Oklahoma high school football returns this week with a slate of marquee Week 1 matchups that could set the tone for the fall.
Owasso @ Bixby (Neutral Site)
Green Country’s 6A-1 supremacy remains in focus as Bixby looks to extend its run after four straight 6A-1 titles. The Spartans have also claimed a state title in 10 of the last 11 years, a stretch that includes cross-class success and national recognition. The season-opening Battle of the Burbs pairs Bixby and Owasso at Tulsa University’s H.A. Chapman Stadium, a neutral site that has long amplified the rivalry. Owasso, eager to reclaim the top spot, opened last season with a win over Bixby before dropping a dramatic 43-42 rematch in the state title game. Owasso’s leader is back under center with Bill Blankenship returning as head coach for the 2025 season, aiming to translate playoff heartbreak from 2024 into a championship bid this year.
Lubbock-Monterey @ Choctaw
Choctaw, the defending 6A-II champion, opens against out-of-state foe Lubbock-Monterey for the second straight year. Last season’s meeting favored Choctaw 40-23, but the Yellowjackets return with a few shifts in their lineup. Wide receiver Juju Smith graduated after a big season, and Choctaw also bid farewell to top tacklers Jmari White and Braven McConnell. The 6A-2 division looks especially competitive this year with Muskogee and Stillwater expected to contend for deep playoff runs, continuing a recent pattern where one of these programs has claimed the 6A-2 crown in each of the past three seasons.
Community Christian @ Washington
In the southeast corner of the state, Washington pursues a repeat as state champions after a string of perfect seasons. Under longtime head coach Brad Beller, the Warriors rolled to a 7-6 title game win in 2024 after outscoring opponents by a combined 466 points in the regular season and postseason. They’ve been brutal on both sides of the ball, averaging 42.6 points per game while limiting opponents to 9.4 points per contest. Washington hosts Community Christian (Norman) to begin a home-and-home series that opened 2025 with last year’s victory in their favor. The Warriors’ continued dominance in 2A-I positions them as a benchmark for the class.
Moore @ Westmoore
The Moore War returns for its 38th edition, with both programs carrying questions more than certainties. Moore closed 2024 with a strong push into the playoffs, its first and only appearance under former head coach Greg Bryant, and opened 2024 with a convincing 35-3 win in the rivalry game. Senior quarterback Maverick Gardner, who has spent the past two seasons as a backup, is set to take the reins of Moore’s offense this year. Westmoore, meanwhile, is in the midst of a coaching transition, with a new head coach expected to be named this week. After a 2023 playoff appearance, 2024 brought some disappointment for the Jaguars despite early-season momentum, and they’re looking to reset under fresh leadership in 2025.
What to watch this week
– Coaching changes: Both Westmoore and Owasso enter the season with new leadership dynamics that could influence early-game adjustments and the team’s trajectory.
– Key players: Look for Maverick Gardner to step into a leading role for Moore, and for Choctaw to lean on veteran playmakers as they navigate graduation losses.
– Rivalry stakes: The Owasso-Bixby matchup at a neutral site sets a tone for the season in one of the state’s fiercest showdowns.
– Division dynamics: 6A-2 appears open, with Muskogee and Stillwater expected to push deep into the playoffs, creating a potentially memorable race all fall.
Summary
Oklahoma’s opening weekend showcases four programs with storied histories and high expectations, from Bixby’s sustained dominance and Owasso’s bid to reclaim the crown, to Choctaw’s defenses against challengers in 6A-2 and Washington’s continued pursuit of excellence in 2A-I, plus Moore and Westmoore navigating a crossroads of leadership and transition. Fans can anticipate competitive football, impactful debuts, and the early stories that will frame the season.
Positive outlook
The week offers a hopeful start to a season that could feature exciting comebacks, breakout players, and evolving programs across Oklahoma’s high school landscape. Coaches and players are eager to set a competitive tempo, and the rivalries that define fall Friday nights are ready to deliver.