Week Zero Players To Watch

<!-- 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>The 2022 football season is finally upon us! While some teams have their final tune up scrimmages this week, it's officially week zero and for a large amount of schools across the state, they open up their seasons this week. Every single Thursday on Prep Redzone Oklahoma, we'll take a look at five players that you need to know about heading into the week of games. Be sure to check back every Thursday for the Players To Watch feature and then again every Sunday for our Top Performers!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215196' first='Dax' last='Collins'] - 2024 Running Back/Defensive Back - Poteau</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our first player to watch is Poteau 2024 running back and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='215196' first='Dax' last='Collins']. If you checked out our <strong><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/08/bold-predictions/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2022/08/bold-predictions/" target="_blank">Bold Predictions</a></strong>, you know that we think Collins is about to have a monster year. That could start on Friday as they travel to Tulsa to take on Bishop Kelley. Last year, Collins had his first big game of his career as he ran for nearly 170 yards on just nine carries and a touchdown. Of course, 80 yards came on a single play. But we think that Collins is primed for a big year as he becomes THE guy in the Poteau backfield after splitting carries last season. And Collins should come into this match-up with a lot of confidence. The 169 yards last year against Bishop Kelley was his most against any team last season. He had a great sophomore year but he's ready for an even bigger junior campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='47955' first='Jaiden' last='Carroll'] - 2023 Running Back - Jenks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jenks comes into this year as back to back 6A-1 champs and they expect to make another trip to Edmond in December. They'll first make a trip to Edmond this week as they open up the season against Edmond Santa Fe. The Trojans knocked off the Wolves last year in district play behind a fantastic performance from 2023 running back [player_tooltip player_id='47955' first='Jaiden' last='Carroll']. He ran for nearly 200 yards and three touchdowns last year as the Trojans knocked off the Wolves on the road. Carroll comes into this season as one of the best running backs in the state and is looking to once again help lead the Trojans to another state championship. Jenks has a legit two-headed monster at running back but Carroll is the top back in the backfield and expects to have plenty of success at Santa Fe's expense once again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='127357' first='Luke' last='Milligan'] - 2024 Quarterback - Lincoln Christian </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>3A's #1 Lincoln Christian opens up the season on the road against a familiar foe as they'll face two-time defending champion Holland Hall, who has beaten Lincoln in those two title games. Making his first start on Friday will be 2024 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='127357' first='Luke' last='Milligan']. We've seen quite a bit of Milligan between 7v7 and even in back up duty last fall and believe he could continue Lincoln's run of dominating quarterback play. But Friday's opener is a tough test for a first start as they try to knock off the Dutch on the road in a match-up that we could very well see later on this season. The good thing for Milligan is he has plenty of help around him as the Bulldogs bring back just about everyone on the offensive side of the ball. Milligan will have weapons to utilize as they look to back up their preseason #1 ranking. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='221389' first='Marek' last='Matheson'] - 2023 Quarterback - Sand Springs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the annual Highway 97 rivalry game, Sand Springs will face off with Sapulpa in a game that could end up being a high-scoring affair. The Sandites put up a lot of points in last year's win over the Chieftains and 2023 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='221389' first='Marek' last='Matheson'] is hoping to have that kind of success throwing the ball in his first start for the Sandites. Matheson moved to Sand Springs from Kiefer and is no stranger to starting but it is a transition moving up to 6A-2. He does have the benefit of having the top wide receivers returning this fall. [player_tooltip player_id='288966' first='Brody' last='Rutledge'] and [player_tooltip player_id='382991' first='Jacob' last='Blevins'] both return for the Sandites and both wide receivers had big games against Sapulpa last season. They each caught a touchdown and both went over 100 yards on the night. If they can replicate that success this week, they should control Highway 97 once again. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='38780' first='Steele' last='Wasel'] - 2023 Quarterback - Choctaw</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Choctaw begins their pursuit of a state championship this week as they take on Del City. This could have been a 6A-2 clash and potential playoff preview but the Eagles have moved down to Class 5A. As Choctaw looks to become the new top dog in 6A-2, they will be led this fall by 2023 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='38780' first='Steele' last='Wasel'], who will be in his third season as the starter for the Yellowjackets. Wasel is the top quarterback prospect in the state's 2023 class and he's been in that position since the start of the 2023 rankings. Wasel will come into this match-up with plenty of confidence as he knows Del City very well after seeing a few of their guys throughout the last several years in 7v7. Wasel also has a really good group of players around him on offense and he has the chance to have a big game but he's going against a Del City defense that has the potential to be one of the best in Class 5A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->