If you spent any time on a metal bleacher in Oklahoma this past November, you know the vibe. It wasn't just about the chilly wind or the smell of concession stand popcorn. It was the absolute chaos of the 6A-I bracket and the realization that the old guard might finally have some company at the top.
Oklahoma high school football rankings aren't just numbers on a screen; they are lifeblood for towns like Bixby, Jenks, and Tuttle. But looking at the final 2025 standings, something feels different heading into the 2026 cycle.
The Bixby Dynasty and the 6A-I Reality
Let’s be real for a second. Bixby is basically a machine. The Spartans finished 13-0 in 2025, capturing their eighth straight state title. It’s getting to the point where people just pencil them in at #1 and move on with their day. They held off an Owasso team that was arguably more talented on paper in the finals, winning 31-17.
But rankings are about more than just who holds the trophy.
The 2025 season showed us that the gap is shrinking. Owasso (10-3) started slow but finished like a freight train. Jenks (10-2) had Kaydin Jones putting up "video game" numbers, including a 445-yard rushing performance against Mustang that broke basically every record in the book. If you’re looking at the early 2026 outlook, these three—Bixby, Jenks, and Owasso—are going to be locked in a three-way tie for the top spot in everyone's minds until someone actually loses a district game.
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Small Town Powerhouses that Demand Respect
While the big schools get the TV time, the real drama in Oklahoma high school football rankings often happens in the lower classes. Look at what happened in Class 4A and 3A this past year.
Tuttle and Lincoln Christian. These two programs are absolute juggernauts. Lincoln Christian finished 14-0, and their point differential was honestly terrifying. They weren't just winning; they were erasing people.
2025 State Champions by Class
- 6A-I: Bixby (The gold standard, obviously)
- 6A-II: Sand Springs (A massive win over Choctaw)
- 5A: Carl Albert (The Titans just don't miss)
- 4A: Tuttle (Gritty, defensive masterclass)
- 3A: Lincoln Christian (The most dominant team regardless of class?)
- 2A-I: Jones (Finally got over the hump)
Carl Albert in 5A is another one that makes the rankings look repetitive. They finished 14-1 and steamrolled Bishop McGuinness in the final. When you talk about the best teams in the state, you have to look past the 6A label. A lot of folks around the metro will tell you that Carl Albert or Lincoln Christian could hang with the middle-of-the-pack 6A teams any day of the week.
The 8-Man Debate: Is Seiling the Best Ever?
We have to talk about Wyatt Tillery and the Seiling Wildcats. If you don't follow 8-man football, you're missing out on the most explosive scoring in the state. Seiling went 14-0 on the field. They won three straight playoff games by a combined score of 150-0.
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Think about that.
They didn't give up a single point for nearly a month of playoff football. Tillery, who is a Class of 2026 standout, accounted for eight touchdowns in the championship game alone. When the 2026 rankings start dropping in August, Seiling will be the unanimous #1 in Class B-II, and it won't even be close.
Why the 2026 Rankings Will Look Different
Rankings are heavily dictated by recruiting, and the Class of 2026 in Oklahoma is deep. We’re talking about kids like Kaydin Jones at Jenks and Mason James at Norman North.
When you have a high-profile recruit at quarterback or left tackle, it inflates your preseason ranking. It's just how the human polls work. But as we saw with Union this year (who finished 5-8 after a brutal schedule), talent doesn't always equal a high ranking by December.
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The OSSAA uses a specific formula for playoff seeding, but most fans care more about the AP Poll or the Coaches’ Poll. These are subjective. They're based on "what have you done for me lately."
What people get wrong about these rankings:
They assume the team with the most wins is the best. Not true. A 7-3 team playing a 6A-I schedule is almost always "better" than a 10-0 team in a weak 4A district. That’s why the "All-Class" rankings are so controversial.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're trying to track these teams or understand where the power lies, don't just look at the record. Look at the "Strength of Schedule" (SOS).
- Watch the Trenches: Bixby stays at the top because of guys like Kaeden Penny. If a team's offensive line is returning three or more starters, they’re a safe bet for a top 5 ranking.
- Follow the Transfers: In modern Oklahoma football, the transfer portal has hit the high school level. A few key moves in the summer can jump a team from unranked to a top 10 contender.
- Check the District Depth: The 6A-I District 1 (Jenks, Bixby, etc.) is a gauntlet. A team can lose two games there and still be the third-best team in the state.
The road to the 2026 championships starts in the weight room this month. While the rankings will fluctuate, the power usually stays in the same few zip codes. But hey, that's why we play the games—to see if someone finally knocks the Spartans off their perch.
Keep an eye on the early spring ball reports. Teams like Elgin and Wagoner are already reloading, and the preseason polls will be out before you know it. Whether you're in Tulsa, OKC, or a tiny town in Western Oklahoma, the rankings are the baseline for every Friday night argument.