Washington Warriors 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 reigning 2A state champion Washington Warriors.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Washington Warriors</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>After coming up short in not one, but two state championship games in 2020 and 2021, the Washington Warriors were getting real tired of walking off the UCO field with a silver ball. Coming into the 2022 season, the Warriors were heavy favorites to finally get the job done and capture that elusive state championship. The Warriors were the preseason number one team back in June and they lived up to the hype, going wire to wire as the number one team in Class 2A and they finished it off with that gold ball in a classic win over Millwood. As we head into the 2023 football season, nothing has changed. The Warriors are still holding on to the number one spot in the class. The target on Washington has gotten even bigger and they'll get everyone's best shot. The Warriors have some of the best prospects in the state and they have enough firepower to make another run back to Edmond and capture another state championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors tested themselves early and often last year against two of the best teams in Class 2A during non-district play. They also survived a test against Sulphur. They would follow up that non-district gauntlet by dominating their way through district play. They would get a scare from OCS in the second round but they would dominate Idabel in the quarterfinals before beating up on Jones again in the semifinals. Then they would knock off Millwood to capture that gold ball. The target on Washington has gotten even bigger and they'll get everyone's best shot. The Warriors have some of the best prospects in the state and they have enough firepower to make another run back to Edmond and capture another state championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Eight starters are back on both sides of the ball but it's the offense that is going to get a lot of headlines this season. This will be an offense that has arguably the two best tight ends in the state and two of the better guys at their position in the country. Now, the offense might look a little different this season as they have to replace a very productive running back and instead of being a very balanced offense, the strength now shifts to the passing game. On defense, the Warriors bring back eight starters on that side of the ball as well. This was a defense that was one of the best units in the state, regardless of class. The Warriors gave up more than 20 points on just two occasions last season. With the majority of starters returning, this defense has the chance to be just as dominant and maybe even a little better than what we saw during the 2022 championship season. Either way, the Warriors are determined to make another trip to Edmond and defend their championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2022 RESULTS (15-0 Record - Class 2A State Champion)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 26 - Beat Vian 39-24<br>Sept. 2 - Beat Sulphur 27-25<br>Sept. 9 - Beat Jones 33-14<br>Sept. 23 - Beat Frederick 40-7<br>Sept. 30 - Beat Community Christian 42-7<br>Oct. 7 - Beat Crooked Oak 39-0<br>Oct. 13 - Beat Lindsay 42-6<br>Oct. 21 - Beat Purcell 40-7<br>Oct. 28 - Beat Comanche 55-6<br>Nov. 4 - Beat Little Axe 47-0<br>1st Round - Beat Atoka 54-7<br>2nd Round - Beat Oklahoma Christian School 18-11<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Idabel 47-6<br>Semifinals - Beat Jones 49-14<br>Championship - Beat Millwood 17-14</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>Caleb Bruce - Offensive Lineman<br>Cole Scott - Running Back<br>Hayden Milner - Defensive Lineman<br>Jaxon Hendrix - 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":["154210"],"_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 first of several 2024 prospects for Washington is tight end [player_tooltip player_id='154210' first='Cooper' last='Alexander'] and he is one of the more experienced players on the team. Alexander has continued to get better and better every time he's stepped out on the field. In fact, he might have been the good luck charm for the Warriors as he moved to Washington from Norman and he gave the Warriors a boost. And the combination of Alexander with 2025 tight end [player_tooltip player_id='353411' first='Nate' last='Roberts'] (more on him in just a bit) gives Washington one of the best tight end duos in the country. And that's such a hard thing to compare when you're talking about high school football. But we don't think it's a big leap to say there aren't many other high school programs that have two top tight end prospects.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["215208"],"_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='215208' first='Major' last='Cantrell'] returns once again under center for the Warriors as we head into the 2023 football season. Cantrell enjoyed a breakout season as just a sophomore in 2021. He threw for over 2,500 yards and 34 touchdowns. He would follow that up last season with nearly 1,800 passing yards and 20 touchdowns on the season. Last season, he had a somewhat inexperienced receiving group. This year, he brings almost all of those weapons back so the production should go back to what we saw during his sophomore season. Cantrell has also benefited from being surrounded by talent. He's taken advantage of all the different college staffs coming through Washington and has seen his recruitment start to take off.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["595681"],"_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":"On the defensive side of the ball, 2024 defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='595681' first='Naithen' last='Spaulding'] will look to take the next step this fall as one of the best guys at his position in Class 2A. Spaulding benefitted the last two years by teaming up with another disruptive defensive lineman in Hayden Milner. With Milner graduating, all eyes are going to be on Spaulding to be that disruptive force along the line of scrimmage. Last season, Spaulding would finish his junior year with just over 80 tackles on the season and 11 sacks. He made a living in the backfield with just over 20 tackles for loss last season. Spaulding is definitely going to be a big key to the success of the Warriors on the defensive side of the ball. His recruitment could also explode this fall.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["353411"],"_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":"We mentioned Roberts a few times already and specifically the combination of him and Alexander being one of the best in the state. Roberts emerged last season as one of the top receivers in the Washington passing attack. The 2025 star finished last season with 36 catches for just over 700 yards and 11 touchdowns. However, no touchdown was more important than the touchdown he made in the state championship game against Millwood. As the Warriors trailed 14-10, Roberts made a catch in the back of the end zone with just over two minutes remaining to lead the Warriors to the state championship. Roberts has become one of the very best college prospects in the state and by the end of his high school career, he'll be able to go wherever he wants.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["522806"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"2024 offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='522806' first='Tanner' last='Winlock'] has been starting along the offensive line since his freshman season. In fact, Winlock is one of the more experienced players in Washington football history. He has started 43 out of Washington's 44 games during the last three seasons. Winlock will be in a position this fall to lead an offensive line that helps one of the best offensive units in the state. And as we mentioned with Cantrell at the quarterback position, Washington will have a new face at the running back position this fall. Having an experienced and talented player like Winlock back along the offensive line will certainly help out the new players that tote the rock in the backfield.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-649f2816cb914"} /--> <!-- 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='595752' first='Cage' last='Morris'] - 2024 Wide Receiver<br>[player_tooltip player_id='473879' first='Case' last='Alexander'] - 2027 Tight End<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1109231' first='Dawson' last='Thomas'] - 2026 Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='311986' first='Hudson' last='Howard'] - 2025 Running Back<br>Kade Bacock - 2027 Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1109227' first='Kade' last='Norman'] - 2024 Athlete<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1572510' first='Kingston' last='Stringer'] - 2026 Offensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1572505' first='Mason' last='Singletary'] - 2025 Wide Receiver<br>Mason Thomas - 2025 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>Aug. 25 - Vian<br><strong>Sept. 1 - AT Sulphur<br></strong>- In week one, after opening the season against a 2A perennial power, the Warriors will hit the road to take on a 3A top ten team in Sulphur. And based on the final score, this was the closest game of Washington's undefeated season in 2022. The Warriors beat Sulphur 27-25 and that would be the closest margin of victory on the year. And this season, we anticipate this to be one of the tougher match-ups during the regular season for the Warriors. Sulphur is one of the more experienced and talented teams in Class 3A and they are going to give the Warriors all they want.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 8 - Jones<br></strong>- Washington wraps up their non-district gauntlet schedule against Jones, in a rematch of last year's 2A semifinal clash with the Longhorns. Washington swept the season series against the Longhorns. They beat them 33-14 in the regular season and then followed it up with a 49-14 victory to punch their ticket to the state championship game. This is another marquee match-up that we could very well see again in late November or even into December. Both teams bring back the majority of their starters and will be among the best of the best in Class 2A this fall.&nbsp;<br>Sept. 22 - AT Frederick<br><strong>Sept. 29 - Community Christian<br></strong>- Washington won all seven of their district games last season by at least 30 points. And as they head into the 2023 football season, the Warriors are heavy favorites within their districts, in addition to being favorites in Class 2A overall. So when you look at their schedule on paper, it's hard to pinpoint a game that will be the biggest challenge to the Warriors within their district. Last season, one of the closer games came in week five against Community Christian. Whether it's Community Christian or Lindsay, the Warriors will be the heavy favorite to win the district title once again.&nbsp;<br>Oct. 6 - AT Crooked Oak<br>Oct. 12 - Lindsay<br>Oct. 19 - AT Purcell<br>Oct. 27 - Comanche<br>Nov. 3 - AT Little Axe</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Notable</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Warriors come into this season as the favorites in Class 2A as defending champion and that's not a new position for the Class 2A program. They've been to three straight state championship games and last year was the fourth in the last six years. Washington has one of the longest playoff streaks in state history and they are looking for their 33rd consecutive trip to the playoffs this fall. They are tied with Tuttle for the sixth longest streak. Cascia Hall (36) Jenks (34) and Union (33) are the only schools that have longer active streaks. While there isn't much drama on whether or not the Warriors will make their 33rd consecutive playoff appearance, it will be interesting to see how often they make it to the playoffs in the new Class 2A. Starting in 2024, Class 2A will split into two divisions with the top 32 teams in enrollment being in the higher division. And based on the most recent published ADM numbers from last August, Washington would be in the higher division. We'll know more about which class and division they'll be in when the new numbers come out in August. It will be a new challenge but the expectations won't be changing.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Championship History</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2 State Championships</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2022 - Beat Millwood 17-14<br>1996 - Beat Turpin 35-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->