Millwood Falcons 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 Millwood Falcons!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Millwood Falcons</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #2 In Class 2A-1<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: #5 In Class 2A-1</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Head Coach: Darwin Franklin - 11th Season - 112-27 Record At Millwood</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (13-2 Record - Class 2A Runner Ups)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 31st - Lost To Heritage Hall 47-24<br>Sept. 9th - Beat Douglass 81-0<br>Sept. 15th - Beat Scott City, KS 6-0<br>Sept. 22nd - Beat Alva 36-13<br>Sept. 29th - Beat Chisholm 34-16<br>Oct. 6th - Beat Perry 18-6<br>Oct. 12th - Beat Newkirk 49-14<br>Oct. 20th - Beat Oklahoma Christian School 22-20<br>Oct. 27th - Beat Hennessey 65-17<br>Nov. 3rd - Beat Blackwell 48-0<br>1st Round - Beat Crossings Christian 32-0<br>2nd Round - Beat Purcell 38-14<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Idabel 34-7 <br>Semifinals - Beat Kiefer 34-29<br>Championship - Lost To Washington 41-24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 46.5 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 8.3 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Millwood Falcons were one of the best teams in Class 2A throughout the 2023 season. But unfortunately for them, the 2023 campaign ended the same way the 2022 season did. In 2022, Millwood would go 13-2 with a loss in the season opener to Heritage Hall and then a loss to Washington in the state championship game. History would repeat itself and the Falcons had to settle for silver for a second straight season. But Millwood would have one outstanding ride to get there. They dominated rival Douglass with a historic 81-0 win. The offense was lights out and the defense was dominant, with multiple shutouts during the year. Millwood would roll to a district championship, with the closest game coming in week eight, when they beat Oklahoma Christian School 22-20. They would continue their dominance in the playoffs with 20+ point victories in each of the first three rounds. In the semifinals, they were trailing Kiefer with only a few seconds left. It looked like the season was over. But Millwood got a chance on a kick return as time expired and they scored to send them to Edmond for the second straight year. But Washington would once again get the best of the Falcons in the state title game and Millwood finished the year at 13-2. Now, the Class 2A landscape is completely different but the goal remains the same as the Falcons look to reload for another run to the state championship game.&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, along with Class A and B have now been split into two divisions. And the Falcons find themselves in the larger division and this new class is full of heavy hitters. First off, two-time champion Washington headlines the group but it's also full of other familiar foes for the Falcons to deal with. But like we mentioned, the expectations have not changed for Millwood as the Falcons are going to be one of the top teams in this class. The strength of the team comes on offense, where they bring back eight starters on that side of the ball. While they lost some key pieces that left the program this offseason, they'll have a third-year starter at quarterback, a strong offensive line and several playmakers returning to highlight that side of the ball. They flirted with averaging nearly 50 points per game last season and we could see them getting close to that mark again this year. On defense, they bring back six starters on that side and when we look at the returning names, we're impressed with how it's spread out. They have talent coming back at all three levels but the strength could come from the front seven. And this was a defense that only gave up a little over 8 points per game. The offense might be more experienced but the defense is not lacking talent. They'll just need to grow up and be ready to go as they go into district play and beyond. And those young players will get thrown into the fire against a tough non-district schedule.&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>Jamariyon Franklin - Defensive Back<br>Magnus Taylor - Offensive Lineman<br>Micho Lavine - Defensive Lineman</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":["1109329"],"_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-668613ce86f6a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore running back [player_tooltip player_id='1109329' first='Anthony' last='Keys'] had a breakout moment last season with the Millwood offense but we're fired up to see what he can do this season. On a Millwood offense that averaged nearly 50 points per game, Keys was able to find playing time as a freshman and had meaningful reps in big games. Keys also found himself lower on the depth chart but that won't be the case this season. We think that Keys will see his production go up this fall and the Falcons will rely on him a little more in the running game. Keys showed last fall that he can be a standout player for the Falcons and now he's looking to expand that role for Millwood. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["571111"],"_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-668613ce86fcd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='571111' first='Cameron' last='Carter'] became a major name to know at the position during his sophomore season in the state championship game. Despite the loss, Carter was one of the best football players on the field. As a junior, Carter was once again a name to know at the linebacker position but he also emerged as a playmaker on the offensive side of the ball. Carter would take the majority of the carries at running back when the Falcons were near the goal line. He became that short yardage specialist for Millwood and would score nine touchdowns on the ground. This season, Carter will join Keys in the backfield and they'll make up a great 1-2 punch at running back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["434614"],"_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-668613ce87012"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='434614' first='CJ' last='Turnbull'] won't see much this season that he hasn't already faced in the last two years. Turnbull was thrown to the fire as Millwood's starting quarterback during his freshman season. As a sophomore, Turnbull would throw for nearly 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns on the year. He was also a threat to run the football and had some big plays throughout the year. By the time it's all said and done, Turnbull is going to be one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the state. He's been Millwood's starter for 30 games and shows no signs of slowing down. We're looking forward to seeing how he's improved his game from last season to this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["600088"],"_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-668613ce87051"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior offensive and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='600088' first='Prince' last='Gabriel'] is in a similar position to Carter and Turnbull coming into this season. Gabriel will be the most experienced player on either side of the line of scrimmage. Gabriel will be a big part of what the Falcons do on both sides of the ball. On offense, Gabriel will anchor an offense that has quite a bit of firepower, specifically in the running game. On defense, Gabriel can be a standout defensive lineman that is part of a defense where the strength is in the front seven. When he's healthy, Gabriel provides a significant impact. And the Falcons will lean on his experience early in the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["360157"],"_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-668613ce8708d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior [player_tooltip player_id='360157' first='Xzavier' last='Thompson'] is without a doubt the X-factor for the Falcons coming into the 2024 season. You look at what Thompson did last fall as a junior and there's not much that he can't do. He had a tremendous impact on the offensive side of the ball, played a little defense and could return kicks when needed. Simply put, Thompson is absolutely electric with the football in his hands. And with the Falcons losing some firepower at the wide receiver position this offseason, we think that Thompson will emerge as the team's leading receiver. Thompson will be one of the top overall playmakers to watch in the newly formed Class 2A-1 this season. </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='1572454' first='Deshawn' last='Buford'] - 2026 Athlete<br>Jordan Johnson - 2025 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Kaiden Johnson - 2027 Athlete<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1572451' first='Quest' last='Morris'] - 2025 Linebacker<br>TyShawn Buford - 2025 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1572456' first='Yaiqab' last='Johnson'] - 2025 Defensive Lineman<br>Zion Roberts - 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>Aug. 31st - Pine Bluff, AR. (@ DeSoto, TX.)<br>Sept. 14th - AT Douglass<br><strong>Sept. 20th - Heritage Hall<br></strong>- This match-up has been a great way to kick off the season for both of these north OKC powerhouses but this year, the game moves from week one to week three. The Falcons will host Heritage Hall and no surprise here, both teams expect to be state title contenders. But for Millwood, they'll look to turn things around against the Chargers. They won the first meeting against Heritage Hall back in 2017 but the Chargers have won the last five meetings in the series. <br>Sept. 27th - AT Blackwell<br><strong>Oct. 4th - Jones<br></strong>- At the halfway mark of the regular season, we have a match-up that could end up deciding the district championship and potentially be a massive game in the playoff race. Millwood will host Jones in week five and the Longhorns are one of the top teams in Class 2A-1 as we head into the 2024 season. Both of these teams are state championship contenders and top five teams in the preseason rankings. It's only week five, it's the halfway mark of the regular season, but there will be a lot on the line here. <br>Oct. 10th - AT Oklahoma Christian School<br>Oct. 17th - Mount Saint Mary<br>Oct. 25th - Chisholm<br>Nov. 1st - AT Crooked Oak<br><strong>Nov. 8th - Perry<br></strong>- In week ten, Millwood will host Perry and the Maroons have the potential to be one of the surprise teams in Class 2A-1 this season. They might be flying under the radar right now but they have some really good players coming back this season. And Perry had some success last season against the Falcons, only losing 18-6. And as week ten rolls around, Millwood hopes to have already locked up the district title but the Maroons will definitely have something to say about that. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millwood head coach Darwin Franklin hit a major milestone last season. In his tenth year of leading his alma mater, Franklin would eclipse 100 wins with the Falcons. In their 81-0 Soul Bowl victory over Douglass, Franklin would reach the century mark in wins. Hiring Franklin to return to his alma mater ended up paying off in a big way. He was hired shortly before spring practice in 2013. He immediately took the Falcons to the state championship game. He would win two state titles in 2016 and 2017 and during that two-year stretch, the Falcons were among the best teams in the state, regardless of class. And after a rare 2021 season where Millwood actually missed the playoffs, Franklin immediately turned their fortunes around in 2022. They've been to the state championship game in each of the last two seasons. And as we look at the 2024 season, Franklin's Falcons are going to once again be in the mix to compete for the state title. It's been a decade of dominance for Franklin and the Falcons and now they're looking to continue that in 2024.&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 - 13-2 - Class 2A Runner Ups<br>2022 - 13-2 - Class 2A Runner Ups<br>2021 - 4-6 - Missed Playoffs<br>2020 - 6-1 - Lost In Class 2A 1st Round<br>2019 - 9-3 - Lost In Class 2A 2nd 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>7 State Championships</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2017 - Beat Washington 42-7<br>2016 - Beat Victory Christian 56-33<br>2006 - Beat Vian 21-20<br>2002 - Beat Pawnee 40-18<br>2001 - Beat Cascia Hall 31-7<br>2000 - Beat Davis 26-25<br>1990 - Beat Oologah 33-10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->