Class 5A 2023 football district previews: Polls, storylines, players and games to watch

Watch a Carl Albert football game this fall, and you might see a glimpse of OU’s future.

After setting the Titans’ all-time rushing record, OU commit Xavier Robinson has his senior season in front of him. The Sooners have also extended offers to uncommitted junior stars Trystan Haynes, Trynae "Trey" Washington and Marcus James.

And Kevin Sperry, the highly touted junior quarterback who committed to OU in March, has arrived at Carl Albert from Prosper, Texas.

With all of this Division I talent, Carl Albert enters this season as the towering Titans – literally and figuratively – of Class 5A.

Other contenders will be hungry for the upset, but is Carl Albert destined for its seventh state title in eight years? Class 5A is again home to several of the state’s top teams, so it’s no easy climb to the trophy.

Here’s a look at the rest of the Class 5A landscape:

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Top storylines

On the move: Several established Class 5A stars will appear in different uniforms this season. As players moved and rosters shuffled leading up to this season, Del City saw some of the greatest benefits. A trio of Division I-recruited seniors has joined the Eagles. TCU commit LaDainian Fields and Oklahoma State commit Rodney "RJ" Fields arrived from Southeast. Quarterback River Warren, who holds several college offers, previously played for Bishop McGuinness. As these newcomers join forces with leaders such as senior center Darreyl Thomas, the Eagles have potential for a special season. Southeast, a program that last year celebrated its first winning season since 2005, is adjusting to significant roster turnover. Former starting quarterback MJ Graham left for Westmoore, while defensive back Tae Bulock went to Choctaw. But the Spartans are getting a boost from linebacker/running back Terry Flowers, who returns after missing the past season due to injury.

How will District 5A-2 play out?: Half of Class 5A’s 2022 state quarterfinalists came from one district. Carl Albert, Guthrie, McGuinness and Piedmont brought fierce competition to District 5A-2, and this year should shape up similarly. Who will emerge as the best?  Carl Albert and McGuinness have deep tradition as postseason contenders, but don’t count out Guthrie and Piedmont, either. Dual-threat quarterback Hayden Calvert is back for his senior season with the Bluejays, and senior speedster Cannon Wood returns to energize the Wildcats.

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Will McAlester claim the elusive crown?

The situation was all too familiar for McAlester.

The Buffs rolled into the state finals for the second straight year, but a gold trophy eluded them. Collinsville beat the Buffs in 2021, while Carl Albert claimed the 2022 crown.

This season, McAlester is again seeking its first state title since 1988, and the Buffs have the talent to do it. Although versatile star Erik McCarty is now at OU, quarterback Caden Lesnau and tight end/defensive end Malachi Wrice are back.

Will the playoffs feature a Mid-Del trio? 

Mid-Del Schools athletic director Andy Collier could have a busy postseason.

Expectations are high for all three of his school district’s teams: Carl Albert, Del City and Midwest City.

Although the Titans and Eagles have received much of the preseason attention as Class 5A superpowers, Midwest City can’t be overlooked, either. The Bombers won a district title last year, and with Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State coach Darrell Hall leading the way, Midwest City is putting in the necessary preparation for a challenging 5A schedule.

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Returning stars

Jacob Brunson, Sr., Midwest City: At 6-foot-4 and 340 pounds, Brunson can play anywhere on the offensive line. He brings significant varsity experience to the Bombers after helping the team win last year’s district title.

Larontae Clayton, Sr., Tulsa East Central: Although East Central went 1-9 with a difficult 5A schedule last year, Clayton proved himself as a rising star. He is a tailback and linebacker for the Cardinals.

Braxton Etheridge, Sr., Claremore: The Zebras enter this season with an experienced quarterback. Etheridge threw for 2,034 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior.

Rodney Fields Jr., Sr., Del City: Fields fits the “returning star” label because he is back in Class 5A, but he’s at Del City instead of Southeast. An Oklahoma State commit, Fields gained attention last season with 1,147 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. He made the most of his opportunities, averaging 10.7 yards per carry.

Brogan Hardy, Sr., Piedmont: He could set the tone for Piedmont’s defense. A tough linebacker with a wrestling background, Hardy had more than 300 tackles through his first two seasons.

Jaylen Harper, Sr., Guthrie: Last season, Guthrie’s offense relied on a dynamic duo of Jaylens. Although Jaylen Chelf graduated, Harper is back. Harper had 584 rushing yards and 208 receiving yards for eight touchdowns as a junior.

Jeremy Hutcheson, Sr., Lawton MacArthur: Hutcheson fueled the Highlanders’ run game last year. He rushed for 1,632 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Caden Lesnau, Sr., McAlester: A former receiver, Lesnau moved to quarterback and reached the state finals last year. He threw for 2,010 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Matthew Lund, Sr., Elgin: Elgin burst onto the Class 5A scene last year, and Lund played a major role. He accounted for more than 1,500 all-purpose yards and 17 touchdowns.

Xavier Robinson, Sr., Carl Albert: Combining power and elusiveness, Robinson creates a unique rushing style that’s nearly unstoppable. The Oklahoman named him the 2022 All-State Offensive Player of the Year after he ran for a school-record 2,594 yards and accounted for 41 touchdowns on the way to a state title.

Key games

Del City at McAlester, Week 5: Erik McCarty was McAlester’s hero against the Eagles last year, but will the Buffs win again without him? This will be a key test for both teams.

Collinsville at Tulsa Kelley, Week 5: This game could likely be pivotal in determining the District 5A-4 champion. Collinsville won, 28-21, last year.

Guthrie at McGuinness, Week 6: Expect a thriller when these two meet. In 2021, Guthrie stopped a McGuinness 2-point conversion attempt for an overtime win. The next year, Will Kilgallon kicked a last-second field goal for a McGuinness victory.

Elgin at Midwest City, Week 10: In 2022, Midwest City won a tight game with Elgin to secure the district title. This matchup could likely determine the district champ again. After making a strong impression in its Class 5A debut last year, Elgin looks to keep building.

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Coaches’ polls

Thirty-one of 32 head coaches voted in their respective polls. Each team is listed with last season’s record.

5A-1

• 1. Elgin (8-3)

• 2. Midwest City (8-3)

• 3. Lawton MacArthur (6-5)

• 4. El Reno (5-6)

• 5. Ardmore (3-7)

• T-6. Noble (5-5)

• T-6. Duncan (3-7)

• 7. Altus (0-10)

5A-2

Note: This is a seven-team district because Guymon competes independently.

• 1. Carl Albert (12-2)

• 2. Piedmont (7-5)

• 3. Guthrie (9-3)

• 4. McGuinness (10-2)

• 5. Lawton Eisenhower (2-8)

• T-6. Southeast (6-4)

• T-6. Shawnee (0-10)

5A-3

• 1. Del City (9-3)

• 2. McAlester (11-3)

• 3. Coweta (11-1)

• 4. Sapulpa (7-4)

• 5. Durant (2-8)

• 6. Glenpool (5-5)

• T-7. Tulsa Memorial (1-9)

• T-7. Tulsa East Central (1-9)

5A-4

• 1. Tulsa Kelley (5-6)

• 2. Collinsville (9-2)

• 3. Claremore (5-6)

• 4. Grove (12-1)

• 5. Tulsa Will Rogers (6-4)

• 6. Pryor (2-8)

• 7. Tulsa Edison (4-6)

• 8. Tulsa Nathan Hale (0-10)

—Hallie Hart, Staff writer

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma high school football 2023 Class 5A district previews