From Mark Rodgers, The Sports Animal’s High School sports guru…Scroll down to follow Mark on Twitter.
The 2022 High School football season opens up Thursday 08/25. Here’s the Top 40 non-district games for the next 4 weeks to keep an eye on. Maybe you want to visit a few of these matchups!
Below is the matchup, date and “Need to Know” Info
#1 Bixby at Owasso August 25th: State’s longest winning streak against more than worthy adversary.
#2 Lincoln Christian at Holland Hall August 26th: After back to back 3A title matchups, why not kick off the season with a rematch?
#3 Jenks at Union September 9th: Backyard Brawl. Nothing more needs to be said.
#4 Owasso at Jenks September 2nd: Three of last four meetings in the semifinals or finals.
#5 Owasso at Broken Arrow September 9th: Josh Blankenship vs. Bill Blankenship for the third time. Each got a piece last year.
#6 Del City at Booker T. Washington September 2nd: Big play potential all over the field. Micah Tease for BTW and Kanijal Thomas for Del City.
#7 Clinton at McGuinness September 2nd: Cross Class showdown between two of the top traditions in Oklahoma.
#8 Santa Fe at Choctaw September 2nd: Choctaw looking for first ever win against the Wolves. Measuring stick for Jackets against 6A-DI power.
#9 Deer Creek at Mustang September 9th: 6A-Division II runner up Deer Creek against 6A Division-I west side big dog, Mustang.
#10 Cashion at Pawhuska September 2nd: After two epic Class A semifinals matchups, the teams do it again in the regular season. Huskies looking to avenge pair of losses.
#11 Union at Broken Arrow September 2nd: Once one sided for Union, the Tigers have made it interesting, winning four of the last seven.
#12 Choctaw at Del City August 26th: Choctaw rifleman Steele Wasel goes against a defense with playmakers at all three levels.
#13 Coweta at Wagoner September 2nd: Tigers ended eight game losing streak to most bitter rival last year. Dogs hungry for revenge.
#14 Verdigris at Beggs September 16th: Both very much in the state championship picture in each class. Haven’t played since 2016.
#15 Clinton at Heritage Hall September 9th: Chargers have had the Red Tornados number like no one else, winning eight straight in this annual prize fight.
#16 Jones at Bethany August 26th: 33rd meeting. 16 wins each. Bethany won 27-14 at Jones in 2021.
#17 Heritage Hall at Millwood September 1st: Two of Oklahoma’s very best small school’s, separated by only 7.2 miles.
#18 Midwest City at Carl Albert September 2nd: Playing in the same Class for the first time. Bombers held on to top Titans by 5 in 2021.
#19 Noble at Tuttle September 9th: QB showcase. Noble’s Collin Fisher vs. Tuttle’s Mason Dennis.
#20 Vian at Eufaula September 2nd: Wolverines have won 11 straight vs. Ironheads. Eufaula coming off 2A semis appearance.
#21 Greenwood, AR at Stillwater August 26th: Great cross-state matchup between two elite programs.
#22 Norman vs. Norman North September 1st: Crosstown Clash looks evenly matched in 2022. 25th meeting with NHS leading 13-11
#23 Bristow at Cushing September 2nd: Tigers have one of Oklahoma’s most explosive offenses. Pirates defense more than up for a challenge.
#24 Cleveland at Hominy September 1st: 100th meeting between two of Oklahoma’s fiercest rivals.
#25 Sulphur at Washington September 2nd: Traditional southern Oklahoma powers meet for 3rd straight season.
#26 Rejoice Christian at Cascia Hall September 2nd: Commandos won 28-26 last year. Cascia must contain Rejoice superstar QB Chance Wilson.
#27 Piedmont at Noble August 26th: Young, improving Piedmont defense vs. veteran, prolific Noble offense
#28 Guthrie at Tuttle September 16th: Two top defenses; Jays allowed 11 ppg in regular season; Tigers allowed 6.
#29 Poteau at Chandler September 16th: RB showdown between Poteau’s Dax Collins and Chandler’s Casmen Hill
#30 Wagoner at Grove September 16th: Emmanuel Crawford vs. stiffiling Wagoner defense. Grove won last year by 2.
#31 Blanchard at Shawnee September 16th: West side vs. East side. Looks like a toss-up on paper.
#32 Washington at Vian August 26th: Non-traditional rivals with massive winning traditions. Title contenders
#33 Newcastle at Plainview September 9th: Plainview never backs down from a fight and the Racers are raring to go.
#34 Bethany at Woodward September 9th: Split last two meetings both decided by less than 6 points.
#35 Seminole at Tecumseh September 9th Seminole has dominated historically, Savages have a proven group ready to challenge.
#36 Ft. Gibson at Berryhill September 2nd: Tigers return skilled offense vs. perennial Class 3A powerhouse.
#37 Davis at Sulphur September 9th: 73rd straight year for the Murray County War. Sulphur has won 6 in a row.
#38 Apache at Ringling September 16th: Father vs. Son with two of SW Oklahoma’s top Class A teams.
#39 Bethel at McLoud September 9th: 12 miles apart on Highway 102. Two emerging programs.
#40 Anadarko at Chickasha September 16th: Played 66 of last 68 years. Chicks won last year 43-38.