SBLive Oklahoma Top 25 football rankings: Top teams Bixby, Tulsa Union roll in openers

As Zero Week got under way to begin the 2023 season, some games were exciting, some were blowouts, then you had a few cut short by panic, and ultimately by tragedy, with the shooting in Choctaw. 

Top-ranked Bixby, No. 2 Tulsa Union, Midwest City Carl Albert, Muskogee and Fairview won big in their season openers.

Despite losing its opener, Jenks holds steady at No. 3. 

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The climbers in the Week 1 poll are Carl Albert, Wagoner, Washington, Muskogee, OKC Heritage Hall, OKC Millwood and Tulsa Lincoln Christian.

Teams that dropped as a result of being on the losing end are Stillwater and Owasso.

Del City enters the rankings for the first time in 2023, while Broken Arrow falls out after its 41-0 shutout loss at home to Bentonville (Ark.). 

Here is SBLive Oklahoma's Top 25 rankings entering Week 1: 

1. Bixby (1-0)

Previous Game: Beat Owasso, 42-16

Ranking Last Week: No. 1

The Spartans took off as usual in their high-octane offense, but with a new cast of skilled talent behind an experienced offensive line in their rout of Owasso in the second annual "Battle of the Burbs" at Chapman Stadium on the University of Tulsa campus.

It was Bixby’s third rout of Owasso in 13 months. That included a 69-6 win over the Rams in last year’s Class 6AI state final.

Kordell Gouldsby, who rotates between wide receiver, running back and quarterback, had a huge night on the ground with 197 yards on eight carries and one touchdown, which was a 74-yarder that featured a stiff arm tackle on the play. It also came on the first and only snap of the Spartans’ second possession, and gave them a 14-0 lead.

Bixby utilized four quarterbacks in the win. Carson Kirby, younger brother of the now graduated Connor Kirby, Clay Peters and Cooper Parker also rotated at quarterback, with Gouldsby getting a few snaps.

The younger Kirby was often used in passing situations and threw a 20-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter, Peters ran for two TDs, spanning 13 and 62 yards, and Parker got a pair of 1-yard runs into the end zone.

Next game: Home vs. Springdale (Ark.) Har-Ber (0-1)

2. Tulsa Union (1-0)

Previous Game: Won at Westmoore, 49-7

Ranking Last Week: No. 2

The Redhawks had no problem dispatching Westmoore on the road last Thursday night as they raced to a 28-0 advantage before the Jaguars could get on the board before halftime.

Jordan Schelling got the first Union TD, quarterback Shaker Reisig ran in the next and later threw five passing TDs.

The Redhawks’ defense forced six turnovers – five fumbles and one interception.

Next Game: Home vs. Broken Arrow (0-1), Friday

3. Jenks (0-1)

Previous Game: Lost to Edmond Santa Fe, 27-26

Ranking Last Week: No. 3

Despite dropping a heartbreaking stunner at home, the Trojans maintained the No. 3 spot.

Jenks rallied from a 20-13 halftime deficit to go up 26-20 with 10:20 remaining on an 18-yard TD run by reserve running back Semaj Stanford. But the PAT came up short.

Edmond Santa Fe recaptured the lead with a 40-yard TD by Demarius Robinson, followed by a made extra point with 3:13 to play.

Timothy Foreman attempted a game-winning field goal on the final play of the game, only to have it blocked. Interestingly, the Trojans won a pair of games by blocking kicks in the final moments last season.

Jenks looks to get back on the winning track this week when it travels to play at Owasso.

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

4. Midwest City Carl Albert (1-0)

Previous Game: Beat Coweta, 38-10

Ranking Last Week: No. 5

The Titans moved up a spot after an impressive win against Coweta. It was also revenge for CA since the Tigers were one of two teams who got a win against the defending Class 5A champion in 2022. Of course, most players from both those teams have gone on to college.

Tailback Xavier Robinson scored four TDs on runs of 4, 5, 4 and 17 yards. The Oklahoma Sooner commit totaled 19 carries for 92 yards.

Kevin Sperry, also an OU commit and a move-in from Prosper, Texas, passed for 134 yards on 8-of-11 attempts.

Next Game: at Midwest City (0-0), Friday

5. Wagoner (0-0)

Previous Game: Did Not Play

Ranking Last Week: No. 6

The reigning Class 4A state champion Bulldogs were not scheduled to play on Week Zero. They get their opportunity to open defense of their title when they travel Friday to play rival Coweta.

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

6. Washington (1-0)

Previous Game: Beat Vian, 55-13

Ranking Last Week: No. 7

The Class 2A state champions started their season right with a domination of Vian.

Junior tailback Hudson Howard ran for 200 yards on eight carries, half for TDs, including one for 60 yards on the Warriors’ second drive.

Quarterback Major Cantrell threw for three TDs, including one to Iowa State commit Cooper Alexander and one to Max Wilson, who transferred from Norman before preseason camp began.

The Washington defense kept the Wolverines limited to 62 yards and didn’t allow them any points until the fourth quarter.

Next Game: at Sulphur (0-0), Friday

7. Muskogee (1-0)

Previous Game: Beat Enid, 49-27

Ranking Last Week: No. 9

The Roughers’ offense showed its experience, putting up 566 yards in a romp over Enid last Friday night.

Ondraye Beasley was a key offensive weapon with 125 yards on four handoffs and 108 yards receiving on six receptions. LaTavion Johnson was another, producing three TDs, with 90 yards on 13 carries.

Quarterback Jamarian Ficklin passed for two TDs and 243 yards on 10-of-16 attempts. Ficklin’s last TD was a 76-yarder to Kayden McGee.

With high expectations looming in 2023, Muskogee looks to continue to roll when it travels Friday to meet Putnam City.

Next Game: at Putnam City (0-1), Friday

8. Choctaw (0-1)

Previous Game: Lost to Del City, 34-25; suspended in third quarter

Ranking Last Week: No. 8

The Yellowjackets’ game at home against Del City last Friday night was cut short early due to a shooting incident that ended in tragedy.

Although the game is listed as an official result in the standings on OSSAArankings.com, no game details have been found prior to it being suspended with 3:56 left to play in the third quarter.

Choctaw is scheduled to play Friday at Edmond Santa Fe, but according to an Oklahoma City TV news report Monday, it is being postponed. That would leave the Yellowjackets’next game to be Sept. 8 at home against Westmoore.

Next Game: vs. Westmoore (0-1), Sept. 8

9. Stillwater (0-1)

Previous Game: Lost to Greenwood, Ark., 49-21

Ranking Last Week: No. 4

The season did not start in favor of the 2022 Class 6AII state champion as they succumbed to a 28-point defeat at Arkansas power Greenwood.

It was Chad Cawood’s first game as head coach for the Pioneers. He took over the reins from Tucker Barnard, who left to become head coach and athletic director at Shiloh Christian in Springdale, Ark.

Next Game: at Yukon (0-0), Sept. 8

10. OKC Heritage Hall (0-0)

Previous Game: Did Not Play

Ranking Last Week: No. 13

The Chargers did not open their season last week, but one player did have the spotlight as quarterback/defensive back Andy Bass, also listed as an athlete, committed to the University of Oklahoma.

Heritage Hall, the 2022 Class 3A state champs, meets Millwood on Thursday at home. The game is among the state’s highly anticipated matchups.

The Chargers move up by three notches and break into the top 10 despite not playing.

Next Game: vs. OKC Millwood (0-0), Thursday

11. OKC Millwood (0-0)

Previous Game: Did Not Play

Ranking Last Week: No. 11

With most of their talent back and high expectations again, the Falcons are ready to get going with the new season.

Millwood, the 2022 2A state runner-up, takes to the road Thursday to face 3A state champion Heritage Hall. As mentioned above, the game is among the state’s highly anticipated matchups.

Next Game: at OKC Heritage Hall (0-0), Thursday

12. Guthrie (1-0)

Previous Game: Beat Ponca City, 40-0

Ranking Last Week: 12

The Blue Jays got a convincing win in a shutout rout of Ponca City, holding the Wildcats to 7 total yards, including minus-11 in rushing. Guthrie's defense recorded five shutouts in 2022.

The Guthrie offense accrued 374 yards with success behind the running attack. Senior Jaylen Harper ran for 115 yards on 17 carries with three TDs, on runs of 40, 1 and 8 yards.

Junior Blake Doles, moved from offensive line to halfback this season, had 138 yards total on the night – 31 on 4 carries on the ground, and five passes for 107 in receiving. He also scored a TD on a 13-yard run.

It will be interesting to see how much impact the Blue Jays could have with tools like that.

Next Game: at Woodward (0-0), Friday

13. Poteau (1-0)

Previous Game: Beat Bishop Kelley, 24-21

Ranking Last Week: 13

University of Tulsa commit Dax Collins forced six tackles, caught one touchdown pass, and was in on a key block for another in the Pirates’ thrilling win against the Comets.

Poteau is off this week, but travels to Tulsa next week to meet the Class 3A runner-up, Metro Christian.

Next Game: at Tulsa Metro Christian (0-0), Sept. 8

14. Tulsa Lincoln Christian (1-0)

Previous Game: Beat Tulsa Holland Hall, 33-0

Ranking Last Week: 16

The Bulldogs’ defense jump-started the team before their offense added points in the second half.

Lincoln Christian got out to a 6-0 lead at halftime after Malakai Dillard took a fumble 15 yards to the house. Sawyer Brooks then returned a pick to the end zone for the second Bulldog TD.

Moses Fullingim scored a pair of TDs from 2 yards, and one for the offense, making it 26-0 by the end of the third quarter. Dillard then caught a passing TD from QB Luke Milligan for the final points of the night.

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

15. Collinsville (0-0)

Previous Game: Did Not Play

Ranking Last Week: 15

The Cardinals open their 2023 season this week.

Next Game: at Oologah (0-0), Friday

16. Owasso (0-1)

Previous Game: Lost to Bixby, 42-16

Ranking Last Week: 15

The Rams did not open their 2023 campaign as planned as they were on the receiving end of a rout to Bixby for a third time in the past year. Those meetings consist of both editions of the "Battle of the Burbs," which launched last year, and the 2022 Class 6AI state title game.

In the early going of last week’s game, the Owasso defense allowed TDs on the Spartans’ first four possessions, while the offense gave up three sacks, and turned the ball over once on a fumble.

On the plus side, the defense made a goal-line stand at its 2-yard line when Bixby threatened to make it a five-TD deficit with more than three minutes left before halftime. The Rams also forced the Spartans to punt five times in the second half, including one that led to a safety for their first points.

The safety, followed by a good kickoff return that gave the Rams a first down at the Bixby 16, set up the Rams’ first TD – a 3-yard pass from Tyler Caviness to Cason Hodges with 3:23 left. The pair later hooked for a 36-yard reception that set up a 1-yard TD by Jayden Hall.

Owasso hopes that those late scores can carry some momentum when they take on another Tulsa area powerhouse in Jenks, who is coming off a close stunning loss to Edmond Santa Fe.

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

17. Norman North (0-0)

Previous Game: Did Not Play

Ranking Last Week: 17

The Timberwolves start their 2023 campaign with the "Crosstown Clash" against their inner-city rival, Norman High, which will be played at the University of Oklahoma.

Next Game: vs. Norman (0-0), Thursday at OU

18. Mustang (0-0)

Previous Game: Did Not Play

Ranking Last Week: 18

The Broncos begin play this week.

Next Game: vs. Southmoore (0-0), Friday

19. Fairview (1-0)

Previous Game: Beat Hobart, 56-6

Ranking Last Week: 19

The Class A state champion Yellow Jackets steamrolled their way to victory with over 50 points against Hobart, getting off to the start they needed to defend their title and hope for a repeat.

Next Game: vs. Chisholm (0-0), Friday

20. Colcord (0-0)

Previous Game: Did Not Play

Ranking Last Week: 20

The Season begins this week for the Hornets.

Next Game: vs. Kansas (0-0), Thursday

21. Hominy (1-0)

Previous Game: Beat Kellyville, 54-0

Ranking Last Week: 21

A hopeful for the Class A state title, the Bucks took care of business in dominating Kellyville, hanging over half-a-hundred points and blanking the Ponies.

Hominy now aims to go 2-0 as it takes to the road to battle 4A Cleveland, who is coming off a 14-6 win in its opener against Blackwell after going 0-10 in 2022.

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

22. Del City (1-0)

Previous Game: Beat Choctaw, 34-25; game suspended in third quarter

Ranking Last Week: Unranked

Although their game at Choctaw was cut short late in the third quarter by a shooting that ended in tragedy, the Eagles are back in the SBLive Oklahoma Top 25.

They were ahead when the game was suspended. The Eagles' home opener against Tulsa Booker T. Washington has been moved up to Thursday night.

Next Game: vs. Tulsa Booker T. Washington (0-1), Thursday

23. Edmond Deer Creek (1-0)

Previous Game: Beat Edmond North, 39-14

Ranking Last Week: 23

The Antlers moved out to a 14-0 lead by intermission before finishing off the Huskies. It was the start they needed for 2023.

Next Game: vs. Edmond Memorial (0-1), Friday

24. Cushing (0-0)

Previous Game: Did Not Play

Ranking Last Week: 24

The season begins this week for the Class 4A runner-up Tigers.

Next Game: vs. Bristow (0-0), Friday

25. McAlester (1-0)

Previous Game: Beat Broken Bow, 23-13

Ranking Last Week: 25

Caden Lesnau and Ethan Watkins each scored TDs on the ground, Carter Lance caught a passing TD, while Trenton Greer added a 35-yard field goal to lift the Class 5A runner-up Buffaloes to victory in their opener.

Next Game: vs. Prescott, Ark. (1-0), Friday

Tulsa Union photo by Redhawks' player Devon Jordan's Twitter page