Del City Eagles OK 2023 Team Preview

<!-- 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>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 Del City Eagles.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Del City Eagles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #2<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking:&nbsp;#2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Del City Eagles are looking to soar to new heights in 2023 and they have the talent to do so in Class 5A. Squarely in the top five of the Class 5A preseason rankings, the Eagles are one of the top contenders to wrestle away the gold ball from rival Carl Albert. Last season, the Eagles dropped down from 6A-2 to Class 5A and would respond by going 9-3 on the season. The only two losses in the regular season came to McAlester and Coweta. Both games went to overtime and both ended in one-point losses for the Eagles. They would still finish second in the district after a district tiebreaker and would win their first round game in the snow over Bishop Kelley. That set up a rivalry showdown with Carl Albert in the quarterfinals. That ended in a 19-0 as the Titans would go on to capture another state championship. Del City's enrollment going down, combined with others rising, has made it to where the Eagles seem to be locked in to being a Class 5A school for the foreseeable future. The Eagles are hoping that this is the year they finally make a deep run into the postseason and contend for that elusive state championship.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no doubt that player movement in the offseason has felt elevated over the last two years. While it hurts some schools, it obviously benefits others on the receiving end and Del City is one of those programs. The offense is going to be boosted by three of the top offensive players in the state's 2024 class. Seven starters in total return on that side of the ball and another seven are back on defense. This is a Del City team that lost multiple players that signed with D1 programs and they still have multiple guys who hold D1 offers and that's just scratching the surface on what they can be as a group. The schedule is going to be tough once again. They'll face two teams that captured district championships a season ago during their non-district slate and then they are once again in a very competitive district. But again, this is a team that is very capable of contending for not only the district championship, but a state championship as well. Now they have to go out on the field and prove it this fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2022 RESULTS (9-3 Record - Lost In Class 5A Quarterfinals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 26 - Beat Choctaw 38-34<br>Sept. 2 - Beat Booker T Washington 27-6<br>Sept. 9 - Beat Midwest City 41-0<br>Sept. 23 - Beat East Central 63-7<br>Sept. 30 - Lost To McAlester 34-33 (OT)<br>Oct. 7 - Beat Sapulpa 56-7<br>Oct. 14 - Beat Memorial 63-21<br>Oct. 21 - Beat Glenpool 72-0<br>Oct. 28 - Lost To Coweta 18-17 (OT)<br>Nov. 3 - Beat Durant 45-7<br>1st Round - Beat Bishop Kelley 41-14<br>Quarterfinals - Lost To Carl Albert 19-0</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>Dkalen Godwin - Quarterback<br>Jaedon Foreman - Defensive End<br>Kanijal Thomas - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Rayvon Swindle - Offensive Lineman<br>Tango McCauley - Linebacker</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":["429797"],"_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":"Del City has a very explosive and talented offense but the skill players aren't the only ones that should get attention this fall. Setting the tone and paving the way for the offense to make plays will be 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='429797' first='Darreyl' last='Thomas'] along the offensive line. Thomas emerged last offseason as a prospect that has a high ceiling and could end up going to the next level at a power five program. The Eagles were incredibly balanced last season on offense but Thomas has definitely been a guy that has excelled in the run-blocking game and the Eagles have been successful running the ball. With an Oklahoma State commit at running back, we anticipate that Thomas is going to be opening up plenty of running lanes while also protecting one of the more talented quarterbacks in the state's 2024 class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["215200"],"_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 those offensive standout move-ins from this offseason is 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='215200' first='Ladainian' last='Fields'] at the wide receiver and defensive back positions. Fields first got on our radar as a sophomore when he was one of the top receivers in the state and quickly raised up the rankings in terms of the state's 2024 class. But last season, Fields was known more as a ball hawk on defense. He put up some monster numbers with interceptions and he's going to have the ability to be one of the best two-way players in the state this season. And that's not just in Class 5A but it's in the state overall. Fields is the perfect replacement for Kanijal Thomas, who was a star at wide receiver and defensive back for the Eagles last season. And like Thomas, Fields is a future power five recruit.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["587262"],"_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 it earlier how the offensive side of the ball wasn't the only side that brought back plenty of talent. 2026 linebacker Ricklan Holmes emerged last season as a freshman on a Del City defense that had quite a few big names on it. That was one of the bigger takeaways for us when it came to Holmes. Not only did he get on the field, he looked the part and he fit right in with guys like Jaedon Foreman and Kanijal Thomas that signed with power five programs. Holmes is already considered one of the top defensive prospects in the state's 2026 class. And as the Eagles work in some new names on that side of the ball, we anticipate that Holmes is going to take the next step, not only as a player, but as a leader on the defensive side of the ball for the Eagles.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["215198"],"_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":"After slicing up defenses with Bishop McGuinness for the last few seasons, 2024 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='215198' first='River' last='Warren'] is now at Del City and ready to lead the Eagles to those new heights that we mentioned earlier in the preview. Warren is widely considered the top quarterback prospect in the state's 2024 class and it's really easy to see why. He's got good size and can throw the ball all over the field. He had a really strong junior season and is coming into this fall with plenty of momentum. Not only has his recruitment picked up as plenty of D1 programs are looking at him, but he's going to be QB1 for a Del City offense that has quite a bit of talent around him. Warren is going to have quite a few weapons to get the ball to this fall and he should lead one of the higher scoring offenses in Class 5A.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["393974"],"_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":"2024 running back [player_tooltip player_id='393974' first='Rodney' last='Fields'] is the final of the three notable additions to Del City on offense this fall. The Oklahoma State commit had an outstanding junior season with Southeast last fall and was one of the better playmakers at the running back position. Fields continued that momentum with a great offseason, where he torched opponents at our camp back in January, was a consistent standout in various 7v7 tournaments and would eventually give a verbal commitment to Oklahoma State. The backfield of Fields and Warren is going to be one of the top duos in the state, regardless of class. It's easy to anticipate that Fields is going to put up some big numbers this season when you consider the balanced offense and the offensive line he's going to have blocking for him.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a0d9188cf54"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>More Names To Know</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1018923' first='Aaron' last='Carter'] - 2024 Running Back/Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='268365' first='Braelon' last='Adamah'] - 2024 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='598829' first='D'Marion' last='Turner'] - 2025 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Jeshawn McCalister - 2025 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Quaylin Goodman - 2025 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Tayvann Johnson - 2025 Tight End/Defensive Lineman<br>Villiami Lewis - 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><strong>Aug. 25 - AT Choctaw<br></strong>- The season gets underway in week zero as the Eagles will go on the road to face Choctaw. It's their only road game in the first four games of the season and it's arguably the toughest one they'll have. Choctaw expects to contend for the Class 6A-2 state championship and they made it all the way to Edmond a year ago. The Eagles got the best of the Yellowjackets in week zero last season in a high-scoring and close game that ended with Del City winning 38-34. Both teams are state title contenders. Both teams are preseason top five teams. This should be a good one to kick off the season.<br>Sept. 1 - Booker T Washington<br>Sept. 8 - Midwest City<br>Sept. 22 - East Central<br><strong>Sept. 29 - AT McAlester<br></strong>- The Del City-McAlester game last season was one of the best regular season games of the year. McAlester rallied late in the fourth quarter to force overtime and then would win it in the extra period. Del City will look to repay the favor as they go on the road to face the Buffaloes in week five. After three straight home games, the Eagles have to go on the road in back to back weeks in arguably their two toughest district games of the season. But a win here over the Buffaloes will give Del City plenty of momentum heading into the second half of the season. The Eagles will want to finish the job this time around.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 6 - AT Sapulpa<br></strong>- Right after going on the road to face a ranked McAlester team, the Eagles have to hit the road again and head to the Tulsa area to face off with Sapulpa. The Chieftains are not only ranked, but ranked high in the Class 5A preseason rankings and based on the rankings, should be the toughest test for Del City this season. Last year, they passed the test with flying colors as they beat Sapulpa 56-7. But this is a much improved Sapulpa team that brings back the majority of their starters. So obviously, we don't anticipate this one being another blowout. If Del City can get back to back wins here, they'll be in the driver's seat for the district crown.&nbsp;<br>Oct. 13 - Memorial<br>Oct. 20 - AT Glenpool<br>Oct. 27 - AT Coweta<br>Nov. 2 - Durant</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Notable</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Del City has high expectations coming into this season as a top five team in Class 5A. They're expecting to not only make it to the playoffs, but they expect to play deep into November. But that's going to be a hurdle that they haven't been able to overcome over the last decade. They've made 11 consecutive trips to the playoffs but they've only reached the semifinals on one occasion and that came in 2019. The Eagles have been a consistent playoff team over the last 11 years and the 11 years prior to this streak, they had zero playoff appearances. But this is a team that is hungry for much more than just another playoff experience. And on paper, this is certainly a team that has the talent to make a deep run into November. The goal in Oklahoma is always to be practicing on Thanksgiving and if the Eagles are able to do that this year, that will mean they are in the semifinals and are one win away from a trip to Edmond.&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>1976 - Beat Putnam City West 27-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->