Norman Tigers 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 Norman Tigers!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Norman Tigers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: UR In Class 6A-1</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Rocky Martin - 9th Season - 38-48 Record At Norman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 RESULTS (10-2 Record - Lost In Class 6A-1 Quarterfinals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 6th - Beat Norman North 37-27<br>Sept. 13th - Beat Edmond Santa Fe 34-14<br>Sept. 20th - Beat Piedmont 41-14<br>Sept. 27th - Beat Edmond North 30-0<br>Oct. 4th - Lost To Jenks 31-12<br>Oct. 10th - Beat Enid 49-7<br>Oct. 17th - Beat Moore 42-35<br>Oct. 25th - Beat Deer Creek 54-27<br>Nov. 1st - Beat Mustang 40-28<br>Nov. 8th - Beat Bixby 31-20<br>1st Round - Beat Westmoore 68-28<br>Quarterfinals - Lost To Edmond Memorial 49-20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2024 Offensive Scoring Average: 38.2 Points Per Game<br>2024 Defensive Scoring Average: 23.3 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Norman Tigers came into the 2024 football season on the outside of the preseason top ten rankings. Shows you how much preseason rankings mean. The Tigers would become one of the surprise teams in Class 6A-1, sending shockwaves throughout the class and winning 10 games in a season for the first time in nearly three decades. They opened the year with an impressive start. They beat rival Norman North in the opener and then took care of Edmond Santa Fe, Piedmont and Edmond North to start the year 4-0. They tripped up against Jenks in week five but wouldn't lose the rest of the year. They switched gears and were one of the best offenses in the state. In the four games after losing to Jenks, they scored at least 40 points in all four games. They had a showdown with Bixby on the road in week ten and that's when the shockwaves occurred. Norman knocked off the Spartans 31-20 to finish the regular season at 9-1. There was a three-way tie atop the district standings and despite beating Bixby and playing excellent football in the final five weeks, Norman was the third place finisher in that three-way tie. They opened the playoffs with a 40-point win over Westmoore in the first round. That set up a westside showdown between the Tigers and Edmond Memorial for a spot in the 6A-1 semifinals. The Bulldogs prevailed and Norman's season came to an end at 10-2. But there is no debate that the 2024 football season was still a memorable one for the Tigers and the arrow is pointing up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maybe we didn't learn our lesson from last year and maybe this is more fuel to the Norman fire but the Tigers come into this season just outside of the preseason top ten after losing quite a bit on both sides of the ball to graduation. Now, don't get us wrong, the Tigers still have some major talent returning for the 2025 football season but there is no doubt that the Tigers are going to look different. Last season, they became one of the top offenses in Class 6A-1, averaging nearly 40 points per game. But they bring back six starters from that side of the ball and need to find a new quarterback and some new weapons at wide receiver. The Tigers got two new additions at QB, who started for other programs last year. So whoever wins the job is not going to be lacking starting experience. Defensively, the Tigers also bring back six starters and that's where they could be at their best this season. They have some dudes at all three levels of the defense and while they have to replace one of the best linebackers in the state from a year ago, they also bring back plenty of production to make this unit one to watch this season. Last season, the Tigers won 10 games for the first time since 1997 and that's the goal again this year. The district is going to be incredibly competitive with Bixby, Jenks and Mustang all in the top five of the preseason rankings. But as Norman showed us last year and could possibly show us again this year, preseason rankings don't mean anything and Norman is looking to continue their winning ways that began last year.&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>Behrett Boyd - Linebacker - All State 1st Team Selection<br>Kenneth Rosario - Defensive Back<br>Phoenix Murphy - Quarterback - 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":["1699031"],"_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-6883b0a345890"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1699031' first='Addox' last='Sanders'] is the first of two D1 commits on the Norman roster as of right now. Earlier this offseason, Sanders announced his commitment to Navy. He had been pursued by the military academies but ultimately settled on Navy. With Sanders returning, Norman has some talented experience returning to their secondary. Last season, he finished the year with nearly 40 tackles, nearly double digit pass breakups and a pair of interceptions. But as we say all the time when you're talking about the cornerback position. Stats don't tell the whole story but film does. Eventually, teams stopped trying to test Sanders because he kept making play after play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["478923"],"_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-6883b0a3458ee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='478923' first='Anthony' last='Johnson'] is definitely a name to keep an eye on this season. Last year, the Tigers were prolific in the passing game and they lit up the scoreboard behind a dynamic quarterback. This year, they have a new signal caller and they look to be more balanced on that side of the ball. That's where Johnson could really explode. Last season, he finished with nearly 700 yards and three touchdowns. He also had over 100 yards and a pair of touchdowns as a receiver out of the backfield. Johnson finished his junior season with 88 carries but we expect that workload to go up significantly this season as he has the tools to be one of the better backs in 6A-1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["595759"],"_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-6883b0a34593f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior [player_tooltip player_id='595759' first='Crew' last='Noles'] is one of the more intriguing 6A-1 players coming into this season because at this point, we have no idea what he is. You could simplify it and just call him a playmaker because the stats back it up on the offensive side of the ball. Last season, Noles finished the year with a little over 50 receptions for over 800 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also had nearly 40 carries for over 200 yards and seven touchdowns. Wherever Norman needed Noles to line up, he was not only able to produce, he produced at a high level. We like that versatility and overall athletic ability as the Tigers look to find a new identity heading into 2025. Whatever it is, Noles will be heavily involved. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["858872"],"_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-6883b0a34598c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='858872' first='Julius' last='Stephens'] is the other D1 commit on the Norman roster after he committed to Stephen F Austin earlier this offseason. Stephens is about to go into his fourth season as a starter for the Tigers. He started as a freshman, got our attention following that freshman season and has been on the radar as one of the better 2026 OL prospects ever since. We've talked a lot about Norman's offense and how they will look different this season and how they have to find a new identity. But it all starts up front on the line of scrimmage. Stephens can help pave the way for the running game as well as protect whoever ends up winning the starting quarterback position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1646851"],"_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-6883b0a3459d5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We mentioned earlier in the preview how Norman has to replace one of the state's best linebackers as they head into the 2025 season. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1646851' first='Noah' last='Hoelzer'] is expected to step into a new role this fall as they try to replace Behrett Boyd in the linebacker room. And like Boyd, Hoelzer simply had a nose for the football last season. As a junior, Hoelzer would finish the year with well over 100 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss and five sacks. He was incredibly productive and we're looking forward to seeing how he evolves his game. And honestly, how the rest of the Norman defense revolve their game heading into this season. Don't be surprised if his production goes up. </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>Brody Hailey - 2026 Offensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1511450' first='Cash' last='Koertner'] - 2027 Quarterback<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1732271' first='Collin' last='Patterson'] - 2026 Offensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1690267' first='Ethan' last='Young'] - 2026 Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1339151' first='Grayson' last='May'] - 2026 Quarterback<br>Harris Volentine - 2026 Defensive Back<br>Haynes Hartsock - 2026 Wide Receiver<br>Jaydon Spencer - 2026 Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1262599' first='Oakley' last='Caruthers'] - 2027 Defensive Lineman<br>Royce King - 2026 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>Sept. 5th - AT Norman North</strong><br>- It's the annual Crosstown Clash between Norman and Norman North to kick off the season. Last year, the Tigers beat Norman North 37-27 and that snapped a four-game losing streak to their rival. This game will be historic as it'll be the first game played on the campus of Norman North.<br><strong>Sept. 12th - Edmond Santa Fe</strong><br>- Norman's home opener comes in week two, when they will host Edmond Santa Fe. The Tigers beat the Wolves 34-14 last season. Santa Fe has dominated this series in the last decade but here recently, it's been incredibly competitive. But Norman has had the edge in the last few years.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 19th - Piedmont</strong><br>- The Tigers will wrap up non-district play with a home game against Piedmont in week three. Last season's game with the Wildcats was the first ever meeting between these two programs. Norman beat Piedmont 41-14 and are looking to do the same this year to take momentum into district play.<br><strong>Sept. 26th - AT Edmond North</strong><br>- Norman goes on the road to open up district play this season and they'll do so against Edmond North. The Tigers shut out the Huskies 30-0 last season and have won two out of the last three meetings. Both of these teams are outside of the preseason rankings but should be considered dark horses to watch.<br><strong>Oct. 3rd - Jenks</strong><br>- Norman returns home in week five to host the Jenks Trojans. The 31-12 loss to Jenks last season would ultimately cost the Tigers the district championship. These two teams have met 12 times in the last two decades and Norman is still searching for their first victory over Jenks.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 9th - AT Enid</strong><br>- The Tigers will kick off the second half of the regular season with a Thursday night road game against Enid. Last season, the Tigers would roll to a 49-7 victory and that would be their largest margin of victory in 2024. Norman has now won the last five meetings with the Plainsmen.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 17th - Moore</strong><br>- Norman hosts Moore in week seven and these two teams played a very entertaining game last season. Norman prevailed 42-35 and with the win, they snapped a three-game losing streak to the Lions. Prior to last year, Norman had lost seven of eight to the Lions. Moore will have a first year head coach.<br><strong>Oct. 24th - AT Deer Creek</strong><br>- Norman's final road game during the regular season comes in week eight when they travel to face Deer Creek. They doubled up the Antlers last season, winning 54-27. Both teams are reloading on the offensive side of the ball. The Tigers have won three in a row against the Antlers.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 31st - Mustang</strong><br>- On a Halloween Friday night in week nine, Norman hosts Mustang and this will surely have playoff implications. Last season, the Tigers beat the Broncos 40-28 and it was their second straight win in the series and the third in the last four seasons. But Mustang will look very different this fall.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 7th - Bixby</strong><br>- It's the rematch as Norman hosts Bixby to close out the regular season. Last year, the Tigers sent shockwaves across the state when they went on the road and beat Bixby 31-20. The Spartans went on to claim another state title and they come into this season as the unquestioned favorites in 6A-1.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>From 2010-2022, Norman had a record of 0-29 against the Tulsa area big four of Broken Arrow, Jenks, Owasso and Union. In 2022, Bixby joined in the mix and the Tulsa area big four became a big five, although Norman never played Bixby until 2023. Starting in 2023, Norman is 2-4 against the Tulsa area big five, with wins over Broken Arrow in 2023 and Bixby in 2024. When you're talking about Class 6A-1, one of the talking points year after year is the gap between the west side programs and the big five programs in the Tulsa area. It's been 30 years since a west side program won the state championship in the state's largest class. At that time it was a 32-team Class 6A and Midwest City in 1995 was the last time a west side program raised the gold ball. So the gap feels incredibly big at times. But we have seen west side programs rise up and start winning some of these games. And like we mentioned earlier, Norman's arrow is pointed up and they are headed in a positive direction.&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 - 10-2 - Lost In Class 6A-1 Quarterfinals<br>2023 - 5-7 - Lost In Class 6A-1 Quarterfinals<br>2022 - 3-8 - Lost In Class 6A-1 1st Round<br>2021 - 4-6 - Missed Playoffs<br>2020 - 2-7 - Lost In Class 6A-1 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>2 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1992 - Beat Lawton Eisenhower 17-14<br>1964 - Beat Capitol Hill 12-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->