Carl Albert Titans 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 5A state champion Carl Albert Titans.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Carl Albert Titans</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #1<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking:&nbsp;#1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carl Albert is once again going into a new football season with the number one ranking next to their name. That's been their spot for the majority of seasons in the last decade. They were in the top spot of Class 5A last season. But early season injuries, combined with a very tough non-district schedule, would lead to a 1-2 start for the Titans and some of the attention in Class 5A shifted away from the Titans and they wouldn't lose again. The Titans would win their 17th state championship in school history and they'll look for another one this fall. That target will be much bigger as they once again are going into a season as a “defending champion” in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Titans were led to another state championship by the eventual Prep Redzone Oklahoma Player Of The Year. They return him and the majority of their starters on both sides of the ball. After the 1-2 start, the Titans kept it simple as they went into district play in arguably the toughest district in the state, regardless of class. They won big games over rivals Bishop McGuinness and Guthrie in back to back weeks. The playoff run would provide intriguing match-ups but the Titans left no doubt that they were the best team in Class 5A in 2022. They beat their four playoff opponents by a combined score of 168-35. Nobody could slow down the Titans by the time December rolled around.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We mentioned this at the beginning of last season as one of our “bold predictions” and we think the Titans aren't going to slow down anytime soon. They've won six of the last seven state championships in Class 5A and with seven starters back on offense and another seven back on defense, we think they are clearly the favorites in Class 5A to raise more gold. Then you look at that 2025 class and see the guys who are either All State already or will be playing big time college football in the future and it's hard to imagine anyone slowing down the Titans anytime soon. This team is loaded, they have the crown in Class 5A and it's going to take a lot for someone to take it from them.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2022 RESULTS (12-2 Record - Class 5A State Champion)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 26 - Lost To Coweta 44-14<br>Sept. 2 - Beat Midwest City 39-25<br>Sept. 9 - Lost To Muskogee 35-28<br>Sept. 16 - Beat Elk City 45-2<br>Sept. 22 - Beat Lawton Eisenhower 41-0<br>Sept. 30 - Beat Shawnee 59-7<br>Oct. 6 - Beat Southeast 70-18<br>Oct. 14 - Beat Bishop McGuinness 31-24<br>Oct. 21 - Beat Guthrie 41-7<br>Nov. 4 - Beat Piedmont 38-21<br>1st Round - Beat Lawton MacArthur 45-7<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Del City 19-0<br>Semifinals - Beat Grove 55-21<br>Championship - Beat McAlester 49-7</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>Caleb Cornell - Tight End<br>Reed DeQuasie - Quarterback/Defensive Back<br>Ta'Shawn James - 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":["353419"],"_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":"Carl Albert 2025 defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='353419' first='Caden' last='Davis'] was one of three Titans to earn All State 1st Team honors last season. He was easily one of the breakout stars of the 2022 season. He would be one of the state's leaders with 21 sacks on the season. He also finished with just over 100 tackles on the year and he's going to lead a very experienced defense into this season. One thing that really impressed us about Davis was how he performed in the biggest games of the season. It seemed like he took his game to another level in their biggest match-ups, especially in the playoffs. He's on everyone's radar now and opposing offenses will look out for Davis this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["432374"],"_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":"The first of two massive 2025 additions to Carl Albert's roster this offseason was quarterback and Oklahoma commit [player_tooltip player_id='432374' first='Kevin' last='Sperry'] moving up to Oklahoma from Texas. The future Sooner is now closer to his future college and he has landed at one of the marquee football programs in Oklahoma. Sperry gives the Titans one of the best quarterback prospects from Texas and someone who can absolutely spin it. The Titans were run-heavy last season but this year, with all the weapons they have and Sperry pulling the trigger, we have no doubts that the Titans are going to have one of the top offensive units in the state, regardless of class. After watching him a few times this offseason, he's the real deal.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["377954"],"_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":"Another new addition to the Titans this year is 2025 jumbo athlete [player_tooltip player_id='377954' first='Marcus' last='James'] after he moved from 5A rival Bishop McGuinness. James adds more depth to an already talented Carl Albert defense and specifically in the 2025 class. We've mentioned a few times on this website how special Carl Albert's 2025 class was already and this is definitely a situation where the rich got richer. James has seen his recruitment start to take off this offseason and that should only continue this fall. The Carl Albert coaches are very excited about how they'll be able to utilize James on both sides of the ball. He's a very special athlete when you combine his size, speed and athleticism.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["294261"],"_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":"2025 wide receiver and safety [player_tooltip player_id='294261' first='Trey' last='Washington'] is going into his third season as a starter for the Titans. He had a breakout season in 2021 as a freshman, becoming one of Carl Albert's top weapons in the passing game. In 2022, the Titans were a run-heavy team so Washington became much more valuable as a safety on defense. There were multiple times last season when he became a center fielder for the Carl Albert defense and would use his athleticism, body control and hands to make plays on the ball that other safeties had no shot of making. We also saw Washington this spring while playing 7v7 and it looked like he spent the entire offseason in the weight room.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["598824"],"_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":"We told you that Carl Albert's 2025 class is special. Arguably the best prospect of the bunch is wide receiver, defensive back and return specialist [player_tooltip player_id='598824' first='Trystan' last='Haynes']. He has seen his recruitment absolutely explode this offseason. Since January, he has picked up power five offers from all over the country as colleges are seeing not only the versatility in his game but the athletic and physical abilities to be a high level prospect. Haynes was a lockdown corner for the Carl Albert defense last fall. This fall, we anticipate him being a playmaker on the offensive side of the ball, giving Ferris another weapon at wide receiver. But it's what Haynes does in the return game that makes him truly one of the best athletes in the state. He had seven return touchdowns last season.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["360239"],"_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":"2024 running back [player_tooltip player_id='360239' first='Xavier' last='Robinson'] ended up running away (literally) with our 2022 Prep Redzone Oklahoma Player Of The Year award. After running for nearly 2,600 yards and 39 touchdowns, Robinson firmly established himself as a one-man wrecking crew throughout the season. He absolutely smashed previous rushing records at Carl Albert, which is saying something considering the talented running backs they've had in the last three decades. He has become one of the more sought after recruits in the state's 2024 class by major college programs. He'll attempt to become the first two-time winner of the PRZ-Oklahoma Player Of The Year award.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649e14ba89b46"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>More Names To Know</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>AJ Mason - 2024 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1099171' first='Brock' last='Johnson'] - 2024 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1099173' first='Easton' last='Collier'] - 2024 Offensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1099169' first='Easton' last='Harless'] - 2024 Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='429016' first='Kash' last='Ferris'] - 2024 Quarterback<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1099178' first='Maddox' last='Wilkerson'] - 2025 Tight End/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1099175' first='Tanner' last='Norman'] - 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>Aug. 25 - Coweta<br>Sept. 1 - AT Midwest City<br><strong>Sept. 8 - AT Muskogee<br></strong>- In week two, the number one team in Class 6A-2 will host the top-ranked Titans in a battle of preseason favorites. The Titans will travel east to face off with Muskogee in what's going to be a highly anticipated match-up. The Roughers got the best of the Titans in 2022 as their young quarterback had his breakout moment in the win at the expense of Carl Albert. The Titans will look to get a little revenge and keep the momentum going early on in the 2023 season. And this match-up will also now feature two of the very best 2025 quarterbacks in the state going head to head.&nbsp;<br>Sept. 15 - AT Elk City<br>Sept. 22 - Lawton Eisenhower<br>Sept. 29 - AT Shawnee<br>Oct. 6 - Southeast<br><strong>Oct. 13 - Bishop McGuinness<br></strong>- When week seven rolls around, it's a renewal of a rivalry as Carl Albert will host Bishop McGuinness. This game ended up truly being the turning point of their championship season a year ago. After struggling in the first half of the season, the Titans went on the road and beat the Irish in a classic. From there on, the Titans absolutely rolled. These programs and players are very familiar with one another and the next chapter of this rivalry gets written in week seven.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 19 - AT Guthrie<br></strong>- One week after a rivalry clash with Bishop McGuinness, they have one less day of rest to get ready for their road showdown with a Guthrie team that is ranked relatively high coming into the 2023 season. The Titans dominated the match-up with Guthrie a year ago and if they can pull off back to back wins over McGuinness and Guthrie, they should be in a position to either lock up the district championship or have a stranglehold on the top spot. This match-up will feature two of the better running backs in Class 5A this season and should be a good one.&nbsp;<br>Nov. 3 - Piedmont</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Notable</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carl Albert has one of our favorite facts and stats when it comes to prolonged championship success in state history. The Titans are tied with Clinton for the third most state championships in state history behind only Ada with 19 and Jenks with 18. But the Titans have never had any resemblance of a championship drought since winning their first gold ball in 1989. They won five consecutive titles from 1997-2001 and then six titles in the last seven seasons from 2016-2022. And here's the stat. The seniors on the 1988 football team were part of the last senior class that did not win a state championship during their four years of high school. Read that back one more time. It's been 35 years and the Titans have won at least one (and plenty of times, more than just one) championship during any four year stretch. And they show no signs of slowing down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Championship History</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>17 State Championships</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2022 - Beat McAlester 49-7<br>2020 - Beat Bishop McGuinness 33-21<br>2019 - Beat Bishop McGuinness 30-15<br>2018 - Beat Ardmore 17-10<br>2017 - Beat Bishop McGuinness 35-23<br>2016 - Beat Bishop McGuinness 34-29<br>2012 - Beat East Central 24-8<br>2009 - Beat Bixby 21-7<br>2006 - Beat Lawton MacArthur 14-10<br>2004 - Beat Booker T Washington 35-22<br>2001 - Beat Altus 28-11<br>2000 - Beat Ada 17-7<br>1999 - Beat El Reno 21-19<br>1998 - Beat Chickasha 34-12<br>1997 - Beat Chickasha 37-7<br>1993 - Beat Duncan 23-6<br>1989 - Beat Tahlequah 14-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->