Victory Christian Conquerors 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 Victory Christian Conquerors!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Victory Christian Conquerors </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #8 In Class 3A<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: #5 In Class 3A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Head Coach: Brett Smith - 3rd Season - 20-7 Record At Victory Christian</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (10-3 Record - Lost In Class 2A 2nd Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 25th - Beat Cascia Hall 33-21<br>Sept. 1st - Beat Henryetta 58-13<br>Sept. 8th - Lost To Shiloh Christian, AR. 67-28<br>Sept. 22nd - Beat Okmulgee 60-13<br>Sept. 29th - Beat Beggs 50-34<br>Oct. 6th - Beat Morris 51-6<br>Oct. 12th - Beat Westville 60-14<br>Oct. 20th - Beat Sperry 69-21<br>Oct. 27th - Beat Kansas 30-14<br>Nov. 3rd - Lost To Kiefer 40-34 (OT)<br>1st Round - Beat Rejoice Christian 40-7<br>2nd Round - Beat Prague 52-39<br>Quarterfinals - Lost To Jones 56-36</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 46.2 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 26.5 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no doubt that the Victory Christian Conquerors had a memorable 2023 season, even if it didn't end with a playoff run to Edmond. Victory Christian came into the season as a top five team in Class 2A and they lived up to the hype with a second consecutive 10-win season. They opened the year with an impressive win over Cascia Hall and the only loss they suffered in the first nine weeks was to Arkansas private school powerhouse Shiloh Christian. It didn't go well but Victory would bounce back and hit another gear the rest of the way. The offense would kick it into gear when district play began. They scored 50 points or more in five consecutive games. That set up a two-week gauntlet for the district title where they would play Kansas and then Kiefer in the regular season finale. They took care of Kansas with a 30-14 victory, setting up a district championship showdown with Kiefer in week ten. The Conquerors would come up short in an overtime classic, losing 40-34. They would put that loss behind them and bounce back with a dominant win over Rejoice Christian in the first round. They would then beat a Prague team that was undefeated in the second round. Then came a showdown with Jones in the quarterfinals and the season would come to an end with a 56-36 loss. For the second straight year, the Conquerors won ten games but came up short in the playoffs. But there is no doubt that the 2023 Conquerors had a memorable season. They averaged 46.2 points per game on offense and were absolutely dominant on that side of the ball all season long. Now, they will enter a new era, moving up to Class 3A with a new set of hurdles and challenges.&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 move up to Class 3A wasn't even supposed to happen until the emergency redistricting shuffle in April. The Conquerors went from 2A-1 to 3A and those challenges immediately hit another level. But they come into this season as a top ten team in our preseason 3A rankings and they have all the pieces to climb those rankings and take down some of the teams that are ahead of them in the process. On offense, they bring back six starters from last year's squad. They have talent on the offensive line and at the running back and wide receiver positions. But all eyes will be on the new quarterback after having to replace a guy who was a finalist for our Prep Redzone Okahoma Player Of The Year award following a season where he threw for over 2,000 yards and ran for over 2,000 yards. That kind of production doesn't come around very often. But whoever ends up in that spot will have talent around him. Can they average over 45 points per game again? Only time will tell but they have some skill players that we're excited about. On defense, they bring back seven starters from a year ago and this is a unit that has good players at all three levels. They will be an exciting group to watch but they'll also be challenged right from the jump. We're going to know exactly how Victory Christian compares to the rest of Class 3A in the season opener when they host the defending champs. They are definitely not easing into the new class and we know that they welcome the challenge. They are coming off back to back ten win seasons and the expectations don't change with a new class. The bar has been raised and the Conquerors are looking forward to clearing that bar and making another run 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>Ayden Hamilton - Quarterback<br>Michael Doctor - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Teyton Chandler - Linebacker</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":["1292052"],"_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-669bce273f477"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Conquerors have to replace a linebacker in Teyton Chandler that set a state record for career tackles. That's not exactly an easy task. But one player that we're definitely keeping an eye on as the season opens up is senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1292052' first='Cooper' last='Howell'] because he has the look of being the next lights out linebacker on this Conqueror defense. Last season, Howell finished the year with nearly 70 tackles and ten tackles for loss. This season, we see that production absolutely exploding after the graduation of Chandler. We watched Howell in person this spring and he looks like a player that is not only ready for the spotlight but will flourish in it. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402373"],"_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-669bce273f509"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='402373' first='Dallas' last='Dyer'] is on our short list of players that we're looking forward to seeing back on the field in 2024. Dyer got out to a hot start in the Victory Christian offense last season. He was putting up some serious numbers, not only as a running back but as a returner, on defense and as a receiver out of the backfield. But Dyer would have an injury-shortened season and he's going to be one of the players to watch this season when it comes to the “comeback athletes” following injury-plagued seasons. As we mentioned earlier in the preview, a lot of attention will be on the new quarterback but whoever it is will have easier job with Dyer in the backfield. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["339201"],"_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-669bce273f571"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior [player_tooltip player_id='339201' first='Eric' last='Peterson'] could end up being Victory Christian's swiss army knife this season and he should be ready for the role. Peterson accounted for over 800 yards of total offense a season ago and finished the year with seven touchdowns. Peterson is absolutely electric with the football in his hands. He's a legit track kid when it comes to his speed in the open field and if he gets the ball out in space, it's going to be hard to contain him, let alone chase him down. Peterson is also a standout on the defensive side of the ball as a defensive back. We think that Peterson could end up taking a major role as a leader of this team and his production could go up as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1304601"],"_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-669bce273f5ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last season, Michael Doctor was one of the more underrated wide receivers and overall athletes in the state. This season, the Conquerors could be replacing his production with another guy that should not be flying under the radar much longer. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1304601' first='Jackson' last='McCrary'] has the tools to be that guy for the Victory offense. He's a solid athlete that is only getting better and better every time he steps on the field. The 1-2 punch of Peterson and McCrary at wide receiver is going to give the Conquerors some firepower that a lot of teams will have issues defending. At this point, all signs are starting to point to McCrary having a breakout season this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["359433"],"_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-669bce273f5fd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Speaking of underrated players. Senior lineman [player_tooltip player_id='359433' first='Jayelyn' last='Robinson'] is going into his fourth season as a starter for the Conquerors on the line of scrimmage. Simply put, he's going to be one of the best players on either side of the line of scrimmage in Class 3A this season. We've known Robinson more over the last three years for what he's been able to do on the offensive line. And while that's still incredibly important and he'll play a big role for the offense this season, his play on defense is what is starting to intrigue us. Robinson will turn around and be absolutely nasty on the defensive line. Whether he's a nose guard or defensive tackle, he's a problem for opponents. </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='1245266' first='Eli' last='Dyer'] - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Elijah Childress - 2025 Defensive Lineman<br>Solomon Spivakov - 2025 Defensive Back<br>Ward Johnson - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Warrick Petit - 2025 Offensive Lineman/Linebacker</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 - Lincoln Christian<br></strong>- We mentioned earlier that Victory Christian would learn really quickly how they stacked up when it comes to moving up to Class 3A. In the season opener, the Conquerors will play host to defending state champion Lincoln Christian. The Bulldogs have been one of, if not the very best program in 3A football for about a decade. So the Conquerors will be tested right out of the gate with the Bulldogs coming in. These two teams have only met once and that was in the 2013 playoffs. <br>Sept. 6th - McLain<br>Sept. 13th - AT Holland Hall<br><strong>Sept. 27th - AT Bristow<br></strong>- District play will open up in week four and the Conquerors will begin their pursuit of success in Class 3A with a road game against Bristow. The Conquerors haven't played against Bristow since squaring off with them in non-district play during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. This will be a completely new look Bristow team under a first year head coach. They could also be a dark horse in Class 3A this season. So Victory Christian will want to get out to a fast start and leave no doubt here. <br>Oct. 10th - Lone Grove<br>Oct. 17th - Perkins-Tryon<br>Oct. 25th - Mannford<br><strong>Nov. 1st - AT Sulphur<br></strong>- In week nine, Victory Christian goes on the road for the first of two road games to end the regular season and this is the biggest one. They'll face a Sulphur team that is coming into this season as a top five preseason team and they're bringing back almost everyone from last year's team. Right now, Sulphur looks like the favorite in this district but Victory is going to know exactly who they are by the time week nine rolls around and they're no stranger to clutch district wins late in the year.<br>Nov. 8th - AT Seminole</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prior to the 2022 season, Victory Christian had to make another coaching hire. After two seasons with Dub Maddox and then two seasons with Ben Palmer, Victory Christian alum Brett Smith was named head coach. All he's done in his first two seasons is lead his alma mater to back to back ten-win seasons, an appearance in the semifinals and an appearance in the quarterfinals. Last year in particular, they had an offense that produced one the top playmakers in the state at the quarterback position as well as the state's all time leader in tackles on the defensive side of the ball. The Victory alum has been a great hire and now they're adding another alum to the staff. RJ Wakley will be coaching the quarterbacks this season and he was QB1 for the Conquerors during their run to the 2016 state championship game. And as we've mentioned a few times before, that quarterback position is definitely going to be a big key to their success this season.&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 - 10-3 - Lost In Class 2A Quarterfinals <br>2022 - 10-4 - Lost In Class 2A Semifinals<br>2021 - 9-3 - Lost In Class 2A 2nd Round<br>2020 - 6-6 - Lost In Class 2A 3rd 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><em><strong>0 State Championships</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->