Durant Lions 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 August and we're continuing our preview series! Throughout the month of July and now 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 Durant Lions!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Durant Lions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: UR In Class 5A<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: UR In Class 5A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Head Coach: Todd Vargas - 5th Season - 10-29 Record At Durant</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (5-5 Record - Missed Playoffs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 25th - Lost To Ada 14-7<br>Sept. 1st - Beat Broken Bow 20-19<br>Sept. 8th - Beat W. Rogers 41-23<br>Sept. 22nd - Lost To Sapulpa 56-0<br>Sept. 29th - Beat Glenpool 41-14<br>Oct. 6th - Beat East Central 37-12<br>Oct. 13th - Lost To Coweta 24-17<br>Oct. 19th - Lost To McAlester 56-14<br>Oct. 27th - Beat Memorial 49-20<br>Nov. 2nd - Lost To Del City 43-10</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 23.6 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 28.1 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Durant Lions took their first step towards contending for a playoff spot in 2023 and it was definitely a step in the right direction. The Lions would finish the 2023 campaign with a 5-5 record. Winning five games was definitely a big milestone after they had won just five games in the previous three seasons. The Lions started off the year with a 4-2 record and things were looking really good with a close win over Broken Bow and then comfortable wins in district play over Glenpool and East Central. In week seven, the Lions lost a heartbreaker to Coweta, falling 24-17 and that would kick off a tough stretch in the final four weeks. The Lions lost three of the last four games and would narrowly miss out on the playoffs. Durant also happened to be in one of the toughest districts in Class 5A and the four playoff teams from this district spent time in the Class 5A rankings throughout the year. The season came to an end at 5-5 and it's easy to just put teams in categories of either playoff teams or non-playoff teams. But in the case of Durant football, they definitely had a successful season and are inching closer to becoming that winner that we've said they could be over the last 18 months. They knocked on the door of winning football last season and in 2024, they look to kick the door down going into the new 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 Lions come into the 2024 season with half of their starters returning from last season. They do have to replace some key pieces on both sides of the line of scrimmage, including an All American on the defensive line. And that's a guy that you don't just plug in someone new to the lineup. But the Lions might have a future All American lurking on this defense. Durant does bring back five starters on an offense that solidly produced last season and we think they could take a step forward in that department. If they figure things out on the offensive line with the names that they have to replace, they have an experienced starter returning at quarterback that could end up producing at a high level this season. Defensively, the Lions also bring back six starters and while a story will be how they replace an All American on the defensive line, that potential future All American also happens to be on the defensive line but as an edge guy. The Lions aren't lacking talent on that side of the ball and similar to the offense, we think the Lions could improve from last year's results. The district lineup has changed up a bit and we like Durant's chances to potentially punch their ticket to the playoffs and end their postseason drought. They'll need to finish strong as the toughest stretch comes in the final three weeks of the year. But there's no doubt that Durant took the first positive step last fall and can do it again 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>Carson Allivand - Offensive Lineman<br>Tucker Dry - Offensive Lineman<br>Xadavien Sims - Defensive Lineman</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":["402370"],"_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-66b0ca9ac9094"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Over the last two years, Durant has had two of the more high-profile prospects on their roster and other guys can fly under the radar. But if you've followed our coverage of Durant, you know about junior [player_tooltip player_id='402370' first='Cole' last='Robbins'] and the versatility he brings to the football field. On offense, he can line up at any skill position but he's expected to play quarterback this season. On defense, he does a great job of roaming the secondary and Robbins has been a player that we have really liked over the last two years. Robbins can help his team in a variety of ways and we're always going to be fans of players that play with a lot of versatility and can impact a game in different spots. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402371"],"_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-66b0ca9ac90f5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We mentioned how the Lions have one of the best 2026 prospects, not only in the state but in the country and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='402371' first='Colton' last='Yarbrough'] is that guy. Over the weekend, Yarbrough became one of the first 2026 prospects in Oklahoma to announce his commitment when he committed to Arkansas. Coincidentally, Arkansas was one of the handful of schools that offered Yarbrough before he even entered high school. Yarbrough is your prototypical prospect that is among the nation's best. He passes every eye test out there and is looking to bring that domination to the field every Friday night. On paper, Yarbrough should dominate week in and week out and he's hungry to do just that this season. </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>Axel Thurman - 2026 Fullback/Linebacker<br>Grant Bull - 2026 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Holden Robinson - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Mason Bacu - 2025 Defensive Lineman<br>Rayden Rangel - 2026 Wide Receiver/Linebacker<br>Ryder Jones - 2025 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='767883' first='Shajen' last='Davis'] - 2026 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 Ada<br></strong>- The Lions will kick off their 2024 campaign on the road when they travel to Ada. There's always excitement surrounding a season opener and this year is no different as they face an Ada team that comes into this year as one of the top teams in Class 4A. Facing a top five team is definitely going to be a challenge and the Cougars have dominated this series in the last decade. They've won four in a row but Durant continues to close the gap each year. Last season, the Cougars escaped with a 14-7 win. <br>Sept. 6th - Broken Bow<br>Sept. 13th - AT Gravette, AR.<br><strong>Sept. 27th - Booker T Washington<br></strong>- In week four, Durant's pursuit of a playoff appearance will begin as district play opens up. And the Lions will start district play with a big game at home against Booker T Washington. These two teams haven't met on the football field in nearly two decades but it's a game that features two of the best defensive linemen in their respective classes. It's only week four and the first game of district play but it wouldn't be crazy to see this game end up being an elimination game for a playoff spot in November. <br>Oct. 4th - East Central<br>Oct. 11th - AT Edison<br>Oct. 18th - AT Shawnee<br><strong>Oct. 25th - Coweta<br></strong>- When we look at Durant's schedule, we think that you can certainly make the argument that the final three games are the toughest on Durant's schedule. The Lions will host Coweta in week eight and this is a rematch of last year's meeting where Durant came up short in a 24-17 loss. Coweta has been able to dominate this series but last season's meeting was definitely the closest Durant has been to knocking off the Tigers. If the Lions are going to punch their ticket to the playoffs, this is a game that should be considered a must-win. <br>Nov. 1st - AT McAlester<br>Nov. 8th - Bishop Kelley</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we mentioned earlier in the preview, Durant took that first step towards becoming a contender for a playoff spot in Class 5A. The Lions had suffered through several losing seasons in a row and then would go 5-5 during the 2023 season. Now, they have their sights set on taking the next step and punching their ticket to the playoffs. If they're able to clinch their spot in the playoffs, the Lions will be postseason-bound for the first time since 2011. First you have to crawl, then walk and then run. If Durant makes it to the playoffs and wins a game, it'll be their first playoff win since 1994. You can tell that the Lions are trending in the right direction. Now, they get a chance to prove it on the field and continue the program turnaround.&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 - 5-5 - Missed Playoffs<br>2022 - 2-8 - Missed Playoffs<br>2021 - 1-9 - Missed Playoffs<br>2020 - 2-7 - Missed Playoffs<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>2 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1983 - Beat Bristow 14-0<br>1979 - Beat Wewoka 38-32</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->