Week Eight 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>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/2023/10/week-eights-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 eight!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["215199"],"_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":"One of the best games in Class 2A this week will see #3 Jones traveling to face a 6-1 Chandler team that is knocking on the door of the 2A rankings. This is a match-up that has two of the better senior quarterbacks in the state, regardless of class. For the Longhorns, they'll be led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='215199' first='Clayton' last='Creasey'] and he continues to be one of the better dual-threat quarterbacks in the class. Creasey has thrown for nearly 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns and he's also added over 300 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground. The Longhorns are looking to lock up the district championship and Chandler is definitely a potential speed bump. Creasey and the Longhorns have bounced back in a major way from an early loss to 2A's top-ranked Washington and a loss to 3A's #2 Lincoln Christian in non-district play.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["994657"],"_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":"It's one of the biggest games of the year and we don't need to hype it up at this point. #3 Guthrie will play host to top-ranked and defending champion Carl Albert in a renewal of one of the best rivalries in 5A football over the last two decades. Carl Albert came into this season as massive favorites to repeat. Guthrie is looking to prove that they can knock off the champs. The Blue Jay defense has been nearly perfect this season. They've shut out six of their seven opponents and have only given up a field goal this year. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='994657' first='Eli' last='Moroney'] is the leader of this stout defense and he has the numbers to back it up. He has 15 sacks on the year and is a tackling machine. The Blue Jays will need Moroney and the Guthrie defense to be at their best if they are going to slow down Carl Albert's star-studded offense.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["584313"],"_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":"Before the season began, we thought that Claremore had the potential to be a team to watch in Class 5A this fall but we still didn't expect this. The Zebras are 7-0 for the first time in decades and they have jumped up into the top five of our Class 5A rankings at #5 this week. Leading the way is their passing attack and senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='584313' first='Gage' last='Deckard'] has emerged as one of the best wide receivers in Class 5A this fall. The Zebras will look to remain unbeaten this week when they travel to Tulsa on Friday to face Bishop Kelley. These are the top two teams in the district right now and the Comets have won five in a row after starting 0-2. Deckard has put up some monster numbers with nearly 1,000 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. If he has another stellar performance, Claremore should be in the driver's seat for the district crown.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["154217"],"_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":"#8 Oklahoma Christian School hits the road for a short trip to face off with #2 Millwood in a game that will more than likely decide the district championship. OCS is 7-0 on the season and this week's game against the Falcons will no doubt be their toughest test of the year. Fortunately for the Saints, senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='154217' first='Garret' last='Wilson'] is playing some of his best football right now. Wilson has thrown for over 1,800 yards and 23 touchdowns with no interceptions. He's also added six rushing touchdowns this year as he's been one of the best quarterbacks in Class 2A this season. But we mentioned how Wilson is playing some of his best ball right now and we're talking about the last two weeks. He's thrown for over 550 yards and eight touchdowns while also adding over 200 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["110741"],"_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":"In one of the best overall games this week, we'll see #2 Union travel to Edmond to face #4 Edmond Santa Fe in a battle of two teams that are tied atop the district standings. When you look at Santa Fe over the last month, it's hard not to be impressed with their rushing attack and the success that their star running back has had. So a major key in Thursday's game will be Union's front seven and their defense overall going against Santa Fe's running game. Senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='110741' first='Lane' last='Wood'] has successfully changed positions this season as he has been a tight end for the last few years. But in the offseason, he moved over to linebacker and he has played really well over the last few weeks. But there's no doubt that this week's game is going to be a tough test. If Wood and the Union front seven can contain Santa Fe, they will be in good shape.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65309c3a1c786"} /--> <!-- 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='1051971' first='Cole' last='Stephens'] - 2024 Running Back/Defensive Back - Sallisaw</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sallisaw has immediately turned things around after going 1-19 over the last two seasons. First year head coach Brandon Tyler has turned around another program. But he's had some help on offense. Senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1051971' first='Cole' last='Stephens'] is nearing 700 yards and ten touchdowns on the ground and he's also a standout on defense. This week brings the toughest test as they'll host 4A powerhouse Poteau on Thursday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215208' first='Major' last='Cantrell'] - 2024 Quarterback - Washington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Thursday night, 2A's top-ranked and defending champion Washington might get their toughest district test when they travel to face a Purcell team that's 6-1 on the season. Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='215208' first='Major' last='Cantrell'] has been flawless this season and most games have been decided by halftime. As we get closer to the playoffs, Cantrell wants to take his game to another level as the Warriors look to defend their Class 2A crown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='979658' first='Malakai' last='Dillard'] - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back - Lincoln Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#2 Lincoln Christian looks to stay unbeaten on the season and continue their dominance over district opponents this week against #9 Stigler. The Bulldogs have enjoyed breakout seasons from several players but none bigger than sophomore standout [player_tooltip player_id='979658' first='Malakai' last='Dillard'] on offense and defense. Dillard has emerged as Lincoln Christian's top receiver and he's also shown to be a ball hawk on the defensive side of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='393973' first='Micheal' last='Graham'] - 2024 Quarterback/Defensive Back - Westmoore</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>#5 Westmoore will look to pull off the upset over #1 Bixby on Friday night and they'll lean on one of the more electric playmakers in Class 6A-1 to beat the Spartans. Senior quarterback and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='393973' first='Micheal' last='Graham'] has been arguably the best dual-threat quarterback in the state, regardless of class this fall. The Houston commit has been lights out since district play began and all eyes will be on him on Friday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='332239' first='Xzavier' last='Booth'] - 2024 Athlete - Lawton MacArthur </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We don't know what position Lawton MacArthur senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='332239' first='Xzavier' last='Booth'] should play at the next level, but he should get a shot to play at the next level. Booth is an absolute machine on the defensive side of the ball. He's one of our favorite players that we've seen in person this fall. And the Highlanders have a big district game this week after an upset loss to Midwest City. They host El Reno on Thursday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->