Putnam City Pirates 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 Putnam City Pirates!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Putnam City Pirates&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #5 In Class 6A-2<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: #8 In Class 6A-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Head Coach: Willis Alexander - 2nd Season - 5-7 Record At Putnam City</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (5-7 Record - Lost In Class 6A-2 Quarterfinals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 25th - Lost To Bishop McGuinness 35-20<br>Sept. 1st - Lost To Muskogee 57-0<br>Sept. 8th - Lost To Putnam City West 28-21<br>Sept. 22th - Beat Lawton 49-20<br>Sept. 29th - Lost To Deer Creek 34-0<br>Oct. 5th - Beat Capitol Hill 72-0<br>Oct. 12th - Lost To Ponca City 35-28<br>Oct. 19th - Beat Putnam City North 56-20<br>Oct. 27th - Lost To Choctaw 65-20<br>Nov. 2nd - Beat Northwest Classen 71-13<br>1st Round - Beat Tahlequah 41-21<br>Quarterfinals - Lost To Stillwater 56-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 32.1 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 32 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Putnam City Pirates would enter a new era in 2023 as Willis Alexander would take over the Pirate football program. Alexander entered his first season as Putnam City head coach after one year at Putnam City West, a few years at Mount Saint Mary and a very successful stint at Douglass before that. Alexander would eventually turn the Pirate ship around in the second half of the regular season. The first half was headlined by tough losses that led to a 1-4 start. But they got a key win over Lawton to kick off district play and they would go 3-2 in district play in the second half of the regular season and that was good enough to put them in the playoffs as a four seed. The Pirates would not only win those three games but they were dominant and they were also more competitive in the other contests. They finished as the four seed and would beat Tahlequah in the first round of the playoffs. That was a memorable win as the Pirates hadn't won a playoff game in nearly two decades. They met Stillwater the following week in the quarterfinals and the season came to an end with a 5-7 record and they were bounced out in the quarterfinal round. While the record might represent a losing season, there were a lot of positives in 2023 and as we start to look ahead to the 2024 season, there are several reasons to be very optimistic of what the Pirates could be this fall. They took that first step last 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 Pirates come into the 2024 season as a top five team in our Class 6A-2 preseason rankings. By the end of the season, they could be a legitimate contender to make a trip to Edmond. This has been a class that has been dominated the last two seasons by Choctaw, Deer Creek, Muskogee and Stillwater. Deer Creek has moved up to 6A-1 and there's a spot open for a new team to make some noise. That team could certainly be the Pirates when you look at what they have coming back. In most of these previews, we start with the offensive side of the ball. But when you have a defense that is bringing back all eleven starters, you start on the defensive side of the ball. Not only does this defense bring back literally everybody from last year, they have some of the better prospects in the state on that side of the ball. We'll dive into them a little deeper later on in the preview but this is a defense that could not only be very improved from last year but they could end up being one of the better units in 6A-2 football this season. On offense, the Pirates bring back just five starters on that side of the ball but they are not lacking talent. And the quarterback position might be a new starter but it could end up being an old familiar face that is not a stranger to starting at the 6A-2 level. The district schedule is going to be more of a challenge than it was a year ago but the Pirates should be ready for that challenge. They took that first step up under Alexander last season and now they are ready for the next one. Only time will tell what that next step ends up being in 2024.&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>Davien Taylor - Wide Receiver<br>Ethan Scott - Wide Receiver<br>Judson Keefer - Quarterback</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":["1078310"],"_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-668f46199ae5b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Simply put, senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1078310' first='Brayden' last='Knox'] is one of the state's best linebackers and he's going to go into this season looking to leave no doubt. Knox is going to lead a defense that brings back everybody from last season. He was their leading tackler with 100 tackles on the season and he was an absolute nightmare for opposing offenses to deal with. He finished the year with 14 tackles for loss and also led the team with nine sacks on the season. As he goes into his senior season, it wouldn't surprise us at all to see him elevate his game to another level. Earlier this month, Knox announced his commitment to Tulsa after being recruited by multiple D1 programs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1297663"],"_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-668f46199aef0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last month, we updated our 2027 prospect rankings and [player_tooltip player_id='1297663' first='Gabriel' last='Osborne'] was the top newcomer to those rankings. After hearing about how Osborne has looked on the basketball floor, we checked out some of his film from last season. While it's limited, it also didn't take long to see that Osborne has the potential to be one of the breakout stars in the state's 2027 class. He is on the radar of college coaches and that should only continue as we go into the 2024 season. Osborne is a terrific athlete that should have his greatest impact on the defensive side of the ball and on special teams as a return specialist. We think his ceiling is incredibly high moving forward.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["595671"],"_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-668f46199af46"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='595671' first='Joshua' last='Lombard'] has moved over to Putnam City after starting at quarterback for rival Putnam City North last season. He's going to have an opportunity to take over the QB1 spot for the Pirates and it is a need after losing a very productive quarterback in Judson Keefer to graduation. And having an opportunity to replace him with an experienced quarterback like Lombard could be a very good thing for this offense. The next QB1 of the Pirates will also benefit from having an experienced offensive line returning and some serious playmakers at the wide receiver position. If that ends up being Lombard, he could have a monster junior year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["211567"],"_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-668f46199af9a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior [player_tooltip player_id='211567' first='Mykel' last='Ford'] is an athlete that has been on our radar since his freshman season. This offseason, Ford moved over from Putnam City West, where he was a do-it-all athlete at multiple positions on both sides of the ball. At Putnam City, Ford is going to be able to showcase his talents at wide receiver and on the defensive side of the ball as a defensive back. Ford is another Putnam City prospect that has the attention of D1 colleges and already has a handful of offers. We've been impressed with Ford and what he's been able to do in the last few seasons and now we think that he could end up taking another step up with the Pirates during the 2024 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1329135"],"_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-668fff7c45834"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another name to watch in the Putnam City offense is junior [player_tooltip player_id='1329135' first='Visanio' last='Boyd Jr.'] at the wide receiver position. Boyd was one of Putnam City's leading receivers last season and he comes into this fall as their leading returning receiver. He was a consistent player in the Putnam City passing game a year ago and he finished his sophomore season with 40 catches for just over 500 yards. There's no reason to think that his production won't take another step up as he looks to step into that role of the top target in the Pirate passing game. And Boyd played his best at the end of the 2023 season. In that playoff game against Stillwater, he had a career-high in receptions and yards. </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>Demarion Ridley - 2025 Wide Receiver<br>Dujuan Knight - 2025 Running Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1164578' first='Elijah' last='Asberry'] - 2025 Defensive Back<br>Jaidyn Summers - 2025 Offensive Lineman<br>Johnn Sheffey - 2025 Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1607343' first='Tripp' last='Alexander'] - 2026 Defensive Lineman<br>William McCullough - 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 - Yukon<br>Sept. 6th - AT Putnam City West<br><strong>Sept. 13th - Putnam City North<br></strong>- In their final non-district game, Putnam City will face off with rival Putnam City North. They'll be looking to sweep against their two Putnam city rivals in back to back weeks after playing Putnam City West in week one. After being district foes for the last two seasons, these two are back to facing off in non-district play as PC North (and PC West) will be on the east side district of 6A-2. The Pirates have some momentum going after winning the last three meetings in dominant fashion.&nbsp;<br>Sept. 26th - Northwest Classen<br>Oct. 4th - AT Choctaw<br>Oct. 11th - Lawton Eisenhower<br>Oct. 18th - AT U.S. Grant<br><strong>Oct. 25th - Stillwater<br></strong>- Week eight is definitely a date that Putnam City has had circled for a while now. The Pirates will host a Stillwater team that is coming off back to back state championship game appearances. This is also a Stillwater team that beat Putnam City 56-7 in the quarterfinals a year ago. The Pirates certainly haven't forgotten that and they want to climb the mountain that Stillwater has been sitting on for the last two years. They get their chance at the district favorites in week eight at home.&nbsp;<br>Nov. 1st - AT Southmoore<br><strong>Nov. 8th - AT Piedmont<br></strong>- The last game of the regular season will see Putnam City going on the road to face new 6A-2 opponent Piedmont. In fact, the last two games will as week nine opponent Southmoore drops down from 6A-1 and Piedmont has moved up from 5A. And there's no doubt that these two games will have massive playoff implications. All three teams expect to make it to the playoffs. And all three teams will be battling it out for some of the last spots in the district standings. This could feel like a playoff game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 football season might have ended with a losing record but it was definitely a step in the right direction. Because of the changes in both divisions of 6A football, six teams from each district would make it into the playoffs. And because of that, Putnam City finishing fourth in district play wasn't all bad. Before, they would have had a quarterfinal clash with a district champion. Last year, it would have been Stillwater, who they ultimately saw in the quarterfinals anyway. But instead, they matched up with Tahlequah and got their first playoff win since 2007. The Pirates had lost five straight playoff games and they were still searching for that first playoff win in nearly two decades. They finally got it when they beat up on the Tigers in the opening round. That was step one. Step two comes this year, when the Pirates won't be happy with just making it to the playoffs and winning one game. They want a deep playoff trip into November 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 - 5-7 - Lost In Class 6A-2 Quarterfinals<br>2022 - 4-7 - Lost In Class 6A-2 1st Round<br>2021 - 2-7 - Missed Playoffs<br>2020 - 4-6 - Lost In Class 6A-1 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>3 State Championships</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1977 - Beat Putnam City West 21-14<br>1975 - Beat Booker T Washington 24-20<br>1974 - Beat John Marshall 21-17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->