Ringling Blue Devils 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 Ringling Blue Devils!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Ringling Blue Devils</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #5 In Class A-2<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: #6 In Class A-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Head Coach: Tanner Koons - 1st Season </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (7-4 Record - Lost In Class A 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 31st - Beat Atoka 15-12<br>Sept. 8th - Beat Marietta 53-6<br>Sept. 15th - Lost To Apache 26-0<br>Sept. 22nd - Beat Rush Springs 14-6<br>Sept. 29th - Lost To Dibble 30-6<br>Oct. 6th - Beat Healdton 48-0<br>Oct. 13th - Beat Wayne 38-0<br>Oct. 20th - Beat Wynnewood 41-7<br>Oct. 27th - Beat Elmore City 39-20<br>Nov. 3rd - Lost To Stratford 28-20<br>1st Round - Lost To Crescent 35-34</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 28 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 15.5 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The story of the 2023 football season for the Ringling Blue Devils was definitely a complicated one. It felt like there was a black cloud over the season because of issues the program and community faced off the field. That black cloud definitely carried over during the season the Blue Devils would finish off the year with a 7-4 mark. They started 2-0 but would lose to Apache in week three and then Dibble in week five. And in both games, the Blue Devils struggled on the offensive side of the ball. But from there, Ringling hit their stride. They rattled off four consecutive wins before a week ten showdown with Stratford. They lost 28-20 and while they punched their ticket to the playoffs for the 25th consecutive season, they would also have a tougher journey. They lost a close first round contest to Crescent after falling 35-34, ending their season with a 7-4 record. For context, Ringling had lost four games in the previous four seasons combined. The season came to a close and that black cloud also had some resolution. Head coach Phil Koons was removed as head coach after he faced criminal charges from bullying accusations. It's a serious matter that many believe has divided the community. We can only hope that a new season can bring some clarity and resolution back to one of the better small town football programs in our state.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Before we look at the 2024 season, there will still be that desire to return to the normalcy of “Friday night lights” and we don't have a complete resolution. Koons is still awaiting his trial and Ringling's new head coach isn't a new name. Tanner Koons will take over the position that his father held and he'll look to return the Blue Devils to the top of Oklahoma high school football. Now, when you look at the 2024 season, for football reasons only, Ringling does have a good shot of returning to a contender-status. The Blue Devils come in as a top five team in our preseason Class A-2 rankings. Having the new split in Class A certainly creates an easier path for a trip to Edmond. The Blue Devils will have to replace some key pieces from last year's team, specifically on the offensive side of the ball. Five starters are back on offense but the biggest holes will be in the backfield. They'll have a new quarterback in 2024 and their top two running backs from last season also graduated. So the Blue Devils will definitely go through some growing pains on that side of the ball. But the foundation is there for them to be successful on offense. Five starters also return on the defensive side of the ball. And this is a defense that has undoubtedly been one of the best units in Class A football over the past five seasons. 2023 might have been their “worst” defense and they still only gave up 15 points per game. There will be more new faces on defense but that's a unit that we do not worry about. Ringling also enters a new era as the second smallest school in the new Class A-2. The Blue Devils could actually be an 8-man program but they have opted to continue playing 11-man football. The 2024 season will bring new challenges but Ringling is ready for a fresh start.&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>Caleb Taylor - Quarterback/Defensive Back<br>Will Davis - Running Back<br>Will Inselman - Running Back</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":["1334945"],"_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-669614c23587d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We mentioned earlier in the preview that Ringling's offense will need new faces to step up, specifically at the skill positions. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1334945' first='Kysen' last='Fincher'] is one player that Ringling's coaches believe could be one of those new faces. Fincher is listed as an athlete because of the versatility he brings to the field. Don't be surprised if the Blue Devils get creative with how they use him on offense. And then Fincher will also turn around and play defense for Ringling in the secondary. And like we said earlier, we have no questions about the defensive side of the ball. So regardless of where Fincher is lined up this season, expect him to make a few big plays. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1334946"],"_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-669614c2358d8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">You can make the argument that there are few schools in the state, regardless of class, that have had better defensive units than Ringling over the last five years. Leading the defense this season will be senior [player_tooltip player_id='1334946' first='Payton' last='Waldie'] from the linebacker position. We're looking forward to seeing what kind of production Waldie ends up having this fall because the bar with Ringling's defense is incredibly high. All you have to do is look at what they did last season, giving up around 15 points per game, and that might have been one of the lower defenses during this stretch. Waldie and the Ringling defense are ready to get back to shutouts and a single digit average. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1334944"],"_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-669614c23591a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The questions around the offense center directly in the backfield as they lost their quarterback and top two running backs to graduation. But junior [player_tooltip player_id='1334944' first='Rhett' last='Roberts'] could be the next guy under center for the Blue Devils. Roberts is considered one of the better 2026 athletes on the team and he's listed as a quarterback and a linebacker and he's also listed at 6'4. So without knowing much about him, he feels like a player who will bring a lot of physicality to the quarterback position and the size is definitely a plus when you're talking about a quarterback. And don't overlook him also having an impact on the defensive side of the ball at the linebacker position. </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>Gary Grother - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Guy Cox - 2027 Offensive/Defensive 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><strong>Sept. 6th - AT Atoka<br></strong>- The season opener is always a game to circle on the calendar and Ringling's 2024 campaign will start on the road against Atoka. The Blue Devils have faced off with Atoka in each of the last three seasons and it's been a one-sided series in favor of Ringling. They are 3-0 during that stretch but last year's meeting was definitely the closest match-up during that stretch. Ringling escaped with a 15-12 win and this year's Atoka team brings back almost everyone from last year's team. <br><strong>Sept. 13th - AT Cashion<br></strong>- This week two clash will be one of the marquee non-district games between Class A-1 and Class A-2 schools. Ringling hits the road to face Cashion and these two have had quite the playoff rivalry over the last two seasons and now they meet in the regular season. They met in the 2019 and 2021 state championship games. Ringling won it in 2019 while Cashion took it in 2021. They also met in the 2022 playoffs as well as multiple playoff meetings over a decade ago.<br>Sept. 20th - Dibble<br>Sept. 27th - AT Elmore City<br><strong>Oct. 4th - Velma-Alma<br></strong>- In week five, Ringling will have arguably their toughest district game on the slate when they host Velma-Alma. After several seasons of playing 8-man football, including making it to the Class B state championship game a year ago, the Comets are back in 11-man football and they'll battle Ringling for district supremacy. The district title could be decided with this one but Velma-Alma's transition back to 11-man football will definitely be one of the storylines to watch in 2024. <br>Oct. 11th - AT Wilson<br>Oct. 18th - Healdton<br>Oct. 25th - Konawa<br>Nov. 1st - AT Wayne<br>Nov. 8th - AT Rush Springs</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In 2023, Ringling appeared in the playoffs for the 25th consecutive season. 1998 was the last football season that ended without a playoff appearance for the Blue Devils. The streak of 25 playoff appearances is one of the longest active streaks among the state's small school programs. Hominy is the only Class A program that has a longer active streak with 26 straight playoff appearances. The Blue Devils are hungry to not only continue their streak in 2024 but they want to get back to winning playoff games in November. In the four seasons from 2019-2022, Ringling played for the state championship in two seasons, winning it all in 2019. They also made it to the semifinals in 2020 and the quarterfinals in 2022. Their first round loss to Crescent last fall was the first time they tripped up in the first round since 2018 and only the third first round exit in nearly two decades. The Blue Devils are determined to make another deep playoff run 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 - 7-4 - Lost In Class A 1st Round<br>2022 - 12-1 - Lost In Class A Quarterfinals<br>2021 - 14-1 - Class A Runner Ups<br>2020 - 10-1 - Lost In Class A Semifinals<br>2019 - 13-1 - Class A State Champions</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>5 State Championships</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2019 - Beat Cashion 20-14<br>2012 - Beat Wynnewood 39-12<br>2003 - Beat Tonkawa 27-20<br>1992 - Beat Velma-Alma 20-12<br>1989 - Beat Empire 31-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->