Poteau Pirates 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 Poteau Pirates!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Poteau Pirates</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #9 In Class 4A</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Jake Hayes - 1st Season</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 RESULTS (6-5 Record - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30th - Lost To Booneville, AR. 14-10<br>Sept. 6th - Beat McAlester 16-14<br>Sept. 13th - Beat NOAH 38-13<br>Sept. 27th - Beat Stilwell 28-13<br>Oct. 4th - Lost To Ada 19-14<br>Oct. 11th - Beat Glenpool 35-13<br>Oct. 17th - Beat McLain 35-13<br>Oct. 25th - Lost To Sallisaw 14-7 (OT)<br>Nov. 1st - Lost Hilldale 35-14<br>Nov. 8th - Beat Broken Bow 31-0<br>1st Round - Lost To Wagoner 49-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2024 Offensive Scoring Average: 22.6 Points Per Game<br>2024 Defensive Scoring Average: 17.9 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 football season wasn't an easy one for the Poteau Pirates. On the field or off the field, it was one to forget. The drama started off the field, shortly before the start of the regular season. Literally days before Poteau was supposed to kick off the 2024 campaign, head coach Greg Werner resigned and stepped away from the program. The rumors swirled and the story has been well documented at this point. But on the football field, Poteau still had a season to play. The Pirates would drop the season opener but would bounce back with three straight wins, including a 16-14 victory over 5A's McAlester. The Pirates tripped up against Ada in week five but rattled off back to back wins following that. But Poteau hit a wall towards the end of the regular season. They lost in overtime to Sallisaw and then Hilldale beat them by three touchdowns. Poteau was in danger of missing the playoffs altogether but they would rally in week ten, beating Broken Bow to secure another trip to the postseason. Unfortunately the Pirates finished fourth in the district and that meant they would go on the road to Wagoner in the first round. That's where the season officially came to an end as the Bulldogs beat the Pirates 49-21. Poteau finished 6-5 and it was time to start looking towards the future. The coaching search began and the Pirates landed on a very unique candidate.&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 Pirates introduced Deer Creek offensive coordinator Jake Hayes as their next head coach at the start of this year. With Deer Creek, the Antlers were one of the better offenses in the state and incredibly balanced. So when the Pirates take the field this fall, it's going to look completely different from the Wing T offense they've been running. Nine starters return on the offensive side of the ball. The transition in offenses will be dramatic but they won't get away from running the football. They return four out of five starting offensive linemen from last year and have a very experienced backfield with quarterback and running back. But there's no doubt that the Pirates are going to throw the ball more this fall than we've seen in the last few years. Defensively, Poteau brings back five starters and there's a solid mix of talent at all three levels of the defense. Between experienced veterans and really talented underclassmen, this unit has a chance to be incredibly solid this season. And they were really good last year, giving up around 17 points per game. It wouldn't be surprising to see them do better than that this fall. The schedule is going to be a bumpy one. They are tested early with a road game against McAlester. And the district looks like it's going to be more competitive than ever before. Three of the top five teams in our Class 4A preseason rankings are in this district with Ada, Sallisaw and Broken Bow. That's the bad news. The good news is that they play all three of those teams at home. The Jake Hayes era officially begins this fall and things might look different but the expectations remain the same.&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>Rylan Waddell - Linebacker<br>Tyler Fassio - Linebacker</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":["1727310"],"_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-688130c8816ec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With Poteau becoming a more balanced offense, it's going to open the door for wide receivers to have breakout seasons this fall. In the past, Poteau receivers would have limited opportunities but that doesn't seem like it will be the case this fall. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1727310' first='Jacob' last='Gutierrez'] is a player that we're looking at to have a breakout season within this offense. He's a senior leader and brings a ton of experience with him. Poteau has an experienced signal caller so we will see the Pirates have more production in the passing game and that could mean Gutierrez has that breakout season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1727311"],"_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-688130c881758"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Poteau's defense has the chance to be pretty special. They're young in a lot of areas so the return of senior defensive end [player_tooltip player_id='1727311' first='Kross' last='Odom'] is huge for the Pirates. In addition to having the reputation as a run-first team, Poteau has also done a great job of producing players on the front seven that are relentless in their pursuit of the quarterback or a running back. Odom has the potential to set the tone for what Poteau can be defensively this season. Between his experience and overall production, Odom is definitely one of the top defensive players to watch this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1522522"],"_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-688130c8817aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We're just a year removed from Poteau sending their first prospect to the D1 ranks in decades and now they have another one. Sophomore hybrid defender [player_tooltip player_id='1522522' first='Ryder' last='Waddell'] has already emerged as a D1 prospect, picking up his first offer earlier this year. And when we call Waddell a hybrid defender, we're talking about his future as a prospect. He will more than likely line up primarily at linebacker but he has the ability to move closer to the line of scrimmage as an edge rusher. His ceiling as a prospect is incredibly high and we're looking forward to seeing him in year two. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1335935"],"_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-688130c8817f6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1335935' first='Sam' last='Tecla'] might be coming into the 2025 football season as the most experienced quarterback in Class 4A. Tecla has started for the Pirates since his freshman season. Having that kind of experience and overall leadership should definitely help the Pirates as they move into the new era, specifically on the offensive side of the ball. Tecla has never been asked to throw the ball as much as Poteau is going to throw it this season so he's definitely going to be a player to watch just from that perspective. But there is a lot of belief in this veteran QB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1335932"],"_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-688130c881841"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Joining Tecla in the Poteau backfield is senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1335932' first='Spencer' last='Perry'] and while the Pirates are going to be throwing the ball more in 2025, they're not completely abandoning the run altogether. And when you have a running back like Perry returning, it would make a ton of sense to keep feeding the workhorse of the Poteau offense. Perry enjoyed a breakout season in 2023 and he continued that momentum last fall. But now, he can actually take his game to new heights. Defenses are going to have to worry about defending the pass and that could make his job easier. </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>Camden Crew - 2026 Tight End/Linebacker<br>Carson Cohen - 2028 Running Back/Defensive Back<br>Dax Neal - 2028 Tight End<br>Eddie Cobb - 2028 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1261479' first='Evan' last='Adams'] - 2029 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Hunter Montez - 2028 Defensive Lineman<br>Jake Perry - 2027 Defensive Back<br>Jaxon Westbrook - 2029 Offensive Lineman<br>Logan Waymire - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Oscar Gomez - 2026 Offensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='946189' first='Talyn' last='Phillips'] - 2027 Tight End/Defensive Lineman<br>Wrigley Downs - 2029 Running Back/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 - Booneville, AR.&nbsp;</strong><br>- For the second straight year, Poteau opens the regular season against Booneville, Arkansas. Last year, the Pirates had to cross state lines into Arkansas for the opener but this year, they get the game at home. Last season's match-up ended with Booneville getting a 14-10 victory.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 5th - AT McAlester</strong><br>- Poteau hits the road for the first time in 2025 when they go to McAlester to face the Buffaloes. Like Poteau, McAlester had plenty of coaching drama in 2024 and will have a new head coach this year as well. The Pirates beat the Buffaloes 16-14 in the first meeting between these two since 2019.<br><strong>Sept. 11th - AT NOAH</strong><br>- The Pirates will wrap up non-district play with a road game to face NOAH in week two. This is a non-district series that began last year and the Pirates rolled to a 38-13 victory. This year, they hit the road and it will be important for Poteau to roll again to take that momentum into district play.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 26th - Stilwell</strong><br>- Poteau opens up district play against a very familiar opponent. They play Stilwell in week four at home and these two have met in district play every year since 2010. The Pirates have dominated this series as well. Since it began in 2010, Poteau is undefeated with their last loss coming in 2007.<br><strong>Oct. 3th - Ada</strong><br>- If Poteau wants to capture another district title, these are the games that they have to win in 2025. The Pirates host Ada in week five and the Cougars are coming off a 19-14 victory over the Pirates last year, snapping Poteau's two-game winning streak. Ada might be the preseason favorite in this district.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 10th - AT Glenpool</strong><br>- The second half of the regular season begins with a road game against Glenpool. Poteau's district has been pretty consistent over the last few years but Glenpool was a new opponent last year. The Pirates rolled 35-13 in their first meeting since 2005. A former Poteau assistant is now Glenpool's head coach.<br><strong>Oct. 16th - AT McLain</strong><br>- On a Fall Break Thursday night, Poteau travels to Tulsa to square off with McLain. The Pirates beat the Titans 35-13 last season and these two teams have met a few times in the last five years. The series has been dominated by Poteau and they don't intend to change that this fall.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 24th - Sallisaw</strong><br>- After back to back road games, Poteau returns home for a showdown with Sallisaw in week eight. Last season, the Black Diamonds won a low-scoring game that went to overtime. That would snap Poteau's seven-game winning streak against Sallisaw. This game has major playoff implications.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 31st - AT Hilldale</strong><br>- On a Halloween Friday night in week nine, Poteau goes back on the road to face Hilldale. Last season, the Hornets stunned the Pirates with a 35-14 victory. Poteau had won six straight in this series before last fall. Hilldale will look very different as they've lost a lot to graduation and transfers.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 7th - Broken Bow</strong><br>- The regular season finale comes at home in week ten as Poteau hosts Broken Bow. The Savages come into this season as a top five team with the most electrifying quarterback in Class 4A. But Poteau beat the Savages 31-0 last season and have won six of the last seven in the series.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new era of Poteau football is beginning this season and there will be a lot of newness when the Pirates kick off the season. All eyes will be on first year head coach Jake Hayes as he steps into his first job as the man in charge of the program. He was incredibly successful at Deer Creek as their offensive coordinator and the Poteau offense has gotten a complete makeover. Under Werner, the Pirates were a Wing T, run-heavy football team. Two years ago they had multiple running backs with well over 500 yards on the ground. This season, they are moving to the spread and it will be interesting to see how this team responds to the transition. But this is a Poteau program that is hungry to get back to winning. Prior to last season, the Pirates were right there in the conversation with all the heavy hitters in Class 4A. Last year was the first season since 2017 that they didn't win at least one playoff game. In fact, from 2018-2023, they made it to at least the semifinals all but one time and they captured the 2019 state title. The Pirates expect to win and win big. We're looking forward to seeing how the Pirates do under a new regime this fall.&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 - 6-5 - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round<br>2023 - 12-1 - Lost In Class 4A Semifinals<br>2022 - 10-3 - Lost In Class 4A Semifinals<br>2021 - 11-2 - Lost In Class 4A Semifinals<br>2020 - 9-3 - Lost In Class 4A Quarterfinals</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>1 State Championship</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2019 - Beat Weatherford 9-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->