High School Football Bracket Watch: 4A

Will anyone rise up or will it be Wagoner-Oologah again for the title? There are lots of talented newcomers to Class 4A, so here are some notes on the first-round matchups. 

No. 2 Heritage Hall - Blanchard

New class, same first-round matchup. Heritage Hall is the two-time reigning champs in 3A, but the Chargers sport a perfect record after moving up a class this year. Blanchard is also thriving after moving to 4A, back in the playoffs but facing the team that won last year’s matchup 49-7.

No. 6 Metro Christian - No. 9 Cascia Hall

The Patriots were knocked out in the first round last year by 4A runner up Oologah while the Commandoes made it to the semifinals before losing to eventual champs Wagoner. It’ll be the first time these two have faced each other since a 34-0 Cascia Hall victory in 2005.

No. 1 Wagoner - Poteau

Two-time defending champs Wagoner begin their quest for a three-peat against the Poteau Pirates, who were eliminated in the semifinals last year by Oologah. Their last meeting, in 2009, resulted in a 15-14 Poteau win in Week 6.

No. 8 Bethany - Weatherford

The Bronchos are also doing well since moving up to 4A. After missing the playoffs a year ago Bethany will host an Eagle team that went to Tuttle and upset the Tigers in the first round last year before falling to Oologah in the next round. It’s the first meeting between the two in the past decade.

No. 4 Tuttle - Cache

Undefeated heading into the playoffs, we’ve seen this before. Just last year the Tigers were upset in the first round by Weatherford; a bitter end to an outstanding season. Likewise, Cache also lost a home game in the first round last year to Harrah. The Bulldogs haven’t played Tuttle since 2011 when the Tigers rolled to a 46-0 win.

No. 3 Oologah - No. 10 Sallisaw

The only 4A team Oologah has lost to in the last three years has been Wagoner, losing in the championship game to the Bulldogs in 2014 and 2015. Sallisaw lost to Cascia Hall in the first round last year. The last meeting was a 28-17 Mustangs victory in the 2013 playoffs.

No. 5 Hilldale - Catoosa

Another team that has thrived after elevating from 3A to 4A, Hilldale was eliminated by Heritage Hall in the third round of the 3A playoffs last year. Catoosa is back in the playoffs after a year’s absence. These two haven’t met in the last decade.

No. 7 Clinton - Ada

Lot of history here. Ada has 19 championships and Clinton has 16. The Red Tornadoes won 41-10 in last year’s first round meeting before losing to Wagoner in the second round.