Deer Creek Antlers 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 Deer Creek Antlers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Deer Creek Antlers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #4<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: #4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deer Creek is once again a top five team coming into the season in Class 6A-2 and appears to be on the short list of contenders for the state championship. Coming off a trip to the state championship game in 2021, the Antlers reloaded last year and made another run with a 10-2 record and they fell short in the semifinals to eventual champion Stillwater. Deer Creek opened the season against a non-district schedule entirely made up of 6A-1 opponents and they would go 3-0. The only blemish on their regular season record was a week six loss to Choctaw on the road. Those two teams were hands down the top two teams in this district last year and it doesn't appear that much has changed as we flip the calendar to the 2023 football season. The Antlers would make another trip to the semifinals but they lost to Stillwater in a heartbreaker. But as we start looking ahead to the 2023 football season, the Antlers have a lot to be excited about.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Between returning starters and the district slate definitely being manageable, the Antlers are once again going to be a top five team for the majority of this season. The offense is going to be led by one of the top 2025 quarterbacks in the state and we really like some of the skill players he has around him. After watching the Antlers this spring, they have good size at receiver and the passing game should really flourish this fall. One question mark is on the defensive side of the ball as they had some really talented players in their secondary that graduated in May. They'll need to rebuild the backend of this defense but they certainly have some pieces that appear ready to step into a bigger role this fall. And then there's that schedule. The Antlers and Choctaw are definitely the top two teams in the district and all eyes will be on that week six clash as the Antlers get Choctaw at home this season. And another year of facing strictly 6A-1 teams in the non-district slate will get this team ready for the district race. We'll dive further into this later in the preview, but the 2023 season could be the last for Deer Creek in 6A-2. They'll want to go out with a bang if that's the case.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2022 RESULTS (10-2 Record - Lost In Class 6A-2 Semifinals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 26 - Beat Edmond North 49-20<br>Sept. 2 - Beat Edmond Memorial 39-14<br>Sept. 9 - Beat Mustang 24-21<br>Sept. 23 - Beat Ponca City 37-21<br>Sept. 30 - Beat Putnam City 51-7<br>Oct. 7 - Lost To Choctaw 28-16<br>Oct. 14 - Beat Lawton 38-14<br>Oct. 21 - Beat Northwest Classen 64-0<br>Oct. 28 - Beat Capitol Hill 54-0<br>Nov. 4 - Beat Putnam City North 69-0<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Booker T Washington 45-6<br>Semifinals - Lost To Stillwater 33-28</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>Adrian Holman - Defensive Back<br>Berkley Dalton - Wide Receiver<br>Bryson Rouse - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Dale Miller - Defensive Back<br>Deontaye Wilson - Running 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":["242231"],"_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":"2025 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='242231' first='Grady' last='Adamson'] has firmly established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the state's 2025 class and this is a very talented QB group. Adamson took over the QB1 role last season and he immediately exceeded expectations. And after talking with some coaches, the expectations were high with how he approached the offseason prior to his sophomore season. Adamson led a high-powered Deer Creek offense and is looking to take his game to the next level this fall. He's going to have some really good players around him and a strong offensive line up front. His recruitment has really taken off this offseason as he's picked up a handful of D1 offers and that list should only continue to grow with another strong season this fall.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["595674"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='595674' first='Lane' last='Whitworth'] is a 2025 prospect that we're really looking forward to watching this season. Last year, he had a fantastic sophomore campaign with Piedmont as a wide receiver and defensive back. While it's unclear to us what his role is going to be with the Antlers, we know that he's going to provide some playmaking ability when needed on offense and then some outstanding defensive help in the secondary. One of the bigger question marks with the Antlers coming into this season surrounded how they replaced some of the talent they lost in the secondary. Whitworth could be the answer to that question. He put up big numbers last season, was an impact player and has had a really strong offseason as he moves on to his new school.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["894347"],"_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 mentioned how we really like some of the size and athleticism the Antlers have at the skill positions on offense. 2025 wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='894347' first='Mason' last='Smith'] is a good example of that as all signs point to him being Adamson's top target within the Deer Creek offense this season. Smith had a breakout season last fall and finished his sophomore campaign with nearly ten touchdowns and racked up over 750 yards receiving. When we watched the Antlers this spring, Smith was definitely a player that stood out to us. There's no doubt that Deer Creek has quite a bit of talent in this 2025 class and Smith might be one of the more underrated gems. We'll be watching to see what he does for an encore this fall after his breakout season a year ago.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a5b9de90e9f"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>More Names To Know</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colton Neal - 2024 Wide Receiver<br>[player_tooltip player_id='209252' first='Jared' last='Kappenman'] - 2025 Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='268312' first='Mason' last='Miller'] - 2024 Running Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='947066' first='Toran' last='Smith'] - 2024 Offensive 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 - AT Edmond North<br><strong>Sept. 1 - Edmond Memorial</strong><br>- A big week one match-up north of Oklahoma City features Deer Creek hosting Edmond Memorial. These two teams have gotten familiar with one another after facing in non-district play last season and four straight years from 2016-2019. This match-up also features two of the best 2025 quarterback prospects in the state so there will be plenty of talent on display when Adamson and the Antlers host the Bulldogs. One week after opening the season against Edmond North, they'll host the Bulldogs, looking for their fourth straight win over Edmond Memorial. They won last season's meeting with a 39-14 victory.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 8 - Mustang</strong><br>- Deer Creek will wrap up their non-district schedule with another home game against a 6A-1 top ten team when they host Mustang in week two. They were able to score a close 24-21 victory over the Broncos last season and that game was close throughout. The Antlers would go up 24-14 with three minutes left but the Broncos wouldn't go away. They would score a touchdown a little over a minute later and then would drive in the final seconds but an interception would end the comeback try. The Antlers pulled off a massive win on the road and they'll attempt to do the same thing and take some momentum into district play.&nbsp;<br>Sept. 22 - AT Ponca City<br>Sept. 29 - AT Putnam City<br><strong>Oct. 6 - Choctaw</strong><br>- Without a doubt the biggest district clash for Deer Creek comes in week six when they host Choctaw. This match-up decided the district championship a year ago and with both teams in the top five of the rankings this season, it's not crazy to suggest that this match-up will decide who captures the district championship again this season. These two teams were district foes from 2016-2019 and then became district rivals again starting last fall. These two teams also met in the 2021 quarterfinals and the Antlers would stun the Yellowjackets on the road to a state championship game appearance. Both teams expect a trip to Edmond in December this season.&nbsp;<br>Oct. 13 - Lawton<br>Oct. 19 - AT Northwest Classen<br>Oct. 27 - Capitol Hill<br>Nov. 2 - AT Putnam City North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Notable</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deer Creek joined Class 6A-2 in 2016 and the first five seasons were a tough go as the Antlers would go a combined 19-31 in those five seasons with only one playoff appearance coming in the Covid season of 2020 where each team could opt into the playoffs. But the Antlers have completely turned the page and have&nbsp; been one of the best teams in Class 6A-2 over the last two seasons with a combined 20-5 record with ten wins in each season, including a state title game appearance in 2021. But one of the biggest questions with Deer Creek moving forward is how much longer they'll actually be in Class 6A-2. They moved up to this class from Class 5A in 2016 and they are already one of the top schools in terms of enrollment. Based on the ADM numbers that came out last August, the Antlers are closing in on becoming the next school to move up to the state's highest class. When the new numbers are released in August, we'll know for sure if the Antlers are moving up or will be in 6A-2 for at least two more seasons in 2024 and 2025. But it's safe to say, based on the growth of the community as a whole, that the Antlers will be in the state's largest class sooner rather than later.&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>2000 - Beat Seminole 24-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->