Summer can be slow in high school sports.

Aside from the regular workouts and the occasional scrum, there aren’t many exciting topics to discuss in the local barbershop. Not to mention that many coaches like to keep their secrets close to the vest so as not to give any advantage to their future opponents.

In other words, things are calm.

However, there is a statewide staple that breaks down that silence every July and wets every football fan’s appetite for the fall season.

This is, of course, the VYPE Pigskin Preview magazine.

Also known as the “Bible” of Oklahoma football, this year’s publication provides information on 340 high school and college teams in Division I state – Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Tulsa – in just 240 pages.

Preseason standings and district predictions at this point in the summer rarely hold up in late August and early September simply because the rosters are constantly changing and full practices haven’t started yet, but they’re filling their way. function.

Giving diehards like us a taste of what’s to come by providing dozens and dozens of pages to wade through and dissect is about as close to Christmas in July as one can get while patiently waiting for that. the season starts in a little over two months.

Here are my top dishes to remember from the 2021 edition:

1. No respect for Vert-de-gris

The Cardinals have become a credible threat in Class 3A over the past two years, winning 19 games while reaching the semi-finals (2019) and quarter-finals (2020).

And in 2021, Verdigris coach Travis East returns seven starters on both sides of the ball, including two Top 100 VYPE players in Dylan White and Reese Roller.

This should definitely put the cards in the game for potential state contenders.

However, VYPE doesn’t seem to be that hot on Verdigris.

After two consecutive years of landing in the VYPE Class 3A preseason top 10, the Cardinals are nowhere to be found. Additionally, Verdigris is expected to finish third in District 3A-4 behind reigning state champion Holland Hall and Vinita.

Disrespectful.

This November 5 match in Vinita has become much more interesting.

2. Rogers County is full of talent

Each year, VYPE reveals who it thinks would be the top 100 players in the state of Oklahoma. They are not listed in any particular order other than class, but the verification process for such a project must be rigorous.

Choosing from hundreds of talented players across Sooner State is no easy task, so making the list is an honor.

With that in mind, I was impressed to see 12 Rogers County players make the roster. Claremore and Owasso were in the lead with four players each.

Noah Smallwood, Ethan Grimett, Blake Bacon and BK Seago made the cut for the Zebras, while Jake Clifton, Cole Adams, MJ Jamerson and Hakelan Carney represented the Rams.

Verdigris had two in White and Roller, while Oologah (Gabe Grazier) and Inola (Jed Barrett) were right behind with one each. The Longhorns also picked up an honorable mention for Tucker Ford.

If you want some exciting football this fall in Rogers County, there will be plenty of options.

3. Are Collinsville and Owasso title contenders?

Speaking of exciting football, Rogers County could very well have two state champions in December.

Owasso (6A-I) and Collinsville (5A) are both ranked third in their respective classes, and that’s understandable. The Programs have five semifinal appearances between them since 2017, with the Rams winning titles in 2017 and 2019.

The Cardinals advanced to the semi-finals in 2018 and 2020, but were beaten by Carl Albert each time. Could they be the team to end the Titans’ five-year reign atop Class 5A?

Collinsville returns seven players on offense, including quarterback Andrew Carney, who probably should have been in the VYPE Top 100.

Carney is the All-VYPE 5A quarterback, however, and his stats are ridiculously impressive. The incoming senior totaled over 3,000 yards and 50 touchdowns last season while committing just two turnovers.

With such an explosive return to the field, the Cardinals should have no problem replicating last year’s 48.6 points per game.

The defense only returns four players, but the Cardinals rarely experience a rebuild from this side of the ball.

Owasso is in a similar situation, turning over star quarterback Austin Havens. The Rams are essentially replacing their entire offensive line, but Havens will have plenty of targets to throw if he has enough time.

DeShawn Kinnard, who transferred from Claremore last season, is also back and is expected to be a major contributor to the running back position.