Heritage Hall Chargers 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 reigning 3A state champion Heritage Hall Chargers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Heritage Hall Chargers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #1<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking:&nbsp;#1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Heritage Hall Chargers are back on top of Class 3A after capturing the 2022 state championship in a very exciting title win over Metro Christian. The Chargers came into the 2022 season feeling like they had unfinished business after their 2021 season ended once again in the semifinal round. They began the year on a rain-soaked field at Millwood with a close win. They would suffer their only loss in week two to Clinton and then the Chargers really turned it on from there. The closest game was a 24-point win over Marlow in week ten and they were absolutely dominant all season. The Chargers would then beat Metro Christian in that state championship game where they gave up over 600 passing yards but would counter with nearly 500 yards on the ground and it ended up being one of the crazier state championship games during the 2022 season. Now, as if the Chargers need a bigger target on their back, they come into the season as defending champions and despite losing some key pieces from last year's team, they expect to make a return trip to Edmond in December.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chargers come into this season as the top-ranked team and are once again the favorites to capture another state championship. We'll dive further into the dominance of the Chargers over the last decade later on in the preview but it's pretty mind-boggling how great they truly have been. And with quite a few playmakers back from last year's team, there's no reason to think that the Chargers can't do it again this season. Their star quarterback returns after an outstanding junior season and while the Chargers do have to find replacements for some experienced starters on both sides of the ball. But we're going to know just how competitive this Heritage Hall team will be early on in the season when they are challenged with another tough non-district schedule. Then you combine that with a district slate that is arguably the toughest district in Class 3A this season. So when you start thinking about Class 3A and the playoffs in November, the Chargers are going to be battle-tested and ready to defend that championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2022 RESULTS (13-1 Record - Class 3A State Champion)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 1 - Beat Millwood 35-28<br>Sept. 9 - Lost To Clinton 28-7<br>Sept. 16 - Beat John Marshall 43-0<br>Sept. 23 - Beat Lone Grove 56-14<br>Sept. 30 - Beat Pauls Valley 56-20<br>Oct. 7 - Beat Douglass 41-8<br>Oct. 13 - Beat Dickson 58-20<br>Oct. 21 - Beat Plainview 50-14<br>Oct. 28 - Beat Sulphur 41-6<br>Nov. 3 - Beat Marlow 31-7<br>1st Round - Beat Anadarko 42-14<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Stigler 55-23<br>Semifinals - Beat Verdigris 41-20<br>Championship - Beat Metro Christian 72-56</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>Cooper Cookson - Linebacker<br>Liam Burton - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Orie Walker - Wide Receiver<br>River Faulkner - Running Back/Linebacker<br>Zach Fetrow - 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":["207182"],"_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":"You can definitely make the argument that Heritage Hall's [player_tooltip player_id='207182' first='Andy' last='Bass'] has had the best offseason in terms of becoming a power five recruit. Bass has torched the camp scene and has backed up his breakout season last year as a junior. We were really looking forward to seeing Bass at quarterback for the Chargers after hearing about him during his sophomore season. He had to sit out the 2021 season but all we heard was that he was the real deal and would take the Heritage Hall offense to a new level. That was how it played out in 2022 as the Chargers captured that state championship. Bass is an outstanding athlete and while he's going to be lining up at quarterback for the Chargers, he is incredibly dangerous with the football in his hands.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["434307"],"_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":"Stepping into the River Faulkner role at running back and linebacker will be 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='434307' first='Barrett' last='Travis'] this season. We got our first look at that lineup last year when Faulkner had to sit out the first few games of the season. Travis stepped up early on and was Heritage Hall's top running back early on in the season. And as we saw last year, specifically in the state championship game, the Chargers are at their best when they have a dominant running game with Bass and whoever else is in the backfield with him. This season, Travis has the potential to be that guy at running back and we're very intrigued with what his production is going to look like after his junior year. Whether it's on offense or defense, we think that Travis is going to impact the game in a big way.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["315546"],"_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":"It was around this time last year when we found out about 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='315546' first='Jordyn' last='Harris'] at the defensive back position and specifically at cornerback. Harris is a shutdown corner on defense and then he will turn around and play a little wide receiver for the Chargers. While it's very clear that the Chargers are going to be a run-first offense with their personnel in the backfield, they are still going to throw the ball around the yard and that's where Harris could come in. He has the potential to be Heritage Hall's top playmaker in the passing game. He had a really good season last fall and he's looking to build on that this fall. Harris is mostly known as a cornerback when it comes to his recruitment and we're looking forward to seeing what kind of production he has.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["531187"],"_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":"And our final player to watch for the Chargers coming into this season is 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='531187' first='Zavier' last='Freeman'] along the defensive line. Freeman was really impressive when we watched him in person two times last season. The first was in their win over Millwood and the second coming in the state championship game. And following along with Freeman's offseason, he looks like he's continued to grow his game in different areas and has the potential to be a breakout star for the Chargers this season. Freeman is the younger brother of former Charger standout Gavin Freeman, who is now at OU, and just like Gavin, Zavier is somewhat underrated as a prospect in the state's 2024 class. With another big season this fall, that should change moving forward.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649f242bba385"} /--> <!-- 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='1056547' first='Cal' last='Welker'] - 2025 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='480075' first='Hillman' last='Browne'] - 2025 Tight End/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='587270' first='Jerrod' last='Williams'] - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='479394' first='Rashaud' last='Hurt'] - 2024 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. 31 - Millwood<br></strong>- Ever since this match-up began kicking off the season back in 2018, this has turned into a nice non-district rivalry featuring north OKC football programs. But Heritage Hall certainly has Millwood's number right now. The Falcons won that first meeting in 2018 but it's been all Heritage Hall ever since. The Chargers have won the last four in the series, including a 35-28 victory over Millwood last season to kick off their state championship season. That was the first game for Bass to show that he has the potential to be a star. Both teams expect to make it back to Edmond in December.<br><strong>Sept. 8 - AT Clinton<br></strong>- The only blemish on last year's state championship season was a week two loss to Clinton. Just like with Millwood, we've gotten used to these two perennial powerhouses squaring off in non-district play. Both teams are not afraid to play other state champion contenders and this year is no different. The Chargers will travel to the Tornado bowl and look to avenge last year's loss to Clinton and take some momentum into the rest of the season. Just like with Millwood, Clinton is ranked in the preseason top ten in Class 4A and they'll provide a nice challenge for the Chargers early.&nbsp;<br>Sept. 15 - AT John Marshall<br>Sept. 22 - Lone Grove<br>Sept. 28 - AT Pauls Valley<br>Oct. 5 - Douglass<br>Oct. 12 - AT Dickson<br>Oct. 20 - AT Plainview<br><strong>Oct. 27 - Sulphur<br></strong>- There's a lot of football that's going to be played between now and week nine when Heritage Hall hosts Sulphur. But if the rankings are remotely close to what they are now in late October, this district clash will feature not only the top two ranked teams in the district but two top five opponents. The Bulldogs had a rare losing season last year but they bring back almost everyone from last year's team and they look like a team that could certainly challenge the Chargers for Class 3A supremacy. The district championship could be on the line here in week nine.&nbsp;<br>Nov. 3 - Marlow</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Notable</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At this point, it is fair to say that Heritage Hall is one of the top programs in the state. Since 2014, the Chargers nearly have as many state championships as they do losses. The score currently sits at 5 championships to just 8 losses in the last nine seasons. Additionally, while they have dominated Class 3A for the majority of the last decade, they also had a run where they won a gold ball in Class 4A, Heritage Hall has been dominant regardless of who or where they have played. And with the Chargers now sitting back on top of Class 3A, they feel like they are the favorites to win another gold ball this season. Winning feels like it's in the DNA at Heritage Hall. That championship-losses ratio is absurd and there aren't many schools in the state that can do much better in the last ten seasons. Heritage Hall's dominance has definitely been a big part of the outrage among public schools to put private schools in a separate class for athletics.&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>7 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2022 - Beat Metro Christian 72-56<br>2018 - Beat Sulphur 50-14<br>2017 - Beat Ada 14-0<br>2015 - Beat Lincoln Christian 38-14<br>2014 - Beat Cushing 37-14<br>2010 - Beat Kingfisher 28-21<br>2008 - Beat Chandler 37-7<br>1998 - Beat Tishomingo 35-34</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->