Atoka Wampus Cats OK 2024 Team Preview

<!-- 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>It's the month of July and that means it's preview time! Throughout the month of July and even into August, we are publishing well over 100 of the most in-depth team previews that you'll find anywhere to get you completely ready for the 2024 football season. This is something that began for us at PRZ-Oklahoma in 2021 and it continues to get bigger and better every single year. We're looking forward to diving deep into the top teams across the state in every class. From defending champions, to the top contenders and plenty of dark horses and other teams to know, we'll have complete coverage every single day. There will be multiple previews dropping every single day! In this post, we take a look at the Atoka Wampus Cats!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Atoka Wampus Cats</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: UR In Class 2A-2<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: UR In Class 2A-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Head Coach: Jacob Cupp - 7th Season - 26-36 Record At Atoka</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (3-7 Record - Missed Playoffs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 31st - Lost To Ringling 15-12<br>Sept. 8th - Lost To Lindsay 38-7<br>Sept. 15th - Lost To Antlers 18-14<br>Sept. 22nd - Lost To Kingston 54-20<br>Sept. 29th - Beat Marietta 42-0<br>Oct. 6th - Lost To Holdenville 43-6<br>Oct. 12th - Lost To Lexington 13-7<br>Oct. 20th - Lost To Davis 48-14<br>Oct. 27th - Beat Tishomingo 26-24<br>Nov. 3rd - Beat Coalgate 21-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 16.9 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 25.3 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's easy to look at Atoka's 2023 season and make a quick judgment on a 3-7 record and missing out on the playoffs. But when you actually dive into how their season played out on the field, it's not as bad as the initial thought would be. And now, we try to remain positive most of the time so this might feel like a positive spin but the Wampus Cats actually had a lot of positive things to come out of 2023. First off, they were very young and also dealt with some injuries to some key playmakers. That inexperience showed up when they began the season with an 0-4 record but two of those losses were by four points or less. A three-game losing streak in October is really what doomed the Atoka season. They lost to Holdenville, Lexington and Davis but it was the 13-7 loss to Lexington in week seven that would keep the Wampus Cats from making their fifth consecutive playoff appearance. Atoka would beat Tishomingo and Coalgate in the final two weeks of the season to finish 3-4 in district play and if the Lexington outcome was a win, they would have been in. Instead, Atoka is in a rare position where they missed the playoffs but won their final two games. Not many teams can say the same thing. And they can use that as momentum going into this season. The Wampus Cats in our mind are a dark horse to make a run and not only make it back to the playoffs, but surprise some teams when they get there.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wampus Cats are definitely on the short list of teams that are outside the preseason top ten but it would not surprise us if they end up inside the top ten by the end of the season. Nine starters return on the offensive side of the ball and this was a unit that was inexperienced and banged up throughout the 2023 season. Now, they are another year older and as long as they stay healthy, they could end up being one of the more improved units in 2A-2 football this season. Nine starters also return on the defensive side of the ball and similar to the offense, we think that the defense could be much better this season and if that happens, the Wampus Cats are definitely going to be a team to watch. Atoka has some very talented players to watch on the defensive side of the ball and we think they are guys flying under the radar right now but won't be for much longer. So when you combine how Atoka finished the season last year, all the talent they have coming back and the new split in Class 2A, you have the makings for a big bounce back year. The Wampus Cats find themselves in the smaller division of the new Class 2A so Atoka does not have to worry about some of the heavy hitters that are now in Class 2A-1. But the new district isn't an easy one. The top opponent in the district is preseason number one Vian. On paper, they are the favorites to not only win the district but win state. But Atoka is not going to back away from the challenge that's ahead of them as they look to bounce back in 2024.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>KEY LOSSES TO GRADUATION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keisean Shields<br>Mike Shields<br>Riley Henry</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1350643"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a5dfa258486"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1350643' first='Peyton' last='Pugh'] returns for the Wampus Cats at quarterback and he's looking to take that next step as a QB with weapons all around him returning. Pugh is definitely a quarterback that we have our eyes on considering Atoka brings back almost everyone from last year's offense. With a strong running game and dynamic players at wide receiver, Pugh could end up making a massive jump in terms of his production. Pugh would throw for just under 900 yards and seven touchdowns last season but he also didn't play the entire season. We could see that production double or even more this fall with a full year and Atoka playing at a next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1285156"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a5dfa2584dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When we watched Atoka in person at team camp in May, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1285156' first='Prince' last='Coleman'] was one of the top performers among the several schools in attendance. His play on offense and defense is going to make him one of the better two-way players in Class 2A-2. Coleman was a new addition to the Atoka roster after moving up from Texas. But in 2023, he couldn't showcase what he could do after having his season come to an end early on with an injury. If May was any indication, Coleman is back to 100 percent and he can be a gamechanger for the Wampus Cats. He's a terrific wide receiver and he's going to be Atoka's best athlete throughout the 2024 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1304603"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a5dfa25851f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1304603' first='Wade' last='McCall'] was one of the breakout stars for the Wampus Cats last season. During his sophomore season, McCall would end up leading the Wampus Cats in tackles with nearly 120 on the year. He had nearly 50 more tackles than the second leading tackler on the team. And the McCall name has been a successful one at Atoka in recent memory. So when we look at Wade coming into this season, he could end up becoming one of the top linebackers in the class. He has the genetics, production and experience to have a massive 2024 campaign. If McCall and the Atoka defense improve from last year, it wouldn't surprise us to see them make a run. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MORE NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Andrez Garcia - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Austin Jackson - 2026 Running Back/Defensive Lineman<br>Ezekial Brooks - 2027 Running Back<br>Hayden Cooper - 2025 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>JD Bland - 2025 Running Back<br>Kyzer Mullins - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>LJ LaFaver - 2025 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Malachi Brooks - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Pepper Jackson - 2025 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Tristian Cooper - 2025 Linebacker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 SCHEDULE/GAMES TO CIRCLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sept. 6th - Ringling<br></strong>- You always have to circle the season opener when the schedule comes out but this season opener is a big one for the Wampus Cats. They'll face off with a perennial power in Class A as Ringling comes to town. Last season, the Ringling game was one of four contests that was decided by a single possession. Unfortunately for Atoka, they would go 1-3 in those close games. This season, they look to kick off their season with a big win over Ringling to begin their bounce back campaign. <br>Sept. 13th - AT Coalgate<br>Sept. 20th - Lindsay<br>Sept. 27th - Wilburton<br>Oct. 4th - AT Morris<br><strong>Oct. 11th - Vian<br></strong>- In week six, Atoka will host Vian and there's no doubt that when you look at the schedule, this is the one that you circle, highlight, put a star next to because it's the biggest game on the slate. Vian is a perennial powerhouse in Class 2A football and in the first season of the new Class 2A-2, the Wolverines are the preseason number one team. So Vian is the favorite in the class, in the district and Atoka will look to pull off the upset. A win here could put the Wampus Cats in the driver's seat for the district crown. <br><strong>Oct. 17th - AT Valliant<br></strong>- On a Fall Break Thursday night, Atoka will hit the road to face Valliant and after going to battle with the top-ranked team in our preseason rankings, this isn't exactly an easy game to follow it up. Valiant is in a similar position to Atoka where they have talent and they are looking to turn things around this season. The Bulldogs have some very good prospects in the 2026 and 2027 classes so they will certainly provide a challenge. If Atoka can go 2-0 in this stretch against Vian and Valliant, the district title could belong to them.<br>Oct. 25th - AT Spiro<br>Nov. 1st - Antlers<br>Nov. 8th - AT Henryetta</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season, the Wampus Cats missed out on the playoffs after falling to Lexington by six points. That ended their streak of playoff appearances at four straight and that was actually the longest streak in school history. But Atoka isn't going to be satisfied with just starting another playoff streak this season and beyond. They want to start winning once they get there. The Wampus Cats have lost their first playoff game in six straight appearances. Now, that's losses on the field. Technically, the 2020 loss came in the second round after the first round game was forfeited during that Covid-impacted season where everyone made the playoffs. 2001 was the last time Atoka won a playoff game and that's their only playoff win since making a run to the 1977 semifinals. This season, Atoka has the experience and the talent to not just make it back to the playoffs, they could end up winning a game or two when they get there.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LAST FIVE SEASONS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 - 3-7 - Missed Playoffs<br>2022 - 5-6 - Lost In Class 2A 1st Round<br>2021 - 5-6 - Lost In Class 2A 1st Round<br>2020 - 6-3 - Lost In Class 2A 2nd Round<br>2019 - 7-3 - Lost In Class 2A 1st Round</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>0 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->