Weatherford Eagles 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 Weatherford Eagles!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Weatherford Eagles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #6 In Class 4A<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: UR In Class 4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Head Coach: Taylor Sossamon - 1st Season </strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (6-5 Record - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 25th - Lost To Newcastle 34-14<br>Sept. 1st - Beat Kingfisher 37-17<br>Sept. 8th - Beat El Reno 28-26<br>Sept. 15th - Lost To Elgin 42-7<br>Sept. 22nd - Beat Chickasha 35-15<br>Sept. 29th - Beat Woodward 43-0<br>Oct. 6th - Lost To Clinton 17-0<br>Oct. 12th - Beat Cache 23-14<br>Oct. 20th - Lost To Elk City 21-14<br>Oct. 27th - Beat John Marshall 42-16<br>1st Round - Lost To Tuttle 48-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 24 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 22.7 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Weatherford Eagles came into the 2023 season with high expectations following a 5-5 season in 2022. With almost everybody back, the Eagles came in as a top five team in the Class 4A preseason rankings. It was a bumpy start during non-district play. The Eagles lost to Newcastle in the season opener and then lost at home to Elgin in week three. Sandwiched in between those losses were two wins over Kingfisher and El Reno and they entered district play with a 2-2 record. They began district play with back to back wins over Chickasha and Woodward and it looked like the Eagles were getting back into the swing of things. But a shutout loss to Clinton in week six would put them in a position where they couldn't afford another loss if they still had district title aspirations. They would beat Cache the following week by a 21-14 loss to Elk City would take the Eagles out of the district championship race but they were firmly in the playoffs at that point. They finished off the season in week nine against John Marshall with another easy win and they spent the final week of the regular season getting ready for the playoffs. The Eagles would have to go on the road to face perennial power Tuttle in the first round and for the second straight year, Weatherford's season came to an end in the first round. But as we start looking ahead to the 2024 season, it's hard to not buy back into the Eagles because once again, they have the majority of their starters returning and they have some serious talent coming back. Now they get an opportunity to prove it on the field.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weatherford is bringing back 17 starters on both sides of the ball coming into the 2024 season. The Eagles will really look strong on offense with nine starters back on that side of the ball. This is a unit that averaged 24 points per game but it would not be surprising if that number got a massive spike this fall. They have an experienced and talented quarterback returning along with several weapons at the wide receiver position that will make them very tough to stop this season. On defense, they bring back eight starters and similar to the offensive side of the ball, this is a unit that could see a dramatic improvement in 2024 considering who they bring back, specifically in the front seven. And this was a defense that bowed up at times during the 2023 season. The Eagles are also moving into a new era in 2024. Back in January, Taylor Sossamon was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach. So while it'll be a new era with a new head coach, it's not a new name and it's someone that the Eagles are very comfortable with. That familiarity, combined with the amount of returning starters will help the Eagles face a very tough 2024 schedule. Weatherford will challenge themselves against a very tough non-district slate before going into a district that also features the preseason number one team in Class 4A. The Weatherford coaches are excited about the potential of this year's team. They are extremely experienced and have the potential to be one of the top teams in the class. This is a senior-heavy, hungry team that looks to climb the Class 4A mountain once again.</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>Carter Teasley - Defensive Lineman<br>Gage Stegall - Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Logan Doyals - Defensive 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":["353421"],"_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-669349c4b8224"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior [player_tooltip player_id='353421' first='CJ' last='Nickson'] returns for his final season and there is no doubt that the Oklahoma commit has been one of the best two-sport athletes in the state over the last several years. Nickson first broke out on the basketball court, helping Weatherford's basketball team to the state championship and emerging as a legitimate D1 guy. Following his sophomore year, he also emerged as not only a legitimate D1 guy in football, but an elite prospect in the state's 2025 class. This summer, Nickson announced his commitment to Oklahoma and we're fired up to see what he does for his senior season. Whether it's at wide receiver or coming off the edge on defense, Nickson has the tools to be elite. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1332308"],"_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-669349c4b8287"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One of the biggest strengths of this team is the experience they have on both sides of the ball. There might not be a better example of that than senior lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1332308' first='Cutler' last='Rollins'] as he enters his fourth season as a starter for the Eagles. Whether it's on the offensive line or defensive line, Rollins has the ability to be a steady and consistent presence on the field for the Eagles. The Weatherford coaches believe that Rollins is an underrated player and it's easy to see why considering he's been starting for the past three seasons. We really like Weatherford's front seven and Rollins will have the ability to set the tone on the defensive line as well as help the offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["897689"],"_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-669349c4b82ce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another big reason why we like the Weatherford defense is senior [player_tooltip player_id='897689' first='Steele' last='Chism'] returning at the linebacker position. Chism had a breakout season during his sophomore year, leading the team in tackles with over 100 on the season. Last year, he returned and did it again as a junior. Despite playing in only eight games, Chism still led the team in tackles with 110 on the year. Now, Chism is going into this season as one of the best linebackers in Class 4A and this is a class that has some really talented and productive linebackers. But after the last two seasons, Chism has earned his way on that list. As long as Chism is on the field, the Weatherford defense is in a good spot. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["988903"],"_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-669349c4b830f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's not very often that you consider a team's quarterback as the team's possible X-factor but that might be the case with senior [player_tooltip player_id='988903' first='Stone' last='Chism'] this season. Chism comes into this year as an experienced quarterback that will be one of the better dual-threat athletes at the position in Class 4A. Chism is just as dangerous on the ground as he is as a passer. And the Eagles aren't lacking firepower at the wide receiver position so Chism could end up posting monster numbers as a passer and as a runner. Chism also plays on the defensive side of the ball as a hard-hitting safety. Simply put, he'll be one of the better athletes in Class 4A football this season and if healthy, he should have a big year. </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>Austin Burkeen - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Cooper Bryant - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Jace Rosenkranz - 2026 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>JaKoby Flynn - 2027 Athlete<br>Jordan Martinez - 2026 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Lukas Burd - 2026 Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1232583' first='Nick' last='Jett'] - 2025 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Talon Scott - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Ty Short - 2026 Running Back/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>Sept. 6th - AT Kingfisher<br>Sept. 13th - El Reno<br><strong>Sept. 20th - AT Pauls Valley<br></strong>- There won't be many 4A-3A match-ups that will be better than this week three clash when the Eagles hit the road to face Pauls Valley. And this match-up is very intriguing for multiple reasons. First off, both teams have top ten overall prospects so it won't be lacking star power. Then throw in the fact that these programs are somewhat mirror images of each other coming into this season and the intrigue goes up. Both have been borderline .500 teams over the last few years but have high expectations in 2024. <br><strong>Sept. 27th - Clinton<br></strong>- These two western Oklahoma programs have been district foes for about a decade now. So when Weatherford opens up district play in week four, it feels fitting that they do it against traditional power Clinton. Both of these teams come into this season as top ten teams in the preseason rankings and have high expectations for 2024. These teams have gone back and forth in the series in the last four seasons. Clinton got the best of Weatherford last year and in 2021 while the Eagles won in 2022 and 2020. <br>Oct. 4th - AT Douglass<br>Oct. 11th - Cache<br><strong>Oct. 17th - AT Elgin<br></strong>- We mentioned earlier that Weatherford's district was led by the preseason number one team in Class 4A. That team is Elgin and in week seven, the Eagles go on the road to face the Owls in a game that could end up deciding the district championship. This wasn't supposed to be a district clash until the April court ruling forced an emergency redistricting shuffle. Elgin went from 5A to 4A and the Eagles went from seeing them in non-district action the last two years to playing them in October with much more than bragging rights on the line. <br>Oct. 25th - AT Elk City<br>Nov. 1st - Woodward<br>Nov. 8th - AT Bridge Creek</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another game that Weatherford will have circled on their calendar is the season opener. And look, the season opener is always going to be a game that gets circled on a schedule. But this one is going to feel somewhat different considering who the opponent is. The Eagles are opening the season on the road to face off with Kingfisher. And former head coach Reagan Roof is going into his first season as Kingfisher's head coach. At the beginning of this year, Roof was announced as the next head coach of the Yellowjackets after a successful stint as Weatherford's head coach. He helped lead the Eagles to the 2019 state championship game and had made the playoffs in every season with the exception of the 2021 postseason. A few weeks after Roof was announced as Kingfisher's head coach, Sossamon was promoted to the head coaching position at Weatherford. Sossamon will square off with his former boss to open the 2024 season and the storylines will write themselves during the week leading up to kickoff.&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 4A 1st Round<br>2022 - 5-5 - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round<br>2021 - 4-6 - Missed Playoffs<br>2020 - 8-1 - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round<br>2019 - 11-3 - Class 4A Runner Ups</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>1999 - Beat Fort Gibson 46-0<br>1992 - Beat Clinton 21-6<br>1991 - Beat Oologah 27-17</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->