Gridiron glory unveiled: VYPE Oklahoma Pigskin Preview unleashes the 'Bible' of Oklahoma football

Jul. 17—Every year, Oklahoma football fans eagerly anticipate the release of the VYPE Oklahoma Pigskin Preview magazine — a comprehensive publication that delves into the world of high school and college football in the state.

With its extensive coverage and detailed insights, the magazine has earned the title of the "Bible" of Oklahoma football. The latest edition, spanning an impressive 219 pages, offers readers a wealth of information and exciting features to keep them informed and engaged.

The centerpiece of the magazine is its comprehensive team previews, covering more than 300 high school football teams across all nine classes in Oklahoma. Whether you're a diehard fan supporting a specific team or simply interested in the state's football landscape, this magazine provides a valuable resource.

Additionally, the magazine presents rankings for all nine classes, giving readers an overview of the teams expected to excel in the upcoming season.

The VYPE Oklahoma Pigskin Preview doesn't stop at high school football coverage; it also includes college football previews for local teams such as the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, the University of Tulsa and Northeastern State University. With detailed insights into these programs, fans can stay up to date on the expectations and potential impact of these college teams.

One of the most anticipated features of the magazine is the "Mr. Football Oklahoma/VYPE Oklahoma Top 100" list.

While the title suggests a selection of the top 100 players in the state, this year's list surprisingly includes 361 players, leaving readers curious about the reason behind the discrepancy. Nonetheless, these players have the opportunity to be voted as Mr. Football Oklahoma through the VYPE Oklahoma website, vypeok.com. It is worth noting that the list claims to be organized by class, but readers will find it arranged differently upon inspection.

In the realm of Rogers County football, several standout players have been recognized on the list.

Dakota Ryder from Inola, Claremore's Braxton Etheridge, Jesse Cagle, Ben Jordan, Gage Deckard, Eli Rodgers and Micah Teel and Catoosa's Gunner Wilson and Deandre Hamilton were all featured. These talented individuals have caught the attention of VYPE and are poised to make a significant impact on their respective teams.

Regarding Claremore's football prospects, VYPE projects the Zebras to have a successful season.

The team is predicted to finish second in District 5A-4, with their main competition coming from the highly ranked Collinsville team, currently holding the fourth position in the top-10 rankings.

The Zebras have the opportunity to secure a playoff spot despite being unranked, potentially facing off against Coweta, the sixth-ranked team, in the first round. The Tigers ousted Claremore from the playoffs last year, 53-14.

The Zebras are looking to improve upon its previous season's performance, and with eight starters returning on both sides of the ball, they are ready to make their mark.

Meanwhile, Catoosa and Oologah face challenging predictions.

VYPE forecasts Catoosa to finish sixth and Oologah to finish seventh in District 4A-3, meaning both teams will likely miss the playoffs for another year. However, Gunner Wilson from Catoosa has received recognition on the All-VYPE 4A team as a defensive end, while Ashton Wright from Oologah and Deandre Hamilton from Catoosa have been acknowledged as athletes.

In the Class 3A rankings, Verdigris finds itself in a favorable position.

Despite graduating most of their starters from last year, the Cardinals are ranked fifth in VYPE's preseason rankings. Tyler Willis has been singled out as the sole Verdigris player on the All-VYPE 3A team, listed as an athlete.

The team is expected to finish second in District 3A-4, trailing behind Cascia Hall, currently ranked fourth. If all goes according to these predictions, Verdigris will host Checotah in the first round of the playoffs.

Inola, another Rogers County team in District 3A-4, faces a challenging prediction, projected to finish seventh among the eight teams in the standings.

The Longhorns aim to break their 17-game losing streak with the guidance of a new coach, hoping to turn their fortunes around in the upcoming season.

Sequoyah, ranked eighth in VYPE's Class 2A rankings, is predicted to finish second in District 2A-8, trailing behind Rejoice Christian, ranked seventh.

After reaching the Class 2A quarterfinals last year and winning two playoff games, the Eagles looking to build upon that success. VYPE mistakenly claims that they exited the playoffs with a first-round loss on the road, while in reality, they hosted the first-round game, defeating Sperry 48-15. Sequoyah's only true road game in the playoffs came in the second round when it defeated Eufaula 35-7.

Chelsea, after experiencing a resurgence last season and reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2015, is predicted to fall back in the standings.

VYPE forecasts Chelsea to finish sixth in District A-5, with formidable competition from teams like Hominy (ranked fifth), Tonkawa (ranked eighth) and Woodland (ranked ninth) from VYPE's Class A top-10 rankings. Unfortunately, no Chelsea players made the All-VYPE Class A team.

Foyil, coming off a challenging 1-9 record in 2022, is projected to rebound and secure a playoff spot in 2023.

VYPE predicts Foyil to finish third in District B-6, behind Keota and Welch. Although no Panther players are featured on the All-VYPE Class B team, the team is optimistic about its prospects under new coaching leadership.

Although not featured in the magazine likely due to its status as a nonmember of the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) and relative anonymity across the state, Claremore Christian remains an important part of the local football scene.

Fans seeking in-depth coverage and updated information on all the local teams, including Claremore Christian, can look forward to next month's high school football preview tab in the Claremore Progress.

As football fever continues to grip the state, the VYPE Oklahoma Pigskin Preview magazine serves as an indispensable resource for fans, players and coaches alike.

With its extensive coverage of high school and college football, rankings, player recognitions and insightful analysis, the magazine provides a holistic view of Oklahoma football and sets the stage for an exhilarating season on the gridiron.