Crescent Tigers 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 Crescent Tigers!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Crescent Tigers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #10 In Class A-1<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: T6 In Class A-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Head Coach: Brandon Gipe - 1st Season</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (9-2 Record - Lost In Class A 2nd Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 25th - Beat Mooreland 41-16<br>Sept. 1st - Beat Crooked Oak 54-0<br>Sept. 8th - Beat Morrison 28-18<br>Sept. 22nd - Beat Watonga 44-23<br>Sept. 29th - Beat Christian Heritage 34-14<br>Oct. 13th - Beat Hinton 61-7<br>Oct. 20th - Beat Western Heights 47-14<br>Oct. 27th - Lost To Minco 26-7<br>Nov. 3rd - Beat Cashion 42-0<br>1st Round - Beat Ringling 35-34<br>2nd Round - Lost To Fairview 19-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 36.4 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 15.5 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Crescent Tigers came into the 2023 season as a top ten team in Class A and they certainly lived up to the hype, especially early on in the year. They began the season with a 7-0 record but got tripped up in week nine and would inevitably fall to eventual champion Fairview in the playoffs. The season began with dominant wins in the first two weeks over Mooreland and Crooked Oak. They would then take care of business in a 28-18 win over Morrison to jump out to that 3-0 start. From there, the Tigers would win each game prior to week nine by at least 20 points. They were rolling heading into the week nine contest with Minco and there was no doubt that the district championship would be on the line there. Ultimately, they would lose 26-7 but rallied back the next week against rival Cashion with a 42-0 win. They escaped the first round with a 35-34 win over Ringling before falling to Fairview in the second round. And there's no consolation prizes when the season came to an end, but Crescent played Fairview closer than anybody else in 2023. Fairview averaged over 50 points per game but were held to 19 in the second round against the Tigers. It's a tough way to go out but there's no doubt that Crescent went out swinging to close out the 2023 season. But now, it's time for Crescent to rebuild and reload under a new head coach and a new look Class A 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>The 2024 football season will look different in a lot of ways for the Crescent Tigers. On the field, on the sidelines and in the landscape of high school football altogether. First, on the field, the Tigers only bring back a couple starters from last year's senior-heavy team. And looking at some of our notes on them at this time last year, we knew that would be the case as last year's team was loaded with seniors that were very experienced. So the Tigers will certainly look different on the field. But the starters they bring back are very talented and one in particular is coming into this season as one of the better two-way players in the class. You'll also get a new look from the Tigers on the sidelines as Brandon Gipe was announced as the next head coach for Crescent this offseason. He's taking over a program that has won at a high level but he'll definitely be fighting an uphill battle in the experience department. Another uphill battle will be the schedule and district this season. Simply put, Crescent's district might be the toughest in the state, regardless of class. So going into district play with an inexperienced roster is less than ideal. The silver lining in this is that Crescent's three toughest games are in the second half of the season. That will provide the Tigers with an opportunity to get those new faces out there and proven before going into the heart of the schedule. Despite all these changes, Crescent is still a top ten team coming into the season in the new Class A-1.&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>Chism Watson - Tight End/Defensive Lineman<br>CJ Wilson - Running Back/Defensive Back<br>Kade Varner - Quarterback/Defensive Back<br>Stone Fisher - Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Tanner Rice - Quarterback/Defensive Back</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":["1346473"],"_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-66a0692e274d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1346473' first='Colby' last='Watson'] could end up being one of the best two-way players in Class A-1 this season. On offense, Watson will lead the Crescent offense at quarterback. He got plenty of playing time last year, despite splitting the reps with other guys. He was a run-first guy and finished with over 200 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Watson should see that production on offense absolutely explode this season. On defense, Watson was a good linebacker and finished the year with over 50 tackles and five sacks as a sophomore. The ceiling for Watson is pretty high coming into this season and we're looking forward to seeing how he produces. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1346467"],"_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-66a0692e27555"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1346467' first='Isaiah' last='Lovett'] comes into this season as one of the more experienced players on a team that is hungry for experience. On offense, Lovett started as a wide receiver. He would finish the year with 300 yards and three touchdowns. Coming into this year, it's not a stretch to think that Lovett will be the top target in the passing game. On defense, Lovett also started in the secondary at the safety position. He would finish the year with nearly 50 tackles and an interception. And just like with his production on offense, we think that his numbers on defense could also see a spike this fall. Lovett was a name to watch last season and now he's one of the lone returning starters.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1346472"],"_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-66a0692e275a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Crescent is going to have to rebuild and reload on the offensive line and one guy to watch is senior [player_tooltip player_id='1346472' first='Skyler' last='Rider'] on both sides of the line of scrimmage. On offense, he's an interior offensive lineman at guard and on defense, he'll be able to dominate the middle of the line of scrimmage as a nose guard. Rider has good size and will look to make the most of his opportunity this season. Crescent was one of the more experienced teams in the state last year but Rider will look to lead this year's offensive line. They have some young talent, specifically in the sophomore class but Rider could end up being the vocal leader of this group as the only senior. </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>Bryson Babb - 2025 Running Back/Defensive Back<br>Hayden Burns - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Jaxon Heskett - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Kash Ruggs - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Nate Carey - 2027 Wide Receiver/Linebacker<br>Smith Gordon - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Travis Wolfe - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Tucker Stover - 2027 Quarterback/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>Sept. 6th - Morrison<br>Sept. 13th - Hennessey<br>Sept. 20th - AT Mooreland<br>Sept. 27th - AT Hinton<br>Oct. 4th - Sayre<br><strong>Oct. 11th - AT Fairview<br></strong>- We mentioned earlier in the preview how Crescent's toughest games come in the second half of the season. This week six clash on the road with Fairview starts that gauntlet run in the final five games. The Tigers will face a Fairview team that has won the last two Class A state championships and have won 30 consecutive games coming into this season. And of course, Crescent's 2023 campaign came to an end in the second round against Fairview. A win here would give the Tigers a ton of momentum. <br><strong>Oct. 17th - Cashion<br></strong>- On a Fall Break Thursday night, Crescent will reignite their Highway 74 rivalry with Cashion. This series has been completely one-sided over the last two decades. But here recently, Crescent has had the advantage. After losing 13 out of 14 games to the Wildcats, Crescent has won the last two, including a dominant 42-0 win in last year's regular season finale. This year, Crescent and Cashion are both trying to climb the ladder in a district that is very top-heavy. This game will have some major playoff implications. <br>Oct. 25th - AT Watonga<br>Nov. 1st - Merritt<br><strong>Nov. 8th - AT Hooker<br></strong>- In the final week of the regular season, Crescent will head out to the panhandle of Oklahoma to square off with Hooker. At this point in the season, the Tigers will know exactly what they need to do to make the playoffs or strengthen their seed in the playoffs. Hooker made a run to the state title game a year ago and they come into this season as the number two team in Class A-2. These two teams have only met once in the last 15 years and that came in the 2017 semifinals where Crescent won 35-25.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we mentioned earlier in the preview, the district is an absolute gauntlet. You can certainly make the argument that Crescent finds themselves in arguably the toughest district in the state, regardless of class. Including the Tigers, four teams from this district are in the top ten of our preseason rankings for Class A-1. But of course, the headliners are top-ranked Fairview and right behind them with second-ranked Hooker. Fairview won the state title and beat Hooker to do it last season. Crescent is no stranger to tough districts but this one, at least for this year, is absolutely brutal. You get that from time to time in small school football where the stars align and one district is absolutely loaded while others might be, shall we say, competitive. Whoever makes it to the playoffs out of this district will have earned it the hard way, that's for sure.&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 - 9-2 - Lost In Class A 2nd Round<br>2022 - 10-2 - Lost In Class A Quarterfinals<br>2021 - 3-7 - Missed Playoffs<br>2020 - 8-3 - Lost In Class A 3rd Round<br>2019 - 4-6 - Missed Playoffs</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>1 State Championship</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1990 - Beat Okeene 40-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->