Kingfisher, Mount St. Mary and Marlow enter the final two weeks tied atop the district, but North Rock Creek, Plainview and Oklahoma Christian could turn the playoff race upside down.
By Hunter Sheppard | The OKPreps Rundown
October 26, 2026
Six teams. Four playoff spots. Two weeks remaining.
And the biggest question surrounding Oklahoma high school football’s Class 3A District 1 might not be who wins the district championship.
It might be which team gets left out entirely.
Kingfisher, Mount St. Mary and Marlow enter Week 9 tied atop the standings at 4–1. North Rock Creek and Plainview are right behind them at 3–2, while Oklahoma Christian remains in contention at 2–3.
On paper, the top three appear to have separated themselves from the rest of the field. But a closer examination of their performances suggests the gap might not be nearly as comfortable as the standings indicate.
Consider what’s already happened.
Marlow defeated Kingfisher in overtime. Mount St. Mary defeated Marlow by one point. North Rock Creek beat Mount St. Mary. Plainview defeated North Rock Creek in a 48–39 shootout.
Four results that demonstrate just how unpredictable this district has become.
And the remaining schedule isn’t doing anybody any favors.
Kingfisher must face Mount St. Mary. Marlow still has North Rock Creek and Plainview. Oklahoma Christian finishes against those same two teams.
By the time the regular season concludes November 6, one of the district’s current contenders could find itself in a position few would have imagined just a couple of weeks ago.
Let’s examine all six teams, the players who could determine their postseason futures, and why I’m not convinced any of the favorites should feel particularly comfortable.
The Standings Entering Week 9
| Team | Overall | District |
|---|---|---|
| Kingfisher | 7–1 | 4–1 |
| Marlow | 7–1 | 4–1 |
| Mount St. Mary | 6–2 | 4–1 |
| North Rock Creek | 6–2 | 3–2 |
| Plainview | 5–3 | 3–2 |
| Oklahoma Christian | 4–4 | 2–3 |
| Purcell | 2–6 | 0–5 |
| McLoud | 1–7 | 0–5 |
Purcell and McLoud have been eliminated from postseason contention, leaving six teams competing for four playoff positions.
District championship aspirations, postseason seeding, potential home playoff games and outright elimination are all part of the equation.
Kingfisher: The Yellowjackets Have the Résumé, but the Rockets Are Coming
Of the three teams sitting atop the district standings, Kingfisher has one of the strongest arguments for being the most complete.
The Yellowjackets have demonstrated their ability to win close games and put away opponents when opportunities arise.
They survived North Rock Creek 19–18 in Week 4, dismantled Oklahoma Christian 49–14, and followed with a convincing 36–7 victory over Plainview.
That Plainview result deserves particular attention considering what the Indians accomplished against NRC in Week 8.
Kingfisher limited Plainview to seven points. Two weeks later, Plainview scored 48 against North Rock Creek.
Comparative scores aren’t a perfect measure of team quality, but the difference is difficult to ignore.
The Yellowjackets also have legitimate playmakers on both sides of the football.
Players to Watch
Junior quarterback Brett Calamateo gives Kingfisher a mobile threat capable of contributing in the running game. According to the team’s most recently reported MaxPreps statistics, Calamateo has accounted for 12 touchdowns, including 11 rushing scores.
Sophomore running back Drew Snider has emerged as another important offensive weapon, averaging 114.3 rushing yards per game in the available statistics while contributing defensively at linebacker.
Sophomore Collin Farrar provides versatility at receiver and defensive back. Farrar has six reported receiving touchdowns and four interceptions.
Defensively, senior Eduardo De La Torre has been credited with 10 sacks in the published statistics.
That production provides Kingfisher with something every championship contender needs: multiple ways to influence a football game.
The Yellowjackets don’t necessarily have to rely on one individual to carry the offense, and their defensive playmakers can change possessions.
But the biggest question is whether that combination will hold up against another quality opponent.
Marlow handed Kingfisher its only loss on October 15, winning 34–28 in overtime.
Kingfisher responded with a 34–0 shutout of Purcell, but the loss to Marlow remains significant because of how close the district race has become.
Now Mount St. Mary comes to town.
A victory would put the Yellowjackets in an excellent position entering the final week, with McLoud waiting on November 6.
A loss would create another layer of complexity in the race for the district championship.
My assessment: Kingfisher has the personnel and demonstrated consistency to win this district. But the Yellowjackets need to beat Mount St. Mary to remove much of the uncertainty surrounding their postseason positioning.
Mount St. Mary: An Explosive Offense That Can Make Life Miserable for Opponents
If there’s one team in 3A-1 capable of making opponents uncomfortable with its offensive versatility, Mount St. Mary deserves serious consideration.
The Rockets have produced some impressive offensive performances.
They scored 57 against Plainview, 56 against Oklahoma Christian and 62 against McLoud.
Mount St. Mary also owns a 35–34 victory over Marlow, a result that could become extremely important if those teams finish with identical district records.
But the Rockets aren’t without questions.
They lost 26–21 to North Rock Creek on October 15, and their non-district résumé includes a 42–21 defeat against Jones.
That loss to Jones isn’t necessarily an indictment of Mount St. Mary’s championship potential. Jones is itself a legitimate Class 3A contender.
But it does provide perspective about where the Rockets stand against top competition.
Players to Watch
Senior quarterback Roman Manella is among the most important players in Mount St. Mary’s offense.
Against Oklahoma Christian on October 9, Manella threw for 310 yards and four touchdowns while completing 80 percent of his attempts.
The Rockets have also received quarterback contributions from Devin Chatman, adding another element to their passing attack.
Junior receiver Zach Wylie has developed into a dangerous offensive weapon. Against Oklahoma Christian, Wylie recorded 164 receiving yards and accounted for three total touchdowns while producing 197 yards from scrimmage.
Senior running back Chris Tschudy provides balance in the ground game. He rushed for 141 yards and three touchdowns in that same contest.
Zechariah Robinson and Charlie Bowie have also contributed as receiving threats, giving the Rockets additional options beyond their primary playmakers.
What makes Mount St. Mary particularly dangerous is its ability to attack opponents in multiple ways.
When the passing game is clicking, defenses cannot simply crowd the line of scrimmage.
When opponents devote more attention to the receivers, Tschudy and the rushing attack can create problems.
And that creates difficult decisions for defensive coordinators.
However, there is a legitimate concern about the defense.
Mount St. Mary allowed 34 points to Marlow, 26 to Plainview and 26 to North Rock Creek.
The Rockets won two of those three games, but that’s not necessarily the defensive consistency a championship contender wants to rely upon in November.
The Week 9 matchup against Kingfisher will be a significant test.
Can Mount St. Mary slow down Calamateo, Snider and the Yellowjackets’ rushing attack?
And can the Rockets generate enough offensive production against a defense that held Plainview to seven points?
My assessment: Mount St. Mary has the offensive personnel to win this district and make a postseason run. But the Rockets must demonstrate they can complement their scoring ability with consistent defensive execution.
Marlow: Is the 7–1 Record Hiding Some Significant Concerns?
Here’s where I’m going to challenge the conventional thinking surrounding this district.
Marlow is 7–1 overall.
The Outlaws are tied for first in district play.
They own an impressive 34–28 overtime victory against Kingfisher.
And they just defeated Oklahoma Christian 55–21.
Those accomplishments deserve credit.
But I have serious questions about Marlow’s consistency, depth at certain positions, and ability to sustain offensive execution against better competition.
I’m not suggesting the Outlaws are a bad football team.
They’re clearly capable of beating quality opponents.
What I’m questioning is whether they’ve demonstrated the week-to-week reliability necessary to make a deep postseason run.
And more immediately, whether they’re as secure in the district playoff picture as their overall record suggests.
The McLoud Performance Raises Questions
On October 9, Marlow defeated McLoud 19–7.
The Outlaws were tied 7–7 at halftime before finally creating separation in the second half.
Now consider how other district teams have performed against McLoud.
Mount St. Mary won 62–17.
Plainview won 51–28.
North Rock Creek won 34–14.
Even Oklahoma Christian posted a 61–3 victory over the Redskins.
Marlow scored 19 points.
Does that single performance erase the victory against Kingfisher?
Absolutely not.
Football matchups aren’t interchangeable. Game plans, execution, injuries and personnel availability can all influence results.
But when a team is being discussed as a potential state championship contender, a performance like that deserves scrutiny.
Especially when the same team is preparing to face two dangerous opponents to finish the regular season.
Weber, Ladon and Torrez: Marlow Has Weapons
The Outlaws have experienced quarterback Brendan Weber, who returned as the established starter entering the 2026 season.
Weber has demonstrated his ability to direct an effective offense, but I still have questions about Marlow’s decision-making and execution in high-pressure situations. Against stronger postseason competition, the Outlaws will need consistent quarterback play, particularly when opponents limit their rushing attack.
Fortunately for Marlow, the Outlaws have two legitimate threats in the running game.
Senior Clint Ladon, the team’s leading rusher in 2025, returned to provide experience and physicality in the backfield.
Then Marlow added Noah Torrez, the former Ryan standout who joined the program during the summer.
Torrez was a dominant rushing quarterback in eight-man football, but his role at Marlow has allowed the Outlaws to utilize his athleticism alongside Ladon.
The combination has already produced some impressive performances.
In the season opener against Millwood, Ladon scored four rushing touchdowns while Torrez added three.
Against Purcell, Torrez rushed for four touchdowns and Ladon added two more.
Marlow accumulated 233 rushing yards in that 49–14 victory.
Those are the kinds of numbers that demonstrate how dangerous the Outlaws can be when their ground game is operating effectively.
Senior offensive lineman Clete Gilbert has also been identified as an important contributor up front, providing experience in the trenches.
The personnel is there to create problems.
But having capable playmakers and consistently maximizing those playmakers are two different things.
Depth Could Become the Bigger Issue
Beyond quarterback play, I have concerns about Marlow’s depth at certain positions.
Those concerns become particularly important when evaluating the Outlaws against opponents capable of sustaining drives and forcing starters to play significant snaps.
Marlow isn’t the only high school team relying on athletes to contribute on both sides of the football.
But when the competition improves, the ability to maintain physicality and execution deep into the fourth quarter becomes increasingly important.
Senior Austin Harris is among the experienced defensive personnel, and Torrez has also contributed at linebacker.
Torrez has also contributed at linebacker, although his offensive production has been the more immediately noticeable part of his impact. How Marlow utilizes its two-way contributors will be important as the competition gets tougher.
And with North Rock Creek and Plainview remaining, those concerns could be tested before the playoffs even begin.
The Final Two Games Are Not Guaranteed
North Rock Creek has already defeated Mount St. Mary and nearly upset Kingfisher.
Plainview just put 48 points on NRC.
Neither opponent is incapable of defeating Marlow.
And if the Outlaws lose both remaining games, they finish 4–3 in district play.
That opens the door to a potentially stunning outcome.
A Marlow team that enters Week 9 at 7–1 could finish 7–3 and miss the playoffs.
That is not my prediction.
But it is mathematically possible, and it should be taken seriously.
My assessment: Marlow has the talent to finish strong, but I’m not ready to place the Outlaws in the same championship-confidence tier as the very best teams in Class 3A. Their final two games will reveal quite a bit about how trustworthy they really are.
North Rock Creek: A Dangerous Passing Attack Looking for Consistency
There might not be a more difficult team to evaluate in Class 3A District 1 than North Rock Creek.
The Cougars are 6–2 overall and 3–2 in district play.
They narrowly lost to Kingfisher 19–18.
They defeated Mount St. Mary 26–21.
Then they allowed 48 points in a loss to Plainview.
That’s a collection of results that suggests North Rock Creek can compete with nearly anybody in the district, but also has vulnerabilities that opponents can exploit.
Standlee and Hawkins Give the Cougars Firepower
Sophomore quarterback Cooper Standlee has become a central piece of the offense.
In statistics last updated October 11, Standlee had thrown 10 touchdowns while completing 66.1 percent of his passes.
For a sophomore quarterback, that production demonstrates considerable potential.
Senior receiver and defensive back Tyson Hawkins has been one of NRC’s most productive contributors.
The available statistics credit Hawkins with 689 receiving yards, 11 total touchdowns and three interceptions.
He was also averaging 10.2 tackles per game in the reported defensive statistics.
Sophomore receiver Lance Carter has contributed another 397 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns.
Those numbers help explain why NRC can be difficult to defend.
The Cougars have an emerging quarterback capable of distributing the football, a proven primary receiving threat, and another young playmaker who can stretch the defense.
But the defensive concerns cannot be overlooked.
Plainview Exposed a Problem
NRC had an opportunity to build upon its upset of Mount St. Mary when Plainview came to town.
Instead, the Cougars lost 48–39.
North Rock Creek demonstrated resilience by overcoming a 28–14 deficit and eventually taking a 33–28 lead.
But after moving ahead, the Cougars couldn’t protect that advantage.
Plainview regained the lead and finished the game with 48 points.
That creates an obvious question.
If NRC struggles to slow down Plainview, how does its defense respond to Marlow’s rushing attack featuring Ladon and Torrez?
That’s the matchup I find particularly interesting.
NRC has the offensive potential to make Marlow uncomfortable.
But the Cougars also need to demonstrate they can prevent an opponent from controlling the game on the ground.
Marlow has an opportunity to expose that vulnerability.
At the same time, NRC has enough offensive weapons to put pressure on the Outlaws if the game becomes a shootout.
The Cougars finish against Marlow and Oklahoma Christian.
Win both, and NRC finishes 5–2 in district play.
That could completely alter the playoff picture.
My assessment: North Rock Creek has already shown it can beat a leading district contender. The challenge now is putting together two complete performances when the postseason stakes are at their highest.
Plainview: Don’t Get Into a Footrace With the Indians
If I’m coaching against Plainview, there’s one thing I don’t want to do.
Get into a scoring contest without having an answer for the Indians’ rushing attack.
Plainview enters Week 9 at 5–3 overall and 3–2 in district play.
The Indians have experienced some difficult losses.
Kingfisher defeated them 36–7.
Mount St. Mary won 57–26.
And Plainview was shut out 20–0 by Holdenville in non-district competition.
Those results suggest this isn’t a team without weaknesses.
But when Plainview gets its offense operating effectively, it can become extremely difficult to contain.
Just ask North Rock Creek.
Jett Frankum Is the Player Defenses Must Account For
Junior running back Jett Frankum has been the centerpiece of Plainview’s offensive production.
In the available statistics last updated October 16, Frankum was averaging 196.9 rushing yards per game and had scored 12 rushing touchdowns.
That’s significant production for any running back, especially one facing a competitive district schedule.
Frankum has also contributed defensively at strong safety.
Senior Jaden Smith provides another option in the running game, averaging 55.3 rushing yards in the reported statistics.
Quarterback Brooks Neal has directed the offense, while sophomore Gray Barrett has contributed at tight end and outside linebacker.
Barrett was averaging 8.3 tackles per game in the published defensive statistics, and sophomore Paxton Behrens has contributed on both sides of the football.
Plainview’s roster may not receive the same statewide attention as some of the more highly ranked contenders, but there are legitimate players capable of influencing games.
Frankum, in particular, presents problems for defenses that struggle with tackling, gap discipline or maintaining leverage against the run.
What the NRC Game Revealed
Plainview jumped ahead of North Rock Creek 28–14 in Week 8.
The Cougars rallied and eventually took a 33–28 lead.
For some teams, surrendering that kind of advantage would be enough to derail the game.
Not Plainview.
The Indians responded to reclaim the lead 34–33.
They extended the advantage to 41–33.
And they eventually finished with a 48–39 victory.
That’s 20 additional points after North Rock Creek took the lead.
It was an important demonstration of the Indians’ ability to respond to adversity.
Plainview also owns a 33–32 non-district victory over Davis, another example of its ability to win a competitive, high-pressure game.
But here’s the concern.
The Indians have also surrendered significant point totals against quality opponents.
Mount St. Mary scored 57.
North Rock Creek scored 39.
Even Purcell managed 35 points in a game Plainview won 53–35.
If Plainview is going to make a postseason run, the defense must become more reliable.
The offense can create opportunities, but it cannot be expected to win every game by scoring 40 or 50 points.
That makes the remaining schedule particularly intriguing.
Oklahoma Christian visits Plainview in Week 9.
Marlow comes to town in Week 10.
If the Indians can control the football, generate explosive rushing plays and force opponents into high-scoring situations, they have a legitimate opportunity to finish strong.
My assessment: Plainview may be the most dangerous team outside the current top three. Its record is imperfect, but Frankum and the offense give the Indians a realistic opportunity to change the postseason picture.
Oklahoma Christian: The Saints Could Become the Ultimate Spoiler
At 4–4 overall and 2–3 in district play, Oklahoma Christian has the most difficult path to the postseason among the six remaining contenders.
The Saints have already suffered district losses to Kingfisher, Mount St. Mary and Marlow.
Their margin for error is essentially gone.
But here’s why I’m not dismissing Oklahoma Christian.
The Saints have enough offensive talent to complicate the final two weeks, and their remaining schedule puts them directly against the teams they’re trying to catch.
Warner Nield Gives the Saints a Dangerous Passing Attack
Senior quarterback Warner Nield has demonstrated the ability to produce explosive passing performances.
Against McLoud on September 25, Nield completed 15 of 20 passes for 428 yards and seven touchdowns in a 61–3 victory.
Seven touchdown passes in a single game is the kind of performance that deserves attention regardless of the opponent.
Junior receiver Nash Sage contributed 123 receiving yards and two touchdowns in that contest, including an 86-yard reception.
Senior Karter Brown provides another receiving option, while Drew Matthews and Kale Quillin contribute to the offense and defense.
The Saints have experienced personnel capable of creating problems for opponents, particularly when Nield has time to deliver the football.
But the problem has been consistency against the district’s strongest competition.
Kingfisher defeated Oklahoma Christian 49–14.
Mount St. Mary also won comfortably.
And Marlow just scored 55 points against the Saints.
Those results raise significant concerns about Oklahoma Christian’s ability to compete defensively against the district leaders.
Two Games, One Remaining Opportunity
Oklahoma Christian finishes against Plainview and North Rock Creek.
If the Saints lose either game, their postseason hopes become extremely limited.
If they win both, they finish 4–3.
That could be enough to create a complicated situation involving multiple teams with identical district records.
Oklahoma Christian would still need the appropriate combination of other results, but it could have a direct influence on who qualifies.
And both remaining opponents have demonstrated defensive vulnerabilities.
Plainview surrendered 39 points to NRC.
North Rock Creek surrendered 48 points to Plainview.
Nield and the Saints have an opportunity to exploit those weaknesses.
The challenge is whether Oklahoma Christian’s defense can provide enough support.
My assessment: The Saints are underdogs in the playoff race, but their passing attack is capable of making these final two games uncomfortable. They have nothing left to lose, and that can be dangerous for opponents trying to protect their postseason positioning.
The Scenario Nobody Wants to Discuss: Marlow Missing the Playoffs
Let’s return to the possibility that could turn Class 3A-1 upside down.
Marlow currently has a 4–1 district record.
The Outlaws finish against North Rock Creek and Plainview.
If Marlow loses both games, it finishes 4–3.
Now consider the following scenario:
- North Rock Creek defeats Marlow and Oklahoma Christian, finishing 5–2.
- Plainview defeats Oklahoma Christian and Marlow, finishing 5–2.
- Kingfisher defeats McLoud, securing at least five district victories.
- Mount St. Mary defeats Purcell, also securing at least five district victories.
Under those circumstances, Kingfisher, Mount St. Mary, North Rock Creek and Plainview would all finish with at least five district victories.
Marlow would have four.
That means the Outlaws would finish fifth.
No complicated tiebreaker would be necessary to eliminate them.
They would simply have fewer district wins than four other teams.
Marlow would miss the playoffs with a 7–3 overall record.
Again, I’m not suggesting this is the most likely outcome.
Marlow is fully capable of defeating both NRC and Plainview.
But the possibility exists, and ignoring it would be a mistake.
There are other scenarios involving multiple teams finishing 4–3.
Those could bring OSSAA district tiebreaking procedures into play, including head-to-head results and potentially marginal-point calculations.
That adds even more importance to the final two weeks.
A close loss, a decisive victory or a surprising upset could influence more than just a team’s win-loss record.
And while Marlow is at the center of this particular scenario, the same uncertainty applies to several teams in the district.
The playoff field is not settled.
Not yet.
The Six Games That Could Decide the District
Week 9 — October 30
Mount St. Mary at Kingfisher
Two teams tied atop the standings. Kingfisher’s rushing attack against Mount St. Mary’s offensive firepower. A major game in the district championship race.
North Rock Creek at Marlow
Perhaps the most intriguing matchup of the week. Can NRC rebound from the Plainview loss, or will Marlow’s ground game take control?
Oklahoma Christian at Plainview
A critical game for both teams. Plainview can strengthen its postseason position, while Oklahoma Christian desperately needs a victory to remain in the race.
Week 10 — November 6
Marlow at Plainview
Depending on Week 9 results, this could become one of the biggest games in the entire district. A playoff spot, seeding position or both could be at stake.
Oklahoma Christian at North Rock Creek
Another game with potentially significant postseason implications, particularly if OCS wins in Week 9.
Kingfisher at McLoud / Mount St. Mary at Purcell
The district leaders will be favored, but both games remain important to the final standings and any potential tiebreakers.
Final Verdict: Who Can Actually Be Trusted?
Here’s what makes Class 3A District 1 so fascinating.
Every contender has a legitimate argument in its favor.
And every contender has questions that still need to be answered.
Kingfisher has demonstrated consistency, offensive balance and defensive playmaking, but the Yellowjackets have also shown vulnerability in close games.
Mount St. Mary has an explosive offense led by experienced contributors, but its defensive performance against quality competition remains an important concern.
Marlow has talented offensive personnel and a victory over Kingfisher, yet the Outlaws haven’t consistently demonstrated the execution and depth I would want from a championship favorite.
North Rock Creek has a promising quarterback and a productive receiving corps, but the Cougars must improve defensively after allowing 48 points to Plainview.
Plainview has one of the district’s most productive running backs in Jett Frankum and an offense capable of putting up points quickly, but the Indians have also struggled to contain stronger opponents.
Oklahoma Christian has a quarterback capable of throwing seven touchdown passes in a game, but the Saints need a dramatic improvement defensively to overcome their difficult postseason position.
If I had to identify the team I trust most right now, I’d lean toward Kingfisher.
Not because the Yellowjackets are unbeatable.
But because they’ve demonstrated an ability to control games in different ways, and their personnel provides a combination of offensive balance and defensive production.
Mount St. Mary has the firepower to challenge that assessment Friday.
Marlow has the talent to prove its doubters wrong.
And both North Rock Creek and Plainview have opportunities to force their way into the conversation.
But I keep coming back to one question.
What happens if the teams we’re assuming are safe aren’t actually safe?
That’s why the final two weeks of Class 3A-1 deserve attention.
Not every important game involves two undefeated teams.
Sometimes the biggest story is a team fighting to avoid a finish nobody saw coming.
And in this district, a team sitting at 7–1 could still end up watching the postseason from home.
Six teams. Four playoff spots. Two weeks to settle it.
Something has to give.
Hunter Sheppard is an independent sports photographer and the publisher of The OKPreps Rundown, providing photography, analysis and coverage of Oklahoma high school athletics.
Statistical note: Individual statistics cited from MaxPreps reflect the latest available reporting for each team as of publication and may not include all eight games played through Week 8.
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