Locust Grove Pirates 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 Locust Grove Pirates!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Locust Grove Pirates</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: UR In Class 3A<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: UR In Class 3A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Head Coach: Paul Hix - 2nd Season - 3-7 Record At Locust Grove</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 - Lost To Pryor 45-14<br>Aug. 31st - Lost To Salina 22-6<br>Sept. 7th - Beat Adair 60-46<br>Sept. 15th - Lost To Claremore Sequoyah 49-8<br>Sept. 29th - Lost To Stigler 71-30<br>Oct. 6th - Lost To Berryhill 48-6<br>Oct. 12th - Lost To Checotah 42-24<br>Oct. 20th - Beat Muldrow 42-27<br>Oct. 27th - Beat Seminole 46-36<br>Nov. 3rd - Lost To Lincoln Christian 55-16</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 24.4 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 44.1 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Locust Grove Pirates began a new era in 2023 as Paul Hix took over as head coach of the Pirates. He was handed the keys to a Pirate football program that had been struggling for several seasons. They hadn't won more than three games in a season since 2018 and while the 2023 season also ended with just three wins, you could see this program turning towards a positive direction. The season started with a 1-6 start, with the only win coming in non-district play. They beat Adair 60-46 and Adair would actually go on to win their district championship. Locust Grove would win two out of their last three games and finished the season at 3-7. They missed out on the playoffs but again, we think that the Pirates are going in a positive direction moving forward. They have a lot of talent coming back and we think that this is a Locust Grove community that is hungry to win at a high level once again. And when Locust Grove has had success, they've had a high-scoring offense, led by a dynamic quarterback and that's what the Pirates have coming into the 2024 football 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 Pirates averaged just shy of 25 points per game in 2023 and we think that they are going to have a significant improvement as they go into a new season. Locust Grove brings nine starters back on the offensive side of the ball and they'll be led by one of the best quarterbacks in Class 3A football. He has the potential to beat defenses with his arm or his legs and with an experienced unit around him, he could put up some big numbers and this offense could light up the scoreboard. And the offense isn't the only unit that should improve going into the new year. The defensive side of the ball also brings back nine starters and the Pirates are expecting to take the next step as they continue to implement their 3-4 aggressive defense. Now, as experienced as the Pirates are and they are led by a potential star at quarterback, they will also be challenged in 2024. They are in a very tough district and they play a tough schedule as a whole in 2024. The goal is to get back to winning football and punch their ticket back to the playoffs. If they're able to do that, it will be a very successful season.&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":["1367294"],"_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-66b7bc6cdf487"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Locust Grove offense certainly has the potential to be a pretty potent unit this season with the talent they bring back at the skill positions and at QB1. But the Pirates can't move the ball unless they have success on the line of scrimmage. Locust Grove also brings back experience along the offensive line and senior [player_tooltip player_id='1367294' first='Kade' last='Vann'] is one of those guys. The Pirates expect him to contribute on both sides of the ball because he's a three-year starter and will impact both sides of the line of scrimmage. On offense, look for Vann to be one of the leaders of the offensive line and on defense, look for him to create havoc for opponents. Either way, Vann is a name to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["428958"],"_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-66b7bc6cdf4f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We mentioned earlier in the preview how Locust Grove's offense could really explode this season behind a potential star at quarterback. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='428958' first='Titan' last='Hix'] is that guy and he's going into his third season as a starter. He was a breakout player during his freshman season at Hennessey and he had a solid first season under center with Locust Grove. Hix is a complete dual-threat quarterback and he's just as dangerous throwing the ball down the field as he is when he tucks the ball and runs. He put up some good numbers during his first season as QB1 but Hix is looking to take that next step. Every time we've seen him in person, he's been absolutely lights out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1367298"],"_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-66b7bc6cdf53b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1367298' first='Zander' last='Messer'] emerged as the top target in the Locust Grove offense last season. Messer was somewhat of an unknown around this time last year but that certainly did not last long. He would lead the team in receptions, yards and receiving touchdowns in 2023. And as we start looking ahead to the 2024 football season, Locust Grove's coaches are expecting him to take another step up in his production. Messer was a weapon at wide receiver and he should have a solid junior season this fall. And the 1-2 punch of Hix at quarterback and Messer at wide receiver will be a fun combination to watch and could be up there in Class 3A. </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>Casyn King - 2025 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back/Kicker<br>Josh Sitsler - 2025 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Tyler Wiggins - 2025 Tight End</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>Aug. 30th - Dewey<br>Sept. 5th - AT Salina<br><strong>Sept. 13th - Adair<br></strong>- In week two, Locust Grove will play in their final non-district contest and it should be a good one. The Pirates will host Adair and the Warriors are coming into this season as one of the top teams in the new Class 2A-2. The Pirates won a high-scoring 60-46 contest against Adair last season and it was their second straight win over Adair. This series has gone in stretches of streaks and the Pirates are looking to extend their winning streak this fall. Both teams bring back the majority of their starters from 2023. <br>Sept. 27th - AT Checotah<br>Oct. 4th - Eufaula<br><strong>Oct. 11th - AT Lincoln Christian<br></strong>- The second half of the regular season begins with the toughest match-up on the Locust Grove schedule. The Pirates will travel to face defending champion and 3A's preseason number one team in Lincoln Christian. The Bulldogs were supposed to be in Class 4A this fall but after April's emergency redistricting, Lincoln came back to Class 3A and will get a chance to defend their crown. The Pirates have struggled against Lincoln, losing in each of the last four seasons. They're looking for their first win since 2017. <br>Oct. 18th - Idabel<br>Oct. 25th - AT Stigler<br><strong>Nov. 1st - Holland Hall<br></strong>- On the first day of November, Locust Grove will play their final home game of the regular season. They'll host a Holland Hall team that is looking to return to contending for the Class 3A crown. Just like Lincoln Christian, the Dutch were supposed to be in Class 4A this fall but now find themselves in a new district. By the time week nine rolls around, the Pirates should know exactly where they stand in the district standings and what they need to do to punch their ticket to the postseason. <br>Nov. 8th - AT Muldrow</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pirates are not only looking to return to the playoffs in 2024, they are also looking to return to winning football and they aren't that far removed from being one of the better teams in Class 3A. While they've had losing seasons in each of the last five years, the first part of the decade included Locust Grove winning double digit games and making deep runs in the playoffs. And when you look at those years, the Pirates were led by a dynamic quarterback who lit up the scoreboard in Mason Fine. This season, the Pirates have another dynamic quarterback returning in Hix and while he brings something different to the offense, we think that he will lead the offense to a significant improvement this season. And with the offense humming, don't be surprised to see the Pirates winning more games, making it back to the playoffs and having things feel a lot like they did a decade ago.&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 - 2-8 - Missed Playoffs<br>2021 - 2-8 - Missed Playoffs<br>2020 - 2-8 - Lost In Class 3A 1st Round<br>2019 - 2-8 - 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 -->