Lawton Wolverines 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 Lawton Wolverines.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Lawton Wolverines</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #10</strong><br><strong>Preseason Coaches Ranking: #9</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lawton Wolverines are hungry to get back to contending in Class 6A-2 and having consistent success in the playoffs. The Wolverines had a successful season by many standards last year. The Wolverines would go 7-4 but suffered a first round loss at home to Bartlesville in an overtime heartbreaker. The Wolverines got off to a fantastic start last season as they would dominate the non-district slate and started the year with a 4-0 record. A week five setback against Ponca City along with back to back losses to Deer Creek and Choctaw would put the Wolverines in the four seed when the playoffs rolled around. But in 2022, it was the first year where six teams from each district would make it to the playoffs so instead of having to go on the road and face a district champion, the Wolverines got to play at home against Bartlesville in the first round. But as we mentioned, Lawton fell to Bartlesville in a close game throughout and the season came to an abrupt end. But the calendar has turned to 2023 and the Wolverines are focused on continuing their winning ways and making some noise in the playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We saw the first step of that progress in 2022 as they went from four wins in 2021 to seven wins in 2022. Now, with half of their starters returning, the Wolverines want to finish higher in the district and play deeper into November. Six starters are back on the offensive side of the ball and while they lose their quarterback and top wide receiver, they do bring back their leading rusher, a strong offensive line unit and a very intriguing athlete at the wide receiver position. Then you turn around and look at the defense and they bring back five starters as they are going to have a mix of experience and youth on that side of the ball. But those young players are going to have to grow up quickly as the first half of the regular season features some of the tougher games on the schedule. The non-district slate is highlighted by the city rivals of Lawton MacArthur and Eisenhower, who are both improved this season. Then the Wolverines go right into district play. Choctaw and Deer Creek appear to be the top teams in the district heading into the season. But by the time the Wolverines play them in back to back weeks in October, that inexperience on both sides of the ball should be ready for the challenge.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2022 RESULTS (7-4 Record - Lost In Class 6A-2 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 1 - Beat Duncan 63-20<br>Sept. 9 - Beat Lawton MacArthur 51-26<br>Sept. 16 - Beat Lawton Eisenhower 30-16<br>Sept. 23 - Beat Putnam City 33-24<br>Sept. 30 - Lost To Ponca City 24-16<br>Oct. 7 - Beat Northwest Classen 62-14<br>Oct. 14 - Lost To Deer Creek 38-14<br>Oct. 21 - Lost To Choctaw 49-12<br>Oct. 28 - Beat Putnam City North 56-17<br>Nov. 3 - Beat Capitol Hill 58-0<br>1st Round Lost To Bartlesville 36-30 (OT)</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>Devarius Hardy - Quarterback<br>Frank Rowe - 2023 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Tyron Amacker - Wide Receiver/Defensive 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":["266662"],"_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 it earlier how the Wolverines have a strong offensive line unit returning and that should help as the break in a new quarterback and some other skill position players. Leading that offensive line is 2025 standout [player_tooltip player_id='266662' first='Junior' last='Brock'] up front for the Wolverines. Brock is a prospect we've gotten to see in person a few times but it was his tape from his sophomore season that really put it over the top for us. He's a smaller offensive lineman that packs a punch and as the Wolverines might lean on the running game early on while the new quarterback gets his feet wet, that plays right into what Brock does exceptionally well and that's mow guys down that are standing in his way. We think he's an interior lineman on the rise and primed for a big junior season.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["916927"],"_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 the Wolverines were making trips to the state championship game and contending in 6A-2 year in and year out, it seemed like they always had a standout at the running back position. And with Brock leading a good offensive line unit, the Wolverines have a potential playmaker in 2025 [player_tooltip player_id='916927' first='Nate' last='Jones'] at the running back position. Last season, Jones was a workhorse back with nearly 200 carries on the season but as they work in a new quarterback, don't be surprised to see that number go up this fall. Jones led the team in rushing with 945 yards and we think he should be at least a 1,000-yard rusher and might even flirt with 1,500 yards this season. If he has that kind of season, we think the Wolverines will be near the top of the class.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["916928"],"_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":"Earlier in the preview we talked about a very intriguing prospect at the wide receiver position. 2025 standout [player_tooltip player_id='916928' first='Pene' last='Vaisagote'] is that particular athlete that we are very interested in seeing this season. This past winter, we got a chance to see Vaisagote on the basketball floor on a number of occasions and each time, he was one of, if not the very best athlete on the floor. So needless to say, we're very intrigued with what he can do with the pads on and using that raw athleticism at the wide receiver position. Vaisagote was Lawton's second leading wide receiver behind Amacker and with him graduating, we anticipate that the top spot is going to go to Vaisagote. Don't be surprised if Vaisagote enjoys a breakout season, becoming one of the top receivers in 6A-2 this fall.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64baec870b950"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>More Names To Know</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aiden Hooee - 2024 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Champ Brewer - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Connor McKinzie - 2026 Tight End/Defensive Lineman<br>Jaevon Adams - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Perry Graves - 2025 Tight End/Defensive End<br>Tamarcus Malone - 2024 Running Back/Linebacker</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>Sept. 1 - AT Duncan<br><strong>Sept. 8 - AT Lawton MacArthur</strong><br>- After being swept by their city rivals in 2021, the Wolverines bounced back in a big way in 2022 with big wins over Lawton MacArthur, followed by Lawton Eisenhower. This season, both teams expect to be improved and will give the Wolverines all they want. The series with Eisenhower has been more one-sided so the MacArthur game is the one to circle. The Wolverines have won five of the last six but prior to that, the Highlanders had won three in a row. We'll learn a lot about Lawton when they go head to head with a very experienced Lawton Mac team. <br>Sept. 15 - Lawton Eisenhower<br>Sept. 22 - AT Putnam City<br><strong>Sept. 29 - Ponca City</strong><br>- It's only week five but this home game against Ponca City is going to be critical for the Wolverines in terms of playoff seeding. The heavy hitters in the district are Choctaw and Deer Creek but a win here keeps Lawton's district title hopes alive and at the very least, gives them a head to head advantage against another team that's battling for playoff positioning. Last season, the Wolverines fell to the Wildcats 24-16. This time, they get Ponca City at home and it will be very important to get a win so they can finish as high as they can in the district standings. <br>Oct. 5 - Northwest Classen<br><strong>Oct. 13 - AT Deer Creek</strong><br>- This week seven clash on the road against Deer Creek begins the two-week stretch where they face the Antlers, followed by Choctaw, the two district foes in the top five of 6A-2 right now. Ever since the antlers moved up to 6A-2, these two teams have been district opponents. Lawton won the first three meetings but it's been all Deer Creek ever since. They won a pair of close games in 2019 and 2020 but then it was back to back blowouts the last two seasons. A win here will keep Lawton's district championship hopes alive. A loss will hurt but won't eliminate them by any stretch. <br>Oct. 20 - Choctaw<br>Oct. 27 - Putnam City North<br>Nov. 3 - Capitol Hill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Notable</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 football season is the tenth season since the creation of Class 6A-2. The 2014 season officially brought the end of Class 6A as a 32 team class and it was split into two divisions. The first five years of 6A-2, the Wolverines were the dominant team on the west side of the state. They made it to the 2014 and 2016 state championship games and also had a semifinal appearance in 2017. But since losing to eventual champion Booker T Washington in the 2017 semifinals, the Wolverines have been winless in the playoffs ever since. They've made three playoff appearances since that semifinal berth and are 0-3, including last season's overtime loss at home to Bartlesville. There is no doubt that the Wolverines are in the more favorable district when it comes to 6A-2 and that might not be the case in 2024 as we get ready for another class and district shuffle. The Wolverines are hungry to play football deep into November.&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>4 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1987 - Beat Edmond 28-0<br>1970 - Beat Memorial 13-7<br>1963 - Beat Nathan Hale 36-12<br>Beat Douglass 27-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->