Week One 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>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. Week one features some great match-ups all across the state. After week zero opened up the season for many teams, the rest of the state will be joining this week! In this post, we have a great mix of offensive playmakers and dominating defenders. 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:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630f7a7a45cb6","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["154213"],"_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":"Edmond Santa Fe looks to bounce back in week one after nearly upsetting two-time 6A-1 champion Jenks in the season opener. They'll hit the road to face Choctaw on Friday night and Santa Fe 2024 defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='154213' first='Bergin' last='Kysar'] will play a big role in this game. Kysar and the Santa Fe defense did an excellent job containing Jenks in week zero but they'll have their work cut out for them as they face Choctaw and top 2023 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='38780' first='Steele' last='Wasel']. Kysar has emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the state and they'll need him to be just that as they try to slow down Wasel, who threw for over 200 yards and ran for over 100 yards in their week zero loss to Del City. After watching Kysar in person a few times this offseason, it's safe to say that Choctaw's offensive line will need to know where he is at all times. His mix of pass-rush moves are some of the best in the state.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a583ef235df"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630f7d6445cb7","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["57208"],"_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're staying on the defensive line for our next player to watch in week one and that's Union 2023 defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='57208' first='De'Marion' last='Thomas']. The Union big man has been an absolute force in the middle of the line of scrimmage over the last few seasons. He's even an excellent offensive lineman but his future is brightest on defense, where he's one of the top prospects at his position and has already committed to Vanderbilt. Thomas and the Redhawk defense absolutely dominated in week zero as they went up against a struggling Westmoore squad. They now shift their attention to their first road game of the year when they travel and face Broken Arrow. The Tigers lost in week zero but still put up nearly 50 points and the rushing attack was outstanding. Thomas and the Union front seven will need to be on their A-game in order to slow down the Tigers and the multiple running backs they'll unleash.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a583ef2367f"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630f7ef645cb8","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["69271"],"_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 turn to the offensive side of the ball and Booker T Washington 2023 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='69271' first='Lathan' last='Boone'] as the Hornets prepare to host Del City in a match-up featuring top five teams in 6A-2 and 5A. The Hornets have had Del City's number over the last few seasons but the Eagles have a ton of momentum after knocking off 6A'2's #1 Choctaw in week zero. Meanwhile the Hornets return home after going over to Arkansas and falling flat to Bentonville West. Boone will look to give the Hornet offense a spark as they go into this match-up after they struggled for three and a half quarters last week. And there's good and bad news heading into this game. The good news is that Del City gave up quite a bit of yards and points to Choctaw last week. The bad news is this might turn into a shootout as the Eagles also put up nearly 40 points in their win last week.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a583ef23714"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630f835f45cb9","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["51871"],"_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":"Bishop McGuinness will welcome in reigning Class 4A champion Clinton on Friday night in a battle of top five teams in Class 5A and 4A respectively. The Irish offense had no problems putting up points in week zero as they beat up on Putnam City. They'll look to continue that against a Clinton team that is still looking to build their own identity. Despite being defending state champs, Clinton lost a lot of production off last year's team. That's bad news, specifically with their defense as they go up against 2023 running back [player_tooltip player_id='51871' first='Mike' last='Taffe']. The star senior back didn't have to do much in the win last week against Putnam City but he did show that he's not just a standout back who can tote the rock. He also caught several passes and even threw a 50+ yard bomb in the win. Taffe is primed to have a really big game on Friday night and once again show why he's one of the best running backs in the state's 2023 class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a583ef237c7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_630f855845cba","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["204031"],"_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":"It's the annual Crosstown Clash as Norman High takes on Norman North on Thursday night. Both teams have kicked off their seasons against one another for years, with the exception of the Covid-plagued 2020 season. And one of the top players in this match-up to watch is Norman 2023 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='204031' first='Tias' last='McClarty']. The Norman quarterback put up respectable passing numbers last year but it was his rushing stats that made him one of the top performers week in and week out last season. He got off to a fast start last year and will look to do that again on Thursday against a Norman North defense that is rebuilding in some areas. In fact, in addition to McClarty, the Norman rushing attack is very polished and there's a few different players who could end up standing out in that department. But heading into the game, all eyes should be on the quarterback position as McClarty looks to make plays and Norman North is breaking in a new QB.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview","anchor":"acf-block-68a583ef23856"} /-->