Christian Heritage Crusaders 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 Christian Heritage Crusaders!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Christian Heritage Crusaders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #4 In Class A-1</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Joel Franks - 5th Season - 27-18 Record At Christian Heritage</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 RESULTS (9-4 Record - Lost In Class A-1 Semifinals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30th - Lost To Oklahoma Christian 19-13<br>Sept. 13th - Beat Crooked Oak 45-0<br>Sept. 20th - Lost To Rejoice Christian 52-21<br>Sept. 27th - Beat Walters 24-7<br>Oct. 4th - Beat Wynnewood 37-16<br>Oct. 11th - Beat Stratford 42-6<br>Oct. 17th - Beat Frederick 24-0<br>Oct. 25th - Beat Okemah 26-0<br>Nov. 1st - Lost To Minco 12-0<br>Nov. 8th - Beat Hobart 29-26<br>1st Round - Beat Hinton 32-0<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Pawhuska 38-36<br>Semifinals - Lost To Rejoice Christian 33-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2024 Offensive Scoring Average: 25.9 Points Per Game<br>2024 Defensive Scoring Average: 15.9 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At this time last year, we were writing about the Christian Heritage Crusaders and how the 2023 season was a rare one as they missed out on the playoffs. The Crusaders came back with a vengeance in 2024. They came into the season as a top ten team but they stumbled a few times out of the gates. Facing a tough non-district schedule, the Crusaders began with a 1-2 record after losses to OCS and Rejoice Christian. They bounced back in a major way. Christian Heritage would win their next five games and were rather dominant during that winning streak. They tripped up against Minco in week nine but beat Hobart the following week to clinch the district championship. The regular season came to an end with the Crusaders having a 7-3 record and some momentum behind that district title run. They shut out Hinton in the first round and that would be their fourth shutout victory in 2024. They took down Pawhuska in the quarterfinals in an incredibly exciting game. But the season came to an end when they lost to Rejoice Christian in the semifinals. Rejoice went on to capture the state championship. But one year after going 5-5 and missing out on the playoffs, they would bounce back in a major way with a 9-4 record and came one game shy of making it to the state championship game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After missing the playoffs in 2023, Christian Heritage might have gone into the 2024 season as a team under the radar. That won't be the case this year as the Crusaders are coming off a district title, a semifinal appearance and they are a top five team in our Class A-1 preseason rankings. The Crusaders bring back a little over half of their starters from last year's team. Six starters are back on the offensive side of the ball. They have a good mixture of experience on the line of scrimmage and at the skill positions. Defensively, the Crusaders also bring back six starters and similar to offense, they have experience at all three levels of a defense that was incredibly underrated in 2024. They gave up a little under 16 points per game last season. They had four shutout victories on the season and they could be even better in 2025. But just like in 2024, the Crusaders are going to come out of the gates with a very tough schedule. They will play OCS and Rejoice Christian in non-district play. All eyes will be on that Rejoice rematch after they met twice in 2024. But the Crusaders will then enter district play as the favorites to capture the district title. And as we learned last season, if they win the district, it sets them up with a possible road to Edmond when the playoffs arrive. Christian Heritage is hungry for their first state title appearance since 2018.&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>Caleb Gideon - Running Back/Linebacker<br>Nathan Dinwiddie - Kicker (All State Honorable Mention)</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":["1707975"],"_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-68716942acc51"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Christian Heritage could make a big jump forward on the offensive side of the ball and senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1707975' first='Asher' last='Edelen'] is a big reason why. He's one of the top returning playmakers on the offensive side of the ball for the Crusaders this fall. Edelan could end up taking over the leading receiver role and become that go-to target in the Christian Heritage passing game. Now, it's going to be interesting to see how balanced the Crusaders are offensively because they can attack opponents in several different ways. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1337335"],"_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-68716942accb4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1337335' first='Dillon' last='French'] returns and we're looking forward to seeing what kind of impact he can have on the Crusaders this season. Last year, it was French that made one of the biggest plays of the season. In the quarterfinal round against Pawhuska, the Huskies were about to score again to extend a lead but French would force a turnover and nearly scored on the return. Instead of giving up points, the Crusaders cashed in on the turnover and they came back to run away with that game. He's definitely a name to watch after performing in the clutch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1337332"],"_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-68716942acd05"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior quarterback and overall athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1337332' first='Marshall' last='Brown'] returns for another season in the Crusader offense. On the breakdown, Brown is listed as a quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back. Brown is going to be an overall playmaker to watch this season. Like we've mentioned a few times already, we think that Christian Heritage could be very explosive on the offensive side of the ball. Now, Brown could end up leading the way in that department. This could end up being a big season for Brown and the rest of the Crusader offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1707977"],"_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-68716942acd56"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1707977' first='Silas' last='McGee'] is another offensive player to keep an eye on this season. McGee is listed as a running back and a linebacker. Offensively, he'll play a key role for the Crusaders in the running game. They lost a very talented running back to graduation so finding someone to replace that production is going to be a high priority. McGee certainly has the potential to be that guy but he's going to have to produce on the field. Whether it's on offense or defense or both, we anticipate McGee having a strong senior 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>Bennett Orr<br>Brenton Burris<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1670438' first='Brody' last='Fisher']<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1832505' first='Nathaniel' last='Walsh']<br>Slate Snider</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 Oklahoma Christian School</strong><br>- For the sixth consecutive season, Christian Heritage kicks off their season against Oklahoma Christian School. And the Crusaders will be hungry to turn things around in this series. The Saints have won six straight in the series, including winning 19-13 last season in the opener.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 12th - Crooked Oak</strong><br>- After a week off, Christian Heritage has their home opener in week two against Crooked Oak. This has been arguably the best series for the Crusaders over the last 15 years. They are a perfect 11-0, including last year's 45-0 victory. That would be their largest margin of victory in 2024.<br><strong>Sept. 19th - Rejoice Christian</strong><br>- Christian Heritage wants to contend for the state championship and here's the measuring stick. Rejoice Christian comes to town in week three and the Eagles will be looking to defend their state title. These two teams met twice in 2024 and Rejoice won both match-ups on their way to the gold ball.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 26th - AT Walters</strong><br>- District play will open up for Christian Heritage in week four with a road game against Walters. Last season, the Crusaders would bounce back from the loss to Rejoice with a 24-7 win over Walters. After the redistricting shuffle, the Crusaders got several new opponents and Walters was one of them.<br><strong>Oct. 3rd - Wynnewood</strong><br>- In week five, Christian Heritage will host Wynnewood. The Crusaders beat the Savages 37-16 last season. And similar to Walters, Wynnewood was a brand new opponent for Christian Heritage. Prior to last season, these two teams had never met on the gridiron.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 10th - AT Stratford</strong><br>- The second half of the regular season begins with a road game against Stratford in week six. The Crusaders rolled to a 42-6 victory over Stratford in 2024. Prior to that, they met in the 2022 playoffs, with Christian Heritage winning that one. Overall, they are 4-0 against Stratford since 2020.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 16th - Frederick</strong><br>- On a Fall Break Thursday night, Christian Heritage will host Frederick in week seven. Last season, the Crusaders would shut out the Bombers, winning 24-0. Frederick was another new district opponent for Christian Heritage but it wasn't their first meeting. They met in the 2020 playoffs.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 24th - Okemah</strong><br>- Christian Heritage hosts Okemah in week eight before finishing up their last two regular season games on the road. The Crusaders got another shutout victory in this match-up a year ago. It was the first time that these two teams met on the gridiron since playing in non-district play in 2017.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 31st - AT Minco</strong><br>- Arguably the biggest district game on the slate comes on a Halloween night in week nine. Christian Heritage goes on the road to face a Minco team that beat them in 2024. That was the lone blemish on their district record. Minco has also won four out of the last five in this series.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 7th - AT Hobart</strong><br>- In the regular season finale, Christian Heritage will go on the road to face Hobart in week ten. Last season, the Crusaders needed this win to clinch the district title and they won a close one, 29-26. Hobart was another new opponent for Christian Heritage. 2024 was their first ever meeting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christian Heritage became an official member of the OSSAA in 2008 and has become a very consistent playoff team ever since. Although they are trying to stop a trend that has begun over the last several years. Starting in 2018, when Christian Heritage made a run to the state championship game, they would start missing the playoffs every other year. They missed 2019 and then made the playoffs in 2020. They missed again in 2021 and then made it in 2022. After missing the postseason in 2023, they bounced back with last year's semifinal run. If that trend continued, they'd go from a district champion last year to missing out on the playoffs altogether this season. Now, we think that the playoff trend is more of a coincidence and it would be pretty surprising if the Crusaders miss out on the playoffs in 2025. They'll be challenged early but they are still the team to beat within their district.&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 - 9-4 - Lost In Class A-1 Semifinals<br>2023 - 5-5 - Missed Playoffs<br>2022 - 9-3 - Lost In Class A 2nd Round<br>2021 - 4-6 - Missed Playoffs<br>2020 - 7-5 - Lost In Class A 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>0 State Championships</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->