08-31-2018 Pigskin Preview Print Replica

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PC North continues making progress in win column in the top division of Class 6A. The overwhelming Winning just three games favorites to win in 2015 and 2016, PC North the district are equaled that total last seaTulsa Union and son and confidence is growOwasso, which ing that the Panthers can be also won the last even better in the 2018 camtwo state champipaign. onships in 2017 “There’s been a real culand 2018, respecture shift in attitude,” thirdtively. year coach Ryan Laverty Coach Ryan Laverty The Panthers said. “Our seniors this year bring back a more were sophomores in my first year, and they’ve shown great lead- experienced lineup, as seven offensive and nine defensive starters ership so far this season. return for the 2018 campaign.

“They’re beginning to have the Junior Aaron Norment leads the expectation to win and believe we can make a run at a playoff berth.” PC North offense for a second straight season. He threw for 2,223 Outside of its three non-district yards and 10 touchdowns as a games, winning gets a little sophomore. Norment also rushed tougher as PC North plays in for 218 yards and a pair of TDs. arguably the more loaded district

By Jason Jewell Sports Editor

Panthers are stacked with “(Aaron) has District 6AI-2 seniors Will Taylor and Kris put on about Barnes, along with Zach 20 pounds and Pre-Season Rankings Dortch and sophomore become more 1. Tulsa Union Davin Duverger in the middurable,” 2. Owasso dle at linebackers.

Laverty said.

3. Norman North Taylor led the Panthers in “He really 4. Mustang 2017 with 95 total tackles, matured as 5. Moore 12 of them for loss, and a (last) year 6.

PC North sack, while Dortch chipped went along.”

7. Southmoore in 72 ½ tackles, two sacks Senior 8. Edmond North and nine tackles for loss.

Antajuan Source: VYPE Pigskin Preview Senior Juan Macedo Brown and anchors the defensive line at Jamal Jeffers noseguard, where he had 32 emerge as tackles and two sacks last year.

Norment’s two primary receiving Senior D.K. Stevenson leads the targets. Brown caught 46 passes for defensive secondary at free safety.

667 yards and two touchdowns, while Jeffers added 28 grabs for 225 He finished with 45 ½ tackles, a team-best three interceptions and yards and a pair of scores. six pass breakups.

Senior Brandon Deer and junior The Panthers face off against Maliq McDonald anchor the offenrival Putnam City this Friday to sive line. open the season.

On the defensive side, the

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Casady remains optimistic for a successul 2018 season

By Jason Jewell Sports Editor

group also playing on special teams.

“Most everybody Despite numbers being goes both ways,” down and fielding a young Scoville told FRIsquad, Casady coach Koby DAY. “It presents a Scoville remains optimistic challenge especialabout the Cyclones’ chances ly when it’s hot at at a successful season. the first of the “We’re a young team, but year. That also the kids are very coachable,” means we have to said Scoville, who is entering practice both ways.

Coach Koby Scoville We just try to keep his 15th season at Casady.

“I’m just looking for daily the kids focused on improvement. We’re not looking the next play, which can be a big farther ahead than the next day.” challenge.”

Of 33 players dressing for the A two-way battle has emerged 2018 season, only 12 of them are for the starting quarterback posijuniors or seniors, the coach said. tion between senior Parker Quillen Another factor facing the and sophomore Denver Wilson.

Cyclones this year is that nearly Quillen completed 52 of 90 passes all of the athletes must play both for 718 yards and eight touchoffense and defense, with a smaller downs to go along with seven inter-

ceptions.

“We’re very excited for SW Preparatory Wilson threw Nick,” the coach said. “This is Conference for 661 yards his senior year and I’m lookin and four touchfor him to have a good one.”

Class 3A downs but Sophomore Christian Casady struggled at Campbell could emerge as a Cistercian times with nine primary target at receiver, Country Day interceptions. especially with his bigger body Greenhill “We’re going at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds.

John Cooper to see which Another leader on the offenOakridge one really steps sive line is sophomore Cruz St. Andrew’s up in our last Uhland who is looking to earn St. Stephen’s few practices some valuable experience.

Trinity Valley Source: www.spcsports.org and a scrimAlong with Quillen at linemage,” Scoville backer and Wilson at defensive said of the back, Uhland roams the defenquarterbacks. “They’ve both looked sive line with Andy Throgmorton. good through fall camp so far.”

Senior Preston Parson and Whoever wins the quarterback Christian Owen helping Wilson in job should have a steady hand at the defensive backfield. tailback in Nick Armoudian. The Casady is on the road Aug. 31 for senior averaged about four yards its first Southwestern Preparatory per carry last season.

Conference counter at St. Mark’s.

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Alexander era begins at Mount St. Mary in ‘18

By Jason Jewell Sports Editor

lenge as the Rockets have five defensive senior linebacker Kaysen Fisher been assigned to a new starters returnleads the way from his linebacker district in Class 3A which ing this season. position. Fisher paced the Rockets Left shocked by the somewhat includes a pair of The offensive with 106 tackles to go along with unexpected loss of former coach Fridayland rivals and line likely has five sacks last season.

Derrick Perkins to the college state champions in the most experiLane and senior Lorenzo Jones ranks, Mount St. Mary turned to a Heritage Hall and John ence as senior provide leadership on the defensive long-time metro area coach to lead Marshall along with Charlie Lane line. Lane recorded a team-best 10 the program in the 2018 season. perennial power anchors sacks and 47 tackThe Rockets Kingfisher. the unit Class 3A Top 10 les, while Jones hired former Mount St. with had nine sacks and District 3A-1 Douglass coach Mary is help 42 stops.

1. Heritage Hall Willis Alexander as picked to finfrom Senior Cooper 2. John Marshall Pre-Season Rankings Coach Willis Alexander the new face of ish sixth in junior Glass anchors the 3. Cascia Hall 1. Heritage Hall their program. the district, Dalton defensive backfield, 4. Lincoln Chr. 2. John Marshall Mount St. Mary with Heritage Hall Faires and senior Carson where he had 70 5. Plainview 3. Kingfisher is looking to return and John Marshall in Statham. tackles and two 6. Kingfisher 4. Perkins-Tryon 7. Idabel to the postseason the top two spots folJunior Grady Glass sacks.

5. Mannford 8. Berryhill after making the lowed by Kingfisher. could prove to be a reliMount St. Mary 6. Mount St. Mary 9. Sulphur playoffs in 2016 for Graduation hit able target at wide receivkicks off its 2018 7. Bridge Creek 10. Seminole the time in more both sides of the ball er. He caught 19 passes for season this Friday 8. Blackwell than two decades. rather hard with just 225 yards last season. at home against Source: VYPE Pigskin Preview Source: VYPE Pigskin Preview It will be a chalthree offensive and On the defensive side, Christian Heritage.

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Deer Creek continues to look for more success in 6A will see some new faces on Senior Paxton Gary leads an defense as only five starters experienced and come back for 2018. talented receivWith a steady increase in wins With the graduation of last ing corps. Gary since joining Class 6A, Deer Creek year’s starting quarterback Hunter Freese, the Antlers caught 33 passes is hoping to do even better for the for nearly 300 turn to senior Jarrett 2018 season. yards last seaBurright to lead the offense.

The Antlers boasted just two son, with an wins in 2016 – its first season in Charged with leading the average of near6A – but doubled that total last unit to protect Burright is senior offensive ly nine yards per season. They also are catch. tackle Daxton eyeing a playoff berth, District 6AII-1 With just five despite being picked Byers. Senior Coach Wade Standley Pre-Season Rankings returning to Axel Welch is last in District 6AII-1.

1. Midwest City start on defense, also a mainstay Midwest City is 2. Lawton Deer Creek values the experience on the offensive line picked to win the dis3. Stillwater of junior Parker Johnson and junat tight end. trict, followed by 4. Del City ior Dylan Diaz as the core of the Junior Lemorris Lawton, Stillwater 5.

Choctaw defensive line.

Davis returns for and Del City.

6. Putnam City Roaming the middle of the this third season and Deer Creek should 7. PC West defense is a pair of seniors in enjoy some continuity likely will get most 8. Deer Creek Dylan Beers and Ben Lykes from of the carries at tailon offense as eight Source: VYPE Pigskin Preview their inside linebacker spots. back for the Antlers. starters return but

By Jason Jewell Sports Editor

The Antlers’ three non-district games this season are all against 6A Division I opponents including a renewed rivalry against Edmond Memorial.

Deer Creek opened its season last Thursday at Southmoore and visit Norman on Sept. 7.

Deer Creek Quick Facts • The Antlers not only improved by two games in the win column in 2017, they also showed dramatic improvement offensively.

Deer Creek averaged 24.9 points per game last season up from 15.7 in 2016.

• Deer Creek continues its series with Edmond Memorial facing off for the fifth consecutive season.

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Heritage Hall returns to familiar territory in 3A Weatherford, but it’s nice to be back down.”

For most teams, each footAlong with the ball season brings essentially move down a class, Heritage the same schedule as the year Hall has been before with the odd exception placed in a tough of a redrawn district.

Heritage Hall, however, district with the faces a different challenge as likes of defending 3A state champiit moves back down to familon John Marshall, iar territory in Class 3A after spending the last two perennial power Coach Brett Bogert Kingfisher, years in 4A. The Chargers Perkins and new did win a state champiFridayland rival Mount St. Mary. onship last season and only lost “There’s no doubt about us being one game in its two seasons in 4A. in a tough district,” said Bogert “(Class 3A) is really the right place for us to be,” said coach Brett who enters his fourth season at the Hall. “There are at least three Bogert. “It gets us back to more traditional rivalries and more teams with a legitimate shot at familiar teams. It was fun for us in winning a state title.”

Graduation hit the team hard 4A to play teams like Clinton and

By Jason Jewell Sports Editor

yards and 22 touchlast season, as several District 3A-1 key players left. downs in his career.

A three-way battle Senior Conner Carey Pre-Season Rankings and junior Phillip has emerged between 1. Heritage Hall Smitherman have bigjunior Will Dunn, 2. John Marshall play abilities at wide sophomore Jackson 3. Kingfisher Jobe and sophomore receiver while senior 4. Perkins-Tryon Robert Mbroh to be Jack Griffin and sopho5. Mannford more Melvin Swindle the Chargers’ starting 6. Mount St. Mary anchor a talented quarterback.

7. Bridge Creek offensive line.

“Will (Dunn) has 8. Blackwell On defense, senior taken most of the reps Source: VYPE Pigskin Preview Jayden McDaniel in practice so I’d give should be a key figure him a slight lead right now,” the coach said. “He’s a big kid as a solid rusher from his defensive (at 6-foot-3) and has a big arm. end position. Senior Preston Nelson, junior Connor Keith and “Jackson is a starting cornerback sophomore A.J. Sirls Jr. join and Robert is a linebacker so they’ll McDaniel on the d-line. be on the field a lot,” he said.

The offense won’t be without big Ross and Smitherman also make the jump to the defensive backfield. playmakers, as tailback Billy Ross The Chargers open the season at Jr. returns for his final season.

2A No. 1 Millwood this Friday.

Ross has rushed for nearly 1,400

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John Marshall embarks on quest to defend state title

By Jason Jewell Sports Editor

Fridayland rival Mount St. Mary and upstart Perkins-Tryon Coming off the best in what many considseason in program histoer the toughest disry, which culminated in a trict in the class.

Class 3A state champi“There’s no quesonship, John Marshall is tion we’re in the not resting on its laurels toughest district in heading into 2018.

3A,” Woods told FRI“Winning the state DAY. “It’ll be a chalchampionship was lenge for us just to great, but we’re right Coach Rashaun Woods make the playoffs.” back to work and excitThe Bears are ed for the upcoming season,” coach picked to finish second in the disRashaun Woods said. “We’re looktrict behind Heritage Hall, with ing forward to another great year.”

Kingfisher and Perkins rounding In 2017, the Bears played in one out the top 4. The top four teams of the easier districts in the state in each district make the playoffs. but that changed this year.

The Bears return just five offenJohn Marshall joins 4A defendsive starters in 2018. ing champion Heritage Hall, perenLeading the way on offense is nial power Kingfisher, new quarterback Jarod Leviston. The

senior threw for 29 receptions for 452 District 3A-1 1,665 yards and 15 yards and another five touchdowns to go scores.

Pre-Season Rankings along with 509 Junior Jaden Mullins 1. Heritage Hall yards and five and senior Roberto 2. John Marshall scores on the Arozarena are the leading 3. Kingfisher ground. candidates in the rotation 4. Perkins-Tryon “(Leviston) did a at tailback for the Bears.

5. Mannford good job stepping Senior Kevon Curry 6. Mount St. Mary into his first season and Mullins lead the way 7. Bridge Creek (in 2017),” Woods on defense from their 8. Blackwell said. “He’s further linebacker positions.

Source: VYPE Pigskin Preview ahead than he was Curry led the way with at this time last 92 tackles, while had 60 year.” stops as a sophomore.

Leviston should have a bevy of Juniors Cody Wheeler and Che talented receivers to catch passes, Don Caldwell, along with senior including senior Jared Leviston, Aiden Perrin, man the defensive junior Timothy Stephens and soph- backfield. Jarod Leviston also douomore Bryce Stephens. bles as the team’s free safety.

Jared Leviston caught 36 passes The Bears hosted Northeast on for 491 yards and five touchdowns, Thursday in their season opener at and Timothy Stephens chipped in Taft Stadium.

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Crossings Christian eyeing elusive 1st playoff victory “Top to bottom, our district is very tough,” Keathly said. “There will Although they are still be a couple good chronologically young, teams left out of Crossings Christian boasts the playoffs.” an experienced lineup lookAmong the addiing to do what no other tions to District 3 team in school history has are state runnerdone – win a playoff game. up Crescent, dis“We were just inches trict champion away from winning (a playWatonga, Cashion off game), and are excited Coach Jonathan Keathly and Christian about possibly of winning Heritage which our first playoff game this drops down from 2A this season. season,” said second-year coach Eight offensive starters return Jonathan Keathly. “We’ve got a lot to the Crossings Christian roster, of starters back on both side of the including four upperclassmen at ball, but we have to be better. the skill positions and starting That’s one of our goals.” quarterback Owen Crotts.

The Knights are playing in a Crotts was forced into action last revamped district, which could season because of injury. The sophostand in the way of making the more improved as the year went Class A playoffs.

By Jason Jewell Sports Editor

anchored by a pair of seniors in along finishing District A-3 Coleman Patterson and with 588 yards Grayson Ramer. They comand five touchPre-Season Rankings bined for more than 300 yards downs.

1. Minco receiving and four scores.

“Owen has 2.

Crescent An early injury will likely come a long 3. Christian Heritage sideline Ramer for the first few way,” Keathly 4. Cashion weeks, but Hunter Johnson, told FRIDAY. 5. Watonga Drew Woods and Jonah Mahan “This year, we 6. OCA could be valuable options. feel he’s ready 7. Crossings Chr. McMurphy also makes the to start making 8. Northeast switch to defense, where he plays rather 9. Wellston led the Knights with a schoolthan just manSource: VYPE Pigskin Preview record 103 tackles from his aging the linebacker spot. offense.”

Patterson, Johnson and Behind Crotts is an experienced backfield in Mahan – along with a healthy Ramer – anchor the defensive backsenior Cole McMurphy and junior field, while Snyder and senior Ryan Jacob Snyder. The duo combined for Brady stuff the middle at linebacknine TDs and had nearly identical ers. Snyder had 70 tackles last seastatistics in 2018 with McMurphy son and Brady had 55 stops. rushing for 648 yards and Snyder The Knights host Rejoice adding 649 yards.

Christian this Friday at 7 p.m.

The receiving corps is also

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Fridaylanders dot state college rosters

By Jason Jewell Sports Editor A former Little All-City Defensive Player of the Year and one of the top junior college recruits from John Marshall, along with a state champion quarterback from Heritage Hall headline a list of nearly two dozen Fridayland athletes on state college football rosters this season.

Connor McGinnis, a former Charger quarterback, is listed as a redshirt junior at the University of Oklahoma. McGinnis played in all 14 games last season for the Sooners and received the Mortell Holder of the Year Award.

John Marshall’s Justin Broiles, named the top player in Oklahoma

by ESPN in 2016, ended up redshirting last season but could compete for playing time in the Sooners’ defensive backfield.

John Marshall’s Tramonda Moore played at Independence (Kan.) Community College and was tabbed as the top offensive tackle junior-college recruit by 247Sports.

Also on the Sooners roster is former Mount St. Mary fullback Joe Castiglione, Jr. OU opens the 2018 season this Saturday against Florida Atlantic at Owen Field.

Two former Fridayland athletes are on the squad at Oklahoma State.

Fridaylanders on Campus Oklahoma Justin Broiles, John Marshall Joe Castiglione, Jr., Mount St. Mary Connor McGinnis, Heritage Hall Tramonda Moore, John Marshall Oklahoma State Taoheed Karim, PC North Seth Meacham, Heritage Hall Central Oklahoma Mekail Hall, John Marshall Eli Hooks, Deer Creek Southwestern Oklahoma State Joel Blumenthal, Deer Creek Trip Dlugonski, Crossings Christian Aaron Jeffreys, Mount St. Mary Jared Rayburn, Deer Creek Oklahoma Baptist Trey Marion III, Heritage Hall Noah McGraw, Deer Creek Ethan Watson, PC North

PC North’s Taoheed Kareem is listed as a redshirt freshman cornerback, and Heritage Hall’s Seth Meacham is a freshman defensive tackle.

The Cowboys hosted Missouri State on Aug. 30 in their season opener.

Former John Marshall standout Mekail Hall and Deer Creek graduate Eli Hooks made the roster at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. Hall is listed as a redshirt

freshman wide receiver, while Hooks is a senior defensive end.

The Bronchos visited Pittsburg State, Kan., last Thursday in their season opener.

Deer Creek’s Joel Blumenthal and Jared Rayburn, along with Crossings Christian’s Trip Dlugonski and Mount St. Mary’s Aaron Jeffreys made the roster at Southwestern Oklahoma State in Weatherford.

Blumenthal, a quarterback for the Antlers, gets a second shot at his senior season after being awarded a medical redshirt after only playing in three games last season.

Rayburn is listed as a junior wide receiver, while Dlugonski is a freshman offensive lineman and Jeffreys is a fresman receiver.

The Bulldogs opened the 2018 campaign with an Aug. 30 home game against ArkansasMonticello.

Deer Creek’s Noah McGraw, PC North’s Ethan Watson and Heritage Hall’s Trey Marion III are set to play 2018 at Oklahoma Baptist in Shawnee. McGraw enters his junior season at receiver, while Watson is a redshirt freshman quarterback and Marion is listed as a freshman offensive lineman.

The Bison visited East Central on Aug. 30 to kick off their 2018 season.

2018 OU Schedule Sept. 1 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 20 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov. 24

vs. Florida Atlantic vs. UCLA @ Iowa State vs. Army vs. Baylor vs. Texas (at Dallas) @ TCU vs. Kansas State @ Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma State vs. Kansas @ West Virginia

2018 OSU Schedule Aug. 30 Sept. 8 Sept. 15 Sept. 22 Sept. 29 Oct. 6 Oct. 13 Oct. 27 Nov. 3 Nov. 10 Nov. 17 Nov. 24

vs. Missouri State vs. South Alabama vs. Boise State vs. Texas Tech @ Kansas vs. Iowa State @ Kansas State vs. Texas @ Baylor @ Oklahoma vs. West Virginia @ TCU

2018 State College Football Schedules Central Oklahoma Aug. 30 @ Pittsburg State Sept. 6 vs. Neb.-Kearney Sept. 15 @ Lindenwood Sept. 22 vs. NW Missouri Sept. 29 @ Fort Hays State Oct. 6 vs. Central Missouri Oct. 13 @ Missouri Western Oct. 20 vs. Washburn Oct. 27 @ Missouri Southern Nov. 3 at Northeastern Nov. 10 vs. Emporia State

Oklahoma Baptist Aug. 30 @ East Central Sept. 8 vs. Southeastern Sept. 15 vs. Arkansas Tech Sept. 22 @ Harding Sept. 29 vs. Southern Ark. Oct. 6 @ Henderson St. Oct. 13 vs. Ouachita Bapt.

Oct. 20 @ Ark.-Monticello Oct. 27 @ Southwestern Nov. 3 vs. Northwestern Nov. 10 vs. So. Nazarene

Southern Nazarene Aug. 30 @ Southeastern Sept. 8 vs. East Central Sept. 15 vs. Harding, Ark. Sept. 22 @ Arkansas Tech Sept. 29 vs. Henderson St. Oct. 6 @ Southern Ark. Oct. 13 vs. Ark.-Monticello Oct. 18 @ Ouachita Bapt.

Oct. 27 @ Northwestern Nov. 3 vs. Southwestern Nov. 10 @ Okla. Baptist

Southwestern OSU Aug. 30 vs. Ark.-Monticello Sept. 8 @ Ouachita Baptist Sept. 15 vs. Southern Ark. Sept. 22 @ Henderson State Sept. 29 @ East Central Oct. 6 vs. Southeastern Oct. 13 vs. Harding Oct. 20 @ Arkansas Tech Oct. 27 vs. Oklahoma Baptist Nov. 3 @ So. Nazarene Nov. 10 vs. Northwestern

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Pierce committed to ‘keep it rolling’ for McGuinness among the favorites to make it three years in a row. They Oftentimes a new coach are ranked No. 2 can throw a team off its behind two-time champion Carl game, as the coach Albert in the preattempts to install his sysseason. tem and terminology in a limited amount of time.

“Our expectaThat’s not the case with tions, like every year, are high,” McGuinness which tabbed Pierce told FRIDAY. longtime assistant Bryan Coach Bryan Pierce Pierce to lead the Fighting “We’re trying to keep it rolling.”

Irish after former coach Sophomore Dominic Richardson Justin Jones left for Norman North. figures to be the focal point for “We’re going to continue doing McGuinness’ offense after suffering the same things we’ve always a serious leg injury in the first done,” Pierce said. “There are a lot playoff game last season. of guys left from the old staff and Richardson exploded onto the we’re ready to go.”

The Irish, which reached the scene in 2017 as a freshman and was among the state’s leading Class 5A championship game in rushers regardless of class. each of the last two seasons, is

By Jason Jewell Sports Editor

Junior Aaron Beck, senior “We held District 5A-2 (Richardson) Chris Thompson and out in the Brynden Walker could Pre-Season Rankings emerge as receiving targets spring, but he 1. Carl Albert for either Tarman or Ille at has been 2. McGuinness quarterback. through all the 3. Guthrie summer workClearing the way upfront 4. Lawton Eisenhower outs and is at is a solid group of offensive 5. Woodward linemen, led by seniors full capacity,” 6. Piedmont Charlie Covington and Grant Pierce said.

7. Guymon Zehrung.

“We’re excited 8. Northwest Classen Defensively, Brennan to see him have Source: VYPE Pigskin Preview Walker is expected to have a another great “bigger role” at defensive season.” end, while Thompson anchors the The Irish, however, need to fill the quarterback position with Luke linebacking corps along with senior Tarman and Evan Ille emerging as Brandon Jacobs, Cooper Wright and Ille as other significant conthe leading candidates. tributors, Pierce said.

“It’s been a good competition,” the coach said. “We’ll see in the McGuinness hosts Del City this Friday in the season opener, as last few practices and our scrimboth teams play for the sixth time mages if there is some separation in the last four seasons. between them.”

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