Ada Cougars OK 2025 Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% Off Your Subscription By Entering Knight25 In The Coupon Code Area. Enjoy!</strong></em></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 2025 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 Ada Cougars!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Ada Cougars</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #3 In Class 4A</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Wade Boyles - 2nd Season - 8-4 Record At Ada</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 RESULTS (8-4 Record - Lost In Class 4A Quarterfinals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30th - Beat Durant 20-13<br>Sept. 6th - Lost To Ardmore 42-18<br>Sept. 13th - Lost To McAlester 10-2<br>Sept. 27th - Beat McLain 41-12<br>Oct. 4th - Beat Poteau 19-14<br>Oct. 11th - Lost To Hilldale 47-35<br>Oct. 17th - Beat Stilwell 53-13<br>Oct. 25th - Beat Broken Bow 55-34<br>Nov. 1st - Beat Glenpool 56-30<br>Nov. 8th - Beat Sallisaw 40-14<br>1st Round - Beat Cushing 53-50<br>Quarterfinals - Lost To Bethany 30-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2024 Offensive Scoring Average: 33.2 Points Per Game<br>2024 Defensive Scoring Average: 25.8 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ada Cougars came into the 2024 football season with high expectations as they came in with a preseason top five ranking. They faced a tough non-district slate and they got off to a rough start out of the gates. They beat Durant by a touchdown in the season opener but would then drop back to back games to Ardmore and McAlester, starting the season with a 1-2 record. Ada bounced back with two straight wins to open up district play but then fell to Hilldale in week six and sat at 3-3 on the season and with how competitive this district was, they were going to be in danger of barely making or even missing out on the playoffs if they didn't take care of business down the stretch. Not only did they take care of business but they wouldn't lose again. They beat Stilwell, Broken Bow and Glenpool, setting up a district championship showdown with Sallisaw in week ten. They won in convincing fashion with a 40-14 victory. They beat Cushing 53-50 in the first round in one of the more exciting playoff games of 2024. They would then have the season come to an end after losing 30-6 to Bethany in the quarterfinals. The season was up and down with the highs of a district championship but also featured the lows of a 3-3 start and a quarterfinal exit. But as we start looking ahead to the 2025 football season, the expectations haven't changed. This is still a team that has the ability to contend for the state championship. But there's no doubt that they want to finish the job as we inch closer to the start of the 2025 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ada comes into this season as the number three team in the Class 4A preseason rankings and when you look at this team on paper, they certainly have a strong case for being one of, if not the favorites to win the whole thing in 2025. The Cougars bring back nearly everyone on the offensive side of the ball this season. They averaged north of 33 points per game in 2024 and this is a unit that could be averaging over 40 points per game this season. Nine starters are back on the offense, including a three-year starter at the quarterback position, a D1 commit on the offensive line and several skill players that were incredibly productive in 2024. So like we said, on paper, this unit looks like it could be one of the best in Class 4A throughout this season. Defensively, they also bring back the majority of their starters. Seven starters return for a defense that gave up around 25 points per game in 2024 and if they can improve on that number, the offense is certainly good enough to put the Cougars in a position where they just need to get some stops to get the win. The schedule is going to be incredibly challenging this fall. They face two preseason ranked opponents in the non-district slate and then the district might be the most competitive one in the state, regardless of class. Three teams from this district are in our preseason top five going into the year. Winning another district championship is not going to be an easy task for the Cougars in 2025. But the ultimate goal is that state championship. They've been chasing after #20 for a long time and they have a good shot to end this year with that elusive gold ball.&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>Deante Lindsay - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back (Signed With Texas Tech - All State Honorable Mention)<br>Will Johnson - Tight End/Defensive End</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":["911940"],"_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-686baec3a73ba"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='911940' first='Brock' last='Boyles'] is going into his third season as QB1 of the Cougars and is looking to lead Ada to championship #20 this year. Boyles made a big step from his sophomore to junior season. He went from throwing nearly 200 passes as a sophomore to over 300 passes as a junior. Boyles has thrown for nearly 5,000 yards and 52 touchdowns in the last two seasons. Needless to say, he has a lot of momentum going right now as we get closer to the start of this season. If Boyles can avoid the turnover bug, he certainly has the ability to take this team to the next level. He checks a lot of the boxes from a pure passer standpoint and could be primed for a monster 2025 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>(2024 All State Honorable Mention)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1326361"],"_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-686baec3a7422"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There aren't many players in Class 4A that had bigger breakout seasons than Ada's [player_tooltip player_id='1326361' first='Caron' last='Richardson'] at the running back position. As a sophomore, Richardson ran for a little over 250 yards and two touchdowns. Last season, Richardson would go for more than 1,100 yards and 17 touchdowns and he was playing some of his best football towards the end of the season. He had back to back 200-yard games late in the regular season and became a touchdown machine. Including the playoffs, Richardson would score 12 of his 17 touchdowns in the final five games of the season. If he can start this season how he ended last year, he will have a big senior season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["591882"],"_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-686baec3a746e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior offensive lineman and Memphis commit [player_tooltip player_id='591882' first='Dawson' last='Matthews'] will come into this season as one of the most experienced players in Class 4A. Matthews has been a name that we've known about since his freshman season. He's been a dominant offensive lineman since then and has just continued to get better and better. And Ada certainly has the chance to be very explosive on the offensive side of the ball but all those skill players can't do anything without a strong offensive line. And when you're talking about Ada on the line of scrimmage, the conversation starts with Matthews. He earned All State 3rd Team honors last season and comes into this year as one of the very best at the position.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>(2024 All State 3rd Team Selection)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1626580"],"_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-686baec3a74b7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1626580' first='Lakievin' last='Richardson'] returns to give Boyles a major threat in the passing game. Ada had two dynamic wide receivers last season but Richardson is the only one that returns after Lindsay graduated. Last season, Richardson would finish the year with 44 catches for over 950 yards and ten touchdowns. All eyes will be on him going into this season because he should be the top target in the passing game and lead the Cougars in every receiving category. We've mentioned a few times how Ada has the potential to explode on the offensive side of the ball this season. Having Richardson back as an overall playmaker is yet another reason why.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>(2024 All State Honorable Mention)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1626560"],"_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-686baec3a7507"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1626560' first='Owen' last='Wofford'] is one of the more intriguing 2026 prospects to watch this season. He has the size to be a tight end or even an edge rusher or outside linebacker on defense. This season, he has the potential to be Ada's swiss army knife on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he gives the Cougars a massive target in the passing game with his overall height and length. That will certainly be something they keep in mind when they get to the red zone. But defensively, Wofford actually led the Cougars in interceptions last season with six. You don't see that kind of production from a player with Wofford's size. We're looking forward to seeing what kind of season he has this fall.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong><em>(2024 All State Honorable Mention)</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1704716"],"_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-686baec3a7550"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ada will have the benefit of bringing back two of their three leading tacklers on the defensive side of the ball in 2025. Senior defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1704716' first='Wyatt' last='Kilgore'] returns, looking to cause absolute mayhem once again this season. Last year, Kilgore was third on the team in tackles with 74 on the season. But he led the team in tackles for loss with 21. Only one other player had double digit tackles for loss on this Ada defense. Kilgore also led the team in sacks and like we said, he impacted so much on the line of scrimmage. Even on plays where he wasn't making the tackle, he was causing enough chaos that it opened things up for someone else to make the play on the ball carrier or QB. </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>Camariee Richardson - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Cannan Parker - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Cody Carpenter - 2027 Running Back/Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1704522' first='Gabe' last='Gurley'] - 2029 Quarterback<br>Gage Vanhorn - 2028 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Gus Matthews - 2027 Tight End/Defensive End<br>Jake Matthews - 2027 Offensive Lineman<br>Jaylon Wortham - 2027 Running Back/Defensive Back<br>Jimmy Velazquez-Gonzalez - 2028 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Kelton Stipe - 2026 Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1650346' first='Kyler' last='Gaddis'] - 2026 Tight End/Linebacker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 SCHEDULE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aug. 29th - AT Durant</strong><br>- For the third consecutive season, Ada will kick off their year against Durant. This season, they go on the road to face the Lions and they'll be looking for their sixth consecutive win in the series. 2019 was the last time Durant was victorious. The last two meetings have each been Ada wins by 7 points.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 5th - Ardmore</strong><br>- Ada will have their home opener against Ardmore in week one. This is a series that the Cougars are determined to turn around. Ardmore hammered the Cougars last season with a 42-18 victory. Ada has dropped 9 of the last 12 in this series. This match-up features two top ten teams.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 12th - McAlester</strong><br>- This is another series that Ada is hungry to turn around as they host McAlester in week two. The non-district slate wraps up with this match-up. McAlester won 10-2 last season but this match-up could look significantly different. McAlester will have a first year head coach this season.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 26th - AT McLain</strong><br>- The district slate kicks off with back to back road games for Ada and it starts in week four with a road trip to Tulsa to face McLain. Last season, the Cougars beat the Titans 41-12 to open up district play. Prior to last season's meeting, Ada hadn't played McLain in nearly two decades with 2007 being the last time.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 3rd - AT Poteau</strong><br>- Ada goes back on the road to face Poteau in week five. The Pirates are beginning a new era under a first year head coach this season so they will look very different moving forward. Ada won 19-14 last season and that snapped a two-game losing streak to the Pirates after they fell in 2022 and 2023.<br><strong>Oct. 10th - Hilldale</strong><br>- The second half of the regular season will begin at home with a match-up against Hilldale. This game was one of the headscratchers from last season, as Ada fell 47-35 but the Cougars still went on to win the district title. Hilldale will also look quite different as they've lost a lot of talent to transfers.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 16th - Stilwell</strong><br>- It's a Fall Break Thursday night in week seven as Ada will host Stilwell and this has been a series that has been historically dominated by the Cougars. They only have five meetings in the last two decades but Ada is unbeaten during that stretch. They won 53-13 last year. They've won by at least 30+ points.<br><strong>Oct. 24th - AT Broken Bow</strong><br>- In week eight, Ada hits the road to square off with Broken Bow and this game could have plenty of fireworks. Last season, Ada prevailed 55-34 and both teams bring back the majority of their starters this year. So we could see another high-scoring affair with major district title implications.<br><strong>Oct. 31st - Glenpool</strong><br>- On a Halloween Friday night in week nine, Ada will host Glenpool. This match-up is sandwiched right in between the two toughest games on the district schedule. Ada beat the Warriors 56-30 last season and if they have a shot at the district title, this will be a must-win.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 7th - AT Sallisaw</strong><br>- In week ten, the district championship could very well be decided when Ada goes on the road to face Sallisaw. Both teams are in the preseason top five and expect to contend for much more than the district title. Ada has won the last three meetings in the last three years, including last year's 40-14 victory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ada Cougars are coming into this season with a ton of expectations and rightfully so. This is a program and more importantly a community that is starving for a shot at the state championship. From 1950-2000, you can certainly make the argument that there wasn't a better high school football program in the state. Nobody had more championships during that stretch than the Cougars. They still sit atop the state record books with 19 state championships, although now they have company on top. Last year, Carl Albert captured their 19th state championship and the race to 20 has now begun. Jenks is also right behind the cougars with 18 gold balls. We are now closing in fast on three decades since Ada's last state championship in 1996. We led this off with the fact that this is a community and a program that is starving for that state championship and the numbers back it up. This year's team has a very good shot to contend for gold, despite Class 4A being deeper and more competitive than it's been in recent memory. And when you look at how they've done in the last two seasons, this is a team that is definitely knocking on the door but they need to kick that door in this fall.&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>2024 - 8-4 - Lost In Class 4A Quarterfinals<br>2023 - 11-2 - Lost In Class 4A Semifinals<br>2022 - 7-4 - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round<br>2021 - 3-7 - Missed Playoffs<br>2020 - 5-5 - Lost In Class 4A 2nd Round</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>19 State Championships</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1996 - Beat McAlester 21-14<br>1995 - Beat Clinton 17-8<br>1994 - Beat Clinton 29-7<br>1993 - Beat Clinton 21-14<br>1991 - Beat Duncan 21-6<br>1988 - Beat Broken Bow 35-6<br>1986 - Beat Guymon 34-17<br>1980 - Beat Mustang 10-3<br>1974 - Beat Owasso<br>1970 - Beat Clinton 21-15<br>1965 - Beat Altus 18-14<br>1964 - Beat Star Spencer 33-6<br>1962 - Beat John Marshall 14-7<br>1959 - Beat Blackwell 26-0<br>1957 - Beat Harding 41-13<br>1956 - Beat Cushing 33-0<br>1955 - Beat Ardmore 18-12<br>1952 - Beat Midwest City 33-6<br>1951 - Beat Ponca City 20-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->