Pocola Indians 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 Pocola Indians!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Pocola Indians</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #3 In Class A-1</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Jason Parker - 8th Season - 31-43 Record At Pocola</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 RESULTS (9-3 Record - Lost In Class A-1 Quarterfinals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30th - Beat Antlers 54-28<br>Sept. 13th - Beat Spiro 44-21<br>Sept. 20th - Lost To Vian 67-34<br>Sept. 27th - Beat Warner 46-22<br>Oct. 4th - Lost To Rejoice Christian 47-40<br>Oct. 10th - Beat Hulbert 60-16<br>Oct. 17th - Beat Chouteau-Mazie 62-36<br>Oct. 25th - Beat Hartshorne 50-21<br>Nov. 1st - Beat Panama 30-20<br>Nov. 8th - Beat Haskell 26-12<br>1st Round - Beat Tonkawa 52-14<br>Quarterfinals - Lost To Hooker 46-30</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2024 Offensive Scoring Average: 44 Points Per Game<br>2024 Defensive Scoring Average: 29.2 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pocola Indians came into the 2024 season determined to take the next step as a small school contender in Oklahoma. They were a preseason top five team heading into the season and when you look back on that 2024 season, they certainly played like it. Pocola went 9-3 on the season and the three losses came to teams that played in the state championship game. They opened the year with back to back wins over Antler and Spiro. They hosted Vian to wrap up non-district play and would give up a season-high 67 points in the loss. Vian would go on to a 13-1 season and finished as 2A-2 Runner Ups. They bounced back with a 20+ point win over Warner and would then have a showdown with Rejoice Christian in a game that would ultimately decide the district championship. Rejoice got out with a 47-40 victory and of course, they would go on to win the Class A-1 state championship. Pocola would win five straight to close out the regular season with an 8-2 record. They took care of business in the first round, beating Tonkawa 52-14. That would be Pocola's first playoff win in nearly two decades. That would put Pocola into a quarterfinal match-up with Hooker. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, they got to be at home, forcing Pocola to travel 450 miles for their quarterfinal clash. Ultimately, the season came to an end in that quarterfinal round as Hooker prevailed 46-30. They would lose to Rejoice Christian in that A-1 title game. The Indians finished the year 9-3 but definitely took some very positive steps and are now hungry for more as we start to look ahead to 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>The Indians are once again a preseason top five team in Class A-1 and one of the serious contenders to capture that gold ball in December. The majority of their starters return but they also have to replace some serious talent on both sides of the ball. Offensively, six starters return for a unit that averaged nearly 45 points per game. The offense is headlined by a returning starter at quarterback, who enjoyed a breakout season in 2024. And he'll have some serious talent around him at the wide receiver position and a strong offensive line. Pocola has had no problems lighting up the scoreboard over the last few seasons and we don't expect that to change this season. There is a legitimate possibility that they flirt with 50 points per game this season. Defensively, the Indians also bring back six starters but more importantly, they have some very productive additions that aren't technically returning starters for Pocola but they started elsewhere last season. This defense should be improved from last year's unit that gave up nearly 30 points per game. And in the three losses, Pocola gave up over 50 points per game. With their returning offensive firepower, the Indians can get into a shootout and hold their own. But the defense is going to have to get stops. As for the schedule, they'll be tested by Vian again in non-district play and the district slate is highlighted by a rematch with defending state champion Rejoice Christian. If Pocola can capture that district championship, that could set them up for a deep run into the playoffs and truly becoming that state champion contender.&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>AJ Lyons-Jerrell - Running Back/Linebacker (Signed With Southeastern Oklahoma State - All State Honorable Mention)<br>Dakotah Terrell - Wide Receiver (Signed With Missouri - All State Honorable Mention)<br>Hayden Chaffey - Defensive Lineman (All State 3rd Team Selection)</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":["467141"],"_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-686d0e95ac5a7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We thought that wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='467141' first='Brayden' last='Hardwick'] could have a solid junior season but we certainly didn't anticipate him having the year he had. Hardwick would lead the Indians in receiving, finishing with a little over 100 receptions and nearly 1,800 yards and 14 touchdowns. The production was good enough to put Hardwick on the All State 2nd Team for the 2024 season and now he's hungry for more. He basically doubled his production from his sophomore season and now comes into the 2025 season as one of the top producers at the wide receiver position. His best game saw him catch 20 passes for 322 yards and a touchdown against eventual champion Rejoice Christian.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em><strong>(2024 All State 2nd Team Selection)</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1678729"],"_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-686d0e95ac669"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1678729' first='Braylin' last='Henry'] is a player that we got a chance to watch up close during the spring and his ceiling is incredibly high moving forward. Henry crossed state lines after he was at Fort Smith Northside last year and he gives Pocola an incredibly athletic and talented player to utilize on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he'll more than likely line up at wide receiver but we wouldn't be surprised if he moves around a little bit on offense. Defensively, we watched him go to work as an edge rusher and he was an absolute problem. And at the Class A-1 level, there aren't going to be too many offensive tackles that can handle Henry's unique blend of size, speed and overall athleticism. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1264959"],"_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-686d0e95ac710"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior safety [player_tooltip player_id='1264959' first='Jackson' last='Parker'] is one of the returning starters on the defensive side of the ball that could end up having an equal impact on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Last season, Parker would finish the year with nearly 60 tackles and ten tackles for loss. Offensively, he had around 200 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Pocola lost their leading rusher from last season and Parker could be a name to watch on that side of the ball. But he will continue to be incredibly important to what the Indians do on the defensive side of the ball. He had a solid junior season and is really starting to pick up momentum this offseason as a 2026 prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1473214"],"_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-686d0e95ac7b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Looking back at our notes from this time last year, we didn't have much to go on with quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1473214' first='Ja' last='Posey'] but that quickly changed. As a sophomore, Posey would become the state's leading passer, throwing for more than 4,100 yards and 39 touchdowns. We've mentioned this a few times this offseason but what impressed us the most about Posey's sophomore season was the fact that his best games came against the toughest competition. It'd be one thing if Posey was completely shut down in those losses but you can make the argument that he was at his best. We're looking forward to seeing what kind of numbers he puts up this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><em><strong>(2024 All State Honorable Mention)</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1705491"],"_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-686d0e95ac861"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Like Henry, senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1705491' first='Tyson' last='Williams'] is another new addition that the Pocola coaches are very excited about and he appears to be ready to be plugged in right away. Last season, Williams was a linebacker for Muldrow and he would finish the year with around 100 tackles and 14 tackles for loss. Pocola can certainly use that kind of production and overall experience on the defensive side of the ball. We expect Williams to be an instant impact player for the Indians when they take the field in 2025. He has good size at 6'0 and 200 pounds and all signs point to him being a key part of what Pocola ultimately is on the defensive side of the ball this 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>[player_tooltip player_id='1678725' first='Brady' last='Jones'] - 2028 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1679361' first='Brody' last='Merritt'] - 2029 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Damir Bruce - 2027 Defensive End<br>Dylan Wilson - 2026 Offensive Lineman<br>Evan Grimsley - 2026 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Garrett Bobst - 2027 Running Back/Linebacker<br>Jacob Stacy - 2029 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Jarius Birdsong - 2027 Running Back/Defensive Back<br>Jayden Berry - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive End<br>Logan Dunnigan - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Malachi Wallace - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Trapper Grimsley - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1530107' first='Ty' last='Jerrell'] - 2027 Wide Receiver/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 Antlers</strong><br>- For the second straight year, Pocola will open the season against Antlers. This year, Pocola will go on the road for the season opener. Last year, they beat Antlers 54-28 and that would snap a four-game losing streak to the Bearcats, dating back to the 2013 season.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 12th - Spiro</strong><br>- After a week off, Pocola will open up their home slate of games in week two against Spiro. The Indians beat the Bulldogs 44-21 last season and it was their second straight win in the series and third in the last four meetings. Pocola will use this game as their final tuneup before the showdown with Vian.<br><strong>Sept. 19th - AT Vian</strong><br>- Non-district play wraps up with the ultimate measuring stick game. Pocola goes on the road to face Vian in week three. They lost to the Wolverines 67-34 last season and this has been a series that has been completely dominated by Vian. Pocola will be looking to compete for all four quarters with them this year.<br><strong>Sept. 26th - AT Warner</strong><br>- District play will open up with a road game against Warner in week four. Pocola beat Warner 46-22 in last season's meeting. It was the first time these two teams squared off since 2017. This is a series that has been kind to the Indians. They've won eight of the last ten in the last two decades.<br><strong>Oct. 3rd - Rejoice Christian</strong><br>- In week five, Pocola will host defending state champion Rejoice Christian and all signs point to this game deciding the district championship. Last season, the Indians came up short of winning this match-up after falling 47-40. Last year's meeting was the first between these two teams since 2016.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 10th - AT Hulbert</strong><br>- The second half of the regular season gets started here with a road game against Hulbert. Pocola beat Hulbert 60-16 in their meeting last season. This was a new district opponent for the Indians. They hadn't played Hulbert since 2010 and haven't been district opponents in 20 years.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 16th - Chouteau-Mazie</strong><br>- On a Fall Break Thursday night, Pocola will host Chouteau Mazie and this was another new district opponent for the Indians last season. Pocola had no problems with the new opponent as they would beat Chouteau 62-36. The 62 points would end up being the season-high for Pocola last season.<br><strong>Oct. 24th - AT Hartshorne</strong><br>- The Indians go on the road to face Hartshorne in week eight. These two teams ended up in the same district last season and it would be the first time they had met since 2015. They met every year from 2010-2015 and Hartshorne was 6-0 during that stretch. Pocola snapped that losing streak last year.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 31st - Panama</strong><br>- On a Halloween Friday night, Pocola will have their final regular season home game against Panama. The Indians beat the Razorbacks 30-20 last season and that was their second straight win in the series. These two have met every year since 2018 and Pocola has a 4-3 advantage during this stretch.<br><strong>Nov. 7th - AT Haskell</strong><br>- The regular season finale comes in week ten with a road game against Haskell. These two teams have met in district play in each of the last three seasons and it's been a series that has been completely one-sided. Pocola won 26-12 last year and they've won all three meetings during this stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At this time last year, we were talking about Pocola's playoff progress and compared it to crawling before you walk and walking before you can run. Pocola has made it to the playoffs four years in a row now but they broke through last season, winning their first playoff game in nearly two decades. As we've mentioned a few times in this preview, this is a team that has really turned into one of the better offensive units in the state and now they are starting to win some big games. There are high expectations for Pocola this season. So if crawling is just making the playoffs and if walking is winning a game in the playoffs, then it would make sense that running would be winning multiple games in the postseason. And Pocola has never run before. If the Indians are able to win multiple games in the playoffs this season, this year's team will be the first one in school history to win more than one playoff game. Last year, they snapped that playoff game losing streak. This year, they look to make more history by winning multiple playoff games and making a run in the Class A-1 playoffs.&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 - 9-3 - Lost In Class A-1 Quarterfinals<br>2023 - 7-4 - Lost In Class A 1st Round<br>2022 - 6-5 - Lost In Class A 1st Round<br>2021 - 6-5 - Lost In Class 2A 1st Round<br>2020 - 1-7 - Missed Playoffs</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 -->