Champion Check In - Bixby Spartans

Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!   We're deep in the heart of the offseason and there isn't much football going on other than your occasional 7v7 tournaments in the area. And we miss football. So over the next month, we'll be checking in with the reigning state champions and taking a very early look at what they'll look like heading into 2024. Of course, we'll have a better idea after spring ball and team camps in May but until then, we can at least get the conversation started.   And the conversation begins this week with the two-time defending 6A-1 champion Bixby Spartans. And they have now won six straight championships when you combine their 6A-1 and 6A-2 gold balls. Last year, they made state history with their tenth consecutive appearance in the state championship game. This year, they look to make more by becoming the first 11-man program in state history to win seven consecutive state championships and it would be their tenth gold ball in the last eleven seasons.   In order to do that, the Spartans are going to have to find some new playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. They lose a lot of production from the running back and wide receiver position. They also lose a ton of experience on the offensive and defensive lines so finding new names along the line of scrimmage will be a high priority this spring and summer. They do return their quarterback and some key pieces on both sides of the ball that will keep them as a contender. And at this point, until someone beats Bixby when it matters the most in November and December, you have to consider them the team to beat in 6A-1. Although some would argue that the team to beat, at least on paper, is a team on the other side of the Arkansas river.   Below, we take a look at three categories. We look at some of the toughest players that Bixby will have to replace. We'll also look at the top guys they have coming back and three players to keep an eye on this fall as potential breakout players.   Key Losses To Graduation   [player_tooltip player_id='194066' first='Brody' last='Duffel'] - Offensive Lineman   Bixby offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='194066' first='Brody' last='Duffel'] is headed to the next level and he has consistently been one of the top guys at his position in Oklahoma. You don't lose a player like Duffel and get better the following season. The Bixby big man has been the anchor of this offensive line over the last three seasons and has been one of the best in the state. But the Spartans aren't completely lacking returning talent along the offensive line.   [player_tooltip player_id='519610' first='Hank' last='Puckett'] - Linebacker   Similar to Duffel, you don't just replace a guy like [player_tooltip player_id='519610' first='Hank' last='Puckett'] with another player that's just as productive. Puckett has been one of the best linebackers in the state over the last two seasons and he earned All State 1st Team honors last season. He was one of the more dominant linebackers in Oklahoma and Puckett led a linebacker unit that was very experienced and incredibly productive and is another group to watch this spring.   [player_tooltip player_id='1005117' first='Jett' last='Turner'] - Running Back/Linebacker   When we looked back at Bixby's run to the 2023 state championship, one of the more underrated players in that championship run was [player_tooltip player_id='1005117' first='Jett' last='Turner'] at the running back position. Turner also turned around and played a little defense but when you look at the numbers, he was Bixby's top option in the running game and he had one of his best performances in the state title game as he consistently churned up yards against Jenks.   [player_tooltip player_id='1096187' first='Justin' last='Kirk'] - Defensive Lineman   Bixby's front seven was one of the best in the state and that defensive line might have been the most experienced unit across the board at that position in the last decade. Leading the way up front was [player_tooltip player_id='1096187' first='Justin' last='Kirk'] and he wasn't alone. Finding new players to replace guys like [player_tooltip player_id='1096187' first='Justin' last='Kirk'] or Brandon Hobbs or [player_tooltip player_id='1096184' first='Payton' last='Hawkins'] is going to be one of the top priorities this offseason. Kirk and company was dominant in 2023.   [player_tooltip player_id='110743' first='Kordell' last='Gouldsby'] - Athlete   Bixby's [player_tooltip player_id='110743' first='Kordell' last='Gouldsby'] was simply one of the best players in the state of Oklahoma last fall. He was a finalist for our PRZ-Oklahoma Player Of The Year award and he was absolutely electric when he had the football in his hands. And similar to Turner, he saved his best for last as he accounted for over 300 all purpose yards and five touchdowns in the state championship game. Gouldsby will be hard to replace.   Top Returning Players   [player_tooltip player_id='1096189' first='Blake' last='Hogshooter'] - 2025 Wide Receiver   Bixby's [player_tooltip player_id='1096189' first='Blake' last='Hogshooter'] is near the top of our list of players that were solid in 2023 and turn into absolute stars in 2024. Hogshooter enjoyed a breakout season last fall as a junior and he's going to be one of Bixby's top options in the passing game. Hogshooter is having an excellent offseason and looks like he's been living in the weight room. He continues to look bigger every time we see him in person on the 7v7 circuit.   [player_tooltip player_id='328129' first='Broderick' last='Shull'] - 2025 Offensive Lineman   While Bixby is losing one of the top offensive lineman prospects with Duffel graduating, they have another one with [player_tooltip player_id='328129' first='Broderick' last='Shull'] in the 2025 class. Shull moved to Bixby early on last summer and was an instant impact player for the Spartans last fall. Shull is a massive name to watch on the recruiting trail as the offer list for him is very impressive. Shull will look to step into a new leadership role of a young Bixby offensive line.   [player_tooltip player_id='284114' first='Carson' last='Kirby'] - 2026 Quarterback   Bixby 2026 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='284114' first='Carson' last='Kirby'] enjoyed that breakout season last fall. The Spartans flexed their offensive muscles in 2023 by playing three quarterbacks throughout the season. But Kirby was Bixby's top option in the passing game. As we look ahead to 2024, we expect Kirby to take the next step and get even more snaps at the quarterback position. Similar to Hogshooter, Kirby has looked really good this offseason.   [player_tooltip player_id='255022' first='Cooper' last='Parker'] - 2025 Linebacker   Bixby's [player_tooltip player_id='255022' first='Cooper' last='Parker'] also returns to play some quarterback at times but his best attribute is on the defensive side of the ball. Parker is going to be one of the leading tacklers returning for Bixby. We mentioned a few times that the strength of Bixby's defense last fall was their front seven. They have to replace basically everyone in that department so Parker will be the lone returning starter. His role on defense will be very important.   [player_tooltip player_id='414994' first='Cord' last='Nolan'] - 2026 Tight End   Bixby's [player_tooltip player_id='414994' first='Cord' last='Nolan'] enjoyed his breakout moment as a freshman linebacker back in 2022. Fast forward to last year and Nolan turned into one of the top weapons on the offensive side of the ball. We heard that Nolan was going to become more of a tight end within the Bixby offense and he had an excellent season in that department. Don't overlook his ability to still play defense in 2024 but tight end will more than likely be the priority.   Breakout Players To Watch   [player_tooltip player_id='656680' first='Cetcher' last='DeHart'] - 2026 Wide Receiver   Bixby's passing game is going to potentially be potent this fall but they still have to find some new names to replace guys like Gouldsby and other graduating receivers. We like 2026 wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='656680' first='Cetcher' last='DeHart'] to step into the role that [player_tooltip player_id='683730' first='Garrett' last='Vaughn'] had last fall. Vaughn was one of Bixby's leading receivers and was your prototypical slot receiver who killed it after the catch. DeHart has all the tools to become that guy for Bixby.   [player_tooltip player_id='528027' first='Kaeden' last='Penny'] - 2027 Defensive Lineman   A big theme here has been Bixby's front seven and who the Spartans will get to replace some of that experience and production. We're looking at 2027 defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='528027' first='Kaeden' last='Penny'] to be at the top of that list along the defensive line. Penny is an absolute monster and his recruitment has already begun despite him not having any meaningful varsity experience. We think that Penny has a massive impact this season.   [player_tooltip player_id='402387' first='Trey' last='McGlothlin'] - 2026 Athlete   Our last breakout player to watch is 2026 standout [player_tooltip player_id='402387' first='Trey' last='McGlothlin'] and we're not quite sure what the natural position will be but wherever he lines up, he'll have an impact. McGlothlin got quite a bit of a playing time last season and it was primarily on the defensive side of the ball. With Bixby having to replace almost all of the starters on defense, don't be surprised to see McGlothlin fit into one of those spots and see his production explode.

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