Kansas Comets 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 Kansas Comets!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Kansas Comets</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: # 4 In Class 2A-2<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: #5 In Class 2A-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Head Coach: Warren Kirk - 4th Season - 17-15 Record At Kansas</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (9-3 Record - Lost In Class 2A 2nd Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 25th - Beat Hulbert 65-7<br>Aug. 31st - Beat Colcord 27-20<br>Sept. 8th - Beat Fairland 48-7<br>Sept. 22nd - Beat Sperry 26-14<br>Sept. 29th - Beat Morris 41-0<br>Oct. 6th - Beat Beggs 37-20<br>Oct. 12th - Lost To Kiefer 22-14<br>Oct. 20th - Beat Okmulgee 47-6<br>Oct. 27th - Lost To Victory Christian 30-14<br>Nov. 3rd - Beat Westville 48-20<br>1st Round - Beat Pawhuska 28-24<br>2nd Round - Lost To Idabel 42-28</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 35.3 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 17.7 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the 2023 football season didn't end the way the Kansas Comets would have liked, it was still a season to remember. Way out in eastern Oklahoma, the Comets would enjoy their first winning season in a decade. They would finish 9-3 and dropped out of the playoffs in the second round. But it was a great road to get there. They began the season with a 6-0 record and that included a dramatic week one win over Colcord and then a strong win over Beggs in district play. They closed out the regular season with a 2-2 record after tough losses to Kiefer and Victory Christian. And when you look at this district and Class 2A as a whole, you can make a very solid argument that the Comets finished third in the absolute toughest district in the class. They were a really good football team that was carried by a strong offense that had really good players that were emerging as potential stars in Class 2A football. The Comets fell to Idabel in the second round of the playoffs but as you start to look ahead to the 2024 season, it's easy to point to Kansas as one of the teams to watch. It's going to be a new class but another brutal district slate that awaits the Comets. But after 2023, they'll be ready for that new challenge.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 2A (and Class A and B for that matter) have been split into two divisions and the Comets find themselves in the 2A division that features the smaller schools. Kansas was a really good team in the loaded Class 2A last season so there's no doubt that they are a top ten team coming into this season with the class being split into two divisions. The Comets will have six starters returning on the offensive side of the ball. This unit has a chance to be really good. They have a stud on the offensive line coming back along with a potential star at quarterback and a very productive running back so the Comets could average north of 40 points per game this season. And the offense isn't the only side of the ball that brings back experience. The defense brings back six starters as well and on paper, it looks like they'll be incredibly strong in the front seven. But again, this defense will be able to play with a lot of comfort knowing that they have an offense that could be one of the best in the class this season. But while the Comets come into this season as a top ten team, they still find themselves in arguably the toughest district in the class. It's so deep that we could see a good team miss the playoffs. But the Comets don't intend to miss out on the playoffs and they have high expectations.&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>Greg Campbell - Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Kaleb Jobe - Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Scrappy Glass - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Zach Majors - Wide Receiver/Linebacker</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":["1331279"],"_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-6691e2996e017"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1331279' first='Paul' last='New'] was one of the breakout stars for the Comets last season. While a lot of our attention coming into the season was on the quarterback and some of the returning playmakers, New would become a name to know within this Kansas offense. He finished the year with just over 1,200 yards on the ground and 13 touchdowns. He would also turn around and play defense and stand out from the linebacker position. He had nearly 50 tackles and five sacks on the defensive side of the ball. From offense to defense, New is going to be very important for the Comets this season. We're looking forward to seeing what he does on offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["479390"],"_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-6691e2996e08e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After watching senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='479390' first='Seneca' last='Steele'] up close at a few of our camps in the last two offseasons, along with what he was able to do last fall, it's clear that he's one of the better quarterbacks in 2A football. Steele would finish last season with just over 2,000 passing yards and 18 touchdowns. He also added just over 800 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. He is a terrific athlete that can absolutely sling the ball around. The lefty will have his work cut out for him this season because he lost his top receiver to graduation. But it wouldn't be surprising to see Steele become more balanced between the pass game and the run game this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["840706"],"_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-6691e2996e0dc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='840706' first='Tristan' last='Thompson'] first got on our radar during the spring of 2023. He was just finishing up his freshman year and was participating in a team camp. Thompson is a dominating offensive lineman that is very impressive to watch from a physical standpoint. Thompson stands around 6'6 and he's continued to add weight to his frame, making him an even more dominant offensive lineman. And at the Class 2A level, in either division, you simply don't find players like Thompson very often. Thompson had a strong sophomore season and is looking to elevate his game again. He will anchor the line of an offense that can be dominant. </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>Dewayne Bendabout - 2025 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Jayden Carnes - 2025 Wide Receiver/Linebacker<br>Josh Turtle - 2025 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Zack Adams - 2026 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>Aug. 29th - Westville<br>Sept. 6th - Chouteau<br>Sept. 13th - AT Claremore Sequoyah<br>Sept. 27th - Keys<br>Oct. 4th - AT Wyandotte<br><strong>Oct. 11th - Adair<br></strong>- Adair has the majority of their starters back and the winner of this week six match-up could find themselves in the driver's seat for the district crown. But as we mentioned earlier in the preview, this district is incredibly competitive and it feels like the toughest in the class and one of the tougher ones in the state. The Comets will look to jump out on a Warrior team that is experienced but they will have new names at quarterback and some of the other skill positions.<br>Oct. 17th - AT Commerce<br><strong>Oct. 25th - Salina<br></strong>- This week eight match-up at home with Salina could be flying under the radar right now but could be very important in late October. Salina is looking to be a breakout team this season and a squad that surprises some 2A-2 opponents this season. They could provide a challenge for Kansas because they have one of the best wide receivers and overall playmakers in the class. They have a first-year head coach but this is a team that is not lacking talent. <br>Nov. 1st - AT Chelsea<br><strong>Nov. 8th - Colcord<br></strong>- In week ten, the Comets will host Colcord in a match-up that could very well decide the district championship. Adair, Colcord and Kansas are the top three teams in the district but there's no doubt that this regular season finale will have major playoff implications. These two teams played an instant classic last season. The Comets took advantage of Colcord turnovers and would score the game-winning touchdown with less than ten seconds to play. </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 2023 football season was a massive step in the right direction and they can certainly use it to build momentum heading into the 2024 season. The 2023 season was their first winning season since 2013. A year before that, in 2012, the Comets last won a playoff game before winning in the first round a year ago. Now, the next step is making a further run in the postseason. With Class 2A splitting into two divisions, the Comets are just one playoff win in the first round away from making it to the quarterfinals. That would be their first quarterfinal appearance since 2003. Kansas would make it all the way to the semifinals in that season. This year, they're looking to contend in the newly formed Class 2A-2 and possibly make a run to the semifinals or even further.&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 - 9-3 - Lost In Class 2A 2nd Round<br>2022 - 5-5 - Missed Playoffs<br>2021 - 3-7 - Missed Playoffs<br>2020 - 4-5 - Lost In Class 2A 1st Round<br>2019 - 5-6 - 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>0 State Championships</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->