Mount St. Mary is no longer the homecoming opponent entering OSSAA Class 3A in 2026
· Yahoo Sports
Familiar faces line the gridiron the moment you step onto Mount St. Mary's practice field.
On one end, former OU and NFL linebacker Rufus Alexander patrols the defense after joining the staff as defensive coordinator this offseason. Across the field, former Oklahoma State standout and Dallas Cowboys tight end Blake Jarwin works with the offense.
Visit umafrika.club for more information.
Those are just two of the former college stars helping shape the Rockets under third-year coach JD Runnels.
That was no accident.
"The thing for me was remembering that I had guys around me who showed me what college was like and what it took to grind," Runnels said.
"We want our guys to already have that coaching and training before they get there. We want them ready physically, mentally and emotionally. The coaches on our sideline have already lived it, so now they get to help our players navigate it."
A new classification only adds to the excitement.
Mount St. Mary returns to Class 3A for the first time since 2023, joining an already loaded field after spending the past two seasons in 2A-I. The Rockets believe they have the talent — and the staff — to make an immediate impact.
With kickoff less than a month away, here's an in-depth look at Mount St. Mary.
Mount St. Mary
2025 record: 7-4 (3-3 District 2A-1), lost to Marlow in playoffs first round
2026 key game: vs. Jones in Week 3. This matchup will be circled on the Rockets calendar in a showdown between Class 3A's newest additions. Jones is fresh off a state title in 2A-I and defeated MSM by 30 points in a district matchup between the two last season. Expect the Rockets to give more of a fight this time around with a retooled roster.
2026 key returners: Malachi Hardiman, Sr., OL; Roman Manella, Sr., QB; Zack Pitts, Sr., S; Zechariah Robinson, Sr., TE
2026 key newcomers: Hero Abraham, Sr., WR (Carl Albert); Kade Barton, Sr., DL (Guthrie); Jacob Johnston, Sr., DL (Bridge Creek); Paul Glorius, Sr., WR (Purcell)
Blue chip report
Top recruit: Malachi Hardiman, Sr., OL: Hardiman is a massive force on the Rockets offensive line. He's received offers from Central Oklahoma, East Central, Northeastern State and Southwestern Oklahoma State.
Biggest sleeper: Zechariah Robinson, Sr., TE: Robinson will play both tight end and defensive end this year after a strong offseason. He caught 32 passes a year ago for 457 yards and five touchdowns.
Biggest riser: Roman Manella, Sr., QB: Manella returns as the Rockets' starting quarterback after a solid junior season. He threw for 2,816 yards and 29 touchdowns while completing 71% of his passes.
Mount St. Mary coach JD Runnels' season outlook
"I don't want to be cocky, but we're truly building something here at Mount St. Mary. When I first became the head coach here, we were six team's homecoming game. I dare people to make us their homecoming now. We want to give our kids a challenge if that's what you really want. My first year I got here we had six seniors. Last year we had five seniors. This year we have 26, and we're ready for a challenge. I'm ready and I know our team's ready."
Jordan Davis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Jordan? He can be reached at [email protected] or on X/Twitter at @thejordancdavis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Jordan’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Mount St. Mary is no longer the homecoming opponent entering OSSAA Class 3A in 2026