Oklahoma high school football playoff preview: Breaking down each bracket

Toughest road: Kingfisher

Potential games against Tuttle, Berryhill and Seminole — all of which have been ranked No. 2 at some point this season — just to get to the finals.

Player to watch: David Cornwell, Jones

The junior quarterback is exploding on the recruiting scene, and continues to get more comfortable in his first year of varsity football.

Team to watch: Sequoyah-Tahlequah

The Indians have been ruled out of the playoffs, but could they get back in via appeal to the OSSAA board of directors on Wednesday?

Best first-round matchup: Perkins at Jones

Perkins, the No. 4 seed from District 2, defeated Jones, the District 1 champ, in the opening week of the season.

CLASS 2A

The favorite: Vian

The Wolverines starting defensive unit has allowed just one touchdown all season.

Dark horse: Stroud

The Tigers easily could have won a state championship last year and have the formula for playoff success. They run the football and play defense, posting five shutouts this season.

Player to watch: Levi Hill, Hennessey

The Eagles' outstanding tailback could carry Hennessey to its third straight state title.

Team to watch: Millwood

The Falcons are kind of flying under the radar this season but will not be an easy out in the playoffs.

CLASS A

The favorite: Wynnewood

All season, the top two teams in District A-5 were considered the two best in the class, with Wynnewood taking favorite status with a 35-34 in Week 9. The Savages are led by senior running back Trey Knowles, who has 1,143 yards and 17 touchdowns this season as well as 59 tackles.

Toughest road: Wayne

Losing to Wynnewood set up a hard road for the Bulldogs if they're to repeat. Last season, Wynnewood lost the matchup and wound up falling in the second round to eventual runner-up Woodland. This season, Wayne could face a similar second-round matchup to determine the top half of the bracket as undefeated No. 7 Kiefer likely awaits. Kiefer had five shutouts and held seven opponents to eight points or less.

Dark horse: Warner

It's usually hard to think of an undefeated team as a dark horse but the Eagles have managed to keep under the radar even with a perfect season. Warner didn't play a ranked team this season and it would likely take a third-round meeting against Cashion or Fairview before Warner faced a team among the tops in Class A.

Player to watch: Preston Walker, Crescent

There are plenty of good quarterbacks in the Class A playoffs but Walker has been the best, throwing for 2,192 yards, 30 touchdowns and just six interceptions. He also ran for 13 scores during the regular season.

CLASS B

Best first round matchup: Garber at Alex

A matchup featuring the No. 5 Wolverines (8-2) on the road against the No. 9 Longhorns (9-1).

Dark horse: Woodland

The former Class A power dropped a class to play eight-man football this season and is certainly no stranger to playoff success.

Player to watch: Derrick Moore, Wetumka

Could there be any other? The running back is a Division I talent playing eight-man football.

Possible first-round upset: Coyle over Keota.

Led by wide receiver Tony Aska Jr., No. 10 Coyle (8-2) gets No. 7 Keota (8-2) at home in the first round.

CLASS C

The favorite: Tipton

Lost only three starters from last year's state runner-up team and has only allowed eight points all season.

Best first round matchup: Balko at Ryan

No. 7 Balko (7-3) is on the road at No. 5 Ryan (9-1).

Player to watch: Scott Dick, Corn Bible

The Crusaders' quarterback leads the state in scoring.

Possible first-round upset

Bluejacket over Thackerville: No. 8 Bluejacket (8-2) is on the road at No. 6 Thackerville (8-1).