Harrah Panthers 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 Harrah Panthers!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Harrah Panthers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: UR In Class 4A<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: UR In Class 4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Head Coach: Chris Bliek - 5th Season - 18-23 Record At Harrah</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (6-4 Record - Missed Playoffs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 1st - Beat McLoud 36-0<br>Sept. 8th - Beat Western Heights 46-6<br>Sept. 15th - Beat Seminole 45-6<br>Sept. 22nd - Lost To Blanchard 46-13<br>Sept. 29th - Lost To Tuttle 27-0<br>Oct. 6th - Beat Tecumseh 34-12<br>Oct. 12th - Lost To Newcastle 43-20<br>Oct. 19th - Lost To Bethany 38-14<br>Oct. 27th - Beat Classen SAS 36-6<br>Nov. 3rd - Beat Bridge Creek 34-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 27.8 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 19.2 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We knew that the Harrah Panthers were coming into the 2023 football season fighting an uphill battle. They were in the toughest district in Class 4A and one of the toughest in the state. They finished the year with a 6-4 record but those four losses were to the four teams that punched their ticket to the playoffs and were ranked in the 4A top ten all season. Unfortunately, the Panthers were on the outside looking in. If they were in any other district, they probably would have been in the postseason. Things started really well as they began the year with a 3-0 record and had dominant wins over all three non-district opponents. However, they would lose four of their next five games after losses to Bethany, Blanchard, Newcastle and Tuttle. Those were the four teams ranked in the top ten all season and they flexed their muscles, keeping a stranglehold on the playoff spots. The Panthers would rally to win their last two games and finish the year with a winning record. They went from 3-7 in 2022 to 6-4 in 2023 and now they're looking to take the next step in 2024. In all six of their wins, Harrah was absolutely dominant. And things are looking very positive as we start looking ahead to the 2024 season.&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 Panthers bring back almost everyone from last year's 6-4 team. And for the Panthers, the 2024 season will be about winning the games they need to punch their ticket to the playoffs. Eight starters return on the offensive side of the ball. The conversation begins with the quarterback position. They bring back a two-year starter at QB1 and a ton of experience on the offensive line. They'll need some new names to emerge at wide receiver and they lost their leading rusher but running back is not a position they are worried about as they have a very talented two-way player returning there. Now, the defensive side of the ball could be one of the more improved units in Class 4A this season. The Panthers bring back nine starters on that side of the ball. And this was a defense that gave up less than 20 points per game last season. They'll be led by a linebacker who will also double as a potential star for Harrah's offense. Now, Harrah has their sights set on competing with some of the best in Class 4A. And this season, the district will once again be very competitive. Three district opponents are ranked in the preseason top ten and there are a few other teams, including Harrah that are borderline top ten teams coming into the season because of their experience and overall talent level coming back. They have the players and experience to make it to the playoffs but they have to win when it counts.&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>Colton Whitnah - Offensive Lineman/Linebacker<br>Devon Macaraig - Running Back<br>Luke Sellers - Athlete</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":["1356032"],"_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-66aae629ad500"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior offensive and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1356032' first='Joe' last='Sager'] brings a ton of experience on both sides of the line of scrimmage. He'll be starting on the offensive and defensive line and he was productive on both last season. Last year, he finished with 25 tackles on the defensive side and he's part of a very experienced offensive line. And we've mentioned how Harrah's offense has the potential to be very explosive in the passing and running games. That all starts on the line of scrimmage. Sager is a player that we didn't know too much about prior to diving into this preview. But he's going to be a player to watch on both sides of the line  in Class 4A this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1288785"],"_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-66aae629ad557"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1288785' first='Joey' last='McLaughlin'] returns as QB1 of the Panthers and he's looking to finish off his career with a big senior campaign. Last season, McLaughlin would throw for nearly 800 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. His touchdown numbers went up from his sophomore season and he's looking to make another jump this season. McLaughlin was one of the quarterbacks that really impressed us during the spring when we were on our team camp tour. We didn't get to watch Harrah for that long but McLaughlin checks a lot of the boxes from a physical standpoint. If new receivers emerge, he could be one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["924955"],"_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-66aae629ad59c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior running back and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='924955' first='Titus' last='Johnson'] has the potential to be one of the top two-way players in Class 4A football this season. Last season, Johnson would really shine bright on the defensive side of the ball at the linebacker position. He finished the year with just over 100 tackles and also had 17 tackles for loss. On offense, he would get into the game at running back and produced at a very high level when he got his opportunities. He would finish with nearly 300 yards and nine touchdowns on just 39 carries. Now, he'll be the marquee running back in the Harrah offense and we could see his offensive production absolutely explode. </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>Anthony Anderson - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1748506' first='Brock' last='Day'] - 2027 Running Back/Linebacker<br>Connor Barton - 2025 Offensive Lineman<br>Isaiah Osbourne - 2026 Running Back/Linebacker<br>Zachary Cobb - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive 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><strong>Sept. 6th - AT McLoud<br></strong>- You always have to circle the season opener to a new year and this one is no exception. Harrah will hit the road in week one and face off with a McLoud team that they've either opened the season with or in district play since 2006. Last season, the Panthers kicked off the season with an impressive 36-0 victory over the Redskins. This year, they'll look to do the same and take some momentum into the rest of the year. A win in week one would be their fourth in the last five meetings. <br>Sept. 13th - Western Heights<br>Sept. 20th - AT Seminole<br><strong>Sept. 27th - Blanchard<br></strong>- District play begins in week four and it doesn't get much tougher than this one. The Panthers will host defending state champion Blanchard and these two will renew their district rivalry. These two teams have met every season in district play since 2016. Harrah will once again play in a tough district and this is the first of several tough district contests. Now, if the Panthers can turn things around in this series, they will be starting off district play with a monumental win. <br>Oct. 4th - Tecumseh<br>Oct. 11th - AT Chickasha<br>Oct. 17th - AT Bethany<br>Oct. 25th - Madill<br><strong>Nov. 1st - Ardmore<br></strong>- In week nine, it could end up being a “win and you're in” situation as Harrah hosts Ardmore on senior night. Depending on how the season goes leading up to this week, Harrah could already have their spot in the playoffs locked up. But the best way to make it into the playoffs is to just win. And it takes place on a senior night with a program full of seniors that have laid the groundwork to take that next step. This will also be their first meeting with Ardmore since 2009. <br>Nov. 8th - AT Tuttle</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Harrah went 3-7 in 2022 and made a big step in 2023 by going 6-4. This season, they want to take another step forward and not only punch their ticket to the playoffs but when they get there, they want to start winning playoff games on a consistent basis. Harrah has made seven playoff appearances in the last fifteen years but they've only had one win and it came in the 2015 first round. In fact, that has been their only playoff win in the last three decades. But Harrah is definitely trending in a positive direction. They have done a great job over the last 18 months of building a solid foundation. They test themselves in every offseason with their team camp and then various 7v7 events. Their team camp this spring was incredibly competitive and they definitely got better throughout that week. Now, they look to carry that momentum into the fall.&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 - 6-4 - Missed Playoffs<br>2022 - 3-7 - Missed Playoffs<br>2021 - 6-5 - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round<br>2020 - 1-5 - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round<br>2019 - 1-9 - 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><em><strong>0 State Championships</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->