FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2024 Edmond
EDMOND NORTH EDMOND
NORTH
Senior, Defensive Back
Edmond North boasts a veteran secondary group chock full of both experience and talent headed into 2024, with all five starters from last year returning as seniors.
One of the leaders of that room is safety Reese McManis, who has worked hard this offseason to improve his game on an individual
level, making sure he gets the plays down and getting better at reading offenses. His top focus, however, has been being a leader for his team and for the young guys that look up to him.
Read more about the Huskie’s veteran defensive back at www. theedmondway.com
HUSKIES VETERAN DEFENSE IN WHITSON’S SECOND YEAR
Carter Whitson has done one thing consistently throughout his football career: win.
As a player and a coach, the Edmond North Huskies’ second-year head man has a track record of success on the field. Whether it be state championships as a high school quarterback, national title appearances as a
player at the University of Oklahoma, or turning struggling programs into playoff teams as a head coach, Whitson knows what it takes to win football games.
Read online at www. theedmondway.com on how Whitson plans to building up the established base cultivated in his first year.
Senior, Quarterback
Senior quarterback David McComb is used to being in a leadership role.
The Bulldogs’ signal caller of three years was thrust into the role last season as one of the top quarterbacks in the state, so being who the team looks up to is nothing
new for him. Instead, his focus this season has been elevating some of the other seniors around him to become leaders as well.
Learn more about McComb’s star leadership and his intentions for the year at www.theedmondway. com
NEW COACH, SAME GOAL FOR EDMOND MEMORIAL BULLDOGS
Although Justin Meredith’s moniker of “first-year head coach” is technically accurate, the Edmond Memorial Bulldogs’ head man is far from a newcomer to the job.
The Bulldogs’ 45-yearold assistant coach was promoted to head coach in February when Logan Thomas stepped away from foot-
ball after three seasons. Merideth previously served as the team’s linebackers coach starting in 2021 and before that, the head coach from 20092017.
Visit www.theedmondway.com to find out how Merideth has learned to embrace a different approach to this job and goals for the 2024 Bulldogs.
DEER CREEK
DEER CREEK PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
#3 BRADY BREWER
Senior, Linebacker
Linebacker Brady Brewer led one of the top defenses in all of Class 6A in 2023, and he expects more of the same from his squad headed into his senior season.
“We’re very experienced on the defensive side of the ball,” said Brewer. “So we’ll go out there and we’ll dominate and hopefully get a lot of turnovers. Give the offense some chances.”
For more on Brewer, our Deer Creek Football spotlight player visit www.theedmondway. com.
DEER CREEK MAKING TRANSITION TO CLASS OF 2024
There’s a lot to be excited about with Deer Creek football in 2024
The Antlers return their star quarterback and a large chunk of last year’s defensive unit as the program begins their first year as members of Class 6A-I. An offseason full of reclassification and district shuffling brings Deer Creek up from 6A-II, but things remain business as usual for the players and coaches. Senior QB, Grady Adamson along
with other DCHS veterans like Junior Youmbi, Mason Smith and Jalen Davis lead the Antlers’ offense. Returning defensive players include Brady Brewer, Jaydon Bradshaw and Luke Bray.
Coach Wade Standley was impressed with his team’s offseason.
Read the full story of how Deer Creek looks to handle their class transition online. 8/30
DEER CREEK 2024 SCHEDULE
EDMOND SANTA FE
EDMOND SANTE FE 2024 ROSTER
Senior, Running Back
You’d have a tough time finding a football player in Oklahoma last year who had a better season than Wolves’ running back Demarius Robinson.
As a junior, Robinson rushed for over 2,200 yards and scored 30 total touchdowns while helping lead Edmond Santa Fe to a Class 6A-1 playoff appearance. He broke out as one of the top players in the entire
state and was even ranked as the No. 63 running back nationally by 247Sports.
Fast forward to his senior campaign, and the star back displayed his patented confidence when asked what fans can expect from him this season.
See what to expect from Robinson and his thoughts on the 2024 season at www.theedmondway.com
EDMOND SANTA FE WOLVES FOOTBALL 2024 PREVIEW
The Wolves went 7-4 with a playoff appearance in 2023 and enters the 2024-2025 fall season with a handful of questions on both sides of the ball.
The Wolves finished 7-4 last season with a Class 6A-1 state tournament appearance, picking up a 41-12 opening round playoff win over Enid. They won
the “Edlam” series over cross-city rivals Edmond North and Edmond Memorial while also grinding out impressive wins over Jenks, Mustang and Norman.
What’s in the plans for the 2024 Football Wolves’ season? Find out online at www.theedmondway.com
OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN
#29 SPENCER SCHWANDT
Senior, Linebacker
Before Spencer Schwandt had his junior season cut short, the Saints’ linebacker was on track for his best season in an OCS uniform. Schwandt totaled 68 tackles and 10 tackles for loss before suffering a broken foot in the team’s week seven game against Perry. Still, he led
the team in tackles by the end of the Saints’ season with an average of almost 10 per game.
See how Schwandt plans to come back healed and aggressive on the line for this year’s season at www. theedmondway.com
OCS ENTERS 2024 WITH STRONG FOUNDATION
Hungry.
That’s the word Tanner Roof used to describe his 2024 Oklahoma Christian School football team. After a shocking upset loss to Meeker in the first round of the Class 2A state playoffs soured what was an impressive 9-1 regular
season, the Saints got to work in an effort to right the ship.
Tanner explains how hungry the team is coming off a high level regular season last year and costly mistakes in their playoff game. Read more online at www. theedmondway.com
OK CHRISTIAN 2024 SCHEDULE
2024 EDMOND AREA FOOTBALL COACHES CORNER 100 Yards with The Coach Specials
The Edmond Way Sports Reporter, George McCormick walked the field with our Edmond Area football coaches for little one-on-one time and insight to who the coaches are in additional to our football leaders.
Get a glimpse of the interviews here and visit the sports section online at www.theedmondway.com for the full interview with each coach.
Deer Creek Head Coach
Wade Standley
What’s one thing you would go back and tell your younger self when you got your first head coaching job?
Keep working hard,
but relax. It’s gonna be okay.
Edmond Memorial Head
Coach Justin Merideth
What is your alltime favorite football memory?
“My first year as head coach (2009) we beat a really good Mustang team in the first round of the playoffs. I was 30 years old and it was the first playoff win in, like, 15
years for Edmond Memorial. I just remember how great I felt for the players and for the program and the community, and just how much it meant to everybody.”
Edmond North Head Coach Carter Witson
What is your go-to game day meal? I kind of get “football stomach” is what we call it in our house.
I don’t eat a whole lot. We pretty much will always get Dominos AFTER I get home. Now, usually that could be around midnight, but my wife Katy is pretty consistent on Dominos when I get home. During the day, not a whole lot of eating going on, just prepping.
Edmond Santa Fe Head Coach Kyle White
You guys won the Edlam city championship last year after defeating both Memorial and North. What does a win like that do for the team and for the school?
Anytime you beat your sister schools, it’s a big deal. To be able to beat both and be city champs, it means a lot to the school and means a lot to the
community. The kids like it, they’re excited. It’s a part of our process of where we want to get to and where we want to go as a program, and to be able to do that is special for our locker room and our community.
Oklahoma Christian School Head Coach Tanner Roof
Now that you’re in your second year here at OCS, what would you say is different about coaching here compared to other places you’ve coached at?
I would say the family atmosphere. It’s a small town community feel.
