6A-2 Playoffs: Players To Watch

Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy! The 2021 regular season has come to an end and it's time to get cranked up for the playoffs! Prep Redzone Oklahoma will be your home for the 2021 postseason as we'll have wall to wall coverage. From playoff previews, to the most in-depth state championship coverage you'll find anywhere, we'll have you covered. Stay tuned to Prep Redzone Oklahoma every day for more preview content throughout the week. In this post, we take a look at the players who will be making an impact on the 6A-2 playoffs. To check out our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/11/class-6a-2-playoff-preview/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">6A-2 Playoff Preview, Click Here!</a> GAME CHANGERS [player_tooltip player_id="200111" first="Brett" last="Pense"] - Quarterback - Deer Creek We mentioned in our 6A-2 playoff preview how Deer Creek is a senior-led team that has been waiting for an opportunity like this to not only make it into the playoffs but go much further. Leading this team throughout the 2021 season has been senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="200111" first="Brett" last="Pense"]. In 6A-2, there are talented quarterbacks all over the class and Pense is right there in the discussion. With one of the best offensive lines in the state blocking for him, Pense has had an excellent senior season, guiding the Antlers back to the playoffs. [player_tooltip player_id="197183" first="Connor" last="Kirby"] - Athlete - Bixby He could be considered Bixby's "X-Factor" but we have someone else in mind for that. Junior standout [player_tooltip player_id="197183" first="Connor" last="Kirby"] has been a breakout star for the Spartans and it was apparent early on this season that Bixby was going to be creative with how they used their big man. Kirby is utilized as a running quarterback who is mostly used on the goal line or in short yardage situations. However, as the season has gone on, Kirby's role within this offense has expanded and as it's expanded, the efficiency has gone up. [player_tooltip player_id="38676" first="Gabe" last="M Brown"] - Linebacker - Stillwater One of the best linebackers in the state is Stillwater's [player_tooltip player_id="38676" first="Gabe" last="M Brown"] and he's been that for a few years now. Since bursting on the scene as a sophomore, Brown has dominated opposing offenses and what's scary is this year's Stillwater defense is starting to peak with Brown back in the lineup and healthy. The Pioneers come into the postseason and have shut out their last three opponents, including a dominating win over Putnam North in week ten. Brown and the Pioneers will look to continue that dominance in the playoffs. [player_tooltip player_id="55157" first="Jack" last="Puckett"] - Linebacker - Bixby We've said this a few times but there are certain players across Oklahoma every single season that should be recruited by big time college programs and for whatever reason, it's not happening. Here's the latest example of that as it's crystal clear in our mind that Bixby linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="55157" first="Jack" last="Puckett"] is one of the best linebackers in the state and there aren't many that should be rated higher than him. He's the heart and soul of a Bixby defense that has been sensational this season and colleges should really wake up and get after the Bixby backer. [player_tooltip player_id="61130" first="Jayson" last="Smith"] - Running Back/Linebacker - Del City We stay at the linebacker position, kind of, with our next game changing player and that's Del City senior [player_tooltip player_id="61130" first="Jayson" last="Smith"]. Not only is Smith a hard-hitting linebacker on a Del City defense that has one of the best front sevens in the state, he's also their power running back in a rushing offense that is one of the best in the state as well. Smith as a two-way star for the Eagles has become one of the best players in 6A-2 this season and is a big reason why they're in the playoffs as district champs. [player_tooltip player_id="47959" first="Micah" last="Tease"] - Wide Receiver - Booker T Washington We could pick from several players to list as a game changer from Booker T Washington and honestly, they have multiple guys that fit the description. But we're giving the edge to junior standout [player_tooltip player_id="47959" first="Micah" last="Tease"] here. It seems like Tease has been the most consistent big play threat for the Hornets and they're going to need it when you look at their potential road to a state title. They play some tough competition and stout defenses and they'll need big plays from guys like Tease to truly contend for the state title in December. [player_tooltip player_id="38780" first="Steele" last="Wasel"] - Quarterback - Choctaw Right now he's the state's best junior quarterback and he has taken his game to the next level since their loss to Bixby in early October. Choctaw quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="38780" first="Steele" last="Wasel"] has been nearly perfect in their last few games and brings in a Choctaw offense that is rolling on all cylinders right now. Wasel and this Yellowjacket team hasn't forgotten how their season ended a year ago and the ultimate goal is to make it back to Edmond for another shot at the state title and he's playing like a man possessed that could end up getting them all the way there. <hr /> STAT SHEET STUFFERS [player_tooltip player_id="193013" first="Christian" last="Burke"] - Quarterback - Bixby This was the biggest question around Bixby before the season and that's who would replace Mason Williams. A QB who went 36-1 as a starter and won three state titles. Well, senior QB [player_tooltip player_id="193013" first="Christian" last="Burke"] stepped into those shoes and this Spartan offense has not missed a step. Burke has had some monster games throwing the ball but he leads a Bixby offense that is incredibly balanced and can go into any game and beat you in a variety of ways. The pressure was high for Burke coming in and he's handled it very well. [player_tooltip player_id="229870" first="Darius" last="Hampton"] - Defensive Lineman - Del City We knew coming into this season that Del City would have one of the better defensive units in the state and specifically, one of the best front sevens with stars like [player_tooltip player_id="110735" first="David" last="Stone"], [player_tooltip player_id="57157" first="Jaedon" last="Foreman"] and [player_tooltip player_id="61130" first="Jayson" last="Smith"]. However, the Eagles have also had a breakout star join them on the front seven and that's been senior lineman [player_tooltip player_id="229870" first="Darius" last="Hampton"]. While most attention has been put on those three other players, it's been Hampton that has been one of the best in the state at getting to the quarterback. Hampton is closing in on 20 sacks on the season. [player_tooltip player_id="157517" first="Gage" last="Gundy"] - Quarterback - Stillwater Not many quarterbacks have the kind of hype that Stillwater junior [player_tooltip player_id="157517" first="Gage" last="Gundy"] had coming into a season. Granted, that attention is somewhat typical when you're in Stillwater and your last name is Gundy. However, we've heard all offseason how the Pioneers would not miss a step on offense with [player_tooltip player_id="157517" first="Gage" last="Gundy"] taking over at QB and after watching him this year, he backed up all the hype and attention. Gundy has been a breakout star this season for the Pioneers and he's made some big throws that have won them games and is looking to continue that this month. [player_tooltip player_id="101400" first="Jaleel" last="Johnson"] - Defensive Lineman - Putnam City North Putnam City North has the tall task of taking on three-time champion Bixby in the first round but the Panthers will get a boost up front on their defense with defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="101400" first="Jaleel" last="Johnson"]. The PC North big man is one of the best in Oklahoma and he's currently committed to Oklahoma State. Johnson missed some time in October but appears ready to have a big impact on the postseason and it starts with going up against one of his future teammates in Bixby running back and fellow OSU commit [player_tooltip player_id="38679" first="Braylin" last="Presley"] and the Spartans. [player_tooltip player_id="69271" first="Lathan" last="Boone"] - Quarterback - Booker T Washington We've truly been impressed by the growth from Booker T Washington quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="69271" first="Lathan" last="Boone"] from sophomore to junior year. Last year, Boone was a breakout player as a sophomore and this year, he's become one of the best quarterbacks in this junior class and the sky is the limit on what he could truly be as a quarterback. It certainly helps when he looks around and sees some of the best skill players in the state to get the ball to. But even without that, you have to acknowledge the jump that Boone has made this year and he'll look to continue that this month. [player_tooltip player_id="98176" first="La'Trell" last="Ray"] - Running Back - Choctaw After watching Choctaw junior running back [player_tooltip player_id="98176" first="La'Trell" last="Ray"] throughout the offseason, we were convinced that 2021 would be a breakout season for him and he's exceeded our expectations. Ray has been a highlight player every single week for the Yellowjackets and defenses have to worry about how he's going to attack them. Either running the ball or catching the ball out of the backfield, Ray has turned into a weapon that the Yellowjackets have been using incredibly well. We're looking forward to see how he continues this breakout season in the playoffs. [player_tooltip player_id="101415" first="Ty" last="Pennington"] - Quarterback - Sand Springs We mentioned Sand Springs as a dark horse in our 6A-2 playoff preview and leading the dark horse Sandites is senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="101415" first="Ty" last="Pennington"]. We mentioned it earlier and just look at this list, there's quarterbacks everywhere. And Pennington is right in the conversation with all of them. From the opening game of the year, Pennington has been lights out and just like Pense at Deer Creek, he's been waiting for this opportunity to lead the Sandites in the playoffs. Now, they have a tough task as the four-seed but Pennington should be ready. <hr /> X-FACTORS [player_tooltip player_id="38679" first="Braylin" last="Presley"] - Running Back - Bixby We said we had something else in mind with Bixby's X-Factor. Bixby's senior running back [player_tooltip player_id="38679" first="Braylin" last="Presley"] is the reigning Prep Redzone Oklahoma Player Of The Year. And he's the X-Factor for two reasons going into the playoffs. He's been banged up over the last few weeks and his health will certainly be a factor. And then Presley has always played his absolute best games in the biggest moments against the toughest opponents. If he does it again over the next month, he'll go down as one of the state's all time best. [player_tooltip player_id="61127" first="Desean" last="Brown"] - Defensive Lineman - Choctaw When he's on top of his game, not many in Oklahoma are better than Choctaw senior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="61127" first="Desean" last="Brown"]. When Brown is on his game, he is nearly impossible to block and becomes the ultimate X-Factor from the defensive end position. However, he can't have a repeat of the regular season game against Bixby where he was penalized multiple times throughout. Brown needs to play like the Brown we saw in last year's state championship game where he was making big play after big play and the Yellowjackets will have a shot at getting that gold ball. [player_tooltip player_id="51882" first="Virgil" last="Yates"] - Quarterback - Del City Without a doubt one of the breakout stars of the 2021 season, regardless of class has been Del City senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="51882" first="Virgil" last="Yates"]. We'll be the first to admit that we didn't see this kind of production coming as Yates is one of the top rushing quarterbacks in the state and leads one of the best rushing offenses in Oklahoma. Yates has to be considered an X-Factor as he helped lead Del City to a district championship and now that attention starts going towards a potential state championship. Yates has been lights out and the Eagles need it for three more games.