Published: September 03, 2008 10:07 pm      

Wolves No. 8 in preseason poll

The first pre-season football poll has been released by the Associated Press, and it really hasn’t changed much since last season.

Union is No. 1, and Jenks is No. 2. They’ve only combined to win the last 12 state titles in class 6A, and they were the only two schools to receive first place votes. That’s not to say the west side of the state doesn’t have talent.

Norman North and Midwest City both cracked the top five, at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, followed by Muskogee, Owasso and Broken Arrow.

Santa Fe may have missed out on the playoffs last season, but are still respected across the state, as voters tabbed the Wolves at No. 8. Putnam City North and Putnam City rounded out the top 10.

Though it’s not much of a surprise in the metro area, it is a surprise that voters around the state ranked Memorial on the fringe of a top-10 spot at No. 12.

The Bulldogs gained its first playoff spot in recent memory last season after knocking off Yukon in the regular-season finale, then had a respectable showing against Norman North in the first round.

Several players are back, highlighted by a stout defense that returns linebacker Anthony Morales.

In 5A, Carl Albert took the top spot in the polls, while Guthrie is second. Guthrie, of course, won the state title last season. Tulsa East Central is ranked third, just four votes behind Guthrie, while taking two of eight first place votes.

Deer Creek received four votes in the poll and is 14th overall.

McGuinness is the top team in 4A, with Glenpool trailing the Irish by only two first place votes, and three total votes.

In 3A, Clinton earned seven first-place votes to edge out reigning 2A champion Cascia Hall, while Heritage Hall was the top vote-getter in 2A.

Oklahoma Christian School received three votes in the class A poll, and is tied for 14th with Dewar.