Pawhuska Huskies 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 Pawhuska Huskies!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Pawhuska Huskies</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #3 In Class A-1<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: #4 In Class A-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Head Coach: Matt Hennesy - 7th Season - 52-21 Record At Pawhuska</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (6-5 Record - Lost In Class 2A 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 25th - Beat Caney Valley 82-0<br>Sept. 1st - Beat Cashion 54-6<br>Sept. 8th - Lost To Hominy 38-16<br>Sept. 15th - Lost To Woodland 38-22<br>Sept. 22nd - Beat Vinita 44-7<br>Oct. 6th - Beat Nowata 50-6<br>Oct. 12th - Beat Salina 44-12<br>Oct. 20th - Lost To Claremore Sequoyah 49-16<br>Oct. 27th - Lost To Adair 65-62<br>Nov. 3rd - Beat Rejoice Christian 30-15<br>1st Round - Lost To Kansas 28-24</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 40.4 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 24 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the second straight year, Pawhuska would go 6-5 and drop out in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs. But after two seasons in Class 2A, the Huskies are back in Class A and things are looking up in 2024. The Huskies challenged themselves right out of the gate in 2023, starting the year with a 2-2 mark after dropping back to back games to Hominy and Woodland, two of the top teams in Class A a year ago. The Huskies would rally to win three straight and they went into the home stretch of the regular season with a 5-2 record and things were looking good in district play. However, back to back losses to Claremore Sequoyah and Adair in weeks eight and nine would put them in a hole in terms of the district standings. Pawhuska would avoid having to play a district champion in the first round when they beat Rejoice Christian in the regular season finale to finish out the regular season with a 6-4 mark. They met up with Kansas in the first round and fell 28-24 in one of the more competitive games of the first round in the Class 2A playoffs. But like we mentioned at the top, this is now a Pawhuska program with a bright future considering they bring back the majority of their starters and are back in Class A, where they made 10-win seasons and deep trips in the playoffs a common occurrence.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the split in Classes 2A and A (as well as B) Pawhuska would have been a contender in either Class 2A-2 or Class A-1. But for at least this season and next, they find themselves as one of the larger schools in Class A-1. Seven starters are back on the offensive side of the ball and this was a unit that averaged just over 40 points per game. With the Wildcats bringing back their quarterback and the majority of starters on that side of the ball, don't be surprised if they are one of, if not the highest scoring offenses in Class A-1. And let's face it, when head coach Matt Hennesy has an experienced and talented quarterback returning, the ceiling is incredibly high. The Huskies also bring back six starters on the defensive side of the ball and this is a unit that showed improvement throughout the 2023 season. They had moments where they looked good and then they had other games that turned into high-scoring affairs. We'll know where this Pawhuska team stacks up in the first half of the regular season. Arguably the toughest stretch of the schedule comes in the first five games. The Huskies come into this season as a top five team in Class A-1 and they expect to be a team in the mix when November and December roll around. This is a class that is headlined by the top two teams but there are plenty of other teams that can challenge for the crown.&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>JoJo Hendren - Running Back/Linebacker<br>Noah Willson - Athlete<br>Traven Richardson - Wide Receiver</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":["968318"],"_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-668b3ed820587"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We mentioned earlier how returning quarterbacks under Matt Hennesy usually flourish. Mason Fine at Locust Grove or the Drummond brothers at Pawhuska are multiple examples. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='968318' first='Canyon' last='Hindman'] had his breakout moment last season as he took over a QB1 for the Huskies. He finished his junior season with nearly 2,700 yards and 29 touchdowns. The Huskies are excited about his potential as we head into the 2024 season. He's a great leader and his decision making allows him to be incredibly accurate with the football. Hindman has all the tools around him to possibly be one of the best quarterbacks in a Class A-1 that is loaded at that position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1325100"],"_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-668b3ed8205e6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1325100' first='Jaydin' last='Shaw'] is going to be very important for the Huskies on the line of scrimmage. On offense, Shaw will anchor the offensive line and he has the size to be a 2025 prospect that ends up earning an opportunity to play at the next level. And Shaw and the Pawhuska offensive line will set the tone for an offense that could light up scoreboards this season. But Shaw's greatest impact could come on the defensive side of the ball. Last season, Shaw finished the year with over 60 tackles and nearly ten of them came in the backfield. And just like on offense, Shaw will be the guy up front that sets the tone for Pawhuska's attacking 3-4 defense throughout the 2024 season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1325096"],"_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-668b3ed82062b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1325096' first='Lane' last='Kyler'] was arguably Hindman's top target in the passing game last season and there is no doubt that he'll be that this fall. Kyler comes into this season after finishing last year with over 900 yards and 14 touchdowns on 49 receptions. The expectations as we head into the 2024 season is that his production is about to take a serious spike. He has the size to be a match-up nightmare against most cornerbacks at the Class A-1 level. Kyler will also turn around and be a problem on the defensive side of the ball at cornerback. Last season, Kyler finished the season with nearly 60 tackles and countless pass breakups as one of Pawhuska's top athletes. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1325101"],"_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-668b3ed820668"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pawhuska is excited about the ceiling of [player_tooltip player_id='1325101' first='Vann' last='Wildcat'] moving forward. He was a playmaker for the Huskies that found his way onto the field as a freshman and was able to produce at a high level last season. During his freshman season, Wildcat finished the year with nearly 60 tackles from the linebacker position. This fall, the Huskies expect Wildcat to take that next step as an overall playmaker and should be able to be productive on both sides of the ball. Obviously Wildcat will be very important on the defensive side of the ball but don't overlook what he can do on offense from the running back position. He could end up being one of Pawhuska's top two-way players. </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>Corlin Cass - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='806165' first='Jaxon' last='Arnett'] - 2026 Offensive Lineman<br>Jenson Snodgrass - 2028 Athlete<br>Jimmie Wildcat - 2028 Running Back/Linebacker<br>Ladd Wehunt - 2026 Defensive Lineman<br>Logan Cass - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='806176' first='Peyton' last='Hunt'] - 2025 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='806181' first='Trenton' last='Reese'] - 2025 Tight End/Linebacker<br>Tripp Walker - 2027 Wide Receiver<br>Will Sweeden - 2025 Offensive Lineman</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. 30th - AT Nowata<br>Sept. 6th - Meeker<br><strong>Sept. 13th - Hominy<br></strong>- These rivals have gotten very familiar with one another over the last two decades and the series has been relatively even during that stretch. Pawhuska will host Hominy in week two and they are looking to turn things back towards their end after losing to Hominy in each of the last two seasons. Hominy is once again a serious contender but they are in Class A-2 this season. And the Huskies will lean on their experience and take advantage of a young Hominy team early on in the season this fall. <br><strong>Sept. 20th - AT Woodland<br></strong>- In week three, Pawhuska will wrap up their non-district schedule by going on the road and facing a Woodland squad that is number one in the Class A-2 rankings. The Huskies got the best of Woodland in 2022 but the Cougars repaid the favor last season. Just like the Hominy match-up, anytime you get a game that features two teams that will be state championship contenders in their respective classes, it's an intriguing match-up. The winner here takes a ton of momentum into district play. <br>Sept. 27th - Oklahoma Union<br><strong>Oct. 4th - AT Pawnee<br></strong>- Pawhuska will start the second half of the regular season with arguably their toughest district contest of the year. They hit the road to face a Pawnee squad that was very close to being a quarterfinalist in the Class A playoffs a year ago. These two teams were district foes in 2018 and 2019 and they played a high-scoring affair in that 2019 meeting. Pawhuska will look to turn things around in this series after losing both of those meetings to Pawnee and the winner here could take the district title. <br>Oct. 10th - Tonkawa<br>Oct. 25th - AT Quapaw<br>Nov. 1st - Caney Valley<br>Nov. 8th - Morrison</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pawhuska head coach Matt Hennesy is one of the better coaches in Oklahoma and the numbers back it up. Last season, Hennesy won his 150th game as a head coach. And when you look at what he's done at Pawhuska and Locust Grove before that, there aren't many other coaches in the state that can match Hennesy's turn around prowess. At Locust Grove, they went 2-28 in the three seasons before he took over. He would go 5-5 in his first season and then rattled off a 37-3 record in the following three seasons. Hennesy would then take over a Pawhuska program in 2018 following an 0-10 2017 campaign. His first Pawhuska squad would go 6-5 and then over the following three seasons, they would go 34-6 with multiple semifinal trips. And as we mentioned earlier, dropping back down to Class A should benefit the Huskies after back to back 6-5 seasons in Class 2A. The Huskies are a top five team in our preseason Class A-1 rankings and Hennesy is looking to take them further than they've ever been before.&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 - 6-5 - Lost In Class 2A 1st Round<br>2022 - 6-5 - Lost In Class 2A 1st Round<br>2021 - 11-3 - Lost In Class A Semifinals<br>2020 - 12-1 - Lost In Class A Semifinals<br>2019 - 11-2 - Lost In Class A Quarterfinals</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 -->