Oklahoma Christian Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the month of July and that means it's preview time! Throughout the month of July, we are publishing 100 team previews to get you ready for the 2022 season. This is something that began last year and has become even bigger and better this year. We're looking forward to diving deep into the top teams across the state. From defending champs, to top contenders and dark horses, we'll have complete coverage every single day with new teams from Class 6A down to A. In this post, we take a look at the Oklahoma Christian School Saints. They find themselves once again in the top ten and are looking to go all the way in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>Oklahoma Christian School Saints (2A Preseason Ranking: #10)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's hard to argue that many teams have been better than OCS over the last two seasons. The Saints have gone back to back seasons of unbeaten regular season records but they've fallen short in the playoffs. They look to continue their regular season success this year but it's all about what they do in November and hopefully December. The Saints have to replace quite a bit off their 12-1 quarterfinal team from a year ago but they still have talent returning and round out the 2A preseason rankings at #10. Last season, OCS was flat out dominant during the regular season. They had competitive games during the non-district schedule but they absolutely crushed their district foes to close out the regular season 10-0. However, they ran into Eufaula in the quarterfinal round and specifically Khelil Deere, who had one of the more impressive playoff performances from last season and that ended their 2021 campaign. Now the Saints look to reload and make another run in 2022.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Saints bring back just three starters from the offensive side of the ball. The biggest concern right now is the offensive line, along with who replaces the production of Collin Matteson. But OCS does bring back their starting quarterback and a few playmakers around him so that should help the offense come along. On the defensive side of the ball, they have a little more experience coming back with six starters on that side of the ball. While the offense finds their way early on in the season, the Saints will lean to the experience and talent they have returning on the defensive side of the ball. Despite replacing the majority of their starters, OCS will have a good shot of running the table in the regular season once again as their schedule has a few speed bumps but they are one of the favorites in their district. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2021 Results (12-1 Record - Lost In Class 2A Quarterfinals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 27 - Beat Christian Heritage 28-12<br>Sept. 3 - Beat Morrison 14-0<br>Sept. 10 - Beat Crossings Christian 9-0<br>Sept. 24 - Beat Chisholm 45-7<br>Oct. 1 - Beat Alva 53-19<br>Oct. 8 - Beat Newkirk 49-8<br>Oct. 15 - Beat Luther 58-29<br>Oct. 22 - Beat Perry 49-14<br>Oct. 29 - Beat Hennessey 42-14<br>Nov. 5 - Beat Blackwell 55-0<br>1st Round Beat Prague 36-8<br>2nd Round - Beat Community Christian 28-0<br>Quarterfinal - Lost To Eufaula 31-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Key Losses To Graduation</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Collin Matteson - Wide Receiver<br>Gage Gilchrist - Defensive Lineman<br>Maddox Trent - Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Will Watson - Offensive/Defensive Lineman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players To Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='370221' first='Devyn' last='Fisher'] - 2023 Linebacker<br></strong>On the defensive side of the ball, OCS brings back the majority of their starters and while the offense has been explosive over the last few years, the Saints will lean on that defense early on. One of the top individuals on that defense is 2023 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='370221' first='Devyn' last='Fisher'], who's a linebacker on the rise this offseason. We like Fisher as a 2023 prospect that will see his recruitment take off with another strong season this fall. The state's 2023 linebacker group is a very deep position but Fisher is a player that belongs in that list. Fisher's experience on the defensive side of the ball will definitely help OCS this season as the offense finds their groove this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='154217' first='Garret' last='Wilson'] - 2024 Quarterback<br></strong>OCS' offense will have plenty of new faces on that side of the ball but as mentioned earlier, they will benefit from returning their starting quarterback in 2024 QB [player_tooltip player_id='154217' first='Garret' last='Wilson']. The OCS signal caller had a strong sophomore season after seeing some playing time as a freshman. Wilson was one of the top passers in Class 2A last season and he'll look to continue that this fall. He's part of a 2024 quarterback class in Oklahoma that is definitely on the rise right now. We have several quarterbacks that are starting to get attention in that class and we think Wilson could be one of the next ones part of that group. If he can lead another explosive offense this fall, his recruitment should take off.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215205' first='Henry' last='Rothwell'] - 2024 Athlete<br></strong>Arguably the biggest replacement OCS has to find is Collin Matteson as an overall playmaker on offense and defense. OCS is hoping that 2024 standout [player_tooltip player_id='215205' first='Henry' last='Rothwell'] can be that replacement as a wide receiver and a defensive back. Rothwell has had an excellent offseason and he comes into this year with plenty of momentum. On offense, if he can develop that chemistry with Wilson very quickly, he could put up some big time numbers on that side of the ball. On defense, Rothwell will look to make an impact in the secondary. He doesn't have to replace Matteson's production because that'll be tough but if he's in the ball park, OCS will be a contender again.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>More Names To Know</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brandon Orme - 2024 Running Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1403595' first='Jake' last='Green'] - 2024 Offensive/Defensive Lineman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2022 Schedule/Games To Circle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aug. 26 - AT Christian Heritage<br></strong>- The 2022 campaign will open once again this season against Christian Heritage. OCS will hit the road and go south to take on the Crusaders in a battle of top ten teams in Class 2A and Class A. Christian Heritage moved down to Class A for at least the next two seasons so the biggest thing OCS can take away from this match-up is momentum. Those young players and new faces will get thrown into the fire against a Christian Heritage team that has some talented players coming back. OCS has has plenty of success against Christian Heritage recently but this year's match-up to open the season will challenge the Saints. <br>Sept. 2 - AT Community Christian<br>Sept. 9 - Luther<br>Sept. 23 - Hennessey<br>Sept. 30 - AT Blackwell<br>Oct. 7 - Newkirk<br>Oct. 13 - AT Perry<br><strong>Oct. 21 - Millwood<br></strong>- OCS wasn't tested at all within their district last season. The closest district game was a 28-point win. That will not be the case this season. Not only because OCS has to replace the majority of their starters, but they have a new district opponent in Millwood. And this is a Millwood team that is hungry and irritated after last season ended their streak of playoff appearances. The Falcons have just about everyone back and plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. This is going to be the toughest test for OCS this season and it's hard to argue the fact that this game will have playoff implications in a big way. The winner here could lock up the district championship. <br>Oct. 28 - AT Alva<br>Nov. 4 - Chisholm</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Notable</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Oklahoma Christian School has been one of the more consistent programs in Oklahoma over the last two decades and honestly, we need to talk about them more as a perennial power in Class 2A football. They've made 16 consecutive trips to the playoffs, won the 2012 state championship and come into this season after going unbeaten in the regular season in the last two years. OCS has been one of the best teams in Class 2A over the last two seasons. They're going to have plenty of new faces on this year's team and they might just be #10 in the preseason rankings but history is telling us that not only are the Saints going to be in the mix this year, they're probably going to be one of the top teams throughout the regular season and into the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Championship History</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>1 State Championships</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2012 – Beat Davis 44-41</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->