Favorite Performances Witnessed In 2023

<!-- 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 take a look back at some of the best individual performances we witnessed in 2023. On Saturday, we took back at the <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/12/favorite-games-covered-in-2023/">top games that we covered</a></strong> this season. Today, it's all about the players. From explosive offensive performances to moments of clutch plays in the final seconds, these were the best of the best. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["207182"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eWeek 1 Win Over Millwoodu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnHeritage Hall opened their season in week one with a 47-24 win over Millwood. In the game, senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='207182' first='Andy' last='Bass'] was the best player on the field and he would typically be that every single week this season. Bass threw for nearly 340 yards and three touchdowns on 22-30 passing. He also added nearly 100 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. This season, Bass finished with 35 passing touchdowns and 30 rushing touchdowns. It was clear then and it's clear now that he's one of the best in the state.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["268307"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003cstrongu003eu003cemu003eWeek 6 Win Over Tuttleu003c/emu003eu003c/strongu003ernrnu003cstrongu003eu003cemu003eu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003c/emu003eu003c/strongu003ernrnIn one of the strangest games we covered this season, eventual 4A state champion Blanchard beat Tuttle 20-6 back in week six. There were double-digit turnovers in this game as both teams struggled with a nasty north wind. Blanchard junior [player_tooltip player_id='268307' first='Brayson' last='Carter'] ended up shining on the defensive side of the ball. He finished the night with two interceptions, a blocked field goal and a forced fumble that he returned for a touchdown. That would end up being the first of three defensive touchdowns for the Lions.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["519610"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eWeek 0 Win Over Owassou003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnIn the first game we covered this season, Bixby beat up on Owasso with a 42-16 win. In that win, senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='519610' first='Hank' last='Puckett'] was one of the best players on the field. He finished the night with 19 tackles and 11 of them were solo tackles. He also had two tackles for loss and a sack. Puckett set the tone on the opening night of the season that Bixby wasn't going anywhere. And he also made a statement that Bixby's front seven was going to be one of the nastiest units in the state of Oklahoma this season.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["215207"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eWeek 3 Win Over Normanu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnAfter missing his junior season, Stillwater running back [player_tooltip player_id='215207' first='Holden' last='Thompson'] was going to make up for the lost time this season. The Pioneers got their first win of the season in week three on the road against Norman and Thompson was a star. He ran for nearly 250 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries in a 28-6 win over the Tigers. This ended up being a sign of what was to come. Thompson had multiple games this year of at least 30 carries and he finished the season with over 2,000 yards on the ground.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["211556"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eClass 6A-2 Title Win Over Stillwateru003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnMuskogee junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='211556' first='Jamarian' last='Ficklin'] came into this season with high expectations and he and the Roughers certainly lived up to them. Ficklin helped guide Muskogee to their first state title in nearly four decades. Ficklin was outstanding in the championship win over the Pioneers. He threw for nearly 150 yards and a touchdown on 10-11 passing. He also finished with 86 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Ficklin was without a doubt one of the best players in the state and finished off his junior year with a ring.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["379243"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eClass A Title Win Over Hookeru003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnFairview finished off a second straight perfect season and went back to back as Class A's state champion when they beat Hooker 34-8. Junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='379243' first='Jax' last='Bernard'] was lights out all season and he put that playmaking ability on full display in the title game. He finished with 231 yards and two touchdowns through the air and then he also had 121 yards and a touchdown on the ground. That was a good representative of the season he had this season where he could torch defenses in multiple ways.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["386581"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eWeek 9 Win Over Woodlandu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnHominy senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='386581' first='Jaxon' last='Woods'] has been one of the best players in the state over the last few seasons. In week nine, he backed up the hype and it was our first chance to actually see him in person. He helped lead his team to a district championship in a 23-20 win over Woodland. In the win, Woods finished with over 100 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. He also had nearly 150 passing yards and a touchdown. The passing touchdown came with less than a minute to play to give the Bucks the win.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["930749"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eClass B Title Win Over Velma-Almau003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnAfter falling short of the Class B state title a year ago, senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='930749' first='Kaden' last='Manuel'] and Seiling was on a mission to make sure they wouldn't settle for silver again. Manuel could not be stopped in the win over Velma-Alma as the Wildcats raced to a perfect season and a state championship. Manuel finished the night with over 350 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. Manuel put up monster numbers all season on both sides of the ball. But Manuel reached new heights during the championship win.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["402378"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003e6A-1 Semifinal Win Over Unionu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnThe latest chapter of the Jenks-Union rivalry was written in the semifinals when the Trojans rallied to win 33-27. Sophomore running back [player_tooltip player_id='402378' first='KD' last='Jones'] helped carry the Trojans in the second half with two massive touchdowns in the second half. On the night, he finished with over 150 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. The biggest touchdown of the night came in the final minute of the game when Jones scampered into the end zone to punch their ticket to the state championship game against Bixby.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["432374"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eWeek 2 Win Over Muskogeeu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnWeek two saw the eventual 6A-2 and 5A state champions squaring off when Muskogee hosted Carl Albert. The Titans ran away with a 43-20 win over the Roughers and Carl Albert junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='432374' first='Kevin' last='Sperry'] was the star. As the Roughers did a good job containing the Carl Albert running game, Sperry could not be contained. He threw for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns and also had 50 yards and a score on the ground. It wouldn't be the first time that Sperry carried the Titans to a win this season.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_10_player":["110743"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eClass 6A-1 Title Win Over Jenksu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnBixby finished off the perfect season with a 49-21 win over Jenks in the 6A-1 title game. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='110743' first='Kordell' last='Gouldsby'] had perhaps the performance of his career in the final game of his high school career. Gouldsby finished with just over 300 all purpose yards and five touchdowns. He was dominant with his game on offense and special teams. The memorable moment came after Jenks had some momentum following a pick six but Gouldsby returned the ensuing kickoff for a back-breaking touchdown.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_10_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_11_player":["621291"],"_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":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eClass 3A Title Win Over Heritage Hallu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnIt was pretty clear during the season but with the benefit of hindsight, it's crystal clear that Lincoln Christian had one of the best rushing attacks in the state. They had two running backs with over 1,000 yards and senior [player_tooltip player_id='621291' first='Moses' last='Fullingim'] could not be stopped in the title game win over Heritage Hall. Fullingim would end up carrying the ball 35 times for 228 yards and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs beat the defending champs 48-28. The Bulldogs trailed 28-7 and would end up running away with the gold ball.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_11_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_12_player":["911901"],"_player_evaluations_12_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_12_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_12_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eWeek 8 Win Over Claremoreu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnIn week eight, Bishop Kelley handed Claremore their only loss during the regular season with an exciting 42-41 win at home. The Comets had to rally in the fourth quarter, trailing 41-28 to get the win. Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='911901' first='Stice' last='Smith'] led the way in the comeback and put the Comets over the top. He threw for 133 yards and three touchdowns and he also added 111 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Claremore went up by two scores in the fourth quarter but it was Smith that immediately responded in the win.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_12_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_13_player":["360239"],"_player_evaluations_13_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_13_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_13_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eClass 5A Title Win Over Del Cityu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnu003cemu003eu003cstrongu003eu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e u003c!u002du002d wp:paragraph u002du002du003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/emu003ernrnIn the final game of his spectacular high school career, Carl Albert senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='360239' first='Xavier' last='Robinson'] was at his best once again on the big stage. Robinson ran for 133 yards and a pair of touchdowns and also led the team in receiving with 64 yards and a touchdown on three catches as the Titans beat Del City 35-14. Robinson was the best player in the state as a junior and the OU commit finished his senior year with a bang. He's been one of the best running backs in the state over the last two seasons.rnrnu003c!u002du002d /wp:paragraph u002du002du003e","_player_evaluations_13_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":14,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-658069c6786f5"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->