Casady boasts good mix of experienced, young players
By Jason Jewell Sports Editor
Casady’s first year as full member of the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association (OSSAA) proved to be a difficult one as an injury bug ran through the program last season.
The Cyclones hope to improve on their 3-7 record in 2024 with a combination of experienced skill players and a young line to make a run at the Class 2A-II playoffs.
They open the season, which is also coach Ty Prestidge’s 51st year on the sidelines, at home against Oklahoma Christian (OCS) on Sept 5 at Hoot Gibson Field.
The offense boasts a number of 4year starters mixed in with younger, talented athletes.
Senior Andrew Fitzpatrick is one of those starters at running back and a major compliment to Casady’s wideopen attack. David Lawler, also a senior and transfer from Edmond North, is a legitimate dual threat at quarterback and can make plays on the edge.
Coach Ty Prestidge
Four different players, all seniors, have emerged as experienced receiving targets, including returning starters Henry Lewis, Micah White and Max Geib, along with Kuba Malecki, a move in from Ireland.
Contrasting the seniorheavy skill players, the Cyclones are young on the offensive line, with one senior in Grae Zedlitz at left tackle. Other potential o-line starters are all sophomores, William Lewis, Gavin Bennett and Mac Shadid.
Many of the offensive starters flip over to play defense, as it common with many teams in 2A.
Fitzpatrick and senior Luke Woodruff, one of the team’s leading tacklers last year, anchor the middle of the defense at linebacker with help from Geib.
Lewis and White take up the slack in the defensive secondary, while Zedlitz, William Lewis, Bennett and Shadid are tasked with making life difficult for opposing offenses.
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Salina
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Optimism rising at Mount St. Mary as rebuild continues
By Jason Jewell Sports Editor
Rebuilding a high school program doesn’t usually produce immediate results, but the Mount St. Mary football team put a dent in that conventional wisdom last season.
The Rockets, which hadn’t won more than two games in each of the past three seasons, posted five victories in 2024 and finished with a 5-5 record under new coach J.D. Runnels.
Mount St. Mary hopes to continue its upward trajectory to compete for a possible berth in the Class 2A-I playoffs.
The Rockets travel to Harrah this Friday to open the new season.
Sophomore Roman Manella earns
his first start at quarterback to lead the uptempo, fast-paced offense.
Senior Gabe Ward provides speed and athleticism for the Rockets on both side of the ball.
Other major players in the offense include sophomores Jefferson Hodge and Cord Brown.
Zechariah Robinson and Jake Allison, both sophomores, are two big targets in the passing game for the young quarterback.
Fellow sophomore Malachi Hardiman anchors the offensive line and charged with providing Manella
and help open running lanes.
Much like the offense, Mount St. Mary’s defensive unit includes a large number of underclassmen.
Two of the more experienced players include juniors Rezzell Winters and Max Chavez. Winters provides critical leadership in the defensive backfield, while Chavez brings quickness to his position as an interior lineman.
Robinson joins Chavez on the defensive line, as sophomore Donald Sanders is expected to earn a start at linebacker.
Sophomore Wade Webb also teams up with Winters as returning starters in the secondary.
The Rockets have been picked to finish fourth in District 2AI-1, which would qualify them for the playoffs, behind powerhouse programs Jones and Millwood, along with OCS.
Coach J.D. Runnels
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Deer Creek eyes continued success in tough Class 6A-I
By Jason Jewell Sports Editor
In just its first season in the state’s largest class, the Deer Creek football team didn’t waste much time making its presence known.
The Antlers finished fourth in District 6AI-1 last year under long-time coach Wade Standley and reached the quarterfinals in the playoffs where they lost to eventual state runner-up Owasso to finish with an 8-4 record. They host Fridayland rival McGuinness this Friday in the season-opener for both teams.
ed, young players on defense.
Senior Jalen Davis, a 3-year starter and 3-sport athlete, returns for his final campaign as the main focal point of the Antlers’ offensive unit. Davis caught 56 passes for 898 yards and six touchdowns as a junior, while also starting in the defensive backfield.
Boyd and sophomore Mason Mayhew expected to step in as starters for Deer Creek in 2025.
Defensive ends, senior Alex Nkepang and junior Ryan Keil, provide the nucleus of a group that prides itself in swarming to the ball and flying around the field to make plays.
Senior Ryan Hubble boasts speed and aggressiveness from his linebacker position, and also could provide leadership to younger players.
Fellow senior Luke Bray returns to his spot in the defensive secondary as a versatile player.
This year, however, may turn into more of an uphill battle as Deer Creek returns just three offensive starters and boasts a bevy of talent-
Running back Lemar Davis, also a senior, joins Jalen Davis as anchors for the offense as Lemar Davis ran for 800 yards on 121 carries and scored six touchdowns.
The receiving corps got hit hard by graduation with senior Visanio
Ranked No. 10 in the preseason poll, Deer Creek is picked to finish fourth in tough District 1, with 3time defending state champion Bixby slated to win the district followed by powerhouse Jenks and Mustang.
Coach Wade Standley
Young McGuinness squad aiming for deep playoff run
By Jason Jewell Sports Editor
Becoming a fixture in the Class 5A playoffs for better than the last two decades, the McGuinness football looks to finally break out and win an elusive state championship.
The Irish, ranked No. 4 in the 2025 preseason poll, posted an 8-4 record last season, winning a district title for the first year in District 5A-1 and under coach Ryan Stringer.
They reached the quarterfinals of the playoffs before losing to Del City in the semifinals.
McGuinness opens the season this Friday with a Week 0 contest at Fridayland rival Deer Creek.
Just five offensive starters return for the Irish, but the defense should be solid with eight starters making up this year’s squad.
Three seniors in Andrew Harris, Baylor Moates and Jake Costello highlight the offensive starters.
Harris, a wide receiver, is regarded a big target in the passing game and has shown signs of becoming a top-notch blocker.
Moates, a 3-year starter, and Costello, a 2-year starter, help anchor an offensive line that needs
to be physical up front in the running game. Both players have garnered interest from both Division I and II schools.
Gage Chance steps under center for his first year starting at quarterback. With three strong leaders around him, the junior should get good protection and have a reliable target in Harris.
District 5A-1
Pre-Season Rankings
1. McGuinness
2. MacArthur
3. Midwest City
4. Newcastle
5. Duncan
6. Southeast
7. Classen SAS
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Senior Mike Gasbarra and junior Nick Pitman are projected to be featured running backs in McGuinness’ spread offense.
Aiden Manigold headlines a good list of returning starters. The senior is an athletic defensive end who could become one of the top players
in the district.
Sophomore Malachi Darby picks up a starting spot at middle linebacker where he’s projected to be joined by fellow sophomore Marcellous Tyner in the second layer of the defense. Senior Hudson Akin, along with Pitman and sophomore Carter Akin provide experience in the defensive secondary to help stifle nearly every team in the district with a spread offense.
McGuinness is picked to win District 5A-1, followed by Lawton MacArthur, Midwest City and Newcastle as potential playoff teams.
Coach Ryan Stringer
John Marshall endures growing pains in rebuild
By Jason Jewell Sports Editor
Entering his second season at John Marshall, football coach Tarrion Adams is determined to change the culture of the football program but knows there could be some growing pains in the early stages.
“Success doesn’t happen overnight,” Adams said. “The foundation needs to be set, and we’re learning what we need to focus on.”
The Bears, which moved up to Class 5A last season and posted a 19 record, host Star Spencer this Friday at Taft Stadium for the first time since 2013. They have won eight of the 11 meetings between the two seams since 1961.
Adams stands next in a long line
of coaches to last no more than two seasons since former OSU star
Rashaun Woods led John Marshall to a state title less than a decade ago. That lack of continuity often hinders a program’s progress, he said.
“When the players don’t know who their coach is from one year to the next, they don’t know who they can trust and believe in,” Adams said. “I want to be here and invested in this program.”
Needing a boost on the offensive side of the ball, the Bears return a bevy of talented players.
Senior Brandon Maddox leads the way from his center position on the offensive line.
“Everything starts with him,” Adams said of Maddox. “He’s our most experienced player. He calls all the line set ups and is a good snapper.”
District
5A-2
Pre-Season Rankings
1. Carl Albert
2. Guthrie
3. Noble
4. Lawton
5. El Reno
6. Altus
7. John Marshall
8. Western Heights
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London Lewis enters his first season as the starting quarterback. The junior jumped out to a good start to last year but an injury sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Senior Aiden Clayton joins Maddox on the offensive line at left tackle as an experienced blocker
charged with protecting Lewis’s blind side.
Junior Garyaun Drew, a move-in from Ohio, is projected to start at running back and occasionally line up as a receiver.
Maddox and Clayton also flip over to play on the defensive line, while sophomore Andre Blake and Drew roam the defensive backfield.
John Marshall competes in one of the toughest districts in the state, regardless of class, with perennial contenders in Carl Albert, Guthrie and Lawton.
The Bears are picked to finish in the bottom half of District 5A-2, just out of playoff contention. El Reno and Altus came in ahead of John Marshall in fifth and sixth, respectively.
Coach Tarrion Adams
Crossings Christian reloading after graduation hits hard
By Jason Jewell Sports Editor
Hit hard by graduation, the Crossings Christian football team almost feels like it’s starting over for the 2025 season.
The Knights return just two offensive and four defensive starters from a squad that posted a 5-5 record last year, along with a first-round playoff loss at Class 2A-I powerhouse Millwood.
They open their season on the road this Friday in a Week 0 contest at KIPP-Tulsa.
“Our goal is really just going game to game,” said coach Jacob Stephenson. “We’re learning who this team is and hoping to improve each week. There’s always something to learn from.”
Seniors Jackson
Schneberger and Drake Manuel serve as the lone returning starters on offense.
Schneberger anchors a young offensive line from his center position, while Manuel has emerged as the main receiving target.
“They’ve both taken strong leadership roles,” Stephenson said of the duo. “They do anything that needs to be done, regardless of what it is, and show the younger ones how to
get things done.”
The coach emphasized Schneberger and Manuel’s leadership isn’t confined to just words.
“They are vocal leaders that back up what they say with the physical,” Stephenson told
FRIDAY.
Juniors Wyatt
District 2AI-2
Pre-Season Rankings
1. Washington
2. Marlow
3. Lindsay
4. Crossings Chr.
5. Lexington
6. Little Axe
7. Dickson
8. Marietta
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Dalton and James Graham, while not starters, got some critical playing time last season. Dalton is expected to join Manuel in the wide receiver room, while Graham could see time at running back.
“I think Wyatt (Dalton) could be a big contributor for us this season,”
the coach said. “He’s really growing into his offensive role. Hopefully, he can take some of the press off Drake (Manuel).”
Most teams in 2A rely on players to play both offense and defense due to a lack of numbers. Crossings Christian is no exception, with Schneberger, Manuel, Dalton and Graham also returning as starters on defense.
Schneberger flips over to the defensive line, as Manuel and Dalton play in the secondary and Graham as a linebacker.
“These guys are some of the few with experience so we’ll need them as much as possible,” Stephenson said.
Coach Jacob Stephenson
Heritage Hall gearing up for run to state championship
By Jason Jewell Sports Editor
Two years removed from its most recent state championship, the Heritage Hall football team hopes this will finally be the year to get past Tulsa’s Lincoln Christian in the playoffs.
The Chargers suffered a second straight loss to the Bulldogs in the Class 3A semifinals to post an 11-2 record. The teams have also met twice in the regular season with Lincoln Christian winning both of those contests.
The Chargers, which have won 80 straight district games, are picked to win another District 3A-1 title followed by Plainview, Kingfisher and upstart North Rock Creek.
Standout wide
receiver Jerrod Williams returns for his final season. The senior led the team with five catches for 178 yards, including a 99-yard touchdown in a loss to Lincoln Christian.
junior Andrick Golden and Ryan Bullock anchor the offensive line in Heritage Hall’s spread offense.
The Chargers also boast an experienced, talented group of players on the defensive side of the ball.
Senior Graham Murphy returns as one of two returning starters at linebacker, joined by junior Walker Wedel.
Davis helps anchor the defensive line at one end position along with junior Canon Bronson, as both players are quick off the line.
District 3A-1
Pre-Season Rankings 1. Heritage Hall
Plainview
Kingfisher
North Rock Creek
Anadarko
Purcell
Pauls Valley
Star Spencer
Heritage Hall opens the 2025 season at 4A powerhouse Clinton before visiting the Bulldogs in Week 1 as coach Brett Bogert marks his 20th year leading the program.
Fellow senior Rhett Davis brings a bevy of experience from his tight end position as a 3-year starter on both offense and defense.
Senior David Griffin, along with
Williams also flips over from his receiver spot to play in the defensive backfield. Sophomore Max Everett made nearly 50 tackles last season at safety and could see time on offense as a running back.
Other key defensive players include senior Terrance Johnson, senior Tyler Butler, junior Carson Phelps and junior Crawford Browne.
Class 3A Top 10
Coach Brett Bogert
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1. Lincoln Chr.
2. Sulphur 3. Cascia Hall 4. Heritage Hall 5. Perkins-Tryon
6. Plainview 7. Berryhill 8. Bristow 9. Checotah 10. Muldrow
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Fridaylanders earn spots on state college rosters
A trio of state champions, along with a host of other former Fridayland high school football standouts, earned spots on state college rosters for the 2025 season.
Deer Creek graduate Jacob Sexton highlights a quartet of locals on the University of Oklahoma squad.
Sexton, who is projected as a firstteam offensive tackle, started eight games last year for the Sooners and made the SEC (Southeastern Conference) academic honor role.
Heritage Hall’s Andy Bass and Casady’s Ace Hodges hope to compete for playing time this season after redshirting in 2024.
Hodges made one appearance last season against Temple before choosing to redshirt.
Heritage Hall’s Barrett Travis rounds out the group as a freshman linebacker. Travis collected 51 tackles, five sacks and two interceptions last season for the Chargers.
The Sooners kick off the 2025 campaign this Saturday against Illinois State on Owen Field.
Four other Fridaylanders, including Gavin Freeman, Jaleel Johnson, Logan Ward and Matthew Wade, made the roster at Oklahoma State University.
Fridaylanders on Campus
Oklahoma
Andy Bass, Heritage Hall
Ace Hodges, Casady
Jacob Sexton, Deer Creek
Barrett Travis, Heritage Hall
Oklahoma State
Gavin Freeman, Heritage Hall
Jaleel Johnson, PC North
Matthew Wade, Deer Creek
Logan Ward, Deer Creek
Central Oklahoma
Kazeyn Bird, McGuinness
Colton Neal, Deer Creek
Oklahoma Baptist
Owen Akin, Deer Creek
Brady Brewer, Deer Creek
Blake Meek, Crossings Christian
Haydn Thornton, PC North
Freeman, a former state champion from Heritage Hall, played in just four games last year for the Cowboys before redshirting to give him two more years of eligibility. The redshirtjunior caught six passes for 45 yards, along with eight kickoff returns for 163 yards and two punt returns for 31 yards last season.
A PC North graduate, Johnson placed in 10 games in 2024 on the defensive line. The redshirt-junior made 21 tackles and two sacks.
Ward, a Deer Creek alum, served as the starting place kicker last year. The redshirt-senior drilled 12 of 17 field goals, with a long of 52 yards, and an impressive 34 of 35 extrapoint attempts.
The Cowboys hosted UT-Martin last Thursday in the their opener.
A pair of Fridaylanders –McGuinness’ Kazeyn Bird and Deer Creek’s Colton Neal, made the roster at Central Oklahoma in Edmond. Bird is listed as a junior linebacker, while Neal is a redshirt-freshman wide receiver.
The Bronchos open their season this Saturday at UT-Permian Basin.
At Oklahoma Baptist, two former Deer Creek standouts highlight a list of four local athletes on the 2025 roster at the private college in Shawnee.
Crossings Christian’s Blake Meek leads the group as a junior linebacker. Haydn Thornton, from PC North, is listed as a sophomore tight end, along with Owen Akin and Brady Brewer, both of Deer Creek, are a offensive lineman and linebacker, respectively.
The Bison don’t kick off the 2025 campaign until Sept. 4, when they travel to Southern Arkansas.
– By Sports Editor Jason Jewell
2025 State College Football Schedules
2025 OU Schedule
Aug. 30 vs. Illinois State
Sept. 6 vs. Michigan
Sept. 13 @ Temple
Sept. 20 vs. Auburn
Oct. 4 vs. Kent State
Oct. 11 vs. Texas (at Dallas)
Oct. 18 @ South Carolina
Oct. 25 vs. Mississippi
Nov. 1 @ Tennessee
Nov. 15 @ Alabama
Nov. 22 vs. Missouri
Nov. 29 vs. LSU
2025 OSU Schedule
Aug. 28 vs. UT-Martin
Sept. 6 @ Oregon
Sept. 19 vs. Tulsa
Sept. 27 vs. Baylor
Oct. 4 @ Arizona
Oct. 11 vs. Houston
Oct. 18 vs. Cincinnati
Oct. 25 @ Texas Tech
Nov. 1 @ Kansas
Nov. 15 vs. Kansas State
Nov. 22 @ UCF
Nov. 29 vs. Iowa State
Central Oklahoma
Aug. 30 @ UT-Permian Basin
Sept. 6 vs. Pittsburg State
Sept. 20 vs. Washburn
Sept. 27 @ NW Missouri
Oct. 4 @ Central Missouri
Oct. 11 vs. Fort Hays State
Oct. 18 vs. Emporia State
Oct. 25 vs. Northeastern OSU
Nov. 1 @ Nebraska-Kearney
Nov. 8 vs. Missouri Southern
Nov. 15 @ Missouri Western
Oklahoma Baptist
Sept. 4 @ Southern Arkansas
Sept. 13 vs. Henderson State
Sept. 20 vs. Northwestern OSU
Sept. 27 @ Southwestern OSU
Oct. 4 @ Ouachita Baptist
Oct. 11 vs. Ark.-Monticello
Oct. 18 @ East Central
Oct. 25 vs. Southeastern OSU
Nov. 1 @ Harding
Nov. 8 vs. Arkansas Tech
Nov. 15 @ Southern Nazarene
Southern Nazarene
Sept. 4 @ Henderson State
Sept. 11 vs. Southern Arkansas
Sept. 20 @ East Central
Sept. 27 vs. Southeastern OSU
Oct. 4 @ Ark.-Monticello
Oct. 11 vs. Ouachita Baptist
Oct. 16 vs. Southwestern OSU
Oct. 25 @ Northwestern OSU
Nov. 1 @ Arkansas Tech
Nov. 8 vs. Harding
Nov. 15 vs. Oklahoma Baptist
Southwestern OSU
Sept. 4 vs. Arkansas Tech
Sept. 11 @ Harding
Sept. 20 @ Southeastern OSU
Sept. 27 vs. Oklahoma Baptist
Oct. 4 vs. Henderson State
Oct. 11 @ Southern Arkansas
Oct. 16 @ Southern Nazarene
Oct. 25 vs. East Central
Nov. 1 @ Ark.-Monticello
Nov. 8 vs. Ouachita Baptist
Nov. 15 @ Northwestern OSU
PC North riding momentum after successful 8-win season
By Jason Jewell Sports Editor
Coming off one of its most successful seasons in nearly two decades, the PC North football looks to continue that momentum for firstyear coach Brian Lockart.
The Panthers finished 8-4 last year, including a trip to the Class 6A-II playoffs where they shut out Southmoore in the first round but fell to 2022 state champion Stillwater in the quarterfinals. The 2024 campaign marked just the third time of winning eight games in a season since 2007.
PC North opens its season on Sept. 5 in a traditional Week 1 contest at Shawnee.
Six offensive starters return to a unit which relies on mixing personnel packages to confuse opposing defenses.
Senior Mason Jones returns for a second season as the starting quarterback for the Panthers, after passing for nearly 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024.
Bravion Stubbs and Marshall Bennett, both seniors, are expected to be solid targets for Jones, as Stubbs averaged about 14 yards per reception in his junior campaign.
Fellow senior Isaiah Southern has also emerged as a third receiving
option.
Senior Caari Coleman provides leadership on the offensive line, while transfers Victor Flores, Jonathan Bryden and Terry Wilson Jr. could provide immediate help for the Panthers.
District 6AII-2
Pre-Season Rankings
1. Muskogee
2. Sand Springs
3. Sapulpa
4. PC North
5. Ponca City
6. Bartlesville
7. PC West
8. Capitol Hill
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On defense, junior Gavan Krone hopes to provide consistent pressure to opposing quarterbacks from his defensive end position.
PC North also looks for opportunities to create turnovers, with senior J.T. Hutchison as the leader in the secondary, along with senior
Mitchell Taylor and Stubbs, who is a 3-year starter on both offense and defense.
The Panthers appear to be loaded at linebacker, led by senior Jarrett Rogers and sophomore Dominic Spotwood. Spotwood played a critical role on last year’s team and is expected to continue an upward trend.
PC North garnered a spot at No. 10 in the 6A-II preseason poll and was picked fourth in District 2 behind 2023 state champion Muskogee, Sand Springs and Sapulpa.
Coach Brian Lockart
