Chandler Lions OK 2024 Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 25% Off Your Subscription By Entering Knight25 In The Coupon Code Area. Enjoy!</em></strong></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 Chandler Lions!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Chandler Lions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #9 In Class 2A-1<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: T8 In Class 2A-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Head Coach: Jack Gray - 7th Season - 45-25 Record At Chandler</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (8-3 Record - Lost In Class 2A 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 1st - Beat Stroud 26-6<br>Sept. 8th - Beat Bristow 21-14<br>Sept. 15th - Lost To Poteau 42-21<br>Sept. 22nd - Beat Kellyville 53-0<br>Sept. 29th - Beat Meeker 55-30<br>Oct. 6th - Beat Bethel 62-21<br>Oct. 12th - Beat Crossings Christian 35-0<br>Oct. 20th - Lost To Jones 57-28<br>Oct. 27th - Beat Star Spencer 23-14<br>Nov. 3rd - Beat Luther 37-20<br>1st Round - Lost To Alva 16-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 33.4 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 20 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Chandler Lions came into the 2023 season looking to make a run in Class 2A and things were looking good until they lost their star quarterback late in the regular season. They would finish the year with an 8-3 mark and were bounced out of the playoffs in the first round. The Lions would open the season with some impressive wins in non-district play against Stroud and Bristow. They would lose to 4A power Poteau before entering district play. From there, the Lions really turned things on and the offense was very hard to slow down. The closest district game before week eight was a week five win over Meeker, where they won 55-30. But in week eight, they had a showdown with Jones and not only did they lose to the Longhorns, they lost their star quarterback for the year and with that loss, they couldn't capture the district championship and the Lions would need someone else to step up. They would rally to win their last two games and finish the regular season at 8-2. But they would lose to Alva in the first round and the season came to an end at 8-3. You can't help but wonder what the Chandler season would have looked like if the injury never happened and they had him at full strength for the playoff run. Nevertheless, it was another winning season for the Lions and they have quietly become one of the more consistent programs in Class 2A over the last five years. And as we look ahead to the 2024 season, we think the Lions will be right back in the mix of things in the new Class 2A-2.&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 new split in Class 2A is one of the bigger storylines coming into the 2024 season and the Lions are definitely impacted by it. Really since 2018, Class 2A has been one of the more competitive and deeper classes in the state. Now, with the split in 2A, that rocky road to Edmond gets a little smoother. Chandler will still be challenged and it's not going to be easy, but it does feel easier when you consider some of the teams that are now in the smaller division. Chandler is a top ten team in the Class 2A-1 preseason rankings and they bring about half of their starters back from last year's team. Five starters are back on the offensive side of the ball and that's going to be the biggest key to this season for the Lions. They had one of the better quarterbacks in Class 2A, a solid running back and talent on the offensive line. This year, it'll look very different on that side of the ball. They'll need new guys to step up and step up very quickly. And the same can be said for the defensive side of the ball as they bring back five starters there. And the biggest part to look at with the defense is the front seven as they lost some big names on the defensive line and linebacker group. And just like with the offense, they'll need those new starters to step in and be ready to go for the start of the season. The first half of Chandler's schedule is definitely the tougher half and these new starters might feel like they're thrown in the fire. But that fire could create a monster for the second half of the regular season and into the playoffs.&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>Alec Jackson - Quarterback<br>Carson Clagg - Running Back/Linebacker<br>Chaden Sullivan - Offensive/Defensive Lineman</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":["1295992"],"_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-669fad49359b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Chandler junior [player_tooltip player_id='1295992' first='Coniah' last='Ritchie'] is one of the top returners coming back on the defensive side of the ball. Around this time last year, Ritchie was on our radar but we didn't expect him to have the kind of sophomore season that he ended up having. Ritchie would finish the year with nearly 75 tackles on the season and that was good enough to be third on the team in that category. Chandler's defense has the potential to be improved this fall, despite the new starters and it's because they bring back three of their top four tacklers from last season. And with the challenges that Chandler faces in the first half of the season, that production will definitely help the Lions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1345922"],"_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-669fad4935a07"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When we look at the offensive side of the ball, we like the potential of senior [player_tooltip player_id='1345922' first='Cruz' last='Jackson'] going into this season. Last fall, Jackson was able to impact the game on offense as a threat in the running game and passing game. As a runner, he was productive. As a receiver, he was productive. Jackson enjoyed a breakout season that began late in September. He would start producing around the halfway point of the season and he continued that production throughout the season. This year, it wouldn't be surprising to see him expand on that production and become that “swiss army knife” for the Chandler offense, where he can impact the game in a variety of ways. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["595699"],"_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-669fad4935a46"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Lions have had their share of really talented two-way players over the last several seasons. Senior wide receiver and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='595699' first='Ty' last='Garver'] is going to be arguably Chandler's top two-way players going into this year. On offense, Garver was absolutely electric in the passing game as a wide receiver. He emerged as one of their top targets, leading the team in touchdowns. Almost half of his receptions went for scores. He's looking to leave no doubt this fall that he's the team's top target at wide receiver. On defense, Garver was also fifth on the team in tackles and led the team in interceptions. So whether it's on offense or defense, Garver should be terrific. </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>Darius Wade - 2027 Fullback<br>Grant McGinnis - 2025 Running Back/Linebacker<br>Javarious Wade - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Travien Tillis - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman</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 - Stroud<br></strong>- The Lions will once again open the season against Stroud and this has been a series that the Lions have dominated this decade. They've won four straight against the Tigers and the closest game was last year's 26-6 win over Stroud in the opener. Before Chandler's four-game winning streak, Stroud had won six straight and eight of nine against the Lions but they've completely turned things around. This year, both teams are ranked in their respective classes and expect to compete at a high level. <br>Sept. 13th - Lone Grove<br><strong>Sept. 20th - AT Clinton<br></strong>- Chandler wraps up non-district play in week three on the road against Clinton. In the past two seasons, the Lions have played a perennial power in 4A football in Poteau. Now, they trade out the Poteau series for one with another 4A power in Clinton that is expecting to compete once again. The Poteau series featured back to back losses but the Lions were more competitive in those meetings than people might have anticipated. Don't be surprised if they're competitive again with Clinton in week three. <br>Sept. 27th - Tahlequah Sequoyah<br><strong>Oct. 4th - AT Metro Christian<br></strong>- We mentioned how the first half of Chandler's regular season schedule was the toughest. In week five, they reach the halfway mark and arguably their toughest game of the year. They'll hit the road to Tulsa, facing a Metro Christian team that comes into this year as a top five team in the 2A-1 preseason rankings and they could be the favorites in the district. The Patriots are incredibly strong on the line of scrimmage and those young Chandler players will need to be ready<br>Oct. 11th - Daniel Webster<br>Oct. 17th - AT Westville<br>Oct. 25th - Central<br>Nov. 1st - AT Sperry<br>Nov. 8th - Dewey</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The start of this decade has been very good to the Chandler Lions as they've been a perennial playoff team and the impressive part about that is that they win once they get there. Last year was an exception but again the question of “what if?” comes up after the injury to the quarterback. Fully healthy, that wasn't a team that would be one and done in the playoffs. And that would have continued a trend of the Lions winning at least one playoff game in each of the last four years. From 2010-2019, Chandler made just four playoff appearances during that stretch and went 0-4 in those playoff games. Starting with the 2020 season, they've made the playoffs in each year and are 5-4 in playoff games during that stretch. This has become one of the more underrated consistent teams in 2A football and we think despite the fact that they were hit hard by graduation, this is a team that should make it to the playoffs again and get back to winning games once 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 - 8-3 - Lost In Class 2A 1st Round<br>2022 - 9-4 - Lost In Class 2A Quarterfinals <br>2021 - 8-4 - Lost In Class 2A 2nd Round<br>2020 - 9-4 - Lost In Class 2A 3rd Round<br>2019 - 6-5 - 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><em><strong>2 State Championships</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2005 - Beat Davis 40-7<br>1984 - Beat Chelsea 30-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->