2A-1 State – Millwood Players To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong><em><strong><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></strong></em></strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Class 2A-1 state championship game is set! #1 Washington will square off with #2 Millwood in Edmond on Friday at 1PM. This is the first season that Class 2A has been split into two divisions but history is repeating itself with this match-up. This will be the third consecutive season that the Warriors and Falcons square off for the gold ball and Washington has walked away with that crown in each of the last two years. Millwood is getting very tired of silver and the Falcons have been looking forward to this match-up for a while now. In this breakdown, we're putting the spotlight on eight Millwood Falcons to keep an eye on Friday afternoon. These eight players have had terrific 2024 campaigns and will look to impact Friday's game. Keep it locked into Prep Redzone Oklahoma for more state championship preview content!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>RELATED</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/2024-2a-1-title-game-first-look/">- 2A-1 State Championship First Look</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/2a-1-state-washington-players-to-watch/">- Washington Players To Watch</a></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1109329' first='Anthony' last='Keys'] - Sophomore Running Back</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millwood had a very crowded backfield last season at the running back position. But despite being a freshman, [player_tooltip player_id='1109329' first='Anthony' last='Keys'] would see plenty of playing time. This season, Keys has been the main guy at running back for the Falcons and he has answered the call. He has over 200 carries this season and has well over 1,000 yards on the ground and has become a touchdown machine. Keys has 18 touchdowns on the ground and he is also their second leading receiver. The 1-2 punch of Keys and Turnbull in the Millwood backfield has been one of the better units in Class 2A-1. We knew about Keys coming into this season but he has taken his game up several notches. There's no doubt that he's one of the better running backs in 2A-1 this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='571111' first='Cameron' last='Carter'] - Senior Running Back/Linebacker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It all comes full circle with our coverage of senior [player_tooltip player_id='571111' first='Cameron' last='Carter'] ahead of the state championship game. Carter first got on our radar during the 2022 state title game between Millwood and Washington. He was one of the best players on the field that day and he's continued to be one of the best linebackers in Class 2A-1 this season. This season and last, Carter also added running back duties and has become a powerful playmaker for the Falcons when they are near the goal line or when they are looking for a two-point conversion. Carter gets one more opportunity at a state championship and one more opportunity against the Warriors. He has typically shined in these big games so we're looking forward to seeing what he does Friday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='434614' first='CJ' last='Turnbull'] - Junior Quarterback</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millwood definitely has the experience edge in this match-up at the quarterback position. While Washington is starting a freshman at quarterback, Millwood quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='434614' first='CJ' last='Turnbull'] comes into his third state championship game as QB1. And we've said this before but with the state championship game looming, it deserves to be repeated. Turnbull is one of the more improved quarterbacks and overall players in the state this season. In his first two seasons as a starter, you could see flashes of him being incredibly talented. But this year just feels different. It looks like he's playing with more confidence and trust in his own game and he's been very successful. He's produced at a very high level and helped guide Millwood back to Edmond. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1572454' first='Deshawn' last='Buford'] - Junior Linebacker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Out of all of Millwood's position groups, it's hard to not be impressed with the collection of talent that they have at the linebacker position. Junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1572454' first='Deshawn' last='Buford'] is a player that has enjoyed a breakout season this fall and looks to be a guy that can lead this Millwood defense moving forward. There are three other linebackers on this breakdown but Buford is the only non-senior. He'll be back in 2025 and will go into next season looking to become the team's leading tackler. Coming into the state title game, Buford is third on the team in tackles and as we've mentioned, the Falcon defense is going to be a critical part to their success with how explosive Washington can be on the offensive side of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1525400' first='Jordan' last='Johnson'] - Senior Offensive/Defensive Lineman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millwood has an incredibly balanced but explosive offense. But in order for them to be successful, it starts with the line of scrimmage. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1525400' first='Jordan' last='Johnson'] has proven to be incredibly valuable to the Falcons and he's done so on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Offensively, Johnson and the rest of this O-line unit has helped pave the way for a very dynamic offense. The Falcons aren't lacking playmakers but they can't do it by themselves. Defensively, Johnson has also been an impactful player on that side of the line. He's a force in the middle of the defensive line and even when he's not making the play himself, he's usually able to lock up with multiple linemen and that frees up one of Millwood's many linebackers to make the play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1572451' first='Quest' last='Morris'] - Senior Linebacker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming into this season, we didn't know much about senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1572451' first='Quest' last='Morris'] but he's without a doubt been one of the top defensive standouts for the Falcons this season. First off, Morris has a nose for the football. He's come up with multiple interceptions, forced fumbles and when he gets the ball in his hands, he's shown he can be a playmaker. Morris has multiple defensive touchdowns this season. And that's just the start of the story with him. Morris is also one of the team's leading tacklers on that side of the ball. Morris has had a very strong senior season and is a player that should be getting some looks for the next level. He's productive in just about every category you'd want from that side of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='360157' first='Xzavier' last='Thompson'] - Senior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millwood senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='360157' first='Xzavier' last='Thompson'] came into this season hungry to become the main target in this Falcon offense. He's been just that and there's been no doubt about it. Thompson has had an excellent senior campaign. He's caught 36 passes for just over 800 yards and 11 touchdowns. He's also been productive as a runner, a kick returner and even on the defensive side of the ball. In fact, Thompson should have a ton of confidence coming into this week's championship game. Millwood went to double overtime with Marlow last week. The Outlaws needed a two-point conversion to force the third overtime and it was Thompson that came up with the interception to send the Falcons back to the state championship game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1572456' first='Yaiqab' last='Johnson'] - Senior Linebacker</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Out of the four linebackers on this breakdown, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1572456' first='Yaiqab' last='Johnson'] is the player that might be flying under the radar heading into the championship game on Friday. He shouldn't be flying under the radar. Johnson doesn't have the tackle production that some of the other linebackers have but he leads the team in sacks and he does a fantastic job of separating the ball carrier from the ball. And it's pretty simple to see why when you throw on the film or watch Johnson in person. He is an absolute heavy hitter on this Millwood defense. He does such a great job of attacking the ball carrier and he always has bad intentions. We've watched Millwood in person twice this season and each time, Johnson has been a player that has stood out. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->