Tahlequah Tigers 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 Tahlequah Tigers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Tahlequah Tigers&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #9</strong><br><strong>Preseason Coaches Ranking: UR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tahlequah Tigers moved up from Class 5A to Class 6A-2 in 2022 and there were definitely some growing pains that they had to go through. Not only were they bumped up to 6A-2 last fall, they were without a doubt in the tougher district and one of the tougher districts in the state, regardless of class. Nevertheless, the Tigers found a way to make it to the playoffs. They nearly beat Sapulpa in their season opener but would start 0-2. They bounced back with two wins. And they would get the wins necessary in district play to punch their ticket to the playoffs. But you run into these scenarios in the various classes where a few schools go from being the big dog (enrollment-wise) to the small dog in a hurry when they get bumped up. But as we look ahead to the 2023 football season, the Tigers could improve on their 3-8 mark from last season and really contend with some of the other playoff teams from their district.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest reason Tahlequah should feel optimistic is the experience they bring back on both sides of the ball. First off, they bring eight starters back on the offensive side of the ball, including their starting quarterback and a very strong offensive line unit that has some prospects that should be getting some attention as we head into the fall. Then you turn around and look at Tahlequah's defense and they bring back another eight starters on that side of the ball. The Tigers should be incredibly strong, specifically in the front seven. But just like last season, the Tigers are going to be in one of the tougher districts in the state. The majority of teams that are ranked in the preseason rankings are all in the same district and it's definitely the tougher of the two districts in 6A-2 this season. And Tahlequah could have a different future in 2024. When the updated ADM numbers come out in August, that could put the Tigers back in Class 5A. We'll have to wait and see on that.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2022 RESULTS (3-8 Record - Lost In Class 6A-1 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 2 - Lost To Sapulpa 39-35<br>Sept. 9 - Lost To Wagoner 43-3<br>Sept. 16 - Beat Sallisaw 38-27<br>Sept. 23 - Beat Putnam City West 27-6<br>Sept. 30 - Lost To Sand Springs 25-21<br>Oct. 7 - Lost To Booker T Washington 47-0<br>Oct. 13 - Lost To Muskogee 48-13<br>Oct. 21 - Beat US Grant 70-0<br>Oct. 28 - Lost To Stillwater 55-0<br>Nov. 3 - Lost To Bartlesville 28-16<br>1st Round - Lost To Ponca City 35-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Key Loss To Graduation</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dylan Leep - 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":["211566"],"_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've written this before when talking about Tahlequah's 2025 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='211566' first='Beckett' last='Robinson'] but we think he's the best overall athlete on the team. When you combine what he does as a wide receiver and as a defensive back, he has such an impact on the game and has the potential to be a real game changer for the Tigers this fall. Robinson was their leading receiver a year ago and also made a significant impact on the defensive side of the ball. With Leep graduating, the Tigers will need Robinson to take the next step, specifically on defense to replace his production. But as the new starters emerge on offense and specifically at the skill positions, we anticipate Robinson to be the number one playmaker on that side of the ball from the receiver position.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["115220"],"_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":"2024 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='115220' first='Brody' last='Younger'] has been a quarterback prospect on our radar since his freshman season. Younger has steadily improved over the last few seasons and he is coming into his senior season with a ton of confidence and momentum. This is Younger's offense and he had an outstanding junior season and he's looking to build on that this fall. He's going to have a few new names when it comes to the skill positions but bringing a playmaker back like Robinson will certainly give Younger an advantage. 6A-2 has quite a few quarterbacks in it that will put up some numbers this fall but we think that Younger will be right there with some of the top guys. If he's able to lead a high-scoring offense, the Tigers should be in the hunt come November.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["915044"],"_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 mentioned earlier in the preview that the Tahlequah offensive line would be one of the strengths of this team with some of the players that they bring back from last year's squad. 2025 offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='915044' first='Vernon' last='Buckner'] is a perfect example of that. Buckner has the size to be a prototypical offensive lineman at the next level and it feels like only a matter of time before more schools start noticing the impact that Buckner can have on a game. The Tigers have been waiting for Buckner to put all the pieces together from his size advantage, skill set and then aggressiveness on the field. If he's able to combine all of those things this fall, he could be a breakout star within the state's 2025 class. And this is a class that continues to get deeper and deeper.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b99fe708828"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>More Names To Know</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aiden Culver - 2026 Offensive Lineman<br>Brayden Northington - 2024 Linebacker<br>Brock Mascho - 2025 Offensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1699010' first='Elvis' last='Myers'] - 2026 Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1355841' first='Kingston' last='Hall'] - 2026 Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1355844' first='Xaxton' last='Carshall'] - 2026 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>Sept. 1 - AT Sapulpa</strong><br>- The closest non-district game from last season came against 5A's Sapulpa and they fell 39-35. Tahlequah will open up their 2023 football season on the road against the Chieftains and it should be a close one again. Sapulpa is coming into this season as one of the top teams in Class 5A and a true state championship contender. Tahlequah could certainly get some momentum into a tough non-district slate and tougher district schedule by going on the road and beating the Chieftains. <br>Sept. 8 - Wagoner<br>Sept. 15 - AT Sallisaw<br>Sept. 22 - Putnam City West<br><strong>Sept. 29 - AT Sand Springs</strong><br>- In week five, a tough three week stretch begins as Tahlequah will travel to Sand Springs, followed by home games against Booker T Washington and Muskogee. The Tigers will need to bring their A game into this match-up as they look to get a huge district win early on in the season. If they're able to go on the road and knock off the Sandites, they are going to set themselves up for finishing with a high seed in the playoffs. All district games are important but this one is definitely going to be up there. <br>Oct. 6 - Booker T Washington<br>Oct. 13 - Muskogee<br>Oct. 20 - AT US Grant<br>Oct. 26 - AT Stillwater<br><strong>Nov. 3 - Bartlesville<br></strong>- By the time week ten rolls around, we're going to have a pretty good idea where most teams are going to be slated when it comes to the playoffs, but this match-up is going to have massive playoff implications. Teams like Bartlesville and Tahlequah will be battling down the stretch, hoping to get into a seed where they get to host a first round playoff game. You need to be a top four seed and the Bruins and Tigers both finished outside of that last season. The Tigers will look for a huge win to carry momentum into the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Notable</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A common theme in this preview has been Tahlequah's battle against the rest of 6A-2 as one of the smallest schools in the class. But despite being in 6A-2 a year ago, they still did what they had to do to qualify for the playoffs and extend their playoff streak to nine consecutive playoff appearances. That extends a school record for the longest streak of playoff appearances. This streak began in Class 5A and continued last season as they moved up to 6A-2. While the hope is that they'll drop back down next year to Class 5A, where the schedule becomes a little more manageable, they did prove that they can compete in 6A-2 and with 6A-1 and 6A-2 opening up the playoffs to taking the top six teams out of each district, that opened up another playoff spot and the Tigers are hoping to make it ten consecutive playoff appearances this fall.&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 -->