Lawton MacArthur Highlanders 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 Lawton MacArthur Highlanders!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Lawton MacArthur Highlanders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking:&nbsp;#2 In Class 5A<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking:&nbsp;#6 In Class 5A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Head Coach: Brett Manning - 16th Season - 134-44 Record At Lawton MacArthur</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (8-3 Record - Lost In Class 5A 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 24 - Beat John Marshall 60-6<br>Sept. 1 - Beat Lawton Eisenhower 27-13<br>Sept. 8 - Beat Lawton 41-7<br>Sept. 22 - Beat Duncan 59-28<br>Sept. 29 - Beat Altus 31-7<br>Oct. 6 - Beat Ardmore 52-13<br>Oct. 13 - Lost To Midwest City 42-7<br>Oct. 19 - Beat El Reno 46-7<br>Oct. 27 - Lost To Elgin 62-14<br>Nov. 3 - Beat Noble 68-26<br>1st Round - Lost To Guthrie 49-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 38.7 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 23.6 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lawton MacArthur's 2023 season started off so promising but ended abruptly in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs. The Highlanders finished the season with an 8-3 mark. But they entered week seven with a 6-0 record and had won all of their games by double digits. They would fall to Midwest City in week seven and then Elgin in week nine. Those two losses would drop the Highlanders to the third place spot in their district. Despite an 8-2 record in the regular season, the Highlanders finished third in the district and they had a brutal first round match-up on the road against Guthrie. The Blue Jays would knock off the Highlanders and the 2023 season came to an end. The Highlanders still had a solid season and their offense would be lights out throughout the season. They averaged nearly 40 points per game and they had multiple games where they scored at least 50 points. The defense was a lot like the team as a whole. They started off red hot but in the three losses, they gave up 51 points per game. But when you look at the Highlanders on paper, they have a lot of talent returning and there are several reasons to be optimistic as we start looking ahead to the 2024 football 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 Highlanders are just a few years removed from making a run to the Class 5A semifinals. And there is no doubt that the expectation is not only to make it to the semifinals again but to compete and contend for the Class 5A state title. The Highlanders won their one and only state championship in 2014 and again, when you see some of the talented players coming back, the expectation to contend for a title is not a crazy thought. Seven starters are back on the offensive side of the ball. The Highlanders will need to find someone to replace the production of the running game but the passing game has the potential to be the absolute best in Class 5A. And then you turn around and look at the defense and they have seven starters returning on that side of the ball. While the passing game for Lawton Mac might be the best in Class 5A, there is a real possibility that Lawton MacArthur's secondary is the very best in the state, regardless of class. This is a unit where the majority of players in the secondary hold D1 offers. You simply don't see that very often at the high school level. Their 2024 schedule is very tough but this is a team that has the talent and the experience to contend for the state championship this season.&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>Braden Brown - Linebacker<br>Dominic Collins - Defensive Back<br>Jeremy Hutcheson - Running Back<br>Xzavier Booth - 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":["403509"],"_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-66860a8c42fe3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lawton MacArthur junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='403509' first='Adam' last='Auston'] is an outstanding defensive prospect that still has his best football ahead of him. We watched Auston's sophomore film and we saw a safety who's instincts were some of the best that we've seen from a sophomore. And then we got to see Auston in person multiple times on the 7v7 circuit and he continued to impress us every time we saw him. Whether he was lined up at safety or was moving closer to the line of scrimmage as a linebacker or a hybrid defender, Auston is an absolute game-wrecker. If Auston continues to grow and develop his game, he's going to be one of the top defenders in the state's 2026 class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["670654"],"_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-66860a8c4303d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lawton MacArthur junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='670654' first='Aivan' last='Locklin'] is one of, if not the most intriguing quarterbacks to watch in Class 5A this season. We've really liked Locklin's game since early on in the 2023 season. Combine that with watching him a handful of times this offseason along with the talented players he has around him and you have a quarterback that could absolutely blow up from a production standpoint. Locklin put up big numbers last season but we think that the production could continue to rise this season. He has a terrific arm and accuracy on the deep ball. And the Highlanders have some outstanding athletes to make a big play down the field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1187305"],"_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-66860a8c4307a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When it comes to the Highlanders this season, it's very easy to get caught up on the special prospects that have emerged in the 2026 class. But the 2025 Highlanders have some absolute dudes and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1187305' first='AJ' last='Vaughn'] is one of them. Vaughn has emerged as one of the top cover corners in the state's 2025 class and he's another part of that Highlander secondary that has the potential to be the best in the state. Every time we've watched Vaughn in person, he's lived up to the hype and he's been that lockdown guy at the cornerback position. We look for Vaughn to be one of the top guys at his position this season and help lead the Highlander defense.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1045555"],"_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-66860a8c430b2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Lawton MacArthur junior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1045555' first='Joshua' last='Rushing'] is the third of the “big three” from Lawton MacArthur's 2026 class that have already grabbed plenty of headlines. Rushing is in a similar position to Auston where he's considered one of the top overall prospects in the state's 2026 class and not just a top guy at his position. Rushing was incredibly productive last season and is looking to take his game to new heights this season. There were times when we watched him this offseason and he completely took over a game on the 7v7 circuit. He has that potential and we're fired up to see if he takes over a game on a Thursday or Friday night in the fall with the pads on.&nbsp;</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='1294586' first='Boux' last='DeLong'] - 2025 Wide Receiver<br>Christopher Fiailoa - 2025 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Joe Warner - 2025 Offensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='211563' first='Trae' last='Kibble'] - 2025 Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1325113' first='Trey' last='Williams'] - 2025 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>Aug. 29th - Elgin<br></strong>- The 2024 season will kick off on a Thursday night and it's a big one as the Highlanders will host 4A's preseason number one team in Elgin. The Owls dropped down to Class 4A and went from being a 5A title contender to possibly the favorite in Class 4A this season. These two teams are very familiar with one another after being district foes for the last two seasons. The Owls got the best of the Highlanders in both meetings. This is a great match-up to kick off the season.&nbsp;<br>Sept. 6th - Lawton Eisenhower<br>Sept. 13th - AT Lawton<br>Sept. 20th - AT Ponca City<br>Oct. 4th - AT Classen SAS<br>Oct. 11th - Duncan<br><strong>Oct. 18th - AT Midwest City<br></strong>- The district schedule really heats up in the second half of the season with arguably the two toughest district contests coming in the final four weeks. It begins in week seven when the Highlanders have to go on the road to face Midwest City. And the Bombers have had Lawton Mac's number so the Highlanders will definitely have this one circled. These two teams became district foes in 2022 when the Bombers dropped down to Class 5A. They've beaten Lawton Mac in each of the last two years.&nbsp;<br>Oct. 25th - Newcastle<br>Nov. 1st - AT Southeast<br><strong>Nov. 8th - Bishop McGuinness<br></strong>- In week ten, the Highlanders will host Bishop McGuinness and we had to double and triple check this fact. This match-up is the first between these two teams in nearly two decades. Despite both teams being perennial playoff teams and both have made runs in the playoffs, they never crossed paths. Not only will this be the first meeting since 2005, but the stakes will more than likely be massive. This week ten clash could be a head to head contest for the district title.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another game (or games) to keep an eye on early on in the season will be when the Highlanders face off with city rivals Lawton Eisenhower followed by Lawton High. Lawton Mac was able to take home the city championship last season with wins over the two city rivals and they're looking to do it again this fall. And back to back city championships hasn't happened for the Highlanders very often in recent memory. If they accomplish that, it'll be the first streak for the Highlanders since they won three straight city championships from 2014-2016. The series with Lawton Eisenhower has been very one-sided but the series with Lawton High has been very competitive over the last few decades. And with the Wolverines dropping down to Class 5A this season, that early season match-up could be the first of two meetings between these two. It's not crazy to think that they'll see each other again in the first round of the playoffs with the way the districts line up against one another.&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 5A 1st Round<br>2022 - 6-5 - Lost In Class 5A 1st Round<br>2021 - 11-2 - Lost In Class 5A Semifinals<br>2020 - 6-3 - Lost In Class 5A 1st Round<br>2019 - 5-5 - 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>2014 - Beat Skiatook 39-12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->