Class 6A-1 Players To Watch – Playoff Edition

<!-- 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 regular season is in the books! And it's time to start talking playoff football across Oklahoma. It feels like yesterday that we were previewing the 2023 football season and the year was kicking off. Now, teams truly begin their journey on the road to Edmond. Before we know it, we'll be at UCO crowning state champions to wrap up a fantastic 2023 season. Prep Redzone Oklahoma will have you completely covered for the 2023 playoffs. From all the teams and players you need to know about to the best state championship coverage in the state, we'll have wall to wall coverage of the 2023 playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this post, we're taking a look at Class 6A-1 and some of the top players that will have an impact on the playoffs. We put a spotlight on one player from each team in the playoffs and also give you more names to know in the postseason. And if you want a complete breakdown on the playoffs, you can check out our <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/11/class-6a-1-playoff-preview-3/">Class 6A-1 Playoff Preview</a></strong>. And check back each day for more playoff preview content ONLY on Prep Redzone Oklahoma!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["844468"],"_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 Broken Arrow Tigers are back into the playoffs but it came down to the final week of the regular season. Senior quarterback Cooper Bates would not allow the Tigers to miss out on the postseason. Tied at 35 with Moore on the road, Bates would run in the game-winning touchdown with less than 30 seconds to play. Bates is the perfect example of a quarterback who just finds ways to impact the game. The Tigers will go back on the road in the first round this week as they face Norman. The Tigers have been snake bit by injuries all season but Bates has been an absolute gamer throughout.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["595764"],"_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":"On the other side of that Broken Arrow-Norman match-up in the first round is senior Dax Noles and he's one of the more versatile players in the Class 6A-1 playoffs. Noles can impact the game in all three phases of the game. On offense, he lines up at running back or takes direct snaps as a wildcat quarterback. On defense, he's one of the better safeties in Class 6A-1 and Noles also returns kicks and we saw him take one back earlier this season against Stillwater. Noles also committed to a PWO offer from Oklahoma earlier this season. A player who can impact the game in all three phases is one to watch.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["188013"],"_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":"Edmond Santa Fe running back Demarius Robinson has been one of the best players in the state this season. And we're not just talking about just in Class 6A-1 or at the running back position. He's been one of the best overall players in Oklahoma. Robinson has helped the Wolves bounce back from 1-9 a year ago to back in the playoffs and one of the serious contenders to make a run. Robinson has put up monster numbers week after week. He had a three-week stretch earlier this season when he averaged over 300 yards per game. He has put up some monster numbers and doesn't look like he's slowing down.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["988901"],"_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 go from one Edmond running back to another one. Edmond North senior running back Dev Mathews has been one of the breakout stars of the 2023 football season. He got everyone's attention earlier this season, in September, when he set the school's record for most rushing yards and touchdowns in a single game. And then he did it again in October. He has two games where he's ran for more than 300 yards and scored six touchdowns. Like Robinson, Mathews can be lightning in a bottle and has had an outstanding season. Mathews and the Huskies open the playoff journey at Norman North.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["110740"],"_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":"Union senior standout Issac Covington was a star for the Redhawks last year in the playoffs and it looks like he's going to be a star for Union again as they look to contend for the gold ball. Covington helped lead Union to another district championship after being one of their top defensive players for the first half of the season. In the second half of the season, with Union dealing with injuries to key positions, Covington moved into the running back role and had some monster performances. Covington is more than capable of being a two-way star and if Union contends for gold, Covington will have a major impact.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["1041452"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"Whenever you're talking about the state's largest class, you don't see very many sophomores or freshmen impact the playoffs when the competition is heightened. But 6A-1 has quite a few sophomores to watch in the postseason. Mustang sophomore Jaden Johnson has been one of the best wide receivers in the state during the last two weeks. Mustang has needed the young playmaker to grow up in a hurry. After hitting a slump in the middle of the season, the Broncos had their backs against the wall and had to win their way into the playoffs and the sophomore responded.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["402378"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Speaking of star sophomores, Jenks running back KD Jones has the ability to take over a game in the blink of an eye. The one time we saw Jenks in person this year, Jones was a two-way star with three touchdowns on the ground and an interception on defense. Jones had a solid performance in their week ten game against Bixby. He's playing really good football right now and is very clearly one of the top players at his position. Last season, Jones was our pick for Freshman Of The Year when he was at Broken Arrow. This year, the sophomore star wants to lead Jenks back to the top with a state championship.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["110745"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"We've mentioned this a few times this season but it deserves to be repeated here. In the season opener against Bixby, Owasso senior quarterback Knox Dyson struggled mightily. But ever since that week zero loss, you can certainly make the argument that Dyson has been near the top of Class 6A-1 in terms of the quarterback position. Dyson has set Owasso passing records and had multiple games where he filled up the stat sheet. There's no doubt that Dyson benefits from having some outstanding skill players. The Rams are incredibly balanced on offense but Dyson has made a major jump at quarterback.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["110743"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"The Bixby Spartans are once again the team to beat in Class 6A-1 and they will begin their playoff journey as the favorite in the class. One thing that is impressive when you look at this year's version of the Spartans is their versatility. They don't have one or two players that are putting up monster numbers every single week. They have multiple players that can beat teams on any given week. But when you're talking about the top playmaker, you have to talk about senior Kordell Gouldsby because of his impact in all three phases. He's electric on offense, a ball hawk on defense and one of the best punt returners in 6A-1.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["284117"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"We knew that Norman North sophomore Mason James was going to take the next step this fall but he has exceeded all expectations. James saw plenty of playing time on both sides of the ball last year as a freshman. James then had an outstanding offseason at various camps and 7v7 tournaments. James has now become Norman North's top weapon on the offensive side of the ball. Earlier this week, James picked up an offer from OU and it appears that his recruitment is about to explode. James is a versatile weapon on the offensive side of the ball as a runner and a pass catcher.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["393973"],"_player_evaluations_10_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_10_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_10_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"Westmoore standout Micheal Graham is headed to the next level to play at Houston. He will more than likely end up on the defensive side of the ball when he heads off to college. But while he's at the high school level, he will be arguably the most electric quarterback in the state, regardless of class. Graham is the type of player that is a threat to make something happen every single time he takes a snap. Graham can beat defenses with his arm and his legs. And when he takes off, he's hard to bottle up. He's just as likely to run for over 200 yards as he is to throw for over 200 yards on any given night.","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["1077958"],"_player_evaluations_11_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_11_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_11_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"Enid opens up their playoff journey on the road against Edmond Santa Fe in the first round. The Plainsmen snuck into the playoffs in the final spot from their district. And in the playoff-clinching win over Southmoore, junior wide receiver Zyire Allen had a big night. Wide receiver was going to be a big question mark heading into this season after having to replace an outstanding receiver in Tykie Andrews. Allen has had a solid junior season and he definitely fits as a u0022breakout staru0022 for this season. He's an outstanding basketball player as well but Allen had an outstanding year in football.","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":12,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6546db7fa2de8"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MORE NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bergin Kysar - Senior Defensive Lineman - Edmond Santa Fe</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carson Kirby - Sophomore Quarterback - Bixby</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deuce Chalk - Senior Wide Receiver - Owasso</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Devon Jordan - Senior Defensive Back - Union</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Garrison Utley - Junior Defensive Lineman - Norman North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hank Puckett - Senior Linebacker - Bixby</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hudson Ball - Junior Defensive Lineman - Jenks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jett Calmus - Senior Linebacker - Jenks</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jino Boyd - Senior Wide Receiver - Union</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='115730' first='J'Kharri' last='Thomas'] - Senior Athlete - Owasso</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owen Eshelman - Junior Quarterback - Norman North</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Phoenix Murphy - Junior Quarterback - Norman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyson Pogi - Freshman Quarterback - Mustang</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->