His skillset had made a name for himself in Texas, where his skillset had earned him a bevy of FBS scholarship offers, including one from the Sooners.

His family wanted to move closer to his future college, landing him at the home of the defending Class 5A state champions.

While changing schools can be difficult, there were no real learning curves.

“That transition was really smooth,” head coach Mike Dunn said. “He’s one of those guys, on the field or off the field, he’s a steady presence.”

Midwest City Carl Albert (Oklahoma) 2025 QB Kevin Sperry proving himself to his new squad 

Sperry’s combination of quick release and speedy feet made him a true dual threat. He finished the season with 2,564 passing yards, 31 passing touchdowns and just four interceptions. On the ground, he had 563 yards and 11 touchdowns.

“It was very evident from the day Kevin showed up that he was a really hard worker, a good leader,” Dunn said. “Then we got to watch him athletically; any time you get a little bit of quarterback run game in your package, it makes life better. He’s the most complete quarterback I’ve gotten to be around as a coach."

But what impressed the coaching staff just as much was his personality. Sperry was easy to coach, and friendly with everyone on the team, from star recruits to backups.

“Everybody gets to see the three hours each week he’s on the field, but the human being is just as impressive," Dunn said.

“I’ve never seen a quarterback raise the play of his offensive line like Kevin did. We didn’t have any big-time recruits on that line, but they were probably one of the toughest offensive lines I’ve coached.”

Sperry also showed his grit. A week after getting banged up against Bishop McGuinness, Sperry still played against – and mostly ran into the teeth of – a hard-hitting Guthrie defense. Despite taking plenty of licks, he stayed in the ball game, and threw a game-winner late.

Sperry and the Titans later capped their undefeated season with a state championship.

-- Glen Brockenbush | @SBLiveOK 

Photo of Muskogee quarterback Jamarian Ficklin (1) by Michael Kinney