Scene Setter: Rejoice Christian AT Cascia Hall

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>G</em></strong><em><strong>et 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's week one and we have some fantastic match-ups all across Oklahoma. Every single Wednesday on Prep Redzone Oklahoma, we'll have our weekly Scene Setter post, taking an in-depth look at one of the top games that week across Oklahoma. We look at the match-up and some of the big keys and look at the top players for both sides. Be sure to check back every Wednesday for our weekly Scene Setter and also follow us on Twitter&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://twitter.com/PrepRedzoneOK" target="_blank">@PrepRedzoneOK</a></strong>&nbsp;to follow along during the game!</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>2A'S #3 REJOICE CHRISTIAN (1-0) AT 3A's #6 CASCIA HALL (1-0)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>GAME PREVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cascia Hall and Rejoice Christian will face off for the second time ever on Friday night as both teams continue their tough non-district schedules. For the second straight week, both teams find themselves in one of the top games in the state as 3A's #6 Cascia hall will host 2A's #3 Rejoice Christian. Both teams opened up the season in week zero and in the first three quarters, they had identical games. Rejoice Christian went on the road and dominated two-time defending Class A champion Cashion from start to finish. Cascia Hall would go on the road and face Victory Christian in a 2021 playoff rematch. They led 26-0 in the fourth quarter and would hold on to survive, winning 26-21. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Friday's game between the Commandos and the Eagles will be a complete clash of styles. Rejoice Christian and their high-powered offense comes to Tulsa to face Cascia Hall and the “Blue Swarm” defense, along with their ground and pound offense. Rejoice Christian will be one of the highest scoring teams in Class 2A this season while Cascia Hall will have one of the better defenses in Class 3A. It's easy to say, but something has got to give when these two face off. In addition to that, the biggest key to this game is also fairly simple. If Cascia Hall can control time of possession and put points on the board, they'll have a good shot to win Friday's game with Rejoice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams have some excellent players. While Rejoice has a great blend of experienced and younger players, Cascia Hall has an extremely talented senior class. The Commandos moved back up to Class 3A this season and this senior class looks to lead Cascia back to contending for the state championship. Meanwhile, Rejoice Christian is still looking to contend for that first ever state title. They've knocked on the door a few times over the last five seasons but they certainly have the team to get it done this year in an absolutely loaded and competitive Class 2A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a world where Covid didn't exist, Friday's game might have been the first meeting. But because Cascia Hall and Rejoice Christian each had games canceled in 2020, they faced off and played an instant classic. Rejoice would rally from a 15-point deficit and nearly send the game into overtime. They would score with less than a minute to play but the two-point conversion would be intercepted and Cascia Hall would escape with a 28-26 victory. A lot of the players that we saw make plays in that game will be making plays on Friday night as both teams bring a wealth of experience into Friday's clash. We break down some of the top players on each side below. </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>CASCIA HALL PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630e766c1b6f6","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["382983"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the more underrated 2023 prospects in the state is Cascia Hall's [player_tooltip player_id='382983' first='Baxter' last='Robertson']. He's the first of three standouts for Cascia Hall who will line up at running back and then on defense at the linebacker position. Robertson is the speedster of the group as he went to multiple camps this offseason and would clock several impressive 40 yard dashes. Two years ago, as a sophomore, Robertson had an impact in their victory over Rejoice Christian and he has a chance to do the same thing on Friday night. While Cascia is known for the u0022ground and poundu0022 offense, Robertson kind of bucks that trend as a speedy back and playmaker that can open plenty of eyes on Friday. We're looking forward to seeing him in person this week.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a5839db4e13"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630e76961b6f7","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["370215"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Cascia Hall's top rated prospect is 2023 quarterback and safety [player_tooltip player_id='370215' first='Cooper' last='Lai']. He's going into his second full season as the starting quarterback and is a very dynamic dual-threat QB that is even better on the defensive side of the ball. Lai is a safety prospect and has received plenty of attention this offseason. Lai received an offer from Oklahoma State and had a great offseason, participating in camps and 7v7 tournaments. Lai rocketed up our recruiting rankings for the state's 2023 class. Lai is so dangerous as a runner on the offensive side of the ball but it'll be what he does on defense that will make the largest impact on Friday. Lai and the Cascia secondary will attempt to slow down the top dual-threat quarterback in the state.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a5839db4e4a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630e76b91b6f8","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["383537"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Part of the outstanding rushing attack on the offensive side of the ball for Cascia Hall is yet another senior in running back and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='383537' first='Ethan' last='Clark']. Last season, Clark would lead the Commandos with 18 touchdowns on the season. He also led them in yards on the season and tackles on the defensive side of the ball. Like the other running backs and really all of the skill position players, Clark is just as important to the success on the defensive side of the ball as he is on offense. Clark was outstanding last season and he gives Cascia Hall even more depth on offense and defense where a team can't game plan to slow down just one or even two guys. In any given week, it could be Clark that pounds the rock and leads the Cascia offense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a5839db4e76"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630e76e21b6f9","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["431484"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Cascia Hall was able to survive week zero with that close win over Victory Christian and leading the way was senior running back and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='431484' first='Jayce' last='Ward']. He would score Cascia Hall's first three touchdowns on the season and is already halfway to matching his season total from a year ago. Ward would actually lead Cascia Hall in carries in 2021 and he finished with 728 yards and six touchdowns. As we've mentioned, the Commandos have three legitimate threats at the running back position and all three also double as standout players on the defensive side of the ball. The three-headed monster of Ward, Clark and Robertson will be a huge factor in their success against Rejoice Christian on Friday night.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a5839db4ea1"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MORE NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aidan Hicks - 2023 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Max Weller - 2023 Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='383538' first='Owen' last='Pazzo'] - 2023 Defensive Lineman/Linebacker<br>Vincent Peters – 2023 Offensive 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>REJOICE CHRISTIAN PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630e81791b6fa","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["294265"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the younger players that we're really excited to see on Friday night is 2025 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='294265' first='Cale' last='Marley']. As a freshman in 2021, Marley was an impact player on offense, defense and special teams and he wasn't even playing his best position, which is quarterback. While he's waiting to take the reigns of this Rejoice offense from [player_tooltip player_id='157515' first='Chance' last='Wilson'], Marley has become a swiss army knife in all three phases of the game. He's probably at his best on the defensive side of the ball and in the return game. Cascia Hall will need to know where he is at all times on defense and they'll try to avoid kicking to him if possible because he can hurt the Commandos in the return game. Marley is a prospect who has a high ceiling and this will be our first chance seeing him in person.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a5839db4ed6"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630e81961b6fb","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["157515"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"We mentioned the top dual-threat quarterback in the state and that's Rejoice Christian 2023 QB [player_tooltip player_id='157515' first='Chance' last='Wilson']. He picked up right where he left off last year as he absolutely torched Cashion last week in their season-opening win. Cascia Hall will be familiar with Wilson after he had somewhat of a coming out party during his sophomore season at the expense of the Commandos. Wilson threw for over 300 yards in that 2020 meeting and he would go on to have a solid sophomore season before becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the state last year. Wilson has to be considered one of the top players in the state and his ability to beat defenses with his arm and his legs makes him one of the top offensive threats in the state.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a5839db4f00"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630e81b81b6fc","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["286908"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"One of the players we wrote about quite a bit this offseason was Rejoice Christian 2024 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='286908' first='Josh' last='Hendricks']. While playing with Sooner 7, we got a chance to see Hendricks up close during several tournaments throughout the spring and he impressed on both sides of the ball. He can be a dangerous wide receiver but as of right now, it looks like his more natural position is at the safety spot on defense. And that side of the ball will be more important on Friday as Hendricks will need to see where the Cascia run game is headed and try to limit what they can do on the offensive side of the ball. But don't overlook Hendricks being able to turn around and become a wide receiver with really good size to present match-up problems for Cascia's defense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a5839db4f48"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630e81d31b6fd","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["287384"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Wilson has several wide receivers around him, which makes it so tough to defend this Rejoice offense. One of the more underrated players in the Tulsa-area is 2023 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='287384' first='Solomon' last='Morton']. Just like a few other players in this match-up, Morton is just as dangerous on offense as he is on defense. Last year, he finished with eight touchdowns receiving and he also had seven interceptions on defense. It was a breakout season for Morton after he had to miss the 2020 season due to transferring from Owasso. Morton is yet another player on Friday night that will make an impact on both sides of the ball. Like Marley, look for Morton to have an impact in all three phases of the game if they're going to be successful.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a5839db4f70"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MORE NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='215030' first='Cooper' last='Auschwitz'] - 2025 Linebacker<br>Dalton Close - 2023 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='380469' first='Jay' last='Miller'] - 2023 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Peyton Cole - 2023 Linebacker</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 --> <p>Be sure to stay tuned to Prep Redzone Oklahoma on the web and on Twitter throughout the game and throughout the weekend. You can follow us on Twitter&nbsp;<strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://www.twitter.com/PrepRedzoneOK" target="_blank">@PrepRedzoneOK</a></strong>&nbsp;to follow along during the game with game updates. And following the game, we'll have scouting reports on both teams and postgame interviews with the winning squad.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->