McAlester Buffaloes 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 McAlester Buffaloes!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>McAlester Buffaloes&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #9 In Class 5A</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Jeff Craig - 1st Season&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 RESULTS (8-3 Record - Lost In Class 5A 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30th - Beat Broken Bow 37-26<br>Sept. 6th - Lost To Poteau 16-14<br>Sept. 13th - Beat Ada 10-2<br>Sept. 27th - Beat Coweta 35-0<br>Oct. 4th - Beat Edison 60-6<br>Oct. 11th - Beat East Central 70-28<br>Oct. 17th - Beat Bishop Kelley 29-21<br>Oct. 25th - Lost To Booker T Washington 13-7<br>Nov. 1st - Beat Durant 21-15<br>Nov. 8th - Beat Shawnee 20-7<br>1st Round - Lost To Claremore 14-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2024 Offensive Scoring Average: 27.5 Points Per Game<br>2024 Defensive Scoring Average: 13.5 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The McAlester Buffaloes had a roller coaster of a season in 2024 on and off the field. They came into the season hungry to get back to winning at a high level after going 6-5 during the 2023 season. They made it to the 2021 and 2022 state title games and they were hungry to make another trip back to Edmond. The Buffaloes started the year with a 2-1 record against a non-district schedule that featured really strong 4A competition. After a week off, they opened up district play with dominant play from the start. They beat their first three district opponents all by 35 points or more. They had a showdown with Bishop Kelley and Booker T Washington in back to back weeks and went 1-1 during that stretch. They closed out the regular season with wins over Durant and Shawnee to finish the year at 8-2 and second in the district. They faced off with Claremore in the first round of the playoffs and the Buffaloes were upset in a pretty surprising 14-0 shutout loss. The season came to an end with an 8-3 record. That record was improved from 2023 but the result was the same as they were bounced out in the first round. We mentioned how it was a roller coaster off the field as well. The Buffaloes had to play the last few games of the year without head coach Forrest Mazey. He was put on administrative leave late in the regular season and would officially resign following the season. Not many teams can deal with that off the field drama and still thrive on the football field. But as one era of McAlester football comes to an end, another one is getting ready to begin in 2025.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Buffaloes made quite the splash in January when the introduced Jeff Craig as their head coach. Craig had spent 18 seasons at Blanchard and won nearly 150 games with the Lions but now he would be leading the Buffaloes into the 2025 football season. Craig inherits a team that has almost the perfect balance of experience and young talent returning this fall. Offensively, McAlester brings back five starters from last year's team. And when you look at that unit, the conversation should start with the running back position. The Buffaloes are no strangers to having one of the top running backs in Class 5A and that's what they should have again this season. They'll be breaking in a new quarterback but he's going to have some legitimate weapons at the wide receiver position. Last year, the offense averaged 27 points per game but we could see them in the 30's this season and flirting with 40 because of the firepower they have at the skill positions. Defensively, they also bring back five starters. And this is the biggest question we have about McAlester coming into this season. The Buffaloes have been really good on defense over the last several years, including giving up less than 15 points per game last season. With a new scheme and new starters throughout the unit, how will they respond? The Buffaloes will test themselves early against two top five teams in Class 4A during the non-district slate. And the district looks like it's going to be improved from last year so battling for the district title is going to be a long road. But on paper, the Buffaloes look like a team on paper that could once again contend in Class 5A.&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>Brayden Bumphus - Running Back/Defensive Back<br>Fyfer Mitchell - Linebacker<br>Will Spears - Linebacker - 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":["1175581"],"_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-687fd99625ed5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Buffaloes return their top two wide receivers and leading the way will be junior [player_tooltip player_id='1175581' first='Brandon' last='Smith'] and he's hungry for more after a breakout sophomore season. Last fall, Smith led the Buffaloes with 29 catches for a little over 600 yards and eight touchdowns. His yard and touchdown numbers were both almost good enough to be double what the second leading receiver had. Simply put, Smith was dominant during the 2024 season so it's easy to see why he'd be excited to get back on the field. With another year under his belt, Smith could end up being one of the better wide receivers in Class 5A. But more eyes will certainly be on him in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1586256"],"_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-687fd99625f63"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1586256' first='Jaxon' last='McKinney'] is in the running to be QB1 for the Buffaloes when they rumble onto the field this season. During the spring, McKinney was splitting time in the backfield with fellow sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1586758' first='Brody' last='Parker']. But if McKinney is indeed the guy, he brings a blend of athleticism to go along with the ability to push the ball down the field. And defensively, McKinney was one of the more productive defensive players that are returning this season. Last year, McKinney finished with a little over 50 tackles. Just talking from a defensive perspective, he's still going to be a player to watch. Whoever is quarterback will have some weapons around him.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["858875"],"_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-687fd99625fd7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We mentioned McAlester's run with running backs earlier. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='858875' first='Jordan' last='Clark'] has the potential to be one of, if not the best running back in Class 5A this season. He had his breakout season last fall, running for well over 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns. And if you look at the game logs, he really started to hit his stride during district play and he started rattling off 100+ yard games almost every week. Clark has made a massive jump from a physical standpoint as well. He simply looks like a player who can carry the ball 20-25 times a game and be that workhorse that the Buffaloes rely on. If this spring was any indication, Clark is about to have 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":["1689507"],"_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-687fd9962604a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We have bought all the stock we can on sophomore wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1689507' first='Rodney' last='Washington'] heading into the 2025 season. We think he is a special prospect that hardly anyone knows about in the football world. Washington was incredibly limited during his freshman season, only having a couple catches for less than 100 yards. But Washington is incredibly dynamic on the basketball floor and the athleticism is off the charts. It can translate to the gridiron and you started to see flashes of it this spring. Washington looks like he's going to be one of the better basketball prospects in the state's 2028 class but like so many similar athletes in the past, we think his ceiling will be higher in football.</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>Andrew DeLaughter - 2029 Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1586758' first='Brody' last='Parker'] - 2028 Quarterback<br>Cade French - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1599111' first='Creede' last='Tribbey'] - 2026 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>De'Veion Bickham - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Gavin B. Mason - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Jasper Meat - 2029 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Josiah Mansfield - 2029 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Kyle Moss - 2029 Athlete<br>Langston Weger - 2028 Offensive/Defensive Lineman</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 Broken Bow</strong><br>- For the sixth consecutive year, McAlester will open up the regular season against Broken Bow. This season, the Buffaloes will open up the year on the road. Last year, they beat the Savages 37-26. Since they started playing in 2020, McAlester is 5-0. The Savages are a top five team in Class 4A.<br><strong>Sept. 5th - Poteau</strong><br>- McAlester's home opener takes place in week one when the Buffaloes will host Poteau. Last season, these two teams squared off for the first time since 2019. The Pirates prevailed last year, winning 16-14. But Poteau will look very different with a new head coach and a retooled offense.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 12th - AT Ada</strong><br>- McAlester will wrap up non-district play with a rivalry road game against Ada in week two. The Buffaloes beat Ada 10-2 last season but this series has been incredibly even over the last few years. In the last six meetings, each team holds a 3-3 record. This is the second top five 4A team McAlester will face.<br><strong>Sept. 26th - Coweta</strong><br>- After a week off, McAlester will open up district play with a home game against Coweta in week four. The Buffaloes shut out the Tigers 35-0 last season. Similar to the Ada series, this one has been very even over the last few years. Both teams expect to have strong seasons in 2025.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 3rd - AT Edison</strong><br>- McAlester heads to Tulsa for the first of two trips in the regular season. McAlester rolled to a 60-6 victory over the Eagles in 2024. The 54-point win was the largest margin of victory for the Buffaloes in 2024. The Buffaloes have also won three straight in this series with Edison.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 10th - East Central</strong><br>- McAlester hosts East Central to kick off the second half of the regular season. The Buffaloes rolled to a season-high 70 points in their 70-28 victory over the Cardinals last season. They've won eight straight in the series and this is the final test before the tough part of their schedule kicks in.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 17th - AT Bishop Kelley</strong><br>- The Buffaloes head back to Tulsa in week seven to square off with Bishop Kelley. The Buffaloes beat the Comets 29-21 in their district meeting last season. Bishop Kelley eliminated McAlester in the first round of the 2023 playoffs. The Buffaloes have won three of the last five meetings.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 24th - Booker T Washington</strong><br>- In week eight, the Buffaloes will host a Booker T Washington squad that won the district after beating McAlester 13-7 a year ago. The Buffaloes want to capture the district title this season and this is a game that they have to win to do so. It'll only be week eight but this will feel like a playoff game.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 31st - AT Durant</strong><br>- On a Halloween night in week nine, McAlester heads south to Durant to square off with the Lions. McAlester beat Durant 21-15 and it was their seventh consecutive win in the series. Durant will feature several former Buffaloes that headed south and will be suiting up for Durant this fall.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 7th - AT Shawnee</strong><br>- McAlester goes back on the road in the final week of the regular season when they travel to face Shawnee. Both teams are top ten teams heading into the season so it goes without saying but this match-up will have playoff implications. McAlester won 20-7 last year and has won four straight.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Jeff Craig comes into his first season as McAlester's head coach looking to continue his winning ways. Craig was the head coach for nearly 20 seasons at Blanchard and won 145 games, including two state championships, most recently in 2023. He had the Lions as a consistent contender in Class 4A and now he's starting with a new program in McAlester. Overall, Craig has won 173 games between his stop at Blanchard and Del City before that and there aren't going to be many coaches, if any in Class 5A that have more wins and more seasons under their belt than Craig. It was definitely a move that surprised many this offseason but then again, this was an offseason that saw programs like Broken Arrow, Jenks, Muskogee, Owasso, Poteau, Union and Wagoner all open up and that's simply never happened before. Craig has a chance to get to win #200 sooner rather than later with a very talented but also young McAlester squad. And the Buffaloes are hungry to get back to making trips to Edmond a regular occurrence.&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 - 8-3 - Lost In Class 5A 1st Round<br>2023 - 6-5 - Lost In Class 5A 1st Round<br>2022 - 11-3 - Class 5A Runner Ups<br>2021 - 13-1 - Class 5A Runner Ups<br>2020 - 10-3 - Lost In Class 5A Semifinals</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>2 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1988 - Beat Altus 13-3<br>1968 - Beat Stillwater 42-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->