Week Three 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-threes-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 three!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["360243"],"_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":"Chandler is off to a 2-0 start but arguably their toughest game of the season comes on Friday when they hit the road and face 4A's #2 Poteau. The Pirates are one of the best teams in their respective classes and they have been off to a great start this season. Last year, this was a match-up that was close throughout but Poteau would survive the upset scare with a 30-21 victory. Leading the way for Chandler this season has been senior [player_tooltip player_id='360243' first='Alec' last='Jackson'] at the quarterback position. Jackson is a true dual-threat quarterback that looks to do damage with his arm first but is just as dangerous when he tucks the ball and runs. He's had a steady start to his senior campaign but he will be tested by a very aggressive Poteau defense. We were curious how this Chandler offense would look with no Casmen Hill at running back and Jackson has made sure there hasn't been a step back.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["322948"],"_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":"5A's #8 Claremore hits the road to face off with Hilldale on Friday night and it's another chance for senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='322948' first='Braxton' last='Etheridge'] to light up an opposing defense. Last week, the Zebras won a high-scoring affair with Oologah and Etheridge could not be stopped. He would throw for just over 400 yards and five touchdowns in the win. He certainly had one of the best performances from an individual in week two and we're looking forward to seeing what he does for an encore. The Zebras have gotten off to a great start this season. It started with a big road win over 6A-2's #6 Bartlesville when the Zebras scored in the final minute to win. They would win the shootout against Oologah last week and now they shift their focus to a young but talented Hilldale team this week. Claremore looks to keep things rolling before heading into district play.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["375219"],"_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":"Collinsville jumped into the top ten rankings in Class 5A over the weekend and look to stay there when they host Bartlesville on Friday night. Last season, Collinsville wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='375219' first='Hudson' last='Henslick'] was one of the breakout stars in Class 5A as he would catch 15 touchdowns and became Collinsville's leading receiver. This season, he's picked up right where he left off in the first two games. Henslick has caught two touchdowns in each of Collinsville's two wins. The Cardinals will look to keep that going this week as they play host to a Bartlesville team that is getting very hungry for that first win of the season. Henslick has been solid on defense as well. In last week's win, he came up with an interception on the defensive side of the ball. But there is no question that Henslick has become one of the top wide receivers in Class 5A this season.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["979658"],"_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're only a few weeks into the 2023 football season and we've already gotten a chance to see some candidates for breakout stars this fall. For Lincoln Christian, you have to look at sophomore wide receiver and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='979658' first='Malakai' last='Dillard'] as that player for the Bulldogs. We got a chance to see him in person back in week one when they faced Jones. He had a solid game but then took it to another level last week in a blowout win over Vian. Dillard exploded for nearly 200 yards receiving on six catches and four touchdowns in the win. He has become Lincoln Christian's top target in the passing game and he looks to be a rising star in this high-powered Lincoln Christian offense. The Bulldogs will need him this week as they host Arkansas powerhouse Shiloh Christian on Friday night. But one thing is for sure, Dillard has a bright future.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["449039"],"_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":"One of several 5A/4A match-ups featuring ranked opponents will see 5A's #4 Elgin hitting the road to face 4A's #6 Weatherford. For the Owls, this week will be the first real challenge and it comes at a great time as they prepare for a very tough district stretch starting next week. Leading the way for the Owls so far this season has been senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='449039' first='Matt' last='Lund'] and he's coming off a stellar performance in week two. He only touched the ball 11 times and would account for well over 200 total yards of offense and two touchdowns in their win over Cache. The Owls have been on fire so far this season and Lund is a big reason why. He's one of the more experienced players on the team and he's looking to help lead the Owls to new heights this fall. Last season, they were one of the surprise teams in Class 5A. This year, they look to contend.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65030585eb424"} /--> <!-- 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='215570' first='Brady' last='Mcadoo'] - 2025 Athlete - Tuttle<br>(AT Guthrie)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tuttle will head to "The Rock" in Guthrie this week for a showdown of Oklahoma perennial powers. Tuttle junior [player_tooltip player_id='215570' first='Brady' last='Mcadoo'] might be the most versatile player on the field on Friday night and the Tigers are hoping that he can bring that versatility and have a big game. Guthrie hasn't allowed a single point through three games and no team has finished with positive yards rushing. Mcadoo and the Tigers look to change that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='897727' first='Cade' last='Gilbert'] - 2024 Quarterback - Marlow<br>(AT Perkins-Tryon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's one of the best games in Oklahoma this week as 3A's #4 Marlow travels to 3A's #3 Perkins-Tryon. Leading the way for the Outlaws so far has been their senior [player_tooltip player_id='897727' first='Cade' last='Gilbert'] at quarterback but Friday's game with the Demons is without a doubt going to be their toughest test of the season so far. We're interested to see how Gilbert performs against a Perkins-Tryon defense that is experienced and very talented. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1083184' first='Dalton' last='Barrington'] - 2024 Running Back/Linebacker - Berryhill<br>(VS Cushing)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Berryhill is looking to build momentum off their week two win over Cascia Hall when they host 4A runner up Cushing on Friday night. Leading the way for Berryhill so far has been senior running back and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1083184' first='Dalton' last='Barrington']. In their first two games, Barrington has been outstanding on both sides of the ball. He'll look to continue that this week as the Chiefs look to gain some momentum before district play begins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215207' first='Holden' last='Thompson'] - 2024 Running Back - Stillwater<br>(AT Norman - Thurs.)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Thursday night, the reigning 6A-2 state champions will head to Norman in search of their first win this season. Senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='215207' first='Holden' last='Thompson'] has had a good start to his senior campaign but the Pioneers are hungry for that first win. After being stunned by Yukon on a last minute field goal in week two, we think that Thompson and the Pioneers come out hungry on Thursday night, looking to make a statement. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='284117' first='Mason' last='James'] - 2026 Athlete - Norman North<br>(VS Yukon)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Norman North sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='284117' first='Mason' last='James'] is a 2026 prospect that we got a chance to see quite a bit this offseason and he appeared to be a playmaker every time we saw him in a 7v7 setting. James has carried that over to his sophomore season as he's become Norman North's swiss army knife on offense. So far this season, he's shown that he can be just as dangerous in the running game as he is in the passing game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->