Pryor 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 August and we're continuing our preview series! Throughout the month of July and now 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 Pryor Tigers!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Pryor Tigers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #5 In Class 5A</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Kenny Davis - 7th Season - 38-29 Record At Pryor</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 RESULTS (8-4 Record - Lost In Class 5A Quarterfinals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30th - Lost To Sallisaw 31-14<br>Sept. 6th - Beat Catoosa 47-22<br>Sept. 13th - Beat Glenpool 39-14<br>Sept. 27th - Beat Tulsa Rogers 50-8<br>Oct. 4th - Lost To Tahlequah 31-30<br>Oct. 11th - Beat Claremore 31-6<br>Oct. 17th - Beat Nathan Hale 57-6<br>Oct. 25th - Beat Collinsville 37-36<br>Nov. 1st - Beat Memorial 60-14<br>Nov. 8th - Lost To Del City 49-12<br>1st Round - Beat Bishop Kelley 38-19<br>Quarterfinals - Lost To Newcastle 38-37</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2024 Offensive Scoring Average: 37.7 Points Per Game<br>2024 Defensive Scoring Average: 22.8 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pryor Tigers certainly surprised a lot of people (including us) in 2024. They would go from unranked in the preseason to a single point away from punching their ticket to the Class 5A semifinals. Looking back at our preview from last year, we mentioned the firepower on offense and how they would improve their points per game on that side of the ball. They exceeded our expectations. Their scoring average went up nearly ten points per game in 2024 as the offense exploded. They dropped their season opener to Sallisaw and then a heartbreaker to Tahlequah in the final seconds but they would go on a run in the second half of the regular season, including wins over Claremore and a big win over Collinsville that put them in a position to make a run in the postseason. In fact, they won four straight, setting up a district title match-up in the final week of the regular season but they lost to Del City. They opened the playoffs with a first round win over Bishop Kelley and then they'd go on the road to face Newcastle. In a back and forth game,the Tigers just couldn't finish in the fourth quarter and they fell 38-37 and the season came to an end in the quarterfinal round, with an 8-4 record. In hindsight, maybe we should have seen this coming but we'll say this, we won't be making the same mistake twice.&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 Pryor Tigers head into the 2025 as a preseason top ten team in Class 5A, checking in at number #5 in our preseason rankings. Once again, the Tigers bring back the majority of their starters and when you look at this group on paper, it's hard not to expect them to have one of, if not the top scoring offense in Class 5A this season. Seven starters return on that side of the ball for a unit that averaged nearly 38 points per game. Last year, we said that Pryor could get up into the 30's with that average. This year, perhaps the 40's could be in play? The offense is headlined by a three-year starter at quarterback and countless returning experience at the wide receiver position. Defensively, the Tigers also bring back the majority of their starters with eight coming back on that side of the ball. They have some very productive and talented players that they have to replace but again, the eight starters returning will give them an advantage over more inexperienced teams this fall. All in all, the Tigers have high expectations going into the 2025 season and rightfully so. On paper, this looks like a team that could end up contending for the district crown and potentially a state championship. The district is one of, if not the toughest in Class 5A. If they were to win that during the regular season, they would certainly belong on the shortlist of state title contenders. And this year, Class 5A appears to be more wide open than we've seen in the last few years.&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>Brendon Monk - Running Back<br>Caleb Cantrell - Linebacker (Signed With East Central)<br>Noah Curtis - Defensive Lineman (Signed With Morningside)</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":["1366322"],"_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-687274538a1da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pryor senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1366322' first='Braden' last='Ward'] will be going into his third year as QB1 of the Tiger offense. Last season, he took his game to new heights and truly became one of the more dynamic quarterbacks in Class 5A. You could make the argument that he was the best quarterback in 5A football in 2024 and he'll expect to be just that in 2025. Last season, Ward threw for just under 2,800 yards and 35 touchdowns, leading a high-powered Pryor passing attack. But Ward would also add nearly 600 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. Ward's experience and overall talent level is a big reason why we like Pryor to make a run in 2025.&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":["1366324"],"_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-687274538a235"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1366324' first='Brock' last='Ward'] is Braden's twin brother and over the last two seasons, these two have definitely had that “twin connection” on the football field. While Braden has continued to climb the 5A passing charts, Brock has been his number one target in the passing game. When they were sophomores, Brock was his top target and that was the case again in 2024. As a junior, Brock would finish with just under 900 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season. He also added nearly 50 tackles and an interception on defense. But when you look at this team on paper, Brock is definitely very valuable for his ability to lead a very experienced and talented receiver unit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1537428"],"_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-687274538a280"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1537428' first='Gage' last='LeFrere'] is a name that we're very high on moving forward after throwing on the film, seeing his legitimate production as a freshman and then seeing him in person this offseason. LeFrere got meaningful playing time on both sides of the ball and was very impactful on defense. He was one of the team's leaders with five interceptions. We got a chance to see him go to work a handful of times this offseason and his abilities on the offensive side of the ball will make him a match-up nightmare for opposing defenses. Especially when you consider how much firepower Pryor brings back on offense. LeFrere has a lot of potential moving forward as a 2028 prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1708305"],"_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-687274538a2c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While all eyes will be on the Pryor offense, don't overlook what the Tigers bring back on the defensive side of the ball. Senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1708305' first='Stetson' last='Matheson'] returns after a breakout season in 2024. Looking back at some of our notes going into the 2024 season, Matheson wasn't really on our radar. He certainly deserves to be on that radar going into 2025. Matheson would end the 2024 season as one of the team's leading tacklers with well over 100 tackles on the season. This season, Matheson has the opportunity to be the unquestioned leader of this Pryor defense. The defense improved from 2023 to 2024 and they're hoping to replicate that again in 2025. </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>Aiden Wolfe - 2026 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Gavin Roberts - 2026 Wide Receiver<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1605940' first='Kaden' last='Rice'] - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Jackson Park - 2027 Wide Receiver/Linebacker<br>Mason Mcalvain - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Nathan Hansbrough - 2026 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Tyler Belew - 2028 Wide Receiver</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 - Sallisaw</strong><br>- For the second straight season, Pryor will open up the season against Sallisaw. It's also another season where the non-district slate features strictly 4A competition. Sallisaw beat the Tigers 31-14 last season. Pryor will be hungry to get off to a fast start in the 2025 season.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 5th - AT Catoosa</strong><br>- In week one, Pryor will play their first game away from home, traveling to Catoosa. The Tigers beat the Indians 47-22 last season and they've won four straight in the series with the Indians. But this has been a series that has started and stopped multiple times in the last several decades.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 12th - Glenpool</strong><br>- Non-district play will actually wrap up in week two at home as the Tigers will host Glenpool. These two teams were district foes in 2020 and 2021 but then started a non-district series last season. Pryor is 3-0 in the last five years and doesn't plan on slowing down anytime soon.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 25th - AT Tulsa Rogers</strong><br>- District play will kick off on the road and on a Thursday night in week four. Pryor will head to Tulsa to face off with Tulsa Rogers. Pryor beat the Ropers 50-8 and they've had the edge in this series. They'll be looking for their fifth win in the last six meetings between these two teams.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 3rd - Tahlequah</strong><br>- This week five game is definitely one that Pryor will have circled. They host Tahlequah and the Tigers in orange stunned the Tigers in blue last season with a short field goal as time expired to win 31-30. Pryor had led 24-13 going into the fourth quarter but Tahlequah had a furious rally.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 10th - AT Claremore</strong><br>- Pryor will kick off the second half of their regular season schedule on the road, against Claremore. The Tigers beat the Zebras 31-6 last year and Pryor actually has some serious momentum going in the series. They lost five straight until they rattled off four wins in the last five meetings.<br><strong>Oct. 16th - Nathan Hale</strong><br>- On a Fall Break Thursday night, the Tigers will welcome in Nathan Hale for this week seven clash. Pryor has dominated this series since these teams became district foes in 2020. They won 57-6 in last season's meeting and overall, they've won seven straight in the series.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 24th - Collinsville</strong><br>- Pryor will host Collinsville in week eight and the Tigers will be determined to start a win streak in a series that has been owned by Collinsville. Pryor beat the Cardinals 37-36 last season and that snapped a 12-game losing streak to Collinsville. And you also have the massive playoff stakes here.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 31st - AT Memorial</strong><br>- Pryor will head up to Tulsa for the second time this season in week nine. They'll face Memorial and this is another TPS program that the Tigers have had their way with historically. Pryor won last year's meeting 60-14. The 60 points ended up being the season-high for the Pryor offense.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 7th - Del City</strong><br>- The regular season comes to an end in week ten at home with a massive district clash with Del City. Right now, the Eagles appear to be the favorite after running away with the district crown a year ago. They beat Pryor 49-12 in week ten last year and 48-8 in the 2023 first round.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we start looking ahead to the 2025 football season, it is very clear that the Pryor Tigers are hungrier than ever to make that deep run in the Class 5A playoffs. And as we mentioned earlier, Class 5A appears to be more wide open than ever before. The Tigers bring back the majority of their starters, including a solid number of players on the offensive side of the ball that could make Pryor one of the top offensive units in the state. But for Pryor, this season is all about kicking down the door and making some school history. Last fall, the Tigers were one quarter away from punching their ticket to the semifinals for the first time in over five decades. They've had years where they've been close, last year being one of the closer moments. 1969 was their only other semifinal appearance and they've never played for the state championship. On paper, the Tigers look like a team that is capable of at least punching their ticket to the final four, and with an explosive offense like that, anything can happen after that.&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 5A Quarterfinals<br>2023 - 5-6 - Lost In Class 5A 1st Round<br>2022 - 2-8 - Missed Playoffs<br>2021 - 9-3 - Lost In Class 5A Quarterfinals<br>2020 - 8-3 - Lost In Class 5A 2nd Round</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 -->