Edmond Memorial Bulldogs 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 Edmond Memorial Bulldogs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Edmond Memorial Bulldogs </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #6<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: #8</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After several years of struggling, Edmond Memorial took the first step to becoming a consistent winner in 2022. The Bulldogs went from 1-9 and missing the playoffs in 2021 to a 4-6 regular season record and finishing fourth in their district, earning a home playoff game in the first round. Edmond Memorial used a five-week stretch where they went 4-1 and that put them in position to finish in the top four of their district. The Bulldogs were experienced and were tired of losing. They took that step last fall behind a unique roster mix. They had very talented but young players and experienced players that were ready to turn things around in a big way during their senior seasons. The Bulldogs now look ahead to the 2023 football season and are ready to continue their climb back to relevancy in 6A-1. They bring back the majority of their starters from last season and should be one of the more experienced teams in their district. That should provide them with a spark to make plenty of noise.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Six starters are back on offense and another six are back on defense. The Bulldogs are going to have a few names up front along the line of scrimmage but they have some talented young players ready to make a name for themselves this season. They return one of the best 2025 quarterbacks in the state and he's not going to be alone in the backfield. The Bulldogs look strong on the offensive side of the ball and they won't have to just outscore teams. The defense also brings back six starters and has a good mix between the three levels. And just like on offense, they have a few young but talented names that are ready to have breakout seasons this fall. The Bulldogs are still looking up in the district standings at programs like Mustang, Owasso and reigning district champ Union. But it wouldn't be completely surprising if the Bulldogs were able to finish higher than fourth in the district standings when November rolls around.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2022 RESULTS (4-7 Record - Lost In Class 6A-1 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 26 - Lost To Moore 55-35<br>Sept. 2 - Lost To Deer Creek 39-14<br>Sept. 9 - Beat Edmond North 42-21<br>Sept. 16 - Beat Southmoore 35-12<br>Sept. 23 - Beat Edmond Santa Fe 28-7<br>Sept. 30 - Lost To Norman 38-34<br>Oct. 7 - Beat Yukon 31-15<br>Oct. 21 - Lost To Owasso 37-14<br>Oct. 28 - Lost To Union 52-21<br>Nov. 3 - Lost To Mustang 61-35<br>1st Round - Lost To Enid 32-27</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>Kiefer Mullins - Running Back/Linebacker<br>Markell Johnson - Athlete <br>Will Morris - Offensive Lineman</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":["209872"],"_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='209872' first='David' last='McComb'] has been one of the top overall prospects and definitely one of the top quarterbacks in the ‘25 class since he was a freshman. Since taking over the Edmond Memorial offense halfway through his freshman season, McComb has been lights out every time we've seen him in person. And that's been quite a bit between team camps, 7v7 tournaments and our own prospect camps. Each time, McComb is one of the best quarterbacks in attendance. Now, as he goes into his junior season, we want to see him take the next step and truly become one of the more impactful players in the state. Not only is he an outstanding passer, but he's an underrated athlete and he can tuck it and run and make plays with his legs as well.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["897910"],"_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":"After watching 2024 wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='897910' first='Ciaran' last='Pedulla'] at the Bixby team camp in early June, we bought into what the Edmond Memorial coaches were telling us beforehand. He could be one of the breakout stars in Class 6A-1 at the wide receiver position. McComb is losing quite a bit of production at the wide receiver position and that could certainly open the doors for Pedulla to be the top target in the passing game. He was incredibly consistent throughout the three days in Bixby and there's no doubt that he has the athleticism to be one of the better guys on the field at all times. Older brother Sean Pedulla was a former Edmond Memorial standout in basketball and is now at Virginia Tech. So clearly the DNA is on Ciaran's side as we go into the 2023 season.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["857393"],"_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 2024 standout from that team camp in Bixby was defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='857393' first='Izaiah' last='Spotwood'] as he had a monster week up front for the Bulldogs. Spotwood was mainly working as a defensive end but he's also dropped quite a bit of weight and he's quickly turning himself into more of a linebacker when it comes to being a college prospect. Last season, Spotwood had over 50 tackles but the expectation is that his production is going to go up as he becomes more of a defensive end/linebacker hybrid player on the defensive side of the ball. There's definitely going to be more opportunities for him to get into the backfield and cause problems for opposing quarterbacks and opposing running games. Spotwood is definitely a guy we'll be keeping an eye on as he fills that new role.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["211562"],"_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":"One of the toughest players to replace from last year's team is going to be Kiefer Mullins as a two-way star. But 2025 standout [player_tooltip player_id='211562' first='Rhett' last='Winchester'] is a prospect that we think could fill that role in a unique way and he already got off to a good start last season. Winchester spent most of his time at the running back position and would total nearly 900 yards and he would also rack up more yardage as a receiver. Winchester has also put on film the ability to have an impact on the defensive side of the ball. Mullins was one of the top two-way players in Class 6A-1 last season so having a player like Winchester that could fill that role and be an impact player will certainly benefit the Bulldogs in the long run. Winchester will also provide McComb with extra firepower in the backfield.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["331371"],"_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 defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='331371' first='Vincent' last='Mitchell'] is arguably the hardest hitter on this Edmond Memorial defense. And there are some dudes that will hit on this side of the ball but we really like what we've seen from Mitchell. We broke down Mitchell's game this offseason in our “Friday Film Review” series and then saw him in person at the Bixby team camp. Mitchell is a prospect that we're definitely keeping an eye on within the state's 2024 class. He brings so much production to the field, specifically in the run support game and making plays after the catch on the receivers. He's a prospect that loves to hit and seems to be primed for a really big season this fall. It's going to be interesting to see what position college coaches put him down for.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64a8843bca02a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>More Names To Know</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dillon Stidwell - 2024 Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='595659' first='Drelen' last='Nero'] - 2024 Athlete<br>Karson Evans - 2024 Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='467409' first='Laird' last='Williams'] - 2026 Offensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1346490' first='Leland' last='Smith'] - 2025 Defensive Lineman<br>Levi Peck - 2024 Wide Receiver<br>[player_tooltip player_id='598832' first='Parker' last='Howell'] - 2025 Offensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='467407' first='Santorrio' last='Boykins'] - 2026 Athlete<br>[player_tooltip player_id='294263' first='Ty' last='Ackerman'] - 2025 Kicker</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 Moore<br>Sept. 1 - AT Deer Creek<br><strong>Sept. 8 - AT Edmond North<br></strong>- While almost every single team in the state is playing non-district games in week two, Edmond Memorial will go on the road to face rival Edmond North in the first district game of the year. This week tends to feature plenty of rivalry match-ups and despite this being a district contest, it definitely fits the rivalry definition. The Bulldogs got their first of three consecutive wins last season when they beat Edmond North at home with a 42-21 decision. They'll look to get district play off to a great start before anyone else once again. <br>Sept. 15 - Southmoore<br>Sept. 22 - AT Edmond Santa Fe<br>Sept. 29 - Norman<br>Oct. 6 - Yukon<br>Oct. 19 - Owasso<br><strong>Oct. 27 - Union<br></strong>- The final home game of the season comes in week nine as the Bulldogs will host Union. Edmond Memorial definitely benefits from having arguably their toughest district games on their home turf and this will be the fourth game in a row where they play at home after spending the majority of the first half of the season on the road. In this match-up, they're facing arguably the favorite within the district as Union hammered the Bulldogs 52-21 enroute to the district crown a year ago. This match-up also features two of the best 2025 quarterbacks in the state. <br><strong>Nov. 3 - AT Mustang<br></strong>- The final three games of the regular season will decide Edmond Memorial's playoff seeding as they face the three teams that finished in the top three last season. If Edmond Memorial can go on the road in week ten and knock off Mustang and potentially steal one of the other games against the Tulsa-area powers, they will certainly be in the conversation for a first round bye. But just like last season, the Bulldogs will look to finish in the top four so they get at least one playoff game at home. Arguably their three toughest games come in the final three weeks. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Notable</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022 football season featured a few firsts for Edmond Memorial. First off, the Bulldogs finally checked a box they've been waiting to check for a few seasons. They beat rival Edmond North in week two and that was their first win in their home stadium on campus. They officially opened the stadium in 2019 but had three straight seasons of winless football on their home turf. Things turned around in 2022 and it wasn't just at home. For the first time since 2014, Edmond Memorial punched their ticket to the playoffs. And there is a new era of football in 6A-1 and 6A-2 moving forward. Six out of eight teams in each district make it to the postseason but even if that rule was not implemented last season, the Bulldogs would have still made it into the playoffs as the four seed. This fall, they look to take that next step and continue ending droughts and making it back to the playoffs. But they'll be hungry to get their first playoff win since 2009 and what would be just their second playoff win in school history since officially becoming Edmond Memorial.&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>0 State Championships</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->