Week Five Players To Watch

<!-- 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>The 2023 football season is in full swing and every Thursday on Prep Redzone Oklahoma, we're going to give you several names to know before games kick off each week. This week, we have some outstanding games across the state and to read more about them, you can <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/09/week-fives-ten-best-games/">check out our post from earlier in the week right here.</a></strong> For now, we break down five names that will be playing in some of the biggest games this week and even have a few bonus names to know as well. Check back this weekend when we feature the top performers from week five!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["915005"],"_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":"In arguably the biggest game in 6A-1 this week, we'll see #7 Mustang hitting the road to face #3 Owasso. The Rams are coming off a tough loss on the road against Union. For Mustang, a win here will keep their district title hopes alive. For Owasso, they can't afford another district loss if they want to fight for the district crown or a bye week in the playoffs. We'll go ahead and admit that we were wrong on Mustang prior to the season. We thought the Broncos would be rebuilding this season but they have just reloaded. The Broncos have a talented and young offense but they have key seniors on the defensive side of the ball. Leading the group is linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='915005' first='Bear' last='Meadows'] and he'll be a big part of their game plan on Friday night. Owasso's offense has been at their best when they've been able to air it out on that side of the ball. If Meadows and the Mustang front seven can get a good mix of pressure as well as coverage on the underneath stuff, they'll be in a good spot. Meadows is one of the more underrated linebackers in the class.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["215206"],"_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":"Following back to back losses to open the season, defending 6A-2 champion Stillwater has won two in a row and now the Pioneers will host Booker T Washington on Friday night. When you look at the Pioneers this season, there's no doubt that leading the way have been the Thompson twins. We knew that would be the case coming into this season but they've taken their game to new levels this fall. Senior wide receiver and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='215206' first='Heston' last='Thompson'] has been one of the more complete players in Class 6A-2. And just like we knew what to expect from the Thompson twins this season, we also figured Heston would be one of the top receivers in the state. But he's been arguably their best defensive back on the other side of the ball and he's a threat to return kicks in special teams. He's made plays in all three phases of the game in the last two weeks. We think the Pioneers have a chance to contend once again in Class 6A-2 with the Thompsons leading the way. But they'll be facing a Booker T Washington team that's hungry for a win.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["633074"],"_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":"5A's #6 Sapulpa is looking to contend for the district crown and this week they face the reigning district champs from Coweta on the road. The Chieftains will get Coweta's best shot this week and they can't afford to look ahead to next week's showdown at home against #2 Del City. Prior to this season, we thought that the Chieftains had a chance to have one of the better offensive units in Class 5A and they've played up to that level so far this season. Senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='633074' first='Kylen' last='Edwards'] has been absolutely electric so far this season. He leads the team in receiving with nearly 450 yards and seven touchdowns on the season. As the Chieftains go deeper into district play and start playing some of the toughest teams on their schedule, we anticipate Edwards taking his game to the next level. He's an outstanding playmaker with the ball in his hands and the Chieftains will need him in some of those bigger games. And if Sapulpa is going to be one of the best teams in Class 5A, they get a chance to prove it this week against Coweta.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["110748"],"_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":"Class 2A-7 has quickly become one of our favorite districts to watch and now they start beating up on each other. #5 Victory Christian will host #10 Beggs on Friday night. This district features four teams all ranked in the top ten of our Class 2A rankings. And this match-up between the Conquerors and Demons has been one of the better head to head clashes in Class 2A over the last few seasons. Victory Christian senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='110748' first='Teyton' last='Chandler'] has also been one of the top linebackers in the state over the last few seasons and he backed that up in the last few weeks. Chandler has well over 500 tackles in his career and based on all the records we could find for tackles, Chandler now holds the career record in Oklahoma for most tackles. Now, that's a very unofficial record but it goes without saying, the Victory standout is an absolute tackling machine. The Conquerors will need that production from him on Friday night as they try to slow down Beggs and their D1 running back. It's easier said than done but Chandler will be up for the task.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["231981"],"_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":"The game of the week in Class 3A might also decide the district championship as #4 Perkins-Tryon hosts #6 Metro Christian on Friday night. These two teams were the favorites in this district heading into the season. And after the first month, nothing has really changed in that department. Metro Christian dominated this match-up a year ago but this year will look very different. Perkins-Tryon senior [player_tooltip player_id='231981' first='Tre' last='Stevenson'] will look to have another stellar performance for the Demons. Last season, he had a good performance on offense as a running back but the Demons fell into a deep hole and couldn't afford to have a run-first offense. This year, Stevenson has had a strong start to his senior season. He's a big and strong running back that can handle a decent workload when running the football. Stevenson has played incredibly well so far on both sides of the ball but we think he will be more important for the Demons on the offensive side of the ball. Once again, the winner here is more than likely going to capture the district championship.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65158898d843b"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MORE NAMES TO KNOW THIS WEEK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215197' first='Cannon' last='Wood'] - 2024 Running Back/Linebacker - Piedmont</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's arguably the best game in the state this week as 5A's #5 Piedmont goes on the road to face #3 Guthrie. Both teams are unbeaten and have been lights out this season. Piedmont is led by two-way star [player_tooltip player_id='215197' first='Cannon' last='Wood'] at running back and linebacker. He's one of the best two-way players in the state and the Wildcats will lean on him in this one. Guthrie's defense has given up just three points all season and have a terrific rushing attack. We're looking forward to seeing this top five clash in person on Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='844468' first='Cooper' last='Bates'] - 2024 Quarterback - Broken Arrow</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Broken Arrow got their first win of the season last week and the Tigers are hoping to keep that momentum going this week as they welcome in Norman North. The Timberwolves are looking to bounce back after losing to Bixby last week. Leading the way for the Tigers this season has been senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='844468' first='Cooper' last='Bates'] and he leads a balanced offense. We really like the Broken Arrow rushing attack but Bates makes this offense go as an underrated athlete that can get the job done. This is a big week for the Tigers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='110751' first='Jett' last='Calmus'] - 2024 Linebacker - Jenks</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jenks has won two in a row after dropping two games to start the season. This week, they welcome in Westmoore on Friday night. The Jaguars have some momentum after beating rival Moore last week and they have an electric quarterback that is one of the top dual-threat signal callers in the state. That's where senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='110751' first='Jett' last='Calmus'] comes in. Calmus and the Jenks front seven will have their work cut out for them keeping Graham in check on Friday night. But if they can contain him, they should be in good shape. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='449184' first='TJ' last='Bradford'] - 2026 Running Back/Defensive Back - Newcastle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Class 4A, the best match-up this week is once again in district 4A-2 as #5 Newcastle hosts #3 Blanchard. The Racers have been perfect so far this season but now we learn more about them as they get into a brutal district stretch. Sophomore running back and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='449184' first='TJ' last='Bradford'] is going to be a big part of the game plan this week. On offense, he's electric with the football in his hands. On defense, Bradford will be more important as a cornerback going against Blanchard's high-powered passing attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='901851' first='Zaedon' last='Collins'] - 2025 Running Back - Clinton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Out in western Oklahoma, we have a top ten battle in Class 4A as #9 Clinton hosts #8 Elk City. Clinton is off to a 2-2 start this season but they still are a contender in the district but this is a big game that will do a lot to decide the district crown. Leading the way for Clinton this season is junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='901851' first='Zaedon' last='Collins']. In Clinton's toughest game this season, a week two game against 3A champ Heritage Hall, Collins finished with well over 250 yards as they came up short in the high-scoring loss to the Chargers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->