SBLive Oklahoma's final Top 25 high school football rankings: Record-setting Bixby ends up with No. 1 spot

With the season now finished, here are the final SBLive Oklahoma Top 25 high school football teams.

By Buck Ringgold | Photo by Karen Schwartz

With the final two title games in Edmond having wrapped up Dec. 11, the 2021 high school football season in Oklahoma has officially completed.

The top seven spots in the SBLive Oklahoma Top 25 rankings will go to the winners of the seven state championship games held in Edmond for the opening two weekends in December.

As the high school football season is now finished, here are the final SBLive Oklahoma Top 25 high school football teams.

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1. Bixby (13-0)

For the fourth straight season, the Spartans claimed the 6AII state title, the latest coming on Dec. 2 with a decisive 63-14 win against Edmond Deer Creek. It also set a state 11-man record for consecutive wins at 49. Bixby will go for consecutive win number 50 in the 2022 season opener against Owasso, as the Spartans also move up to 6AI.

2. Jenks (12-1)

To win their second straight 6AI gold ball, the Trojans had to defeat archrival Tulsa Union for the second time this season. Jenks overcame a 15-0 first-quarter deficit to rally past the Redhawks, 30-15, in the latest installment of the "Backyard Bowl."

3. Collinsville (14-0)

The Cardinals claimed their first-ever gold ball in arguably the most entertaining state title game played this month, an epic 42-35 win against McAlester for the 5A championship. Along the way, Collinsville also denied Midwest City Carl Albert a chance to win a sixth straight title as the Cardinals defeated the Titans in the semifinal round.

4. Holland Hall (13-1)

A loss to Verdigris late in the regular season snapped a 20-game win streak for the Dutch. But that loss only refocused them as they won out the rest of the way. That included a decisive win in the rematch with Verdigris in the 3A semifinals; then for the second straight season, Holland Hall beat Lincoln Christian for the 3A gold ball.

5. Clinton (13-1)

The Red Tornadoes vowed retribution following their loss to Wagoner in last season's 4A championship game. Clinton got it upon returning to Edmond, as the Red Tornadoes shut down a Tuttle squad seeking to finish off a perfect season. The 35-0 win was the 17th state title in program history for the Red Tornadoes.

6. Marlow (15-0)

Marlow got a touchdown with four seconds left in the first half to go ahead to stay in the 2A title game, and the Outlaws forced a late fumble to clinch a 17-13 win against Washington. It was also Marlow's first state championship since 1964.

7. Cashion (14-1)

The Wildcats essentially ran their two-minute offense to perfection, getting a touchdown pass with eight seconds remaining to break a tie score as Cashion repeated as Class A champions with a 21-14 win against Ringling.

8. Tulsa Union (11-2)

Only the presence of Jenks prevented Union from winning the 6AI gold ball. Union dropped a 22-0 decision at home to the Trojans in the regular season; then in the rematch for the gold ball, the Redhawks were unable to hold a 15-0 lead in the opening quarter as Jenks ended the game by scoring 30 unanswered points.

9. McAlester (13-1)

The Buffaloes' quest for their first state title since 1988 will continue into next season following their narrow loss to Collinsville for the 5A crown. But with players like talented incoming senior tailback Erik McCarty returning, the Buffaloes will remain a favorite to make it back to Edmond.

10. Lincoln Christian (13-1)

Lincoln Christian fell short of winning it all in 3A for the second straight season. The Bulldogs will also go into the 2022 season seeking to replace dual-threat quarterback Max Brown.

11. Washington (14-1)

For the second straight season, the Warriors were defeated in the Class 2A championship game. The third time could be the charm next season as Washington brings back quarterback Major Cantrell and tailback Cole Scott, who rushed for 233 yards and a touchdown in the title game loss to Marlow.

12. Tuttle (13-1)

The Tigers were unable to claim their second 4A gold ball in four seasons after running into a red-hot Clinton squad in the title game. Tuttle will also have to replace several key standouts on both sides of the ball if the Tigers want to have a shot at winning 4A in 2022.

13. Edmond Deer Creek (10-3)

Deer Creek registered its first winning season since 2015 and reached the 6AII championship game. The Antlers seek to build off that momentum next season, though they will have to replace some key seniors, most notably offensive lineman Jacob Sexton, an Oklahoma signee.

14. Heritage Hall (12-1)

For the third straight season, the Chargers were defeated in the 3A semifinals by Lincoln Christian. But Heritage Hall should once again be contenders in 3A next season, though the Chargers must find a way to replace wide receiver and return specialist Gavin Freeman, a Texas Tech commit.

15. Ringling (14-1)

The Blue Devils won the Class A title in 2019, but were denied a second gold ball in three seasons with a loss to Cashion in the final seconds. Tailback Kaden Barron is among the returning players that could help Ringling finish the job in 2022.

16. Stillwater (9-3)

Though the Pioneers will miss players like linebacker Gabe Brown, an Oklahoma State signee, they will bring back players such as quarterback Gage Gundy and tailback Holden Thompson. Plus, with Bixby moving up to 6AI next season, the Pioneers could be one team that takes advantage of the wide-open 6AII race.

17. Broken Arrow (8-4)

The Tigers overcame a slow start with a six-game winning streak, capped by a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback in an opening-round playoff win against Owasso. Broken Arrow will have to find a way to replace standouts such as running back Maurion Horn, a Texas Tech signee, and receiver/cornerback Robert Spears-Jennings, an Oklahoma signee, to take the next step in 2022.

18. Choctaw (8-3)

In perhaps the most highly anticipated game of the season, a rematch of the previous season's 6AII title contest, the Yellowjackets were stymied from the get-go in an eventual 70-7 loss to Bixby. Though Choctaw was able to win its remaining regular-season games, that loss still lingered, as did its opening-round playoff loss at home to Edmond Deer Creek.

19. Tulsa Booker T. Washington (8-3)

The Hornets were defeated by Choctaw but still had a chance to have an impact in the 6AII playoff race. But BTW lost in its regular season finale to Bixby; then dropped its opening-round playoff game at Stillwater. The Hornets could be a major contender in 6AII next season, especially with the return of talented players like receiver Micah Tease, who could be the top in-state senior college prospect.

20. Lawton MacArthur (11-2)

MacArthur won its first nine regular season games before falling to Ardmore in Week 10. But the Highlanders still got the top playoff seed from 5A-1 and reached the 5A semifinals. One key for Lawton Mac to take the next step next season is to find a replacement for workhorse tailback Isaiah Gray.

21. Owasso (8-3)

The Rams' season ended sooner than what most people expected, dropping a first-round playoff game to Broken Arrow, a team Owasso dominated in the regular season. The Rams also will have to replace standouts on defense like linebacker Jake Clifton, a Kansas State signee, and lineman Chris McClellan, who inked with Florida. But as long as coach Bill Blankenship is roaming the sidelines, don't count the Rams out; especially if they end Bixby's 49-game winning streak in the 2022 season opener.

22. Del City (9-2)

The Eagles were one of the season's biggest surprises, going from four wins in 2020 to a nine-win regular season and the 6AII-1 district title. Their run ended in the first round of the playoffs, dropping a home game to Sand Springs. Del City goes into 2022 needing to replace players like quarterback Virgil Yates, a main reason behind the Eagles' resurgence.

23. Midwest City Carl Albert (10-3)

Carl Albert's run of five straight 5A championships ended with a loss to Collinsville in the semifinals. The Titans will undoubtedly use that loss as motivation to get back to Edmond and play for yet another gold ball.

24. Sand Springs (8-4)

The Sandites won their first five games before dropping their next three, falling to 6AII powers Tulsa Washington, Bixby and Choctaw. But Sand Springs rebounded to reach the 6AII semifinals and narrowly missed out on a chance to play for the gold ball. To take that next step in 2022, the Sandites have to find a replacement for players such as quarterback Ty Pennington.

25. Beggs (11-3)

Beggs got a rousing win at two-time defending 2A champion Metro Christian early in its district schedule, but the Demons were denied the district title on the final night of the regular season with a loss at Victory Christian. Beggs was still able to reach the 2A semifinals. The Demons will lose tailback CJ Brown, an Oklahoma State signee, but will return fellow tailback Red Martel, who could pick up where Brown left off.