Moore Lions 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 Moore Lions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Moore Lions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #10</strong><br><strong>Preseason Coaches Ranking: UR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Moore Lions are hungrier than ever to make some noise in Class 6A-1 after the way the last two seasons have gone. In 2021 and in 2022, the Lions started off hot with a 3-0 record in non-district play. But things went downhill from there and they would miss out on the playoffs in both years. In 2021, they missed out despite going 7-3 on the season. But starting in 2022, six teams from each district would make it to the playoffs so the Lions are determined to make one of those spots and get back to the postseason. Last year, they had a good start again as they would go 3-0 in non-district play and their offense was absolutely humming. The offense never really cooled off as they had one of the higher scoring units in 6A-1 last season. But the defense would struggle and they found themselves in shootout after shootout most weeks and unfortunately, they came up on the short end of enough of them that they missed out on the playoffs. Despite it still being September, the two critical losses were in week four and five when they fell to rival Westmoore and then to Enid the following week. There's no doubt that this district was one of the tougher ones in the state last season and it played out that way. Nothing is changing this season. The competition will once again be tough but the Lions appear ready for the challenge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The majority of their starters are back, specifically on the offensive side of the ball and that's a big reason why they round out our top ten rankings at number ten. Despite losing their quarterback, we like a few of the skill players they bring back and they are truly dynamic when they get the ball in their hands. Now, the biggest question mark obviously sits on the defensive side of the ball where the Lions need to see steady improvement to be able to contend for one of those playoff spots. In their final four weeks last season, the Lions gave up an average of 62 points per game. In two of those games they also scored 40+ points but that average has to go down. Six starters return on the defense and we think they'll have that steady improvement in all three levels of the defense. They have experience up front and then some raw but athletic talent in the backend that could help the Lions improve dramatically on the defensive side of the ball. The schedule is going to be challenging once again but we think the Lions have what it takes to make it back to the playoffs. After the way the last two seasons ended, we know this team is determined to make that a reality.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2022 RESULTS (4-6 Record - Missed Playoffs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 26 - Beat Edmond Memorial 55-35<br>Sept. 2 - Beat Edmond North 49-23<br>Sept. 8 - Beat Norman 42-7<br>Sept. 23 - Lost To Westmoore 27-17<br>Sept. 30 - Lost To Enid 49-35<br>Oct. 7 - Beat Southmoore 70-28<br>Oct. 14 - Lost To Jenks 49-41<br>Oct. 21 - Lost To Norman North 72-29<br>Oct. 27 - Lost To Bixby 64-7<br>Nov. 3 - Lost To Broken Arrow 63-48</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>Brayden Clark - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Denver Wolfe - Quarterback<br>Jax Rumsey - 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":["916911"],"_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":"The Lions return eight starters on offense but they'll be working in a new quarterback after replacing a very successful one in Denver Wolfe. Whoever the quarterback ends up being this season, we think he's going to be helped immediately by the return of 2024 standout [player_tooltip player_id='916911' first='Cam' last='Hayes'] at the running back position. Last year, Hayes would finish as the second leading rusher with just over 600 yards and three touchdowns. He would split carries with Keandre Pittman and they finished with almost identical numbers in terms of carries. This season, we expect the carries to go up in a big way and for Hayes to take the ball and run with it, literally. The anticipation coming into this season is that Hayes will see his production go up in a big way as the top back in the offense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["211560"],"_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":"Moore 2025 star [player_tooltip player_id='211560' first='CJ' last='Simon'] has been a player and prospect we've been high on since he had a breakout freshman season in 2021. Simon was hands down the leading receiver last season for the Lions and he expects to return to that spot this fall. What will be interesting to see is how the Lions use him on the offensive side of the ball. Because there is no doubt that he is their number one option on offense. They'll look to get creative with getting the ball in his hands. Last fall, he had nearly 1,000 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. He's going to come into this season as one of the top wide receivers in 6A-1. He's not sneaking up on anyone this season and we're looking forward to seeing what he can do as he gets everyone's best shot defensively, week after week.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["486983"],"_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've mentioned the defensive side of the ball quite a bit in this preview and one of the players that we think will help them improve is 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='486983' first='Corey' last='Dean'] at the cornerback position. We didn't know much about Dean prior to the offseason but we quickly got acquainted with what he brings to the football field. Dean had a decent junior season but things really took off for him since the start of January. The Moore standout came to our prospect camp in January and was hands down the top cornerback in attendance. He ran away with that MVP award and added to his collection at different camps this offseason. We think that he has the chance to really improve his stock as a prospect this season by backing up what he did in a camp setting when the pads come on this fall.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64bae9c2e9675"} /--> <!-- 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='353416' first='Gracen' last='Gruver'] - 2025 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='110749' first='Kai' last='Campbell'] - 2024 Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='360240' first='Liam' last='Evans'] - 2024 Kicker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1506281' first='Nick' last='Carden'] - 2025 Linebacker<br>RJ Jackson - 2024 Wide Receiver/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 - Edmond Memorial</strong><br>- After not playing each other for nearly a decade, these two teams have opened up the season against one another in the last three years. They were district foes back in 2010 and 2011 but didn't play until opening the 2020 season against one another. This renewed match-up has been a good one for the Lions as they've won the last three since starting up this series in 2020. The Lions lit up the scoreboard in last season's meeting, winning 55-35. This year's match-up should be another good one as both teams are in the preseason top ten and wanting to make some noise. <br>Sept. 1 - Edmond North<br>Sept. 8 - AT Norman<br><strong>Sept. 22 - AT Westmoore</strong><br>- This rivalry has been so one-sided but the Lions are determined to turn things around as they take on Westmoore to kick off district play. This game is massive for a few reasons. The first one is the district aspect. If the Lions get a win here, they are one step closer to punching their ticket back to the playoffs. Westmoore has greatly improved from last season's 2-8 mark so they will provide a big challenge for the Lions to kick off the district slate. And then finally, bragging rights are on the line here. The Jaguars have dominated this series with Moore's lone win in the last two decades coming in 2021. <br>Sept. 29 - Enid<br>Oct. 6 - AT Southmoore<br>Oct. 13 - AT Jenks<br>Oct. 19 - Norman North<br>Oct. 27 - AT Bixby<br><strong>Nov. 2 - Broken Arrow</strong><br>- In the final week of the regular season, we're going to either know where the Lions are headed or they'll still be fighting for playoff positioning or just getting to the playoffs. This clash with Broken Arrow is more than likely going to have a big impact on the playoffs and who ends up where within the district. The Lions got into another shootout and came out on the losing end against BA last year as they fell 63-48 in the final week of the regular season. The Lions don't have the best record against the “Tulsa Big Five” of BA, Bixby, Jenks, Owasso and Union. But a win here will improve that and all but lock up a playoff spot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Notable</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After back to back roller coaster seasons that saw hot starts end with missing out on the playoffs, the Lions are hungrier than ever to make it back to the postseason. They've missed out on the playoffs in back to back years and that comes after making it to the postseason in four consecutive seasons. Before that streak, you had to go all the way back to 2005 to find the last time the Lions were playing meaningful football in November. But with the majority of their starters back, the Lions feel like they have enough firepower on both sides of the ball to win the games that matter most in a tough district and get one of the six playoff spots. As mentioned earlier in our “games to circle” section, it's all about district play this season for the Lions. A hot start in non-district play can only take them so far. The Lions want to get it done in district play to leave no doubt that they are a playoff team in 2023.&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 -->