Rejoice Christian Eagles 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 defending Class A-1 state champion Rejoice Christian Eagles!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Rejoice Christian Eagles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #1 In Class A-1</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Brent Marley - 11th Season - 99-26 Record At Rejoice Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 RESULTS (13-1 Record - Class A-1 State Champions)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30th - Beat NOAH 54-20<br>Sept. 6th - Lost To Cascia Hall 45-14<br>Sept. 20th - Beat Christian Heritage 52-21<br>Sept. 27th - Beat Haskell 49-0<br>Oct. 4th - Beat Pocola 47-40<br>Oct. 11th - Beat Panama 28-6<br>Oct. 17th - Beat Hartshorne 48-6<br>Oct. 25th - Beat Chouteau-Mazie 49-0<br>Nov. 1st - Beat Hulbert 56-0<br>Nov. 7th - Beat Warner 56-15<br>1st Round - Beat Nowata 69-6<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Fairview 34-7<br>Semifinals - Beat Christian Heritage 33-6<br>Championship - Beat Hooker 35-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2024 Offensive Scoring Average: 44.6 Points Per Game<br>2024 Defensive Scoring Average: 13.3 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the first time in school history, Rejoice Christian will go into a football season looking to defend their state championship. 15 months ago, Rejoice Christian was preparing for a season in Class 2A-2. But after a court ruling in April would force an emergency redistricting shuffle, Rejoice Christian actually dropped down to Class A-1. The Eagles would make the most of that opportunity, going 13-1 and winning the gold ball. The one loss came in week one, losing 45-14 to Cascia Hall. They bounced back two weeks later with a dominant win over Christian Heritage and entered district play at 2-1. The Eagles would win every district game by 20+ points with the exception of one. They won a high-scoring affair with Pocola in week five. The Eagles would prevail 47-40. That victory would allow Rejoice to run away with the district championship. They went into the playoffs at 9-1 and they hit another gear once they got there. They beat Nowata by 63 in the opening round and then dethroned the champs, knocking off two-time defending champion Fairview in the quarterfinal round. They had a rematch with Christian Heritage in the semifinals but they were once again dominant against the Crusaders, winning by 27 points, setting up a showdown with top-ranked Hooker in the title game. But it was a snake bit Hooker team and Rejoice took advantage, beating the Bulldogs 35-14 to win the school's first ever state championship. Rejoice Christian was one of three teams (Lincoln Christian &amp; Elgin the others) in 2024 that won a state title after moving classes during that emergency class and district reshuffling. Now, they look to defend that state championship with a very talented team returning.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rejoice Christian has been close to capturing that state championship over the last decade but in 2024, they left no doubt, beating all four playoff opponents by 20+ points. So the obvious question coming into 2025 surrounds how the Eagles will defend that title. They've been the hunters for years but now, the bullseye is squarely on them. They bring back half of their starters from last year's team so this year's squad will have a blend of talented experience but new faces all over both sides of the ball. Offensively, the Eagles bring back five starters from last year's unit that averaged nearly 45 points per game. When it comes to the skill department, there isn't much concern with the QB, RB or WR position but the Eagles are going to have a rebuilt offensive line in 2025. How that group gels together will give us some insight on how explosive this offense can truly be. However, the Eagles are going to have one of the more productive skill departments returning in 2025, regardless of class. If they can figure out the new names on that offensive line, this offense could end up being one that averages nearly or more than 50 points per game. Defensively, the Eagles bring back seven starters on that side of the ball. And like almost every team in Class A-1, players play on both sides of the ball. So if Rejoice Christian's offensive line is going to be new, the defensive line will also be rebuilt in 2025. But the Eagles have no concerns when it comes to the linebackers or secondary and those groups will lead this defense in a major way. The Eagles are defending champions and the preseason number one team in Class A-1. They once again will be challenged in the non-district schedule but all eyes will be on them to see if they can repeat as state champs.&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>Cale Marley - Quarterback/Defensive Back (Signed With Evangel - All State Honorable Mention)<br>Caleb Marley - Offensive Lineman&nbsp;<br>Karsten Lohse - Defensive Lineman (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":["1702603"],"_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-6865f13e10255"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1702603' first='Cade' last='Shaffer'] will lead the way on the defensive side of the ball and this is a defense that could be incredibly special. We mentioned earlier in the preview how the talent they have at linebacker and secondary positions is special. Shaffer would finish last season with 183 tackles and seven sacks on the season. The Rejoice Christian linebacker would break the school's record for tackles in a season. Shaffer is going to lead the Rejoice Christian 3-4 defense and while they are relatively young on the line of scrimmage, having Shaffer returning on that side of the ball will hope those new starters come along. Shaffer is a linebacker to keep an eye on this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1642605"],"_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-6865f13e102b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1642605' first='Holt' last='Wilson'] is a guy to keep an eye on moving forward. Last season, Wilson would earn playing time as a freshman. Wilson is the younger brother of former Rejoice Christian quarterback Chance Wilson and while Holt plays a different position, he has the potential to be a significant impact player moving forward. Wilson earned playing time last fall but his production was somewhat limited. This season, we anticipate his production seeing a big spike. We got a chance to watch the young Rejoice standout in person and in the spring. He has good size, route running and he is incredibly tough to bring down after the catch. He could see his production explode this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1328118"],"_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-6865f13e102fc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At this time last year, [player_tooltip player_id='1328118' first='Kamieon' last='Compton-Nero'] was one of the players that we highlighted as a freshman to watch and he certainly lived up to the hype and then some. Compton-Nero would fill in at quarterback at various times throughout the 2024 season. He would throw for over 600 yards and nine touchdowns while running for nearly 700 yards and ten touchdowns. Compton-Nero was also a standout on defense with 75 tackles and a pair of interceptions. Now, as we look ahead to the 2025 season, it will be Compton-Nero at QB1 and his production could absolutely explode. Compton-Nero has firmly established himself as one of the top overall prospects in his class.&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":["1598809"],"_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-6865f13e10340"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Joining Compton-Nero in the backfield is senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1598809' first='Noah' last='Goodwin'] and between those two players, Rejoice could end up having one of the best backfields in the state, regardless of class. During the 2024 season, Goodwin would become a breakout star in the Rejoice offense. Looking back at our notes from around this time last year, we didn't know much about Goodwin but he was outstanding last season. Goodwin would finish the season with nearly 200 carries for over 1,300 yards and 24 touchdowns. Between Compton-Nero and Goodwin, the Rejoice rushing attack is going to be very difficult to stop. Goodwin is a physical back that's hard to bring down.</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":["1403519"],"_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-6865f13e10381"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It didn't take long for wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1403519' first='Xavier' last='Okwufulueze'] to grab everyone's attention. At this time last season, we didn't know much about Okwufulueze but he earned that attention in the first few weeks. The player known as “Zizi” around Rejoice was mainly a basketball player prior to last fall. He's still a standout on the court but he became a star on the gridiron. In his first season, Okwufulueze would finish the year with nearly 50 catches for just over 900 yards and nine touchdowns. He was also a standout on defense. He finished with over 30 tackles, four interceptions and double digit pass break ups. There's no question that he was one of the breakout stars in 2024.&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:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MORE NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Luke Shaffer - 2026 Defensive Back<br>Neil Leber - 2026 Wide Receiver<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1703227' first='Tristan' last='Willis'] - 2028 Wide Receiver<br>Wade White - 2027 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 NOAH</strong><br>- For the second straight year, Rejoice Christian will open up their season against NOAH. Last season, they beat the Jaguars 54-20. This season, they'll head to Broken Arrow to face NOAH and look to kick off their 2025 football season with a big win. This would give them some much-needed momentum.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 5th - Cascia Hall</strong><br>- Covid opened the door to these two teams meeting consistently in non-district play. They'll face off for the fifth time in the last six seasons in week one. Rejoice Christian will look to snap a two-game skid in the series. They lost 45-14 last season but both teams come into this year with explosive offenses.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 19th - AT Christian Heritage</strong><br>- The non-district slate will wrap up on the road with Rejoice Christian facing Christian Heritage. Last season, the two teams met two times. Rejoice rolled in both, including a 33-6 victory in the semifinals. The Crusaders come into this season as a top five team so this will be a tough challenge for the champs.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 26th - Haskell</strong><br>- District play will open up in week four and the Eagles will do it at home, hosting Haskell. Rejoice would kick off their district championship season in 2024 with a 49-0 win over the Haymakers. That was the third time these two met in the last decade and Rejoice is 3-0.<br><strong>Oct. 3rd - AT Pocola</strong><br>- Arguably the toughest district match-up comes in week five, as Rejoice Christian will hit the road and head to Pocola. These two teams played a very exciting game in 2024 and we can only hope to see similar fireworks in the rematch. Rejoice would prevail 47-40 last season.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 10th - Panama</strong><br>- The second half of the regular season will kick off at home against Panama. Last season's meeting was the first between these two programs. Rejoice Christian would beat the Razorbacks 28-6 in week six a year ago. They'll look to roll again in this year's meeting.<br><strong>Oct. 16th - AT Hartshorne</strong><br>- On a Fall Break Thursday night, Rejoice Christian goes on the road to square off with Hartshorne. The Eagles beat the Miners 48-6 last season. Hartshorne got off to a fast start last season but ran into a Rejoice Christian-shaped brick wall in 2024. They certainly haven't forgotten that one.<br><strong>Oct. 24th - Chouteau-Mazie</strong><br>- Rejoice Christian's regular season home slate will wrap up in week eight with a game against Chouteau-Mazie. The Eagles would meet Chouteau for the first time ever last season. They rolled to a 49-0 victory. They expect to dominate in similar fashion when the two meet again this fall.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 31st - AT Hulbert</strong><br>- On a Halloween night, Rejoice Christian will hit the road to face Hulbert in week nine and look to improve to 4-0 in the series. Last season, the Eagles rolled to a 56-0 victory. Prior to the 2024 meeting, these two teams were district foes in 2016 and 2017 and Rejoice Christian won each game.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 7th - AT Warner</strong><br>- The regular season will come to a close in week ten, away from home, against Warner. Like several of these district opponents, last year was the first time Rejoice and Warner squared off. The Eagles dominated last season's meeting. They would win 56-15 and that was a sign of things to come in the playoffs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Rejoice Christian kicks off their season on August 29th, their first win of the season will bring some history for the Eagles and specifically, their head coach Brent Marley. The Rejoice coach is going into his 11th season as head coach of the Eagles and he's one win away from his 100th victory as head coach at Rejoice Christian. Prior to his time at Rejoice Christian, he was the head coach at Victory Christian for eight seasons and he would go 49-38 during his tenure. So Marley is two wins away from 150 wins for his coaching career. Shortly after resigning as head coach of the Conquerors, Marley would become the head coach at Rejoice Christian and this came just one year after Rejoice Christian made the transition from 8-man football to 11-man football and he's continued to elevate this program as one of the best in Oklahoma. Since becoming head coach, the Eagles have seen significant facility upgrades and additions, including their indoor facility in the end zone of their stadium. But whether it's in the season opener or later, eventually, Rejoice is going to win their first game of 2025 and it should be a celebration of Marley, who's the school's winningest head coach and just captured the school's first state championship.&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 - 13-1 - Class A-1 State Champions&nbsp;<br>2023 - 6-5 - Lost In Class 2A 1st Round<br>2022 - 10-1 - Lost In Class 2A 1st Round<br>2021 - 11-2 - Lost In Class 2A Quarterfinals<br>2020 - 4-7 - Lost In Class 2A 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><strong><em>1 State Championship</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 - Beat Hooker 35-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->