Class 4A Season In Review

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong><em><strong><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></strong></em></strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 football season has come to a close and it's time to start taking a look back at the year in football before we move on to the offseason and looking ahead to 2024. Every day for the next four weeks, we'll have more postseason content on Prep Redzone Oklahoma. From our Season In Review series to player awards and of course our All State teams. Check back each day for a new postseason post on the 2023 season, ONLY on Prep Redzone Oklahoma. In this post, we're continuing our season in review series with a look back at all the top stories and players from Class 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>STATE CHAMPION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><em>Blanchard Lions (13-1)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blanchard Lions came into this season in the #3 spot in Class 4A with the majority of their starters back on both sides of the ball. The Lions began the season against a non-district schedule made up completely of Class 5A teams. The only slip up would come in week two, when they fell to Piedmont 21-7. But that schedule would prepare them for a district gauntlet. Three other teams in Blanchard's district were in the top ten rankings throughout the season. The Lions beat them all. It began in week five, when they beat Newcastle 28-13.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Then came a home showdown with Tuttle in week six, featuring a battle of top five teams. And with massive winds out of the north, both teams struggled from start to finish. Blanchard won that game 20-6 without scoring a single point on offense. The Lions would clinch the district title in week nine by beating Bethany. That tough district slate would set them up for success in the playoffs. They shut out Cache in the first round. Then they took care of the cinderella story of the 4A playoffs in Sallisaw. And finally, the Lions beat #2 Poteau 26-14 to punch their ticket to the Class 4A state title game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions were playing for the state championship for the first time in a decade. And they captured their first state championship while competing in Class 4A in school history. Blanchard had to wait through a two-hour weather delay but it didn't slow them down. They started fast and similar to the regular season win over Tuttle, the defense did a great job of forcing turnovers and they put Wagoner in a hole that they couldn't overcome. The Lions would have to hold on in the final minute as the Bulldogs made a couple plays at the end zone but Blanchard would survive and walk away with the state championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP HIGHLIGHTS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEGaAH1OdCAu0026amp;t=152s","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEGaAH1OdCA&amp;t=152s </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>4A PLAYER OF THE YEAR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["363852"],"_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":"Blanchard senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='363852' first='Carson' last='Cooksey'] led the Lions to new heights in 2023 with a state championship. Cooksey was one of the best quarterbacks in the state this season and the thing that always impressed us about his game this year was his ability to distribute the ball all over the field. Granted, Cooksey benefitted from having some very good players at the skill positions but he put up some very impressive numbers. The senior threw for nearly 3,200 yards and 29 touchdowns. He had a receiver with 800+ yards, 700+ yards and 600+ yards this year. When we say he distributed the ball, that's what we're talking about. There aren't many other quarterbacks in the state that had that kind of spread at the wide receiver position. Cooksey also played well in some of the biggest games this year. He came into this season as one of the more experienced quarterbacks in Class 4A and it showed.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65862c68a2fc0"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>BREAKOUT STARS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='911940' first='Brock' last='Boyles'] - 2026 Quarterback - Ada</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ada won double digit games and made it all the way to the 4A semifinals and what's scary is they have a relatively young team in some key places. Sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='911940' first='Brock' last='Boyles'] had some hype coming into this season and we were looking forward to seeing how he played this fall. He passed every eye test and had some really impressive games this season. Boyles had a strong sophomore season and we're looking forward to seeing what's next for him. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1082642' first='Brock' last='Streun'] - 2024 Quarterback - Sallisaw</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sallisaw was without a doubt one of the breakout teams and senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1082642' first='Brock' last='Streun'] became a breakout star. After the Black Diamonds struggled mightily over the last two seasons, they not only returned to the playoffs but they were one of the final eight teams remaining in the Class 4A playoffs. And Streun was huge for Sallisaw in the pass and run game this fall. He definitely became one of the top players to watch in Class 4A this season after a breakout year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1100200' first='Coric' last='Pierce'] - 2025 Athlete - Blanchard</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We mentioned Cooksey earlier and his ability to distribute the ball. Junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='1100200' first='Coric' last='Pierce'] was one of those three receivers on offense that had big seasons this fall. And the last time we saw Pierce in person was the state championship game. He had nagging injuries in the second half but in the first two quarters, he was the best player on the field. Whether it was making plays on offense or forcing turnovers on defense, Pierce did a little bit of everything. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='922913' first='John' last='Hilligoss'] - 2024 Quarterback - Cushing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After having some dominant players on the offensive side of the ball, Cushing was looking to reload after losing some serious production to graduation. Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='922913' first='John' last='Hilligoss'] stepped up in a big way and made sure that the Tigers were still going to be a serious contender in Class 4A this fall. Hilligoss put up monster numbers and it looked like Cushing wasn't going to miss a step on the offensive side of the ball. He certainly enjoyed a breakout season in 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1125301' first='Luke' last='Beauchamp'] - 2024 Running Back - Catoosa</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Catoosa missed out on the playoffs but the Indians still had some players have some noteworthy seasons. Most notably was senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1125301' first='Luke' last='Beauchamp'] and we weren't as familiar with his game coming into 2024 but like all the other players listed under the "breakout star" category, that quickly changed. Beauchamp became one of the better running backs in Class 4A with a 1,000 yard season. He also earned multiple offers this fall to play college ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>OTHER TOP PLAYERS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='294262' first='Alex' last='Shieldnight'] - 2025 Defensive Lineman - Wagoner</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wagoner had to settle for the silver ball but junior defensive lineman and OU commit [player_tooltip player_id='294262' first='Alex' last='Shieldnight'] had a season to remember. Shieldnight set the school's all time sack record and is going to stack up more numbers in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215570' first='Brady' last='Mcadoo'] - 2025 Running Back - Tuttle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tuttle junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='215570' first='Brady' last='Mcadoo'] is going to be a player to watch when the Tigers head into 2024. He had a special season and he showed what he's able to do on both sides of the ball when he's healthy and on the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='633075' first='Brady' last='Matheson'] - 2024 Wide Receiver - Cushing</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cushing senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='633075' first='Brady' last='Matheson'] emerged as one of the top wide receivers in Class 4A. A lot of what we said about Hilligoss could be repeated here. Cushing needed new playmakers and Matheson stepped into that role. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='268307' first='Brayson' last='Carter'] - 2025 Athlete - Blanchard</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blanchard junior [player_tooltip player_id='268307' first='Brayson' last='Carter'] had an outstanding 2023 season and the sky is the limit for him moving forward. We already knew he was a game changer on offense but this season, he emerged as a potential star on the defensive side of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='353421' first='CJ' last='Nickson'] - 2025 Wide Receiver - Weatherford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The recruitment of Weatherford junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='353421' first='CJ' last='Nickson'] is going to be very intriguing to watch. Basketball or football will be the question. On the football field, Nickson is one of the truly dynamic players at the wide receiver position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1082643' first='Cooper' last='Garbarino'] - 2024 Athlete - Elk City</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We mentioned this at the start of the playoffs but Elk City just finds a way to produce players that find a way to make plays. They were once again a playoff team and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1082643' first='Cooper' last='Garbarino'] emerged as a playmaker for their offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='215196' first='Dax' last='Collins'] - 2024 Athlete - Poteau</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Poteau senior and Tulsa signee [player_tooltip player_id='215196' first='Dax' last='Collins'] is another example of a player that can shine bright when he avoids that injury bug. Collins was lights out in all three phases of the game this season and helped lead the Pirates to the semifinals. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611313' first='Dennis' last='Nolan'] - 2024 Athlete - McLain</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McLain had a few senior standouts this season but [player_tooltip player_id='611313' first='Dennis' last='Nolan'] was so impactful in every phase of the game. On offense, he was dynamic with the ball in his hands and then he turned around on defense and was a magnet for the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='924953' first='Devon' last='Macaraig'] - 2024 Running Back - Harrah</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harrah had a few playmakers on the offensive side of the ball this season and senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='924953' first='Devon' last='Macaraig'] was a big part of their explosion this fall. Macaraig had a big season and built on a solid junior season with a better 2023. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='628151' first='Fisher' last='Marr'] - 2024 Linebacker - Ada</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We mentioned Ada making a run back to the semifinals this season. Senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='628151' first='Fisher' last='Marr'] came into this season as one of the better linebackers in Class 4A and he played like it all season. He was a tackling machine all fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='154215' first='Jackson' last='Bergt'] - 2024 Quarterback - Newcastle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newcastle senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='154215' first='Jackson' last='Bergt'] came into this season as one of the more experienced quarterbacks in 4A football. He finished off his high school career with a very productive and efficient senior season, leading a balanced Newcastle offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='917666' first='Jackson' last='Payne'] - 2025 Quarterback - Bethany</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bethany junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='917666' first='Jackson' last='Payne'] took the reigns of this Bethany offense and he ran with it. Payne ended up being a solid producer at the quarterback position and put up big numbers in the passing game this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='530573' first='Kale' last='Charboneau'] - 2025 Quarterback/Linebacker - Wagoner</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wagoner junior quarterback and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='530573' first='Kale' last='Charboneau'] took the next step this season as a quarterback. He set the school record for single season passing and was also a head hunter on defense. We expect big things from him in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='611316' first='Kyran' last='Whitfield'] - 2024 Wide Receiver - Broken Bow</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Broken Bow senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='611316' first='Kyran' last='Whitfield'] had an excellent senior season. We got a chance to see Whitfield multiple times this offseason and he was routinely one of the better receivers. Whitfield was one of 4A's best this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1082645' first='Luke' last='Brooks'] - 2024 Defensive Lineman - Poteau</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Poteau's defense had one of the better units once again in Class 4A. They had dudes everywhere that produced at a high level. Senior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1082645' first='Luke' last='Brooks'] was one of those players that terrorized opposing offenses this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='924954' first='Luke' last='Sellers'] - 2024 Wide Receiver - Harrah</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harrah senior [player_tooltip player_id='924954' first='Luke' last='Sellers'] was another part of the Harrah offense that really found a way to shine in 2023. Sellers put up some strong numbers at the wide receiver position and he's emerged as one of the better 2024 prospects in Class 4A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='988903' first='Stone' last='Chism'] - 2025 Quarterback - Weatherford</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weatherford junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='988903' first='Stone' last='Chism'] is a player that we will certainly have an eye on moving forward. Chism had a really good junior season, specifically early on in the season. He caught our attention with clutch play early on in 2023. </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>This summer, we thought that Newcastle sophomore running back and cornerback [player_tooltip player_id='449184' first='TJ' last='Bradford'] was primed for a big season. Bradford exceeded those expectations and there weren't many running backs in 4A better than Bradford. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='268445' first='Witt' last='Edwards'] - 2024 Athlete - Wagoner</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wagoner senior [player_tooltip player_id='268445' first='Witt' last='Edwards'] was outstanding on both sides of the balls for the Bulldogs this season. On offense, he was incredibly special at wide receiver. The last time we saw him, he was putting up monster numbers in the title game. </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>Clinton had a few players who shined in 2023 but junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='901851' first='Zaedon' last='Collins'] really impressed us in some of Clinton's toughest games. The Clinton standout looks like a player that performs his best against the toughest competition. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>EARLY LOOK AT 2024</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 4A is getting ready to look much different for at least the next two seasons. Private school powers Heritage Hall, Holland Hall and Lincoln Christian, who have all combined for the last five state championships in Class 3A are all moving up to 4A in 2024. Defending champion Blanchard should have some decent firepower returning to go after another gold ball and the same can be said for the team that they beat in the title game with Wagoner bringing back arguably their two best players. We won't be overlooking perennial powers Clinton, Poteau or Tuttle as we head into the new year as it's assumed they'll reload for another run in 2024. Then you have other programs that are knocking on the door of becoming consistent contenders like Ada, Bethany, Cushing, Elk City, Newcastle and Weatherford. Over the last five or six years, Class 4A has been pretty consistent with the teams at the top. But looking ahead to 2024, there's a chance that 4A football is deeper than its ever been before. And that should make for exciting football each week. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->