Claremore Zebras 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 Claremore Zebras!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Claremore Zebras</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: UR In Class 5A<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: UR In Class 5A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Head Coach: Jarrett Hurt - 9th Season - 50-40 Record At Claremore</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (11-2 Record - Lost In Class 5A Semifinals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 1st - Beat Bartlesville 28-27<br>Sept. 8th - Beat Oologah 62-41<br>Sept. 15th - Beat Hilldale 63-13<br>Sept. 22nd - Beat Nathan Hale 47-7<br>Sept. 29th - Beat Grove 30-14<br>Oct. 6th - Beat Pryor 33-32<br>Oct. 13th - Beat Edison 35-13<br>Oct. 20th - Lost To Bishop Kelley 42-41<br>Oct. 27th - Beat W. Rogers 55-14<br>Nov. 3rd - Beat Collinsville 21-14<br>1st Round - Beat Sapulpa 48-47<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Elgin 7-6<br>Semifinals - Lost To Del City 34-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 36.2 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 23.4 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Claremore Zebras had a season for the record books in 2023, going 11-2 and making it all the way to the Class 5A semifinals. Looking back at our notes from around this time last year, we mentioned how Claremore was a dark horse in Class 5A. With an experienced and talented team returning from a 5-6 squad the year before, we thought the Zebras were flying under the radar. But we certainly didn't see 11-2 coming and this was a very fun team to watch throughout 2023. They would open the season with a 28-27 win over Bartlesville in week one and that would be the first of five games that Claremore would play that was decided by a single point. And one way Claremore made it to the semifinals was by going 4-1 in those one-point games. They handled business against Oologah and Hilldale and it was time to roll into district play. They got a scare from Pryor in week six but then had a road showdown against Bishop Kelley and ultimately fell by that single point. They would rally to win their last two games and secure the two seed in the playoffs. Another one-point win in the first round over Sapulpa would lead to a long road trip for a quarterfinal clash with Elgin. This was an Elgin team that had been absolutely dominant and Claremore prevailed 7-6 in a game that nobody saw coming. They ran into Del City in the semifinals and came up short but that was their first semifinal appearance since 1987. They certainly exceeded all expectations in 2023 and now look to do the same in 2024.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In order for Claremore to once again exceed expectations and make another deep run into the playoffs, they will need a lot of new faces to step up in a major way. Only two starters return on an offense that averaged 36 points per game last season. They had one of the top quarterback/wide receiver duos in Class 5A football and replacing the production from those two is not going to be easy. They also have to find new guys to replace some solid players on the offensive line. One thing Claremore does return is experience and production at the running back position. We think the running game could be a big strength this season because the Zebras have two guys that can get the job done. Defensively, they'll be a little more experienced with five starters returning from last year's semifinal team. And those two guys we mentioned at the running back position can also turn around and play linebacker. That should be a strength of the Claremore defense because both were incredibly productive on the defensive side of the ball, in addition to what they can do on offense. On paper, Claremore looks like they can be a playoff team. But the district is definitely going to provide some hurdles in order for them to get there. But the Zebras were flying under the radar last season and proved a lot of people wrong. If their new starters fall into place and they catch some of that luck that had them going 4-1 in one-point games, maybe the Zebras could have another memorable season 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>Ben Jordan - Offensive Lineman<br>Braxton Etheridge - Quarterback<br>Gage Deckard - Wide Receiver</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":["1351094"],"_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-66a5e4bc83af0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When we look at the personnel and talent that Claremore is bringing back, it's hard not to look at the front seven of their defense and think that this could be a unit that causes a lot of problems for opponents this season. Senior defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1351094' first='Josh' last='Feliciano'] returns after a fantastic junior season along the defensive line for the Zebras. Last season, he finished with 65 tackles and five sacks. He was one of the team's leaders in both tackles for loss and sacks in 2023. Now, he finds himself as the veteran on the defensive line and a guy that could become more of a leader to go along with that production. He's a name we'll be keeping an eye on this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1305189"],"_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-66a5e4bc83b76"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As of right now, Claremore has a quarterback battle with senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1305189' first='Tripp' last='Jackson'] and Oologah move in [player_tooltip player_id='1082649' first='Brad' last='Hoisington'] but Jackson could have a leg up. He was the backup in this offense a year ago and saw some playing time throughout the season. Jackson also checks just about every box there is from a physical standpoint at the quarterback position. He looks the part as soon as you see him. Now, he needs to look the part on the field on Friday nights. But like we mentioned earlier in the preview, we really like Claremore's run game so whoever the quarterback ends up being, they aren't going to have the pressure to carry this offense in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1161856"],"_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-66a5e4bc83bd7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1161856' first='Ty' last='McKnight'] is the first of the two running backs we mentioned earlier in the preview. McKnight comes to Claremore from Verdigris and he was incredibly productive last season for the Cardinals. He would finish the season as their leading rusher and had nearly 1,100 yards on the ground and led the team in every rushing category. But that wasn't all McKnight was able to do. He was also their leading tackler and he finished the 2023 season with nearly 140 tackles on the defensive side of the ball. That kind of production is something that Claremore (really any team) could use this season. McKnight is the first of a two-headed monster that could be very good.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1093621"],"_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-66a5e4bc83c32"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1093621' first='Tyson' last='Grimett'] is the other part of that potential two-headed monster that Claremore has brewing in the Zebra backfield. Grimett came into the 2023 season looking to mostly play linebacker and he was going to have an opportunity to produce there. But when the Zebras lost their starting running back for the season about halfway through October, it was Grimett that would step into the role and really flourish. He finished with a little over 500 yards and eight touchdowns on the season. It was clear that he was a linebacker playing running back because he was incredibly physical and just churned up yards. He also was second on the team in tackles with nearly 70 on the year. </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>[player_tooltip player_id='1082649' first='Brad' last='Hoisington'] - 2025 Quarterback<br>Bryson Hall - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Hayden Lee - 2026 Wide Receiver/Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='806171' first='Landon' last='King'] - 2026 Tight End/Defensive End<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1698662' first='Luke' last='Roberts'] - 2026 Offensive Lineman<br>Michael Robertson - 2025 Defensive Back<br>Xander Brito - 2025 Running Back</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>Sept. 6th - Bartlesville<br>Sept. 13th - AT Oologah<br><strong>Sept. 20th - Hilldale<br></strong>- In week three, it's the final non-district game on the schedule and final tune up for Claremore before the games start counting towards playoff seeding. The Zebras will host Hilldale and the Hornets are coming into this season as a top ten team in Class 4A. We're interested in this match-up because Hilldale brings almost everyone back and they have a defense that could be a really solid unit. Claremore scored 63 on them in 2023 but the Zebras will be challenged here. <br>Sept. 27th - Tahlequah <br>Oct. 4th - AT Nathan Hale<br>Oct. 11th - AT Pryor<br><strong>Oct. 17th - Collinsville<br></strong>- On a Fall Break Thursday night, Claremore will host Collinsville and this is a game that the Cardinals definitely have circled. Collinsville is a top five team in our Class 5A preseason rankings and last year, they lost 21-14 to the Zebras and that snapped a seven-game winning streak they had going. For Claremore, this game doesn't take place until week seven so those young players will have time to get ready. But they will need to be ready for this one because it's arguably the toughest district contest. <br>Oct. 25th - AT Memorial<br><strong>Nov. 1st - Del City<br></strong>- For Claremore, there's probably not another game on the schedule that is circled more than week nine against Del City. The Eagles beat Claremore in the semifinals last season and ended the memorable 2023 campaign. But these teams are also mirror images of each other coming into this fall. A lot of the playmakers from last year's teams have graduated. And this was almost not on the schedule. After the emergency redistricting across the state in April, Del City landed in Claremore's district and there's no doubt it will have playoff implications. <br>Nov. 8th - AT W. Rogers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We don't think it's hyperbole to say Claremore's 2023 football season was a historic one. They went from a 5-6 team in 2022 to 11-2 and one game shy of a trip to the state championship game. That turnaround was without a doubt one of the best in the state, regardless of class last season. And this is a program that had not been to the state semifinals in nearly four decades. They had made a few trips to the quarterfinals but could never get over that hump. They were perhaps an extra point away from winning the district championship. They stunned an Elgin team in the quarterfinals to punch that ticket to the semifinals. And let's not forget, Claremore is only a couple years removed from going 2-8 and missing the playoffs altogether. Claremore's senior class was definitely a special one and one that should be remembered for a long time.</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 - 11-2 - Lost In Class 5A Semifinals<br>2022 - 5-6 - Lost In Class 5A 1st Round<br>2021 - 2-8 - Missed Playoffs<br>2020 - 6-4 - Lost In Class 5A 2nd Round<br>2019 - 6-5 - Lost In Class 5A 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 -->