Edmond Santa Fe Wolves 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 Edmond Santa Fe Wolves.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Edmond Santa Fe Wolves</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: UR</strong><br><strong>Preseason Coaches Ranking: #10</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edmond Santa Fe is determined to bounce back in a big way during the 2023 football season. The 2022 season was one to forget as one of the surprising storylines in 6A-1 was Edmond Santa Fe going 1-9 and missing out on the playoffs. But when you look a little closer at the Wolves, this was a team that was more competitive than the record would indicate. Five of their nine losses were by a single possession and that includes single possession losses to Jenks, Norman North and Owasso, two of which would make it to the 6A-1 semifinals. The Wolves knew the non-district slate was going to be tough and it played out that way as they would drop games to Jenks, Choctaw and Norman North in the first three weeks. They lost back to back rivalry games against Edmond Memorial and Edmond North to hit 0-5 at the halfway mark of the regular season. The Wolves would avoid a winless season in the final week of the regular season. They would beat Yukon 21-0 to finish 1-9. Despite the losing season, there is plenty of reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season of Edmond Santa Fe football.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edmond Santa Fe had to replace a lot of production on offense last season and those young players had to grow up quickly with trial by fire. But as they head into the 2023 football season, that youth and inexperience has now become a strength as they return eight starters on the offensive side of the ball. The defense also brings back seven starters on that side of the ball and we really like the talent they have at all three levels of the defense. The Wolves are primed to be one of the more improved teams in the state, regardless of class when the 2023 season begins. Santa Fe's roster features a handful of players that are going to be playing college football at a high level. The running game will once again be the strength of the Wolves this season and the defense has a few names that we're going to be keeping an eye on this fall. The non-district slate will once again be challenging but the Wolves will definitely be in the mix for one of the playoff spots in 6A-1.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2022 RESULTS (1-9 Record - Missed Playoffs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 26 - Lost To Jenks 13-10<br>Sept. 2 - Lost To Choctaw 37-20<br>Sept. 9 - Lost To Norman North 28-20<br>Sept. 23 - Lost To Edmond Memorial 28-7<br>Sept. 30 - Lost To Edmond North 36-35<br>Oct. 6 - Lost To Mustang 19-0<br>Oct. 13 - Lost To Norman 20-17<br>Oct. 20 - Lost To Union 62-21<br>Oct. 28 - Lost To Owasso 13-7<br>Nov. 3 - Beat Yukon 21-0</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>Chris Fitzpatrick - Linebacker<br>Jonathan Ashford - 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":["154213"],"_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":"We mentioned earlier how we liked a few returning starters on Santa Fe's defense and how they have guys we like at all three levels of the defense. 2024 defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='154213' first='Bergin' last='Kysar'] is without a doubt the top returning defensive player for the Wolves as he's heading into another season as a starter for the Wolves. We first found out about Kysar prior to his sophomore season and he's backed up all of the hype ever since. Kysar is being recruited at the power five level as Oklahoma State jumped in on him early on in his recruitment. The Wolves look to improve on the defensive side of the ball and it's going to start up front with Kysar. The Santa Fe standout is going to set the tone up front and if he's not causing problems, he's opening the door for others to do so.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["188013"],"_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":"When we say the running game is going to be the strength of this Santa Fe offense, we're talking about 2025 standout [player_tooltip player_id='188013' first='Demarius' last='Robinson'] at the running back position. Don't get us wrong, we really like the offensive line unit that the Wolves have but they are going to be paving the way for one of the top running backs in 6A-1 this fall. The Santa Fe standout first got our attention in his very first varsity action as a freshman. He would go on to run for nearly 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns as a freshman during the 2021 season. In 2022, Robinson was limited as the Wolves went through those growing pains. This year, we expect the dynamic junior running back to return to the 2021 version that was one of the best backs in the state.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["611319"],"_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":"Santa Fe 2024 offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='611319' first='Josh' last='Aisosa'] is without a doubt one of the top offensive linemen in the state's upcoming senior class and in 6A-1 coming into this fall. Aisosa is an absolute mauler up front for the Wolves and he's going to be opening a lot of the holes for Robinson to run through this season. Aisosa was a prospect that we got a chance to first see on film this spring and then in person at a team camp. He passed the eye test both times and it was clear that he was one of the best at his position. Aisosa is just one piece of a Santa Fe offensive line unit that we think is going to be one of the better units in 6A-1 this season. Aisosa, like Kysar, is being recruited by power five programs and his stock only keeps going up.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64bc12a516846"} /--> <!-- 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='215201' first='Alex' last='Jones'] - 2024 Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1187314' first='Daniel' last='Newton'] - 2025 Quarterback<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1050213' first='Jason' last='Wilson'] - 2024 Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='682500' first='Kyus' last='Henry'] - 2024 Defensive Back</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 Jenks</strong><br>- The season opener always brings excitement, no matter what year it is. But this season's opener will begin a new chapter of Santa Fe football as they turn the page on the 2022 season.&nbsp; The Wolves will travel east to face perennial powerhouse Jenks in the season opener and it will be a match-up featuring two of the better running backs in 6A-1 this season. It's also a rematch of the 2020 state championship game, in which Jenks beat the Wolves. This game was close throughout last season and Jenks escaped with a win. Santa Fe will look to get 2023 off on a good note.&nbsp;<br>Sept. 1 - Choctaw<br>Sept. 8 - Norman North<br><strong>Sept. 22 - Edmond Memorial</strong><br>- After a tough non-district schedule, Edmond Santa Fe will get some much needed rest in week three as the prepare for the district slate. They'll open it at home against rival Edmond Memorial and it's the third of four consecutive games in front of the home fans. Santa Fe will be looking to set themselves up for success within the district but they also want to prove that Edmond still goes through Santa Fe after Memorial won the city championship last season. Santa Fe had won seven in a row in the series with the Bulldogs before last season's 28-7 loss.&nbsp;<br>Sept. 29 - Edmond North<br>Oct. 6 - AT Mustang<br>Oct. 13 - AT Norman<br><strong>Oct. 19 - Union</strong><br>- When you look at this district, there's no doubt that Union is the favorite heading into the season. So when you start talking about the games to circle, the week eight clash at home with the Redhawks is going to be an important one. If Edmond Santa Fe is contending for the district championship, they're going to have to get a win here. This home game is in the middle of three total road games in October and the Wolves will be glad to get this one in front of the home fans. Union beat Santa Fe 62-21 last year but the Wolves won the last meeting in 2020 when they beat Union in the semifinals.&nbsp;<br>Oct. 27 - AT Owasso<br>Nov. 3 - Yukon</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Notable</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no doubt that the 2022 football season was one to forget for Edmond Santa Fe fans. They look to wash away that memory in 2023 and start a new streak moving forward. In addition to a rare losing season in 2022, Edmond Santa Fe also missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2014, the first year of the Class 6A split. In fact, Edmond Santa Fe had made seven consecutive trips to the playoffs and that was a school record. They are just a few years removed from playing for the state championship in 2020. The Wolves are going to look to start a new streak in 2023 and get back to competing for district and state championships. As mentioned a few times in this preview, we think they certainly have the potential to do so this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Championship History</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>0 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->