As football kickoff inches closer around the country, MaxPreps forecasts the top five teams in the state of Oklahoma for the 2009 season.
{VIDEO_0d8859da-698a-4b42-94cc-8193f16cf42a,floatRightWithBar}1. Jenks
Picking the top team in Oklahoma is not much different than flipping a coin. Heads it’s Jenks, tails it’s Tulsa Union. Such has been the case for the past 13 seasons with one of those two schools winning the state 6A championship. Jenks (12-2) has won nine of those titles including two in a row in 2006 and 2007. After falling to Union in last year’s state championship game, this could be the year Jenks moves back on top. The emergence of junior quarterback Sawyer Kollmorgen will help get the Trojans over the top. As a sophomore, Kollmorgen started the last eight games of the season and threw for 1,437 yards and 11 touchdowns while guiding Jenks to the state title game. Kollmorgen has a fine group of skill players to work with in senior wide receiver Jarrett Lake (21 catches, 483 yards), and senior tight end Tyler Ott (29-449) as well as rising junior wide receiver Steven Carpenter. The Trojans have a tremendous group of offensive linemen, led by Jake Alexander (6-2, 270) and Bob Graham (6-5, 270). The defense should also be solid with David Lore (DL, 80 tackles), Stephen Brown (DB, 103 tackles), and rising junior Trent Martin (LB).
2. Tulsa Union
Union (13-1) has won four state championships since 2002 including last year when it lost to Broken Arrow in its season opener and won 13 straight games for the 6A title. Statistically, the Redskins return one of the state’s top QBs in Chase Boyce, who threw for 2,300 yards (152 for 246) and 22 touchdowns. The offense will miss state MVP Jeremy Smith at running back, but twin brothers James (6-3, 185), and Thomas Roberson (6-3, 175) will help pick up the slack. The duo ranks among the top 40 prospects in the state with Thomas catching 22 passes for 489 yards last year. Alec Henry (6-4, 285) leads the offensive line charge while Luke Snider (DB, 86 tackles), Jacob Rice (DB, 33 tackles), and Michael Peterson (DL, 49 tackles) lead the defense. Union also has one of the state’s top kicker/punters in Cole Way.
3. Broken Arrow
The Tigers’ rank at No. 3 depends largely on the presence of transfer quarterback Archie Bradley from Muskogee. One of the top baseball players in the country in the class of 2011, Bradley could be the answer to Broken Arrow’s question mark at quarterback. There was some speculation that Bradley would skip football this year, however the Broken Arrow team website indicates that he will play for the Tigers. The presence of Bradley, who threw for 1,269 yards as a sophomore at Muskogee last year, and returning running back Steven Hopper (1,493 yards, 24 touchdowns), gives the Tigers (9-3 in 2008) one of the top QB-RB combos in the state. Jon Bullock (6-0, 190) and Terry Williamson (6-1, 210) both return at linebacker for Ron Lancaster’s defense.
4. Booker T. Washington
The defending 5A state champions have plenty of talent back to make another run at the top. The only blemish on last year’s 13-1 record was a midseason loss to Broken Arrow. Eric Bennett returns to call signals after rushing (1,068) and passing (1,011) for over 1,000 yards last year. He’s joined in the backfield by junior Isaac Bennett (no relation) who backed up Michael Doctor, one of the state’s leading rushers and scorers last year. The offensive line looks solid with top recruit Calvin Barnett (6-3, 280) anchoring a group that includes Chris Mitchell (6-3, 252) and junior Dillon O’Carroll (6-2, 240). Barnett also heads a strong defensive line that also has highly-coveted defensive end Ray Stovall (6-3, 190).
5. Carl Albert
The Titans are a perennial favorite in Class 5A, winning nine state titles over the past 20 years. Carl Albert went 12-2 last year, losing only to Booker T. Washington early in the season and again in the state finals. The Titans return one of the state’s top signal callers in J.T. Realmuto, who threw 1,619 yards and 19 touchdowns. The offensive line is still young, but has experience. Juniors Anthony Frazier (6-0, 230) and Kyle Croak (6-0, 230) are back along with senior tackle Tyler Still (5-10, 201). Travante Porter (6-0, 180) is the top recruit on defense at strong safety and he teams with Markell Walker (CB, 5-10, 162) to make that unit a strength. Walker led the team team with eight interceptions last year while Porter had 94 tackles. Kenton Whittington (97 tackles), James Davis (77 tackles), and Gatlin Arnold (72 tackles) all return on the defense as well. Albert opens the season on the road against Booker T. Washington.
Others considered: Mustang (12-1), Midwest City (12-1), Glenpool (14-0), Cascia Hall (13-0).
