Choctaw Yellowjackets 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 Choctaw Yellowjackets, who are once again contenders in Class 6A-2.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Choctaw Yellowjackets&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #2<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking:&nbsp;T2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Choctaw Yellowjackets made it all the way to the state championship game before falling to Stillwater in Edmond. It was Choctaw's second trip to Edmond in the last three seasons and they are ready to kick the door in after knocking on it as a true contender in Class 6A-2. Last season, the Yellowjackets would finish 11-2 with their only losses coming in the first and last games of the season. After tripping in the season opener against Del City, the only other real regular season test came against their district foe Deer Creek in week six. That will be the case once again this year as the Antlers and the Yellowjackets are the two favorites within their district. After taking out Sand Springs and Muskogee in the playoffs, they fell short to Stillwater as the Pioneers capped off a perfect season at the expense of the Yellowjackets. Choctaw heads into the 2023 season in a similar position as the last few years. They expect to contend for a state championship and they are one of the favorites to do so.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yellowjackets do bring back the majority of their starters on both sides of the ball but the starters they have to replace were some of the more talented and more importantly, experienced starters they've had over the last few years. They aren't going to be lacking talent as they head into the 2023 season. But they will have some new faces in positions we've seen filled for a few years and there could be a learning curve there. When you look at Choctaw's schedule, it sets up nicely for a nice run to the playoffs. The non-district schedule is a competitive one and will test them before they head into district play. And like last season, the district slate is manageable and the Yellowjackets should be considered one of, if not the favorite within their district heading into the season. This is a team determined to make another trip to UCO and want to finally bring home that gold ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2022 RESULTS (11-2 Record - Class 6A-2 Runner Up)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 26 - Lost To Del City 38-34<br>Sept. 2 - Beat Edmond Santa Fe 37-20<br>Sept. 9 - Beat Westmoore 47-20<br>Sept. 23 – Beat Putnam City North 64-14<br>Sept. 30 – Beat Capitol Hill 56-6<br>Oct. 7 – Beat Deer Creek 28-16<br>Oct. 13 – Beat Northwest Classen 63-6<br>Oct. 21 – Beat Lawton 49-12<br>Oct. 28 – Beat Putnam City 37-6<br>Nov. 3 – Beat Ponca City 42-13<br>Quarterfinals – Beat Sand Springs 48-29<br>Semifinals – Beat Muskogee 45-20<br>Championship - Lost To Stillwater 26-21</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>Gabe Gaines - Offensive Lineman<br>La'Trell Ray - Running Back<br>RJ Jackson - Defensive Lineman<br>Steele Wasel - Quarterback</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":["211555"],"_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 first of several versatile 2025 prospects for Choctaw is [player_tooltip player_id='211555' first='Cash' last='Williams'] and he's going to come into this season feeling like he has unfinished business. Williams had his sophomore season cut short because of an arm injury. He was cleared earlier this year and was a full participant in spring drills. Williams can do a lot of things very well that's going to help Choctaw. On offense, Williams can line up at quarterback and give the Yellowjackets a dynamic athlete or he can be moved around. We got a glimpse of that versatility last season but he's ready to take his game to the next level this fall. Also a standout in baseball, Williams is one of the more athletic kids on the team.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["211559"],"_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 the Yellowjackets look to fill some big shoes with the graduation of Steele Wasel at quarterback, we anticipate 2025 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='211559' first='JuJu' last='Smith'] to be the biggest playmaker in the Yellowjacket offense this fall. Smith is going to provide Choctaw with a massive spark in the running game and then he's certainly a strong candidate to be their leading receiver this fall. Smith also has the ability to turn around and play defense and is an absolute shark at the safety position. His closing speed is lightning quick and he really impressed us this spring. Smith has been a playmaker that we've watched for well over a year and this fall feels like a season where he becomes one of the best in 6A-2.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["840301"],"_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":"2024 defensive standout [player_tooltip player_id='840301' first='Tae' last='Bulock'] is a prospect that has seen his stock absolutely explode over the last eight months. Bulock has really improved his game since the end of last season and we think that he's a 2024 prospect that is going to blow up this fall. When we watched the Yellowjackets in the spring, Bulock really shined as an outside linebacker. Bulock definitely has the physical attributes to move inside and become more of a linebacker when it comes to playing at the next level. And because he has the defensive back background, he has the potential to be one of the more athletic linebackers in the state that can absolutely move and make plays.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["291011"],"_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":"When you look at the state's 2024 class, there are few prospects that are more athletic and dynamic than Choctaw's [player_tooltip player_id='291011' first='Will' last='Smith'] on both sides of the ball. Smith enjoyed a breakout season last fall as another dynamic pass rusher on the Choctaw defense and the Yellowjackets have had their share over the last few seasons. First, Desean Brown wreaked havoc, then RJ Jackson last year and now Smith is ready to take over. Smith, combined with Bulock behind him at linebacker, is going to be a big problem for opponents this fall. And we also anticipate that Smith will play offense and give the Yellowjackets a huge target and if there is a jump ball situation, Smith is coming down with it.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a231a517b71"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>More Names To Know</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Austin Hubert - 2024 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='479395' first='Braven' last='McConnell'] - 2025 Athlete<br>Cory Childs - 2024 Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='840300' first='Drake' last='Fittro'] - 2024 Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='598412' first='Easton' last='Costa'] - 2024 Linebacker<br>Jayden Milsap - 2024 Offensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='402379' first='Landon' last='Gatson'] - 2026 Quarterback<br>[player_tooltip player_id='987621' first='Marques' last='McGrew'] - 2024 Defensive Lineman<br>Nathan Keiffer - 2025 Wide Receiver<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1035103' first='Titus' last='Hawk'] - 2027 Quarterback<br>[player_tooltip player_id='268317' first='Vidal' last='Ortiz II'] - 2025 Wide Receiver</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. 25 - Del City<br></strong>- With the exception of the loss in the state championship game, the only other blemish on Choctaw's record last season was in the season opener when they lost to Del City 38-34. The Yellowjackets will look to get out to a hot start this season and avoid dropping the season opener for the second straight season. Del City will certainly provide a challenge to Choctaw in week zero and this is going to be one of the top match-ups across the state in week zero. Both teams are ranked in the top five of our preseason rankings and are considered top contenders in their respective classes.&nbsp;<br>Sept. 1 - AT Edmond Santa Fe<br><strong>Sept. 8 - Westmoore<br></strong>- The Yellowjackets return home to wrap up non-district play in week two against Westmoore. We've been on the record already that Westmoore has the chance to be one of the more improved teams in Class 6A-1 this season and they certainly have the potential to surprise some teams. There will be plenty of athleticism and playmaking on display when these two teams get together. It will be the final game before district play opens up in week four. The Yellowjackets do benefit from having a week off before the games start counting towards playoff seeding.&nbsp;<br>Sept. 22 - AT Putnam City North<br>Sept. 28 - Capitol Hill<br><strong>Oct. 6 - AT Deer Creek<br></strong>- At this time last year, Choctaw and Deer Creek were the heavy favorites in their district and not much has changed as we head into the 2023 season. There's a few other teams that should be improved but when you're talking about the top of the district, it's these two teams and they square off in week six and it will more than likely decide the district championship. Last year, this game was pretty chippy from start to finish but the Yellowjackets came out on top with a 28-16 victory behind a strong running game. The Yellowjackets had been waiting for the Deer Creek game after losing to the Antlers in the 2021 playoffs.&nbsp;<br>Oct. 12 - Northwest Classen<br>Oct. 20 - AT Lawton<br>Oct. 27 - Putnam City<br>Nov. 3 - AT Ponca City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Notable</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If you've seen anything Choctaw football-related on social media, you've seen it be referred to as the “GOLD Standard” in Oklahoma. And when you look at the history of Choctaw football, you can certainly make the argument that we are in the golden era for Yellowjacket football. They've won just one state championship in school history and it came back in 1960. But the Yellowjackets have been knocking on the door of finally bringing home that second state championship. They've appeared in two out of the last three state championship games and had to settle for silver. They lost both championship appearances by a combined eight points. So there's no doubt that this is a program that has arrived as a perennial championship contender in Class 6A-2. Now, the next step is to kick down that door and finally raise the gold ball and really fulfill the “GOLD Standard” slogan.&nbsp;</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>1 State Championship</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1960 - Beat Stigler 32-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->