Valliant Bulldogs 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 Valliant Bulldogs!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Valliant Bulldogs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: UR In Class 2A-2<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: UR In Class 2A-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Head Coach: Joe Jones - 1st Season</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (3-7 Record - Missed Playoffs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 25th - Beat Marietta 42-7<br>Sept. 1st - Beat Wynnewood 46-26<br>Sept. 8th - Lost To Lone Grove 42-6<br>Sept. 22nd - Lost To Heavener 37-14<br>Sept. 29th - Lost To Idabel 42-0<br>Oct. 6th - Lost To Spiro 27-6<br>Oct. 13th - Beat Wilburton 32-15<br>Oct. 19th - Lost To Eufaula 49-0<br>Oct. 27th - Lost To Antlers 12-0<br>Nov. 3rd - Lost To Hugo 27-19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 16.5 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 28.4 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 football season for Valliant started with a lot of promise and potential but things went downhill in a hurry. Overall, Valliant would go 3-7 and miss out on the playoffs. The 2023 season was the fifth consecutive losing season for the Bulldogs and this is a program that is hungry to win. Things were promising in that department as they opened up the season. They beat Marietta in the season opener and then took out Wynnewood to start the season with a 2-0 record. Unfortunately things were mostly downhill from there. The Bulldogs would lose their next four games after the 2-0 start and none of the games were particularly close. Valliant would get a 32-15 win over Wilburton in week seven to end the four-game losing streak. But they would drop their next three games and the season came to an end with a 3-7 mark. Valliant is now going in a different direction with the head coach and they are hoping to take advantage of a young roster that went through the growing pains of 2023 and now they are ready to get back to winning in 2024. It's been a few seasons since Valliant had a winning record but they have the pieces to turn things around. They just have to prove it on the field now.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Valliant will have a new head coach when they kick off the 2024 football season. Joe Jones was announced as the team's new man in charge earlier this season and he comes to Valliant after being head coach most recently at Wynnewood. We like the fit and it's going to be interesting to see how it works out. There's no doubt that Valliant has a potential star at the running back position and Jones is familiar with running an offense that takes advantage of having a legitimate star at running back at Wynnewood. And Valliant's offense brings back seven starters total so the running game isn't going to be the only bright spot on that side of the ball. They averaged 16 points per game in 2023 but we think there's potential to see that number go up in a major way. On paper, they look like a squad that could put up some points. The Bulldogs also bring back six starters on the defensive side of the ball. That experience will definitely help them as they try to return to the playoffs in 2024. It's going to start up front as the Bulldogs have a defensive lineman that is quickly becoming one of the top guys in the state's 2027 class. Then there's the split in Class 2A and the Bulldogs find themselves in the smaller division of the new Class 2A. The district isn't an absolute gauntlet and we could see Valliant punching their ticket to the playoffs this season. If they stay healthy and their top guys play like top guys, the Bulldogs could end the season as a top ten team and perhaps even more.&nbsp;</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":["1351769"],"_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-66a717ba53b1a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When you look at the strength of this year's Valliant roster, there is no doubt that it comes from the younger grades. They have terrific junior and sophomore classes coming up but senior offensive and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1351769' first='Braydon' last='Jones'] is a guy that the Bulldogs can lean on for leadership and experience. Valliant's offense should be led by the run game this season and you need to have an offensive line that is clicking in order for them to get the most out of running the ball. Jones brings experience to the line of scrimmage and he's going to be able to pave the way for the Bulldogs this season. This team is young but they aren't lacking leadership. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["587265"],"_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-66a717ba53b88"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='587265' first='Kenny' last='Golston'] is the star running back that we mentioned earlier in the preview. Golston has been a dude since he was a freshman two years ago. It looked pretty clear then that Golston was primed for big things during his high school career. This offseason has been a busy one for him as he has truly emerged as one of the top prospects in the state's 2026 class. Golston has received multiple offers over the last six months. Golston will also be a nightmare for opponents on defense. After watching Golston in person a handful of times this offseason, we're convinced that he's going to be one of the top playmakers in 2A-2 football this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1171159"],"_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-66a717ba53bd6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Kenny is dominating on the offensive side of the ball, look for sophomore defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1171159' first='Kyng' last='Golston'] to dominate the defensive side of the ball. While we watched the older brother this offseason, we also saw the younger brother make a name for himself. And we say “younger” and not “little” because there's nothing little about Kyng. He is an absolute force on the line of scrimmage and he looks like a guy that is so advanced for his age from a move and technique standpoint. He already has a deep bag of moves that he uses to completely disarm the offensive line. Kyng is also a very underrated athlete and can do multiple things at a high level. </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='1839239' first='Auzy' last='Trapp'] - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1718947' first='Brody' last='Dorries'] - 2026 Quarterback/Defensive Back<br>Gavin Chavez - 2027 Tight End/Linebacker<br>Jaxon Jones - 2026 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1024950' first='Ryker' last='Prince'] - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Ty Whitby - 2026 Quarterback/Wide Receiver/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. 30th - AT Idabel<br></strong>- The season opener is always a game you have to circle on the calendar and for Valliant, it's a measuring stick game to see exactly where they are coming into the season. They hit the road to face an Idabel team that is a preseason top ten team in Class 3A this season. These two teams have been district opponents for the last six seasons. Idabel has completely owned the series, winning all six. And here recently, it hasn't been particularly close. Valliant will learn a lot about themselves following this game. <br>Sept. 6th - Hugo<br>Sept. 13th - AT Rush Springs<br>Sept. 27th - AT Antlers<br>Oct. 4th - Spiro<br>Oct. 11th - AT Henryetta<br><strong>Oct. 17th - Atoka<br></strong>- On a Fall Break Thursday night, Valliant will host Atoka and this is a match-up that is very intriguing to us right now. Both teams went 3-7 last season. Both teams bring back the majority of their starters and have some legitimate firepower returning. They appear to be mirror images of each other right now and they will eventually be battling for playoff positioning. These two were district foes from 2018-2021 and Atoka won the last two. Valliant looks to turn things around in this series.<br>Oct. 25th - AT Morris<br>Nov. 1st - Wilburton<br><strong>Nov. 8th - AT Vian<br></strong>- There's no doubt that the toughest game on the schedule doesn't roll around until the final week of the regular season. Valliant hits the road to face a Vian squad that is the preseason number one team in Class 2A-2. The Wolverines have been one of the more consistent winners in 2A football for a long time now. Valliant wants to be in that position. To be the best, you have to beat the best and this is their opportunity to beat the best. It's a massive challenge to end the regular season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>D1 prospects have not come through the Valliant program all that often. And right now, Valliant not only has two D1 prospects but they have two that are on the path to becoming absolute stars in their respective classes. We already wrote about [player_tooltip player_id='587265' first='Kenny' last='Golston'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1171159' first='Kyng' last='Golston'] in this preview for what they are able to do on the field and the impact they'll have on the Bulldogs. Here, we focus on the impact they will have on the program as a whole and how rare it is for this program to have one player, let alone two players that have this kind of potential. We looked back at the recruiting databases available and can't find any D1 signees to come out of Valliant in the last two decades. Both Kenny and Kyng are on pace to sign with not only D1 programs but some high-ranking programs in the next few years. And as we've mentioned in the past, when you're talking about the lower levels of football where the numbers aren't as large, having two potential superstars put you in a position to elevate the entire program.&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 - 3-7 - Missed Playoffs<br>2022 - 3-6 - Missed Playoffs<br>2021 - 1-9 - Missed Playoffs<br>2020 - 3-5 - Lost In Class 2A 1st Round<br>2019 - 3-7 - 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>0 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->