5A Playoffs – 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 regular season has come to an end and it's time to start taking a look at the playoffs! Prep Redzone Oklahoma will be your home for the playoffs from now until the last state champion is crowned in Edmond. In this post, we're taking a look and breaking down some of the top players to watch in the Class 5A playoffs. In case you missed it, you can check out our 5A playoff preview <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/11/class-5a-playoff-preview-2/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2022/11/class-5a-playoff-preview-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RIGHT HERE</a></strong>. Keep it locked in for more playoff preview content throughout the next week ONLY on Prep Redzone Oklahoma!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63696b1c4f46e","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["38818"],"_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":"Our first player to watch is the first of two players from an undefeated Grove squad with senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='38818' first='Carson' last='Trimble']. Over the last two seasons, the Ridgerunners have gotten a lot of attention and specifically in their offensive backfield. But a lot of that attention has been on the running back and the Ridgerunners have one of the best and consistent quarterbacks in Class 5A with UCO commit [player_tooltip player_id='38818' first='Carson' last='Trimble']. Just like his backfield running mate, Trimble has been a standout since his freshman year and he's grown into the athletic and efficient quarterback that you see today. The strength in the Grove offense is no doubt the running game but don't be mistaken, Trimble can beat defenses with his arm and his legs if their opponent tries to take away the star running back.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["51855"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"In our Class 5A preview, we put a spotlight on Midwest City as the dark horse in the playoffs this year. This is a team that is playing some of their best football following an 0-2 start. They won the district championship in week ten in large part because of their senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='51855' first='DeAngelo' last='Irvin Jr']. Committed to Air Force, Irvin is actually one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the Class 5A playoffs this season. He's been a standout for the Bombers since his sophomore season and has been really impressive to watch when we've caught him in person. And in that week ten game against Elgin, Irvin drove his team down the field and threw the game-winning touchdown with just 11 seconds remaining on the clock. Irvin and the Bombers are peaking at the exact right time.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["57158"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"We already wrote about the Grove quarterback. The other standout in the Ridgerunner backfield is senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='57158' first='Emmanuel' last='Crawford']. The senior was outstanding last season as he ran for well over 2,000 yards on the season and became a finalist for the Player Of The Year award. This season, while his production is down on the year, his best performances are in Grove's biggest games. He's also rested and ready for the playoffs as opposed to last year when he had a lot of carries prior to the playoffs. We've used this analogy a couple of times but there's no better way to describe the Grove senior. You couldn't tackle him in a phone booth. Are there phone booths anymore? It doesn't matter, you get the point. Crawford is one of the more electric players in Oklahoma.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["91049"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Last year's Prep Redzone Oklahoma Player Of The Year is back and ready to make another run to the state championship game. McAlester senior and Oklahoma commit [player_tooltip player_id='91049' first='Erik' last='McCarty'] has been one of the best players in the state and not just in Class 5A. Now, this season, he hasn't been 100 percent and because of that, the Buffaloes suffered a couple losses in the regular season. But when it comes down to it, we've watched McCarty put the Buffaloes on his back and carry them to new heights. Whether it's as a running back, safety or even in special teams by blocking kicks, McCarty is one of the more impactful players in the playoffs, for any class. If there's one player in the playoffs that can carry a team to a semifinal or title game appearance, it's probably McCarty at McAlester.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["230394"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"The third consecutive running back on this breakdown is Guthrie senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='268441' first='Isaiah' last='Hammons']. Last season, Hammons enjoyed a breakout season, becoming one of the top running backs in Class 5A. This season, Hammons has been limited during his senior season because of nagging injuries. He missed a good chunk of the middle of the season but came back late during the regular season. When he's healthy, Guthrie is one of the best teams in Class 5A. Even without him, the Blue Jays showed that their running game can still be effective. But adding him into the lineup will certainly provide the Blue Jays with a boost. It's been a while since Guthrie was a true state championship contender in Class 5A, but with Hammons in the backfield, they are just that.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["57157"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"We go to the defensive side of the ball for the first time in this breakdown with Del City senior [player_tooltip player_id='57157' first='Jaedon' last='Foreman'], who has been one of the top defensive ends in the state for a few years now. Foreman has been considered a top ten prospect in the state's 2023 class since the end of his freshman season. He's been committed to Oklahoma State for over a year now and is one of the best defensive linemen in the state this season once again. Del City's defense is one of the better units in the state, led by Foreman along the line, they have a few other prospects that will either play D1 football or at the next level in general. Foreman is an absolute nightmare coming off the edge. And in a class that features some good quarterbacks and running backs, having an elite guy off the edge helps.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["446439"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"We wrote this a few times already this season but we completely got Collinsville wrong at the start of the year. After winning a state championship and losing a very special senior class, we thought the Cardinals would take a step back in 2022. Nope. In fact, the Cardinals are right back in the hunt for another gold ball after going 9-1 on the season behind the emergence of senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='446439' first='Kaden' last='Rush']. The senior standout replaced Andrew Carney, who was outstanding for the Cardinals over the last few seasons. But maybe we should have seen this coming. Because Rush filled in for Carney in a few games during their state championship run last season. Like Carney, Rush is an accurate passer but can do just as much damage in the ground game as he can with his arm.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["327013"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Sapulpa ended up finishing as the four seed in their district and will match up with district champion Grove in the first round. If you think the Ridgerunners are just going to roll on Friday night, that might be a mistake. The Chieftains are getting better and better as the season rolls along and more importantly, they are getting healthier. Star running back [player_tooltip player_id='360245' first='Marco' last='Smith'] returned to the lineup in week ten for their blowout win over East Central and that's going to be a big boost to the Sapulpa offense during the playoffs. The Chieftains will need him as they are going against a Grove team that has some serious firepower on the offensive side of the ball. But Sapulpa isn't lacking in that department either. It might turn into a shootout and Sapulpa getting Smith back will be a nice boost.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["57163"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Coweta has had a spectacular season and one of their best players for the last four seasons has been senior [player_tooltip player_id='57163' first='Mason' last='Ford']. Whether it's on the offensive or defensive side of the ball, or even returning kicks in special teams, Ford has had a massive impact, not only this season, but over the last several years. The Tigers are a very senior-heavy team this season and this group of seniors are ready to go further than this football program has ever gone before. Ford has led the Tigers to a perfect 10-0 regular season and they know that the job is not done. Ford is going to be one of the more impactful players in the playoffs. Similar to McCarty at McAlester, Ford can make plays in all three phases of the game and that is so important as the playoffs move on and the games are much tougher.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["449039"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"Elgin has been one of the surprise teams not only in Class 5A, but in the state this season. They moved up from Class 4A and nobody expected much outside the town of Elgin prior to the season kicking off. But behind a strong offense and breakout running back [player_tooltip player_id='449039' first='Matt' last='Lund'], the Owls went 8-2 and had a shot at winning the district championship in week ten. Lund has been lights out this season for the Owls running the ball. In fact, Elgin has a few players on that offensive side of the ball that could end up being pretty special. But Lund is a player that has stood out for them this season. He's a hard, physical runner and it takes a lot to bring the Elgin standout down. Not only are the Owls the surprise team in Class 5A this season, but with some young players, we need to watch out for them in the future.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["51871"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"It seems like it's been a very good couple years for running backs in Class 5A over the last few years and this season is no different. At Bishop McGuinness, one of the top running backs in the state is senior [player_tooltip player_id='51871' first='Mike' last='Taffe'], who is committed to play college football at Lindenwood. Taffe has been one of the best players in the state over the last few seasons and really has been a top prospect since his breakout season as a freshman at Millwood. Taffe is a dynamic running back that excels in the open field. But as he's shown on a number of occasions, he can be an absolute workhorse if you need him to be. In their only loss of the season against Carl Albert, Taffe still shined against a tough and talented Carl Albert defense. Taffe carried the ball ten times on one possession alone.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["219074"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"The second Coweta Tiger on this breakdown is fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='219074' first='Na'Kylan' last='Starks']. There's a good chance that Starks would have been on this breakdown, or at least considered anyway, but the fact that he's filled in for senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='51055' first='Carson' last='Laverty'] after he went down with a collarbone injury and not only filled it, but flourished has been impressive to watch. Starks has been one of the more dynamic players on the offensive side of the ball and he's not just an athlete back there playing quarterback, although it might look like that at times. This is a player that is completely under control and seems to shine brightest against the toughest competition. He had arguably his best game of the year in their shutout win over McAlester and came up clutch in the overtime win over Del City.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_12_player":["150088"],"_player_evaluations_12_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"The return of Carl Albert senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='150088' first='Reed' last='Dequasie'] to the Carl Albert lineup might have tipped the scales of power in Class 5A to the traditional powerhouse. DeQuasie went out on the first possession of the first game in week zero. But he came back in mid-October and has flourished since his return. Not only is he back, but he appears even stronger. His first two games back were dominant performances over the top two teams in their district in back to back weeks with wins over Bishop McGuinness and Guthrie. The more we see performances like that, the more the confidence is going to go up. DeQuasie also benefits from having one of the best running backs in the state in his backfield, but more on him coming up. Led by the senior, Carl Albert could win it all again.","_player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_13_player":["215198"],"_player_evaluations_13_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"Bishop McGuinness is one of the better teams and top contenders in Class 5A because they have one of the best backfields with senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='51871' first='Mike' last='Taffe'] and junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='215198' first='River' last='Warren']. The Irish can hand the ball to Taffe 30-35 times a game but this offense is truly special when they have a nice balance between Taffe in the running game and Warren when he's throwing the ball. Warren enjoyed a good season last year but this has really become his breakout year. He's firmly established himself as the top quarterback in the state's 2024 class and already has some serious college interest coming his way. He can take the next step as a player by leading his team in the playoffs. We'll learn a lot about him over the next four weeks because the path for McGuinness to Edmond is bumpy.","_player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_14_player":["360239"],"_player_evaluations_14_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_14_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_14_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_14_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"Our final player to watch is you guessed it, another running back. Carl Albert junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='360239' first='Xavier' last='Robinson'] has been one of the top overall players in the state this season and has turned himself into one of the best prospects in the state's 2024 class. Robinson has been an absolute machine running the ball and has put up some pretty special numbers this year. This combination of size, strength and also breakaway speed is going to be a real problem for opposing defenses during the playoff run. And now that DeQuasie is back in the backfield with Robinson, the Titans have one of the top rushing attacks, not only in Class 5A, but in the state as we head into the playoffs. The Titans are indeed hungry to not only get back to the state championship game, they want to win the whole thing.","_player_evaluations_14_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":15,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"edit","anchor":"acf-block-6499fc4214c34"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->