Wyandotte Bears 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 Wyandotte Bears!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Wyandotte Bears</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: Doug Buckmaster- 2nd Season - 9-3 Record At Wyandotte</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (9-3 Record - Lost In Class A 2nd Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 1st - Beat Oklahoma Union 32-29<br>Sept. 7th - Beat Caney Valley 49-0<br>Sept. 15th - Beat Porter 47-18<br>Sept. 22nd - Beat Fairland 13-10<br>Sept. 29th - Beat Afton 47-12<br>Oct. 6th - Beat Ketchum 29-26<br>Oct. 12th - Lost To Colcord 38-6<br>Oct. 20th - Beat Hulbert 34-12<br>Oct. 27th - Beat Quapaw 23-22<br>Nov. 3rd - Lost To Commerce 66-28<br>1st Round - Beat Panama 24-22<br>2nd Round - Lost To Hominy 49-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 28.3 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 25.3 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wyandotte Bears are definitely on the short list of teams that turned things around in a major way in 2023. The Bears had gone 1-9 in 2021, followed by a 2-8 season in 2022. They turned to coaching veteran Doug Buckmaster, who actually retired a month before. But that retirement was short-lived and he made the most of his first season leading the Bears. Wyandotte would go 9-3 and were one of the top surprise teams in Class A in 2023. They would make it to the playoffs and would eventually fall to Hominy in the second round. And there are two things that stand out about Wyandotte's 2023 campaign. First, the youth movement going on in Wyandotte. You look up and down that roster last season and it was full of juniors and sophomores. Second, the Bears absolutely dominated the close game and that's not something you see from teams that are going through a youth movement. Wyandotte had an eye-opening five games that were decided by three points or less. They won all five. The losses weren't incredibly close but having that kind of luck, skill, whatever you want to call it, to go 5-0 in games decided by three points or less is something that will stick with us when you talk about the Bears going into the 2024 season. The Bears also won their first playoff game since 2016 and they are bringing a lot of momentum, and experience into the new year. This year, they won't sneak up on anybody but they'll also have the firepower to play with just about anyone.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We mentioned that youth movement that went on in Wyandotte last season and that could pay off in a big way when you look ahead to the 2024 season. Almost everyone is back from last year's team as they bring back 18 of their 22 starters on both sides of the ball. And it all starts on offense as the Bears bring back nine starters, beginning with their quarterback who also led the team in rushing in 2023. He has some of his top targets in the passing game returning to go along with four out of five offensive linemen. This was an offense that averaged nearly 30 points per game in 2023. It would not surprise us at all if they flirted with 40 points per game in 2024. Defensively, they also bring back nine starters on that side of the ball and a lot of the names you see on offense, you'll also see on defense as some of Wyandotte's best players on offense will also double as their best players on the other side of the ball. Now, the Bears are moving up to Class 2A and into the new division of Class 2A-2, which features the 32 smallest schools in the class. And when you look at the district the Bears are in, you see the biggest hurdle to them making a run this season. It's going to be an absolute gauntlet as Wyandotte is in a district with three teams that are ranked in the top five of our preseason rankings for this class. It was a brutal draw and Wyandotte is definitely going to have their work cut out for them but we are really impressed with this team and think they'll not only compete this year, they'll be right back in the mix in 2025 as well.&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":["1360246"],"_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-66b004967f485"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This Wyandotte roster is loaded with juniors and sophomores to keep an eye on this season but one of the few seniors to watch for is [player_tooltip player_id='1360246' first='Evan' last='Brown'] on offense and defense. On offense, Brown will impact the game from the running back position. When he got his number called last season, Brown was an impactful runner. But when it comes to where he shines brightest, that would be on the defensive side of the ball. Brown was one of the team's top tacklers from his secondary position. He would finish the 2023 season with 120 tackles and a handful of interceptions. This season, he's looking to become one of the better two-way players in the class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1169618"],"_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-66b004967f4f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior quarterback and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1169618' first='Hunter' last='White'] was definitely one of the breakout players in Class A during the 2023 season. As a sophomore, White would throw for over 2,200 yards and 23 touchdowns and he also added over 800 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground. As if that wasn't enough, White also played defense at a high level and would finish with over 60 tackles and a couple interceptions. This season, White comes into the year as one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in Class 2A-2. We've mentioned how this offense could take a massive leap forward and it's because they return a player like White, who could go from breakout star to superstar in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1360248"],"_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-66b004967f539"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1360248' first='Mason' last='Brown'] returns as the top target in the passing game for 2024. Brown was second on the team in receiving and this fall, he should be the top guy in this offense. Last year, he finished with 44 receptions for nearly 750 yards and seven touchdowns. Brown is definitely in a position to be White's top target in the Wyandotte offense. And defensively, Brown will line up at the linebacker position and he was very productive on defense in 2023. He would finish the season with just over 100 tackles and there's no doubt that he's another guy on this Wyandotte roster that you have to worry about on both sides of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1360247"],"_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-66b004967f57c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1360247' first='Terry' last='Hembree'] returns to lead a Wyandotte defense that could end up being one of the more improved units in the class with all the experience and overall talent that they bring back. Last season, Hembree was another sophomore that enjoyed a breakout season and he did so in a big way. He led the team in tackles with 155 on the season and he's looking to up his production during his junior season. Hembree will also be utilized on the offensive side of the ball as a tight end but make no mistake about it, when you're watching Hembree, his greatest impact is on the defensive side of the ball, where he looks to lead the Bears in tackles again this fall. </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>Dawson White - 2026 Wide Receiver/Linebacker<br>Erik Luna - 2026 Offensive Lineman<br>Hagen Lankford - 2027 Linebacker<br>Jack Brecheisen - 2026 Defensive Lineman<br>Jack Jones - 2026 Offensive Lineman<br>Jack Strang - 2027 Offensive Lineman<br>Josiah Epperson - 2026 Linebacker<br>Kutter Thompson - 2025 Offensive Lineman<br>Talon Wyrick - 2026 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>Sept. 6th - Quapaw <br>Sept. 13th - At Ketchum<br>Sept. 20th - Fairland<br><strong>Sept. 27th - AT Colcord<br></strong>- We mentioned earlier in the preview how Wyandotte's district is going to be a tough road ahead and coincidentally, the district slate starts on the road as they'll travel to face Colcord. The Hornets are a top five team coming into this season and they have been district opponents in each of the last two years. They've met four consecutive years now and it's been all Colcord in this series. The Bears are looking for their first win since 2011 but more importantly, it would put them in a great spot in the district standings. <br>Oct. 4th - Kansas<br>Oct. 11th - AT Chelsea<br>Oct. 17th - Salina<br><strong>Oct. 25th - AT Commerce<br></strong>- An underrated match-up in this district schedule gauntlet comes in week eight as Wyandotte goes on the road to face Commerce. In the final week of the regular season last year, the Bears lost 66-28 to Commerce and it definitely left a sour taste in their mouth. The Bears are looking to turn things around in this series after they've lost the last four. And those losses haven't been particularly close. And with the district being the gauntlet that it is, the Bears can't afford to take an unexpected loss. <br><strong>Nov. 1st - Adair<br></strong>- On the first night of November, it'll be arguably the toughest game as Wyandotte hosts an Adair team that is the highest ranked squad from this district in our 2A-2 preseason rankings. The Bears haven't played Adair since 2019 and this is another series that has not gone the way of the Bears. And Adair is in a similar position to Wyandotte coming into this season. They were a surprise team in 2023 and they will bring almost everyone back off a team that captured a district title. And the district title could be on the line in this one. <br>Nov. 8th - AT Keys</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've covered Wyandotte's district in this preview and how it might be the hardest in the state, regardless of class. But the worst part of that story is that it wasn't supposed to be like this. In the 100+ team previews we've published in the last month, we've written about the emergency redistricting shuffle that took place in April. Wyandotte might be the school that got hurt the most from that decision. They were supposed to be in Class A-1 for this season and next but when the private school court ruling in April threw everyone back to the beginning, Wyandotte moved up to Class 2A-2 and fell into a district that has three teams in the top five of our preseason rankings. They went from being a team that was going to be a top ten team in Class A-1 to a borderline top ten team in their new class and they'll have to fight to make the playoffs with the way their district is set up. The Bears have a very talented and young team but some OKC-area private schools winning a court decision has really changed how this season could play out.&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 - 9-3 - Lost In Class A 2nd Round<br>2022 - 2-8 - Missed Playoffs<br>2021 - 1-9 - Missed Playoffs<br>2020 - 4-5 - Lost In Class A 1st Round<br>2019 - 4-6 - 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 -->