Idabel Warriors OK 2025 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 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 Idabel Warriors!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Idabel Warriors&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #8 In Class 3A</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Braxton Kincade - 1st Season</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 RESULTS (8-4 Record - Lost In Class 3A Quarterfinals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30th - Beat Valliant 51-13<br>Sept. 13th - Lost To Broken Bow 42-21<br>Sept. 20th - Beat Ashdown, AR. 41-0<br>Sept. 26th - Beat Holland Hall 41-7<br>Oct. 4th - Lost To Stigler 29-28 (OT)<br>Oct. 11th - Beat Muldrow 47-27<br>Oct. 17th - Beat Locust Grove 54-33<br>Oct. 25th - Beat Eufaula 37-27<br>Nov. 1st - Beat Checotah 38-23<br>Nov. 8th - Lost To Lincoln Christian 48-0<br>1st Round - Beat Claremore Sequoyah 39-21<br>Quarterfinals - Lost To Sulphur 53-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2024 Offensive Scoring Average: 34.8 Points Per Game<br>2024 Defensive Scoring Average: 26.9 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Idabel Warriors were one of many teams that were impacted by the April redistricting shuffle in 2024. Originally, they were slotted to be in Class 2A-1 for the 2024 and 2025 seasons but after that shuffle happened in April, they were bumped up to Class 3A. The Warriors kept their winning ways and once again made it to the quarterfinal round, despite moving up a class. They went 2-1 in non-district play, with the one loss coming to Broken Bow as the Savages continue to own that series. The Warriors would go into district play, beating Holland Hall in the district opener before falling to Stigler in an overtime heartbreaker. From there, the Warriors won four straight games, setting up a week ten showdown with defending champion Lincoln Christian. Idabel was shut out and they went into the playoffs as a two seed from their district. They beat Claremore Sequoyah 39-21 in the first round before losing to Sulphur in the quarterfinals. They lost two of their last three games against the teams that met for the state title. The season came to an end at 8-4 and it was their third consecutive season that ended with an appearance in the quarterfinals. For Idabel and plenty of other teams in 2024, you can't help but wonder how the season would have played out if they were in Class 2A-1. But no matter which class they were in, the Warriors were going to be a team to watch and they played like it throughout 2024.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's going to be a new era of Idabel football when the Warriors kick off the 2025 football season. First off, they have a new head coach as they promoted assistant coach Braxton Kincade to head coach this offseason. It will be his first head coaching job. But the roster is going to look pretty different as well. The Warriors lost several players that started for three to four seasons and signed with D1 programs. Offensively, the Warriors bring back six starters from an offense that averaged nearly 35 points per game. They'll have a new quarterback and have to replace a ton of production from the skill positions. But Idabel's coaches are very confident that they have the guys to do it, they just have to prove it on the field. Defensively, the Warriors bring back five starters from last year's team. The biggest area to watch is the front seven as they lost quite a bit on the line of scrimmage and at linebacker but just like with the offense, Idabel is confident that they have the guys that can fill those voids, they just might not be big names yet, but it's coming. The schedule is the same as last year, with Idabel facing two preseason top ten teams in Valliant and Broken Bow in the first two games. The district will be competitive once again but that district and Class 3A for that matter still go through Lincoln Christian. It's a new era of Idabel football but there is still plenty to be excited about as they try to make another run in 2025.&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>Markee Townsend - Defensive Lineman - Signed SE Oklahoma State - All State Honorable Mention<br>Matrail Lopez - Athlete - Signed With Oklahoma State - All State 2nd Team Selection<br>Ravian Larry - Running Back - Signed With Utah State - 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":["1719666"],"_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-687d4b14c1ed5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We mentioned how Idabel needs new playmakers to step up at the skill positions in 2025. Senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1719666' first='Benny' last='Mthethwa'] is a player that Idabel coaches are very excited about going into this fall. The Idabel senior definitely checks a lot of boxes from a physical standpoint. He's 6'3 and can absolutely fly in the open field. That combination of length and overall athleticism makes him a very interesting player to watch this season. But last fall, Mthethwa was somewhat limited because he was behind a handful of seniors. Now, as he heads into his senior season, he's going to have an opportunity to be one of the top breakout players in Class 3A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1719662"],"_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-687d4b14c1f5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Idabel lost some really good talent within their front seven on defense but one player that seems primed to take the next step is senior [player_tooltip player_id='1719662' first='Chris' last='Bloodsoe'] on the line of scrimmage. Bloodsoe was one of Idabel's top defenders last season but he might have been overshadowed by the seniors they had on the defensive line. Bloodsoe was incredibly productive, coming off the edge on this Idabel defense. He finished the year with over 70 tackles, including nearly 30 tackles for loss and he also had eight sacks. Simply put, Bloodsoe basically lived in the opponent's backfield in 2024. We expect Bloodsoe to be the leader of this Idabel defensive line as they bring in new players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["467406"],"_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-687d4b14c1fcd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We are very excited to see senior [player_tooltip player_id='467406' first='Mackylan' last='Dixon'] take the field this season. He had a really strong offseason at various 7v7 tournaments and camps and is a 2026 prospect on the rise. But he's also transitioning to a new position this season. He's been an overall athlete, moving around to a few different spots but this fall, he'll be taking over the quarterback position for the Warriors. And with Dixon running the offense, Idabel is going to be incredibly potent because he's a player that can take it the distance on every single snap. It will be fun to see how that transition plays out but when it comes to Dixon as a prospect, his ceiling continues to get higher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1719664"],"_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-687d4b14c2038"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1719664' first='Quince' last='Pond'] is another player to watch on this Idabel defense this season. Last year, Pond had a breakout year, finishing with just over 80 tackles and a handful of tackles for loss. Just like we mentioned with Bloodsoe, the Warriors need new players to step up within the front seven. But having players like Pond returning at linebacker will put Idabel in a strong position. Pond will also see time at the running back position this season. And that's another area where Idabel has to find new production after losing a D1 guy at that position. Pond is a powerful runner that could end up being a breakout two-way player in Class 3A 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>Ayden Young - 2027 Tight End/Defensive Back<br>Breylin Galloway - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Bryce Bee - 2028 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Crew Coursey - 2026 Tight End/Linebacker<br>Jecoryous Frost - 2029 Athlete<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1828873' first='Jesi' last='Luna'] - 2029 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Jordyn Lewis - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive back<br>Titus Baker - 2028 Tigh 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 Valliant</strong><br>- For the second straight season, Idabel will open up the year squaring off with Valliant. Last season, they beat the Bulldogs 51-13. It was the seventh straight year that these two met and it was also the seventh straight win for the Warriors. And this has been a series that they have been dominant.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 12th - Broken Bow</strong><br>- After an early bye week, Idabel will have their home opener against Broken Bow and the Warriors are hungrier than ever to turn things around in this series. They lost 42-21 to the Savages last year and it was the 13th straight loss in the last two decades. Broken Bow is a top five team in 4A this fall.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 19th - AT Ashdown, AR.</strong><br>- The Warriors head over to Arkansas to face off with Ashdown to wrap up non-district play in week three. This will be the third straight year that the Warriors face Ashdown in non-district play. After dropping the first meeting in 2022, they've won the last two, including last year's 41-0 win.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 26th - AT Holland Hall</strong><br>- District play kicks off with a road trip to Tulsa as Idabel will face Holland Hall in week four. The Dutch were one of a few brand new opponents for the Warriors last season with the districting reshuffle. Idabel would take care of business in their first match-up, winning 41-7 in 2024.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 3rd - Stigler</strong><br>- It's just the second home game in their first six games but the Warriors will host Stigler in week five. The Warriors dropped a 29-28 heartbreaker to the Panthers last season. And they've lost the last two in this series. But last year was the first time they've faced Stigler since 2019.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 10th - AT Muldrow</strong><br>- It's back to the road for Idabel to kick off the second half of the regular season with a week six game against Muldrow. Last season was the first meeting between these two teams since they were district opponents in 2016 and 2017. Idabel beat the Bulldogs 47-27 in last year's meeting.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 16th - Locust Grove</strong><br>- On a Fall Break Thursday night, Idabel will host Locust Grove in week seven. The Pirates were another new district opponent for the Warriors and they won a high-scoring 54-33 victory over Locust Grove. But the Pirates will look pretty different as they lost their head coach and star QB this spring.<br><strong>Oct. 23rd - Eufaula</strong><br>- The Warriors host Eufaula in week eight and they are going to be looking for their third consecutive win in the series. These two started playing in 2020 and Eufaula had a three-game winning streak from 2020-2022 but it's been all Warriors in the last two, including last year's 37-27 win.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 31st - AT Checotah</strong><br>- On a Halloween Friday night in week nine, Idabel hits the road to face off with Checotah. The Wildcats made a run to the 3A semifinals last year but they have to replace the state's top player from 2024. Idabel also beat Checotah in their meeting last season, winning 38-23.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 7th - Lincoln Christian</strong><br>- If you want to contend in Class 3A, you have to go through Lincoln Christian. The regular season will come to an end in week ten with a home game against the two-time defending champs. The Warriors were shut out 48-0 in last year's meeting and the Bulldogs are once again the 3A favorites.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We saw quite a bit of coaching changes this offseason. Some of the top programs in the state will be going into this season with first year head coaches and Idabel is one of those programs. Following the 2024 football season, Scott Pratt stepped down as head coach of the Warriors and took the same position at Plainview. The Warriors would promote within, naming assistant Braxton Kincade their next head coach. He's been an assistant coach for Idabel over the last few years and the Warriors have had one of their better runs during that time. In the last three seasons, Idabel has gone 28-9 with three straight trips to the quarterfinals. And despite moving up from Class 2A to 3A in 2024, the Warriors still made it to the quarterfinal round. Kincade brings a lot of energy to the position and he's looking to keep up Idabel's winning ways and turn them into that consistent contender in Class 3A.&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 3A Quarterfinals<br>2023 - 11-1 - Lost In Class 2A Quarterfinals<br>2022 - 9-4 - Lost In Class 2A Quarterfinals<br>2021 - 4-6 - Missed Playoffs<br>2020 - 6-3 - Lost In Class 2A 1st Round</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 -->