Coach Brett Bogert
Junior Andy Bass takes over at quarterback after playing in a limited role last season. The Chargers enjoy a young, but experienced group of juniors in the offensive line, with 2-yard starter Xavier Freeman anchoring the unit. Six starters return on defense, with several holes to fill as Heritage Hall lost four key defenders to graduation. Faulkner and Cookson, along with Zach Fetrow occupy the middle at linebackers. Faulkner finished his junior year with 75 tackles and two sacks, and Cookson had a team-best 148 tackles, seven sacks and an interception.Freeman recorded 51 tackles on the defensive line, as Walker and Jordyn Harris highlight the defensiveHeritagebackfield.Hall opened the season at Millwood last Thursday.
Heritage Hall anxious to hoist state championship trophy
By Jason Jewell Sports Editor
For the first time in recent memory, members of the current Heritage Hall football team roster have a unique feature: none of them have won a state championship. “That is something we’d like to change,” coach Brett Bogert said. “ Last year’s squad, which finished 12-1, suffered a third straight loss to Lincoln Christian in the Class 3A semifinals.“Wehad a great season and played well,” Bogert told FRIDAY “I really felt like we had a championship quality team but just weren’t able to get it done.” Ranked No. 2 behind Lincoln Christian in the VYPE preseason poll, Heritage Hall moves from District 1 to District 2 for the next two seasons. The new comprisesdistrictsome of the perennial powers in 3A, “We’lltrict,”toSulphur.MarlowingPlainview,includingdefend-statechampionand“We’reexcitedbeinanewdis-Bogertsaid.betraveling more down south and facing some newer teams.”
The Charges are also favored to win District 2 and make another deep run in the playoffs. Heritage Hall last won a gold ball in 2018. Despite losing a high-profile group of seniors from last year’s squad, Heritage Hall 1,146senior,LiamCooksonWalker,receiverswithFaulkner,backarestarterssevenreturnsoffensivein2022.Amongthemseniortail-RiveralongseniorOrieCooperandBurton.Faulkner,aranforyardson155 carries and 22 touchdowns. Walker caught 34 passes for 519 yards and six touchdowns, while Cookson had 19 receptions for 400 yards and four touchdowns. Burton grabbed 19 catches for 325 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
District 3A-2 Pre-Season Rankings 1. Heritage Hall 2. Plainview 3. Marlow 4. Sulphur 5. Pauls Valley 6. Lone Grove 7. Douglass 8. Dickson Source: VYPE Pigskin Preview Pigskin Preview • September 2, 2022 • Page 2
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Linebackers include senior Shazdon Guliford, junior Terrance Caldwell and sophomore Sean Powell. After opening against Lawton MacArthur in Week 0, John Marshall hosts Bethany this Friday.
The duo possesses good skills and a tremendous work ethic, BerusThreesaid.other returning seniors, Aalijah Kirby and Angel DeLeon anchor the offensive line with sophomore Aahmad Kirby expected to earn some playing time as SandersfieldSeniorwell.Craydenisexpected to make big plays from his defensive line position, joined by senior Alante Benford and junior Tre’Quan Johnson.
Senior Davien Taylor makes the move to starting quarterback after spending the last two seasons as a wideFellowreceiver.seniors Dorien Middleton and Kylen Drennon hope to ease Taylor’s transition as go-to receivers.
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Berus takes over reins of John Marshall program
District 4A-1 Pre-Season Rankings 6.Cache5.Chickasha4.Weatherford3.Elk2.Woodward1.ClintonCity 7.John Marshall Source: VYPE Pigskin Preview
Coach Chris Berus
By Jason Jewell Sports Editor When taking over the John Marshall football program, new coach Chris Berus decided to keep his first season on a simple trajectory. “We just want to keep improving every day and stay consistent,” Berus told FRIDAY. “Everyone is still learning and we’ve had some good practices.”TheBears, which are in the lower half of Class 4A by enrollment, also endure a tough, pre-district schedule with games against 5A’s Lawton MacArthur, Bethany and 3A’s Heritage Hall. Their harder-than-average slate is not something they will shy away from, according to the coach. “We want to play great competition,” he said. “It’s good preparation for our difficult district season and maybe even help us earn a playoff spot.” John Marshall plays in one of 4A’s toughest districts with defending state champion Clinton, and other perennial playoff teams in Woodward, Elk City and Weatherford. Chickasha and Cache have also been improving over the last few “Clintonseasons.isdefinitely the team to beat,” Berus said. “Weatherford had a bit of a down year (in 2021) and Elk City was a semifinal team. It is a loaded district.” The Bears finished 3-7 last season – their second straight losing campaign – after going no worse than 7-4 since 2014 and including a state title in 2017. Although John Marshall lost a good group of seniors to graduation, there are several playmakers returning to help the Bears to a successful season.
Seniors Preston Mahen and Cole Crawford anchor the offensive line. One question for the new season is who starts at quarterback. Keathly said he’s not prepared to make a decision on the Week 1 starter as junior Nate Rouse and sophomore Bennett Baker compete for the job. The Knights’ defense also boasts seven returning senior MeekLinebackerstarters.Blakeleadstheway after collecing a team-best 117 tackles, 19 for loss, and five sacks. Ward joins Meek at linebacker and chipped in 93 tackles. Mahen and Cooper Mulanax play in multiple positions along the defensive line. Mahen paced the dline with 9 1/2 sacks in 2021. Payton Brady heads up the defensive secondary, where he made 52 tackles and 18 pass breakups. Crossings Christian hosts Hennessey this Friday in the opener. Pigskin
District 2A-2 Pre-Season Rankings 1. Crossings Chr. 2. Jones 3. Chandler 4. Bethel 5. Luther 6. Meeker 7. Kellyville 8. Star Spencer Source: VYPE
By Jason Jewell Sports Editor Thanks to a district championship and a berth in the state quarterfinals last season, the Crossings Christian football team begins to stake its claim as a regular playoff contender in Class 2A. The Knights finished 10-3 in 2021 and won the District 2A-2 championship. They advanced to the quaterfinals where a loss to Beggs ended their“Lastseason.year was special,” coach Jonathan Keathly said. “We had a big bounce back (from 2020) and had great leadership from our seniors. They kept the positive culture we’ve tried to create and were having fun.” Unlike several other schools, Crossings Christian’s district stays mostly intact. The Knights are picked to win District 2A2 for a tolddistrict,”playBethel.ChandlercontendersaheadstraightsecondseasonofperennialJones,and“WedefinitelyinatoughKeathly
The Knights also cracked the top 10 at No. 9 in the VYPE magazine preseason poll. “We really feel good about this season,” Keathly said. “We lost some big players but all five of our offensive linemen and running backs return. We hope to surpass last year.” With experience up front and in the backfield, Crossings Christian will focus on running the ball more than in the past, the coach said. Seniors Silas Ward and Justin Walraven return to the offensive backfield. Splitting carries in 2021, Ward rushed for 663 yards and nine touchdowns, and Walraven gained 758 yards and nine scores.
Crossings Christian stakes claim to compete for 2A title
Preview Coach Jonathan Keathly
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FRIDAY. “We are able to beat Jones but lost to Chandler. There could easily be five teams who could qualify for the playoffs so one will be left out.”
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By Jason Jewell Sports Editor
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Loaded McGuinness squad gears up for deep playoff run Coach Bryan Pierce District 5A-2 Pre-Season Rankings 1. Carl Albert 2. McGuinness 3. Guthrie 4. Piedmont 5. Lawton Eis. 6. Shawnee 7. Southeast Source: VYPE Pigskin Preview 1. McAlester 2. Carl Albert 3. McGuinness 4. Collinsville 5. Guthrie 6. Del City 7. Midwest City 8. Coweta 9. 10.ArdmoreSapulpa Class 5A Top 10 Source: VYPE Pigskin Preview
Junior Kazeyn Bird, who transferred from Westmoore, has made strides as a inquarterbacksoneregardedcenterseasonhisembarksRiverquarterbackIrishtocomplementrunningTaffeintheoffense.JuniorWarrenonsecondunderandisasofthetopthestate.
Seniors Tyrell Bruner and Kellen Fraille return as Warren’s top receivingPerhapstargets. the most experienced position group is at offensive line where McGuinness boast four seniors. Brandt Haag and Cody Smith are the tackles, while Harrison Wright is a 3-year starter at guard and M.J. Darby returns at center. On defense, Bird projects to be a starter at linebacker where he’s joined by senior Zane Shadid and sophomore Marcus James. Fraille and Noah Rice anchor the secondary, where Fraille captured twoSeniorinterceptions.VincentShivers starts on the defensive line. This Friday, the Irish host Clinton for their first meeting since 2011.
An old cliche in sports says that a coach can’t teach “size, speed or experience.”TheMcGuinness football team has all three as it gears up for another deep playoff run as a consistent contender in ClassFinishing5A. with a 7-4 record in 2021, the Irish advanced to the 5A quarterfinals where they lost to eventual state champion Collinsville. McGuinness is predicted to finish second to long-time rival Carl Albert in District 5A-2 and ranked No. 3 in the VYPE magazine preseason poll. McAlester took the top spot with Carl Albert coming in second and
Shawnee and Southeast were added to the schedule for the 2022 season. The Irish offense returns several key starters including running back Mike Taffe. The senior rushed for 1,693 yards and 33 touchdowns.
reshufflingsawDistrictthedistrictseraltheroundingGuthrieopponentdistrictinCollinsvillechampiondefendingfourthandouttop5.Likesev-otherinstate,5A-2someas
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By Jason Jewell Sports Editor
Panthers, which finished 5-6 last season, are picked to finish fourth in a revamped district.
Former OC Lane opens 1st season as coach at PC North Coach Derek Lane District 6AII-2 Pre-Season Rankings 1. Deer Creek 2. Choctaw 3. Lawton 4. PC North 5. Putnam City 6. Ponca City 7. NW Classen 8. Capitol Hill Source: VYPE Pigskin Preview
The former PC North offensive coordinator didn’t have to look far to find his new job as he was tabbed by the Panthers to be their next head coach after Ryan Laverty stepped down at the end of 2021. “The feltOC,wantedplayersjob,”meapproachedadministrationmeandencouragedtointerviewfortheheadcoachingLanesaid.“Alreadyknowingtheandadministration,Ireallytobepartoftheprogram.”DespitehispreviouspositionasLanesaidthisyear’steamhasnew.“Everythingisgoinggreatsofar,”
Lane transition.”beenplayers.withrelationshipstryingsoalln’t“Asday,”happensthing“There’ssaid.some-newthateveryhesaid.OC,Idid-workwiththeplayersI’vebeentobuildalltheIt’sasmoothThe
nial
After taking a year off to spend it with his family, Derek Lane decided the time was right to get back on the sidelines.
LewiswithJacksonRobertbacktionexperience.”butyoung“Wetrict),”shotCity,Chcotaw,contenderPutnamPoncaCity.“Wehaveagood(inthedis-Lanesaid.areprettyandtalentedwithnotalotofOnesuchposi-isatquarter-whereseniorsDuke,PhilIII,alongsophomoreMorelandare competing for the starting job. Duke primarily served as the backup QB last season and played on the junior-varsity squad. Whoever doesn’t start at quarterback could see playing time at receiver. Tailback Comarion returns as the top featured back, after rushing for 630 yards and 10 atleswhereonMarcusanchorsSeniormoreDestinreceiversOthertouchdowns.returningincludeseniorLayeandsopho-KamronOliver.JeremiahMooretheoffensiveline.Ondefense,seniorAndersonreturnsthedefensivelinehegrabbed37tack-andfoursacks.Threesolidathletesstartlinebackerinsenior Ravon Simpkins, junior Ryan Gooch and sophomore Marcus Stewart. Laye, who had 41 tackles and three interceptions last season, and sophomore Isaiah Wallace anchor thePCsecondary.Northhosts rival PC West on Friday in Week 1 action.
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PC North moves over to District 2 for the 2022 season, along with Fridayland rival Deer Creek which is picked to win the district. Teams added to the district include peren-
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As with many smaller schools, Hodges and Nedio flip over the defensive line. Phelps plays linebacker on defense, while Knowles and Phillips help solidify the secondary. After playing in Week 0, the Cyclones enjoy a week off before a Sept. 9 game at Crossings Christian.
conference in field hockey and boys
we’reboughtsummerworkedAssociation.ActivitiesSecondarytheadecidedyear,volleyball.EarlierthistheschooltopursuemembershipinOklahomaSchools“Ourkidshavehardallandintowhatdoing,”
Starting with the 2022 season, the Casady football team embarks on a 2-year provisional membership in the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association (OSSAA).TheCyclones play an independent schedule through the 2023 season and begin their full OSSAA membership in the 2024-25 school year.
Senior Conner Richards returns to lead the offense as starting quarterback. Richards took over as starter midway through the 2021 season and threw for more than 1,000Seniorsyards.Ethan Knowles and Cole Phillips anchor the receiving corps, with junior Connor Phelps attempting to stake his claim on the starting running back spot. Juniors Ace Hodges and Ethan Nedio anchor the offensive line and should begin garnering interest from college recruiters this season and into their senior campaigns.
Prestidge told FRIDAY. “We’re learning together in kind of an inbetween situation.” With the Cyclones playing an independent schedule over the next two years, current juniors and seniors won’t have an opportunity to play for a conference or district championship.“Ourgoalis getting better each week,” Prestidge said. “(Juniors and seniors) have accepted the situation that we have a huge learning curve.”
Coach Ty Prestidge
By Jason Jewell Sports Editor
Cyclones move into OSSAA
As Casady moves into the uncharted waters of the OSSAA, it turned to longtime Oklahoma high school Hallf of Fame coach Ty Prestidge for guidance as the football program plays an independent schedule as part of a 2-year privisional membership in the association. “I’ve always been respectful of Casady and their program,” he said. “They’ve had great success in the SPC (SW Preparatory Conference) and I know we’ll go a good job in theSinceOSSAA.”being established in 1947, Casady became a founding member of the SPC and will continue to compete as a non-voting member of the
Prestidge brings experience to new job at Casady
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Truelove confident in building success at Mount St. Mary
Krug.quarterbacksquad,fromoffensivereturnbestandready“YouTruelovedistrict,”inchampionships2A.“It’sasolidsaid.havetobetocompeteplayyoureveryweek.”TheRocketsjustfourstarterslastyear’sledbyJoeThejuniorbegins
his second season as a starter and has progressed in his throwing accuracy. “We go as an offense how (Krug) goes,” Truelove said. “He has gotten better throwing but also can make big plays with his legs.”
District 3A-1 Pre-Season Rankings 1. Perkins-Tryon 2. Kingfisher 3. Metro Christian 4. McLoud 5. Anadarko 6. Mount St. Mary 7. Mannford 8. North Rock Creek Source: VYPE Pigskin Preview
The district continues to include powerhouse programs such as Kingfisher, Anadarko and PerkinsTryon, along with newcomers Metro Christian and North Rock Creek. Metro Christian moves up to 3A after winning back-to-back state
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By Jason Jewell Sports Editor Since nearly making the playoffs in 2016, the Mount St. Mary football team has been under .500 over the last five years. New Rockets coach Matt Truelove, however, sees the promise of growing the Class 3A program. “We’re trying to learn how to win,” Truelove said. “We want to be a consistent program all the way through from practice to every play in a game.” One of the most important aspects of growing a program is developing good relationships, he said. “I really strive to build good relationships with our players,” Truelove told FRIDAY. “You need to learn what makes them tick, knowing who takes harder coaching. And the only way you can figure that out is falling back on your relationships with the Districtreshuffeledpeteseasonfinishedplayers.”TheRockets4-5lastandcom-intheslightly3A,1.
Mount St. Mary also boasts an experienced offensive line with seniors Landon Hughes and Jose Rueles leading the way upfront. Jaxson Daniels returns as one of the top receiving targets. Only four starters return on defense, as 2-way starter Hughes and senior Emiliano Coronado anchor the defensive line. Daniels moves to linebacker for the 2022 season, while Gael Lezama and John Allison fill in the other linebacker spots. Patrolling the secondary are seniors Trey Creel and Evan Hamilton along with junior Joaquin Brooks. After opening in Week 0, Mount St. Mary next hosts Northwest Classen on Sept. 8. Coach Matt Truelove
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Deer Creek’s Jacob Sexton and Heritage Hall’s Gavin Freeman round out the list. Sexton helped lead the Antlers to the Class 6A-II state championship game on the offensive line, and Freeman played on the Chargers’ state title team in 2018. The Sooners host Texas-El Paso on Sept. 3 in the season opener. At Oklahoma State, Dominic Richardson heads a good group of Fridaylanders on the Cowboys roster. Richardson, a junior tailback from McGuinness, played a part in the regular offensive rotation last year and should be in line for even more playing time in 2022. He ran for 373 yards on 79 carries and four touchdowns in 14 games, including a season-high 134 yards against TCU. C.J. Tate, a redshirt senior from PC North, transferred from Tabor College where he was an All-Conference selection and had 455 receiving yards in 10 Othersgames.on the OSU roster include Logan Ward, a redshirt freshman kicker from Deer Creek; Jaleel Johnson, a freshman defensive lineman from PC North; and Matthew Wade, a freshman offensive lineman from Deer Creek. The Cowboys kicked off the season Sept. 1 against Central Michigan. Six additional Fridaylanders made rosters at Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma Baptist, Southern Nazarene and Southwestern Oklahoma State. Mount St. Mary graduate Andrew Spellman is a redshirt freshman offensive lineman at UCO, while Heritage Hall’s Gavin Wilson plays as a freshman offensive lineman. The Bronchos opened Sept. 1 at Missouri Western. Omari Smith, a sophomore tight end from Heritage Hall, stands out as the only local athlete on the OBU roster. The Bison hosted Ouachita Baptist on Sept. 1. McGuinness’ Sam Bass also boasts being the only Fridaylander on the SNU squad as a redshirt freshman linebacker. The Crimson Storm entertained seasonlinemen.SouthwesternDeerChristianTuckerArkansas-Monticell.DlugonskifromCrossingsandPeytonHawkesfromCreekmadetherosteratasfreshmanoffensiveTheBulldogschristenedtheonSept.1atHendersonState.
Zach Schmit, a former Bishop McGuinness player, could compete for the starting placekicker spot in 2022. The redshirt sophomore played in four games last season, making a 46-yard field goal in his first career attempt against Western Carolina and converting all four extra-point attempts.
Oklahoma Baptist Sept. 1 vs. Ouachita Baptist Sept. 10 @ Ark.-Monticello Sept. 17 @ Northwestern OSU Sept. 24 vs. Southwestern OSU Oct. 1 @ Harding Oct. 8 vs. Arkansas Tech Oct. 15 vs. East Central Oct. 22 @ Southeastern OSU Oct. 19 vs. Southern Arkansas Nov. 5 @ Henderson State Nov. 12 vs. Southern Nazarene
2022 State College Football Schedules
Fridaylanders on Campus 2022 OU Schedule Sept. 3 vs. UTEP Sept. 10 vs. Kent State Sept. 17 @ Nebraska Sept. 24 vs. Kansas State Oct. 1 @ TCU Oct. 8 vs. Texas (at Dallas) Oct. 15 vs. Kansas Oct. 29 @ Iowa State Nov. 5 vs. Baylor Nov. 12 @ West Virginia Nov. 19 vs. Oklahoma State Nov. 26 @ Texas Tech Sept. 3 vs. Central Michigan Sept. 10 vs. Arizona State Sept. 17 vs. Ark.-Pine Bluff Oct. 1 @ Baylor Oct. 8 vs. Texas Tech Oct. 15 @ TCU Oct. 22 vs. Texas Oct. 29 @ Kansas State Nov. 5 @ Kansas Nov. 12 vs. Iowa State Nov. 19 @ Oklahoma Nov. 26 vs. West Virginia
Oklahoma Justin Broiles, John Marshall Gavin Freeman, Heritage Hall Zach Schmit, McGuinness Jacob Sexton, Deer Creek Oklahoma State Jaleel Johnson, PC North Dominic Richardson, McGuinness C.J. Tate, PC North Matthew Wade, Deer Creek Logan Ward, Deer Creek Central Oklahoma Andrew Spellman, Mount St. Mary Gavin Wilson, Heritage Hall Oklahoma Baptist Omari Smith, Heritage Hall Southern Nazarene Sam Bass, McGuinness Southwestern Oklahoma State Tucker Dlugonski, Crossings Christian Peyton Hawkes, Deer Creek
A state champion and several other standouts at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University highlight more than a dozen Fridayland athletes on state college football rosters in 2022. Of the five local athletes on the OU roster, former John Marshall standout Justin Broiles is the “elder statesman” of the quintet. The redshirt senior played in all 13 games last season with nine starts, while tallying 55 total tackles, two interceptions and five pass breakups for the Sooners.
– Compiled by Jason Jewell
2022 OSU Schedule
Central Oklahoma Sept. 1 @ Missouri Western Sept. 10 vs. Emporia State Sept. 17 @ Missouri Southern Sept. 24 vs. NW Missouri Oct. 1 @ Lincoln Oct. 8 vs. Northeastern Oct. 15 vs. Fort Hays State Oct. 22 @ Washburn Oct. 29 vs. Pittsburg State Nov. 5 @ Neb. Kearney Nov. 12 vs. Central Missouri
Sept. 1 vs. Ark.-Monticello Sept. 10 @ Ouachita Baptist Sept. 17 vs. East Central Sept. 24 @ Southeastern OSU Oct. 1 @ Arkansas Tech Oct. 8 vs. Harding Oct. 15 @ Southwestern OSU Oct. 22 vs. Northwestern OSU Oct. 29 vs. Henderson State Nov. 5 @ Southern Arkansas Nov. 12 @ Oklahoma Baptist
Fridaylanders earn spots on state college rosters
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Southwestern OSU Sept. 1 @ Henderson State Sept. 10 vs. Southern Arkansas Sept. 17 vs. Southeastern OSU Sept. 24 @ Oklahoma Baptist Oct. 1 vs. Ark.-Monticello Oct. 8 @ Ouachita Bapitst Oct. 15 vs. Southern Nazarene Oct. 22 @ East Central Oct. 29 @ Arkansas Tech Nov. 5 vs. Harding Nov. 12 vs. Northwestern OSU Southern Nazarene
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Pre-Season Rankings 1. Deer Creek 2. Choctaw 3. Lawton 4. PC North 5. Putnam City 6. Ponca City 7. NW Classen 8. Capitol Hill Source: VYPE Pigskin Preview District 6AII-2
Deer Creek favored to make another trip to 6A-II title game
By Jason Jewell Sports Editor
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Coming off one of the best seasons in nearly a decade, the Deer Creek football team strives to build on its momentum and make another deep run in the Class 6A-II playoffs.
Coach Wade Standley
The Antlers, which opens 2022 at No. 1 in the preseason poll, finished 10-3 last season and advanced the 6A-II championship game where they lost to powerhouse Bixby. “It was definitely a special year,” coach Wade Standley said. “We’ve been building and investing in our program so it was exciting to see it happen.”Evenbefore the most recent successes, Deer Creek knows the expectations both outside and inside the program continue to increase.“Thelevel of expectation has risen,” Standley told FRIDAY. “Our players know what the standard is here and they live up to Theit.” Antlers also switch from District 1 to District 2 for the next two seasons and are picked to win a title. Among the teams added to the district include perennial playoff contender Choctaw, Putnam City and Ponca City, along with Fridayland rival PC North, Northwest Classen and Capitol Hill. “It’s a very competitive district,” Standley said. “We have a tough Choctaw team; Lawton is always good; PC North and Putnam City are well coached.” Deer Creek returns just four offensive starters from last year, led by tailback Deontaye Wilson. The senior ran for 1,027 yards and eight hauledseniordownsyards31Berkleytouchdowns.SeniorreceiverDaltonmadereceptionsfor425andsixtouch-andfellowBryonRousein25catchesfor 318 yards and a pair of Sophomoretouchdowns.GradyAdamson has been tabbed as the starting quarterback and takes over for 2-year starter Brett Pense. ”Grady is a great leader, intelligent and makes good decisions,” the coach said. “There will probably be a few growing pains but he has a high ceiling.” Rouse also flips to the defensive backfield where the 3-year starter led the team with 93 tackles and five interceptions. Seniors Adrian Holman and Teddy Amorosi solidify what is likely the deepest position group for the 2022 season. Holman recorded 59 tackles and one interception while Amorosi added 57 stops. Seniors Braden Beers and Maddox Canty anchor the linebacking corps with seniors Dax Lewis and Caleb Simmons returning along the defensiveDeerline.Creek visits cross-town rival Edmond Memorial this Friday after opening with a win against Edmond North in Week 0.
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