Bixby Spartans OK 2023 Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the month of July and that means it's preview time! Throughout the month of July and into August, we are publishing well over 100 in-depth team previews to get you completely ready for the 2023 football season. This is something that began in 2021 and has continued to get bigger every single year. We're looking forward to diving deep into the top teams across the state. From defending champions, to top contenders and plenty of dark horses, we'll have complete coverage every single day with new teams from Class 6A, all the way down to the addition of 8-man coverage this year with Class B and C. In this post, we take a look at the reigning 6A-1 state champion Bixby Spartans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Bixby Spartans</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking:&nbsp;#1<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking:&nbsp;#1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bixby Spartans had no problems in their move up from 6A-2 last season as they joined the largest class in the state. This has been a move that was inevitable for what feels like a decade after they smashed the competition in 6A-2 since the 6A split in 2014. But the Spartans were ready when their move finally came. Even in the last few years in 6A-2, the Spartans had proven that they can play with the big dogs in 6A-1 and the transition up wasn't going to be as tough as it would have been nearly a decade ago. And it didn't take long for Bixby to back up the hype coming into the new class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They brought a state record 49-game winning streak into the 2022 season and would make it 50 in a rout of Owasso in week zero. The Spartans would dominate their way to a week ten showdown with Jenks where the Trojans would end the Bixby winning streak at 58. The Spartans would get the last laugh a few weeks later in a semifinal rematch. Then would lift another gold ball in a 69-6 blowout of Owasso. Heading into the 2023 season, the expectations remain the same with four starters back on offense, primarily on the offensive line and another seven starters back on defense, the Spartans are once again the favorites to raise the gold ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, the Spartans primarily used a two-quarterback system on offense throughout the season and they will have a new signal caller this fall. The offensive line will be the strength of the team as new names and faces become regulars at the skill positions. And on defense, the Spartans go from having a young front seven last season to an experienced one. And from arguably the most experienced and talented secondary in 2022 to all new faces after graduating everyone. But at this point, everyone in the state knows that Bixby has gotten to the point where they will be reloading for another trip to Edmond as they look for even more history in 2023.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2022 RESULTS (12-1 Record - Class 6A-1 State Champions)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 25 - Beat Owasso 49-14<br>Sept. 2 - Beat Springdale Har-Ber, AR. 59-0<br>Sept. 9 - Beat Sand Springs 67-3<br>Sept. 23 - Beat Norman North 63-7<br>Sept. 30 - Beat Southmoore 80-0<br>Oct. 7 - Beat Enid 77-14<br>Oct. 14 - Beat Broken Arrow 77-17<br>Oct. 20 - Beat Westmoore 73-6<br>Oct. 27 - Beat Moore 64-7<br>Nov. 3 - Lost To Jenks 38-35<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Enid 63-0<br>Semifinals - Beat Jenks 28-14<br>Championship - Beat Owasso 69-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Key Losses To Graduation</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cale Fugate - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Connor Kirby - Quarterback<br>Dylan Hasz - Defensive Back<br>Jakeb Snyder - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Luke Hasz - Tight End<br>Tyson Williams - Defensive Back</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players To Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["194066"],"_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":"2024 offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='194066' first='Brody' last='Duffel'] anchors a strong offensive line unit that is returning for the Spartans. As Bixby works in some new names elsewhere in the offense, they'll be able to rely on the offensive line to set the tone up front, whether it is in the running game or passing game. The Spartans have a few guys along that offensive line that will be playing at the next level and Duffel is the best of the bunch. He has seemed to be the next guy up in a long line of outstanding offensive line prospects that have come out of Bixby in the last decade. His recruitment continues to explode and he should be one of the top guys at his position in the state this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["414994"],"_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":"As just a freshman last season, 2026 tight end and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='414994' first='Cord' last='Nolan'] made some of his biggest contributions in the biggest games of the season. In the very first game of the year at TU against Owasso, Nolan was a terror on the defensive side of the ball. And then at the end of the season, he had big moments as a pass catcher, in addition to what he was able to do on the defensive side of the ball. As we head into this fall, there is a lot of anticipation that Nolan will become more of a threat on the offensive side of the ball as a tight end. He still has the ability to be incredibly disruptive on defense but it's what he does on offense that could provide the Spartans with a big spark.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["519610"],"_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":"Last season, we made the comment that the Bixby defense was arguably the hardest hitting unit in the state. And 2024 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='519610' first='Hank' last='Puckett'] was one of the leaders in that department. Puckett enjoyed a breakout season a year ago and he's looking to firmly establish himself as one of the top linebackers in the state this fall. A few years ago, older brother Jack was one of the top linebackers in the state and Hank is looking to follow in those footsteps this fall. Bixby's strength on the defensive side of the ball last year was their incredibly experienced secondary. This year, it will be Puckett and the other returning starters along the front seven.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["110743"],"_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 said this a few times last season so this might be somewhat repetitive. But it was fantastic seeing 2024 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='110743' first='Kordell' last='Gouldsby'] have a full season of football after back to back season-ending injuries as a freshman and sophomore. Gouldsby was Bixby's X-Factor on offense last season as he was dynamic in the running and passing game. He also gave them a boost as a return man in special teams. As mentioned earlier, Bixby will have some new faces at the skill positions so Gouldsby will be one of the top returning players in that regard. We anticipate Bixby to get very creative with how they use Gouldsby and his production could absolutely explode this fall.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["427386"],"_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":"Bixby has had a few prospects come out in the last decade that have been able to become stars on both sides of the ball. 2024 wide receiver and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='427386' first='Sam' last='McCormick'] might be the next guy up in that discussion. Last year, McCormick got his feet wet as he became a consistent guy for Bixby's offense and more specifically what he was able to do on the defensive side of the ball. He's going to join Puckett as a returning linebacker and that duo is going to be one of the better linebacker duos in 6A-1. Then he'll turn around and provide the Spartan offense with size as an outside wide receiver. McCormick is a really impressive athlete that should get the attention of colleges this fall.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649e0eaf239f0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>More Names To Know</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brandon Hobbs - 2024 Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='966284' first='Clay' last='Peters'] - 2024 Quarterback<br>[player_tooltip player_id='611318' first='Evan' last='McClure'] - 2024 Offensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='683730' first='Garrett' last='Vaughn'] - 2024 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1005117' first='Jett' last='Turner'] - 2024 Running Back/Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1096181' first='Kason' last='Hatley'] - 2024 Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1096184' first='Payton' last='Hawkins'] - 2024 Offensive/Defensive Lineman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 Schedule/Games To Circle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aug. 24 - Owasso (@ TU's Chapman Stadium)<br></strong>- For the second year, Bixby and Owasso will have the attention of the state in week zero as they kick off the 2023 season on a Thursday night in the QuikTrip-sponsored “Battle Of The Burbs” contest. Bixby ran away with the regular season meeting a year ago, winning their 50th consecutive game in the process. The Spartans would then see the Rams again in Edmond but this time the state championship was one the line. The Spartans put together one of the more impressive championship performances as they dismantled Owasso from the start. This will be our first look at some of the new Spartans before the season gets in full swing.<br><strong>Sept. 1 - Springdale Har-Ber, AR.<br></strong>- Bixby hosts Springdale Har-Ber in week one and it'll be the last meeting for the foreseeable future. The Wildcats have a new head coach and he informed Bixby coach Loren Montgomery that they will not be renewing their non-district meetings. While this particular game isn't a massive match-up for 2023, the storyline shifts to who Bixby can get to fill this spot. The Spartans are no strangers to out of state competition. In addition to Springdale Har-Ber, the Spartans have played a few other NW Arkansas programs as well as schools from Kansas and Texas. A lot will depend on the 6A-1 districts but who replaces this game will be interesting to follow.<br>Sept. 8 - AT Sand Springs<br>Sept. 22 - Norman North<br>Sept. 28 - AT Southmoore<br>Oct. 6 - Enid<br>Oct. 13 - AT Broken Arrow<br>Oct. 20 - AT Westmoore<br>Oct. 27 - Moore<br><strong>Nov. 3 - AT Jenks<br></strong>- The final week of the regular season could very well decide the district championship here as the Spartans will travel to Jenks to face the Trojans. This was one of the more highly anticipated regular season match-ups last season and it lived up to the hype as Jenks won an instant classic on national television. The Spartans would get the last laugh a few weeks later when they met in the semifinals and Bixby prevailed, before capturing yet another state championship. Jenks has reloaded and will provide a massive challenge for the Spartans before the playoffs begin the following week. It might not have a national audience this year, but it will still be one of the biggest games in 6A-1.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Notable</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Spartans have made a lot of history over the last decade. They absolutely owned Class 6A-2 from the very beginning and all the way until they departed for Class 6A-1 last season. They rewrote the record book for most consecutive wins by an 11-man program in Oklahoma. Then the Spartans showed that the move up to 6A-1 wouldn't even provide a speed bump to their dominance. And as they enter the 2023 season, the Spartans will attempt to do something that no other program in state history has been able to accomplish. Bixby has made it to nine consecutive state championship games and Morrison (1986-1994) is the only other school to pull that off. If they play for another state championship in December, they'll be the first school in state history to make it to ten consecutive state title games. Literally a decade of dominance from the Spartans and it would be foolish to suggest that they can't do it.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Championship History</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>8 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2022 - Beat Owasso 69-6<br>2021 - Beat Deer Creek 63-14<br>2020 - Beat Choctaw 17-14<br>2019 - Beat Stillwater 40-36<br>2018 - Beat Stillwater 34-13<br>2016 - Beat Lawton 39-31<br>2015 - Beat Sand Springs 38-28<br>2014 - Beat Lawton 35-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->