Union's victory in the Backyard Bowl was a nice little detail in a title-winning 2011 season. Union is also our pick as the top team in the Sooner State for the 2012 edition.
Photo by Keith Owens
13-1
Head coach: Kirk Fridrich
Team previewIf not for a shocking 41-38 loss to Owasso, Union would have finished with an undefeated season to go along with yet another Class 6A state title. After throwing for more than 1,600 yards last season, quarterback
Hunter Atyia will once again take the reins of the Redskins' offense, which should be extremely strong, as
Chris Hall,
Khalid Kornegay,
Terrell Buchanan and
Justin Silmon all return. Union, which will be seeking its fifth-straight Class 6A state title, has an important interstate tilt with Euless Trinity. A win in that high-profile showdown would be a major statement for Oklahoma football on the national level. Union is the state's top team in the June, 2011 list of the
Top 10 Oklahoma football dynasties.
2. Broken Arrow2011 finish: 12-2
Head coach: Steve Spavital
Team previewIf there is a year where Broken Arrow could capture a Class 6A title, it could be 2012. The Tigers return an impressive set of skill players, led by senior running back
Cameron Wrenn and junior standout
Devon Thomas. The defense will also be strong, led by defensive backs
Ryan Alger and
Cre Moore. Broken Arrow will be tested early on by games with Union and Bentonville (Ark.). Broken Arrow ranks third on our list of
Oklahoma's Top 10 most consistent football programs.
3. Jenks2011 finish: 10-3
Head coach: Allan Trimble
Team previewJenks captured nine state titles in 12 seasons, from the mid 90s through 2007, when it captured its last state title. Since then, Union has been on top and the Trojans have not been able to take home a title. Although Broken Arrow is the trendy pick in 6A-2, Jenks should be much-improved from last season, with
Kyle Alexander,
Jordan Smallwood and
Barr'e Trey'Vonne all back on offense and
Jacob Oakley returning on defense. Jenks will face off against DeSoto, a talent-laden title contender from the Lone Star State. You can find Jenks on the
Oklahoma state football champions for the past 10 years list.
4. MacArthur (Lawton)2011 finish: 13-1
Head coach: Brett Manning
Team previewDreams of a perfect season came to a stunning end for MacArthur in last year's Class 5A title game, as it was downed by Guthrie in the big game. Luckily, 6-foot-1, 210-pound running back
Darius Graham is back for the Highlanders, who also return defensive end
Derek Block and linebacker
Mitchell Fritts. MacArthur will need to replace two players found on the
Oklahoma Class of 2012 Division 1 football signees list.
5. Edmond Santa Fe2011 finish: 10-2
Head coach: Lance Manning
The ceiling for this year's Edmond Santa Fe team is quite high. It returns one of the nation's top junior quarterbacks in
Justice Hansen. Running back
Phillip Sumpter will get most of the carries, while
Dale Jefferson and
Trevan Smith figure to be Hansen's top targets.
Khari Harding will lead the secondary. This is clearly a program on the rise, and by the end of the season, Edmond Santa Fe may end up ranked much higher. Search for Edmond Santa Fe players on our list of
2011 Oklahoma All-District Football Teams.
