5A State – Collinsville Players To Watch
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Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy! The Class 5A state championship is set for 7PM on December 4th at UCO. For the first time since 2005, two east side teams will be…
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The Class 5A state championship is set for 7PM on December 4th at UCO. For the first time since 2005, two east side teams will be playing for the Class 5A state championship. And that might not come as a surprise as it’s the top two teams from the start of the season as #1 McAlester faced off with #2 Collinsville. Prep Redzone Oklahoma will have the most in-depth championship preview and state title game content that you will find anywhere!. In this post, we take a look at the Collinsville Cardinals and their players to watch heading into the state championship game.
Andrew Carney Andrew Carney 6'2" | LB Collinsville | 2022 State OK – 2022 Quarterback
The list is alphabetical but it’s hard not to start with Collinsville’s quarterback Andrew Carney Andrew Carney 6'2" | LB Collinsville | 2022 State OK after the last two seasons leading this Cardinal offense. Carney is the true definition of a high school dual-threat quarterback and he’s just as dangerous throwing it as he is running it. However, during this playoff run, it’s hard to argue anyone has had more success running the football compared to Carney. In his last two games alone, he has over 500 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. Carney isn’t alone in the Collinsville backfield, but he’s been outstanding this year for the second straight season.
Blake Gilkey – 2023 Linebacker
The first Gilkey that people might think of when they think of Collinsville this season might be senior Brayden Gilkey Brayden Gilkey 6'0" | 215 lbs | RB Collinsville | 2022 State OK . But the junior linebacker Blake Gilkey has been outstanding this year in a breakout season. Because of the emergence of Blake, Brayden hasn’t had to play much defense this season and that’s certainly helped the offense. Blake has ended up leading a Collinsville defense that has not only been one of the best in Class 5A but it’s been one of the best in the state overall. He’s racked up the tackles this season and the Cardinals, especially Gilkey and the front seven, will need to be ready to go against McAlester’s run game.
Brayden Gilkey Brayden Gilkey 6'0" | 215 lbs | RB Collinsville | 2022 State OK – 2022 Running Back
As good as Carney has been at quarterback, he also missed time during the season and this Cardinal offense didn’t slow down at all. That happened in large part, because of senior running back Brayden Gilkey Brayden Gilkey 6'0" | 215 lbs | RB Collinsville | 2022 State OK . Like we mentioned with Blake, Brayden hasn’t had to play a lot of defense this year and because of that, he’s put up nearly 2,000 yards and over 30 touchdowns on the ground this season. This Collinsville rushing attack with Carney and Gilkey have led the Cardinals to the state championship game after the last two weeks and it’s hard to see them going away from that philosophy against McAlester Saturday.
Cannon Howard – 2022 Offensive Lineman
When two of the first three players we mention are incredibly strong in the running game, you have to at least mention the offensive line right? Leading Collinsville’s offensive line, that has paved the way for guys like Carney and Gilkey to rack up the yards and the touchdowns is senior lineman Cannon Howard. The senior has a wealth of experience in this Cardinal offense and he’s been so critical to their success in the running game. Collinsville is getting their toughest challenge against McAlester’s run defense on Saturday. Howard and the Cardinal O-Line against McAlester’s front will me a match-up to watch.
Oscar Hammond Oscar Hammond 6'3" | WR Collinsville | 2022 State OK – 2022 Wide Receiver
Yes, Collinsville’s running game is incredibly effective. As an overall unit, they have some of the best numbers in the state. But they don’t just run it. And when Carney is passing the ball, more times than not, it’s going to senior wide receiver Oscar Hammond Oscar Hammond 6'3" | WR Collinsville | 2022 State OK . The senior standout is one of the best wide receivers in his class and has put up the numbers to show for it. Hammond has been Carney’s top target for the last two seasons and he doesn’t just impact the game as a receiver. He’s carried the ball quite a bit, returned kicks and plays safety on defense. He’s one of the most underrated prospects in Oklahoma today.
OTHER NAMES TO KNOW
– Caleb Tehee – 2022 Wide Receiver
– Jack Keith – 2023 Defensive Lineman
– Seth Kickapoo – 2023 Defensive Back