With the high school football season starting this week, it’s also time to start the Phoenix Super 7.

The preseason rankings for the 2009 season reflect the closeness between some of the area teams as Sequoyah squeaks out the No. 1 spot by the virtue of one first place vote.

The Indians and the Checotah Wildcats tied in points with 25 after the voting of the Phoenix sports staff.

Both teams won 11 games a season ago.

Coach Brent Scott has reason to be optimistic about his Indians. Seven offensive and seven defensive starters return, led by Oklahoma State commit Chris Littlehead. The 6-foot-4, 315-pounder will play on both lines this season for the Indians.

Scott sees a desire in his team this season.

“I think we’re going to have a good season,” Scott said. “These kids have been in the program for three years now. I hope they’re coming into their own. It’s too early to tell what kind of team we’re going to have, because they haven’t got their own identity yet. This team reminds me of the 2007 team with the same kind of athletes.”

Checotah made its mark in 3A last season, winning their first district title and going unbeaten for the first time since 1949.

But coach Brandon Turley knows other teams will have an urgency to beat his Wildcats this season.

“The thing is the teams we beat last year want to come back and redeem themselves this season,” he said. “Our first game (against Morris) will be a big test for us. It’s going to be a big-time challenge for us on Friday night.

“We really appreciate being recognized. It’s an honor. At the same time, we have to go out this season and take care of business.”

Muskogee compiled 21 points and received the other first place vote. Coach Matt Hennesy’s squad opens the new season at home against the Owasso Rams.

The other teams ranked in the preseason poll in fourth through seventh include Wagoner, Vian, Porter and Midway — all playoff teams in 2008.

Eufaula, Fort Gibson, Haskell and Gore also received votes.



Phoenix Super 7

The Phoenix Super 7 with first-place votes in parenthesis, last year’s record and total vote points on a 7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis:

Team Record Points

1. Sequoyah (2) 11-2 25

This week: at Fort Gibson, Friday

2. Checotah (1) 11-1 25

This week: Morris, Friday

3. Muskogee (1) 7-4 21

This week: Owasso, Friday

4. Wagoner 7-5 14

This week: Miami, Friday

5. Vian 10-3 8

This week: Hartshorne, Friday

6. Porter 9-2 7

This week: at Depew, Friday

7. Midway 7-4 6

This week: Wetumka, Friday

Also receiving votes: Eufaula, Fort Gibson, Haskell, Gore.



This week’s schedule

all games 7:30 Friday

Owasso at Muskogee

Tahlequah at Catoosa

Sequoyah at Fort Gibson

Skiatook at Hilldale

Miami at Wagoner

Morris at Checotah

Keys at Eufaula

Stigler at Haskell

Hartshorne at Vian

Gore at Heavener

Okay at Porum

Warner at Chouteau

Keota at Hulbert

Porter at Depew

Wetumka at Midway

Watts at Webbers Falls

Boulevard Christian at Summit Christian