6A-2 State: Stillwater 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 Class 6A-2 state championship game is set for Friday afternoon at 1PM in Edmond as #1 Stillwater will face off with #2 Choctaw. These two teams have essentially been #1 and #2 all season and have been destined for a showdown in the title game. In this post, we're taking a look at some of the Stillwater Pioneers that you need to know about heading into Friday afternoon's game. Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma for more 6A-2 state championship content before, during and following the game on Friday afternoon!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["157517"],"_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":"The rise of Stillwater senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='157517' first='Gage' last='Gundy'] is really impressive when you know the story. It wasn't until Gundy was a sophomore in high school before he really started dedicating himself to being a quarterback. Before, Gundy was always one of the best athletes on the field and would play multiple positions on both sides of the ball. But now that Gundy has focused in on becoming the best quarterback he can be, the Pioneers have flourished. Gundy takes care of the ball and leads this Stillwater offense that is one of the best and most efficient units in the state. Gundy's growth as a quarterback from the start of last season to where we are today is so impressive to see. He's truly become one of the top quarterback prospects in the state after two short years.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["215206"],"_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":"Stillwater junior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='215206' first='Heston' last='Thompson'] enjoyed a breakout season last year and has only built on that momentum this season. Thompson has been Gundy's top target in the passing game and has nearly 1,000 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. Last season, Thompson was a big play weapon that used his speed to beat opposing defenses. This year, he's still one of the fastest players on the field, but he's bringing more to the table. Thompson is more mature physically this year and he's also studied the game and runs more precise routes. His overall game IQ has gone up and when you combine all of those things with the athleticism and speed that he can play with, it makes for a very dangerous weapon in the Stillwater offense.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["50786"],"_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've made no secret about our evaluation on Stillwater senior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='50786' first='JaKobe' last='Sanders']. We've thrown out the three letters N, F and L when writing about him, which is rare for us considering at the end of the day these are still high school players. But Sanders has been an absolute rock for the Stillwater offensive line since his freshman season. He's also played just about every position along the offensive line but has settled into the center position, where we think he will be an absolute star at the next level. Sanders dealt with some nagging injuries earlier this year but he's still had a strong season and is looking to go out on a high note. He anchors an offensive line that opens things up for the Stillwater offense to be one of the best in the state.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["199948"],"_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":"We've mentioned this a few times this season but the emergence of Stillwater senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='199948' first='Noah' last='Roberts'] as an every down back is a big reason why the Pioneers are one win away from a perfect season and a state championship. Last year, Roberts split carries with sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='215207' first='Holden' last='Thompson']. This season, that was going to be the case again, until Thompson got hurt in the offseason and would have to miss all of 2022. Roberts had been getting ready for his senior season like he was going to be the every down back regardless. He put on 20 pounds and committed himself to the weight room this offseason. And now, Roberts is a touchdown machine. He's become one of the best running backs in 6A-2 and provides the perfect balance for Stillwater's offense.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["407343"],"_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":"While the offense gets a lot of praise, and rightfully so, the defensive unit for the Pioneers have been one of the best in the state this season. Not only are they doing a good job containing some of the better offenses in 6A-2, they are forcing an insane amount of turnovers. Leading the defense is senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='407343' first='Zac' last='Tyson']. The senior standout leads the team in tackles and is the unquestioned leader of a Stillwater defense that has forced nearly 40 turnovers on the season. Head coach Tucker Barnard compared Tyson to what you would think of when you think of a linebacker in a big budget movie. Tyson plays with passion, his teammates rally around him and feed off his energy. And then there's the talent part where he is all over the field making play after play.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-638589efdb976"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MORE NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cameron Johnson - 2023 Linebacker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garhet Reese - 2023 Defensive Back</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='349796' first='Josh' last='Ford'] - 2024 Tight End</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->