How The Oklahoman selected the 2023 All-State high school football team

After the final 2023 Oklahoma high school football state championship ended in Chad Richison Stadium, it was immediately time for The Oklahoman’s prep sports writers to brainstorm.

I pulled up a blank document on my laptop, and our team – Jordan Davis, Nick Sardis and I – immediately started outlining an All-State roster in the press box.

In the following weeks, that draft underwent many changes.

Coaches across the state submitted forms. We reflected on the best individual performances we saw this season. We weighed input from others, and we had debates. These decisions are never easy, but we collaborated and communicated to reach a point where we have assembled a roster that represents the Oklahoma high school football players who had the best 2023 seasons.

Here’s more insight into how The Oklahoman’s 111th All-State football team was assembled:

Oklahoma HS fall sports: 2023 All-State, All-City teams in football, softball & more

Del City’s LaDainian Fields and Muskogee’s Travis Hill and Muskogee’s Jamarian Ficklin are pictured in Downtown Oklahoma City, on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024.

How were players nominated?

The Oklahoman emailed forms to high school football coaches across the state, and coaches returned these forms in December.

Coaches not only nominated players from their teams, but also mentioned players from other programs. If a name repeatedly showed up across several coaches’ forms, then that was a good sign we should consider that player.

Players were not required to be nominated by their coaches to make All-State, but if they were not nominated and no one provided their stats, then there is a chance they are not represented on our All-State rosters.

Oklahoma All-State football 2023: How LaDainian Fields grew into a star at Del City

What factors did we weigh?

Several criteria influenced the All-State…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/oklahoman-selected-2023-state-high-205516330.html

Author : The Oklahoman

Publish date : 2024-01-14 20:55:16

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.

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