Avid reader but don't usually post - figured I would after reading about it being quieter than normal... so, just as a disclaimer - out of shape parent (with Maroon) observing from the nosebleeds and watching a pathologically unhealthy amount of video. No real credentials to my name or rankings:
1) GPool - Just in a different league. Line in sync with back perfectly. When you are using this kind of misdirection, pulling guards and tackles, counters, fakes reverses, screens - you name it - in 3rd grade, you are just at a level that can't be challenged very much. Even teams that have a solid D, this D is very powerful but it is just not as noticed because the O is so lights out. Might as well hand the trophy over (barring any serious injury (God forbid), catastrophe, enrollment issue, DNA Swab, or ICE raids)
2) Collinsville - so polished and tons of athleticism. They could run the same 4 plays all day and stomp all over most everyone. Best possible challenge to the Pool
3) BA White - champs for 8 man. Very impressive team, but need to see it a little cleaner to go back to #2 for my rankings
4) BA Gold - this is very close. Actually 2/3/4 all very close. However, there seems to be some concentrated speed and athleticism here, especially on the outside. If teams can manage outside protect, they may have a small chance. The only reason I rank white at #3 is I have seen a little more versatility from white. Gold probably has it, I just haven't seen it yet
5) Skiatook - deceptively strong team. Would probably have cruised through unnoticed if not for S Tulsa win. Puts them on the map and they appear here to stay.
6) S Tulsa - Very impressive adjustments Coach Davis has made since there loss to us. I'm ranking them ahead of us because of the strong athletes, and they finish every play. Our win may have been a fluke - it was the first week of sideline only coaching, after all.
7) Maroon - I have to give our team some credit. We have athletes and it is a major step up from our old club (Bixby). That said, defense is keeping us in it. O seems to be getting less cohesive and more predictable week to week. If we could get it fixed, would be like Achilles finding a podiatrist. For now, doubt we could beat S Tulsa again.
Grove - Very impressive team and solid. All 11 doing there job. Need to see them live to see if they have the speed to go higher into top 10 - hard to tell from video alone
9) Verdigris - Wow! Really integrating that new player from S Tulsa well. Watching them improve week to week and so impressed. Met some of the coaches when we played with them and Catoosa in Sooner Classic last year - they really know what they are doing. Hope you guys keep this team getting stronger and stronger.
10) Stillwater - This is tough because there are several I think are deserving, and you don't know enough until a team is really tested. The TYAA win was impressive, but I still see some stuff that makes it tough to rank any higher right now.
Teams in the hunt: Bixby White, Jenks Silver, Claremore, Lincoln, and Muskogee.
I'm sure there are others but still have to work and spend some time with the fam so can't be a 24 hr analyst for 3rd grade youth football.
Shout out to Coach Bell at Catoosa. I'm sure it is a challenging season but you are a great coach - tough division - lots of D2 teams have it unfair compared to others.
Feel free to critique me - anyone and everyone - just to keep the chatter going.
Also, just for some fun and sick humor, would it be kinda hilarious if we all just left GPool out of the top 10 for a week? Or would that be too obvious?!?! Maybe 2 or 3 by everyone... just to keep it lively and get to read about the record and lack of losses over and over. Or would it just touch too big of a nerve? LOL - I kid!