Talihina Golden 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 Talihina Golden Tigers!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Talihina Golden Tigers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #1 In Class A-2</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Kelly Gravitt - 20th Season - 146-58 Record At Talihina</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 RESULTS (12-2 Record - Class A-2 Runner Ups)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30th - Beat Summit Christian 62-28<br>Sept. 6th - Beat Porter 45-25<br>Sept. 19th - Beat Broken Bow JV 43-8<br>Sept. 27th - Beat Allen 27-8<br>Oct. 4th - Beat Gore 48-6<br>Oct. 11th - Beat Central Sallisaw 27-6<br>Oct. 18th - Beat Liberty 51-12<br>Oct. 25th - Beat Wewoka 50-8<br>Nov. 1st - Lost To Regent Prep 41-26<br>Nov. 8th - Beat Mounds 42-6<br>1st Round - Beat Barnsdall 30-20<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Texhoma 36-26<br>Semifinals - Beat Thomas 20-14<br>Championship - Lost To Woodland 58-23</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2024 Offensive Scoring Average: 37.9 Points Per Game<br>2024 Defensive Scoring Average: 19 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nobody outside of southeastern Oklahoma could have seen this season coming from the Talihina Golden Tigers in 2024. They were two years removed from not fielding a team in 2022 and went 5-5 in their return to the gridiron in 2023. Next thing you know, behind a young, dynamic quarterback, Talihina is playing for the state championship and finishing the season at 12-2. It was pretty clear early on that they were going to have some serious firepower on offense. They came out of the gate swinging with a 6-0 start, including impressive wins over Gore and Central Sallisaw. The lone setback in the district slate came in week nine, when they lost to another high-powered offense from Regent Prep. Despite that loss, there would be a three-way tie for first place at the end of the season and Talihina would come out on top of that race. The Golden Tigers were headed to the playoffs for the first time since 2018. They opened the postseason with back to back 10-point wins over Barnsdall and Texhoma. They would square off with traditional power Thomas in the semifinals and prevailed 20-14, punching their ticket to the state championship game against top-ranked Woodland. The Cougars were the heavy favorite all year, behind a senior-heavy team and the title game played out that way. Talihina fell 58-23 but it was clear that night that this was a team that had the potential to be back in a major way in 2025.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you looked up and down the Talihina roster in 2024, you didn't see very many upperclassmen. In fact, they played a lot of sophomores and freshmen. So it's pretty simple why Talihina comes into the 2025 football season as the preseason number one team in Class A-2. They are the most experienced team in the class and they are coming off an appearance in that state championship game. And that young dynamic quarterback we mentioned earlier? He's back for his junior season and looking to lead Talihina to new heights on the offensive side of the ball. Ten starters return for the offense and this is a group that could flirt with averaging around 45-50 points per game. They have that kind of firepower returning. Defensively, ten starters are back and that's another area where the Golden Tigers could see an extreme amount of improvement. One starter (on the offensive and defensive line) graduated from last year's team. It's amazing to think about where this team and program has come from in just the last four years. But Talihina isn't worried about what has happened in the past. This is a team and program that is ready to make a return trip to Edmond. Last year, they lifted the silver ball with pride, knowing where they were two years prior. This year, they plan on making another trip to Edmond in 2025 and at the end of this season, they plan on raising the gold ball with pride as Class A-2 state champions.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>KEY LOSS TO GRADUATION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grayson Crouch - Offensive/Defensive Lineman</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":["1704213"],"_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-6869f60b53b85"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior wide receiver and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1704213' first='Cy' last='Ammons'] will return after a breakout season in 2024. Ammons emerged as the team's top threat in the passing game, leading the team with well over 1,300 yards and tied for the team lead with 12 touchdown receptions. Ammons was also equally as valuable on the defensive side of the ball. The Talihina sophomore finished the 2024 season with five interceptions, which led the Golden Tigers on that side of the ball. That two-way ability makes him one of the more intriguing playmakers to watch as we head into the 2025 football season. Last year was a breakout season but now, Ammons expects to produce in a major way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><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":["1524935"],"_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-6869f60b53bef"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1524935' first='Landen' last='Griffith'] is arguably the biggest reason why Talihina is the preseason number one team in Class A-2, heading into the 2025 season. Griffith was one of the biggest breakout stars last season and put up numbers that we just don't see very often. He threw for over 2,700 yards and 31 touchdowns with just three interceptions. He also added over 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. He comes into the 2025 season with a legitimate shot of being a rare member of the state's “2K2K” club. A quarterback who throws for 2,000 yards and runs for 2,000 yards. With basically the entire offense back, there's no reason to think he can't do it.&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":["1704215"],"_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-6869f60b53c42"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Joining Ammons at the wide receiver position this season is fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id='1704215' first='Noah' last='Lloyd'] and statistically, this might be the top returning wide receiver duo in the state, regardless of class. Lloyd would lead the team in receptions with 81 and tied with Ammons for the lead with 12 touchdown receptions. Lloyd also eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in receiving and is expecting to do it again this season. Just like with Ammons and Griffith for that matter, Lloyd would enjoy that breakout season and became an All State Honorable Mention selection. But now, it will be interesting to see what that production looks like this fall, knowing that they won't be sneaking up on anyone.&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":["1704218"],"_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-6869f60b53c8f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While the majority of Talihina's top returning talent are just going to be juniors, this team still has some decent talent in the senior class. Offensive and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1704218' first='Sam' last='Blue'] is one of those guys to watch from this year's senior class. And Blue is one of the players that spent his freshman year watching Talihina not have a football season in 2022. Now, he's helping lead the Golden Tigers on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he'll be setting the tone on a line of scrimmage that could be the best unit in Class A-2 this season. Defensively, he'll also be looking to establish that dominant play on the line of scrimmage for a unit that brings back almost everyone. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1704217"],"_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-6869f60b53cd8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">So the offense has the chance to be very special this season but don't sleep on the defense. Junior offensive lineman and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1704217' first='Sam' last='Bryant'] returns as the team's leading tackler from a season ago. Bryant finished his sophomore season with over 130 tackles and also led the team with ten tackles for loss. Needless to say, Bryant knows how to attack on the defensive side of the ball. Offensively, he'll be joining Blue on that Talihina offensive line so that gives them another experienced guy back. But when it comes down to it, there is no doubt that his value is greatest on the defensive side of the ball. He led the team in tackles and tackles for loss by a large margin. </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>Gavin Brown - 2028 Running Back/Defensive Back<br>Jack Worley - 2029 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Jake Sherer - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Mason Clifford - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Raben King - 2026 Running Back/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1831949' first='Racin' last='Hilton'] - 2027 Running Back/Linebacker<br>Sam Austin - 2028 Quarterback/Linebacker<br>Talon Griffith - 2027 Offensive Lineman/Linebacker<br>Tyler Crank - 2026 Offensive/Defensive Linemen</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 - Summit Christian</strong><br>- For the second straight year, Talihina will kick off their season against Summit Christian. Last year, Summit was making the transition to 11-man football and their first game was a 62-28 loss to the Golden Tigers. This season, Talihina will kick off the year against Summit at home.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 5th - AT Porter</strong><br>- These two teams were very familiar with one another before last year's district shakeup. They had met in district play on a pretty regular basis but last year was their first meeting in non-district play. Talihina beat the Pirates 45-25 last season and has won the last two in the series.<br><strong>Sept. 18th - AT Broken Bow JV</strong><br>- Talihina will wrap up their non-district slate in week three, on the road, against Broken Bow's JV squad. They won 43-8 in last season's meeting and they expect to be victorious again this season. It's Broken Bow's JV squad but that's a program that has some young talent coming up.<br><strong>Sept. 26th - AT Allen</strong><br>- District play kicks off week four with yet another road game for the Golden Tigers. Talihina will travel to Allen to get their district slate started. Last season, the Golden Tigers would win 27-8 to kick off district play. This season, they'll look to do the same against a new look Allen squad.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 3rd - Gore</strong><br>- After three straight road games, Talihina finally returns home for the first time in over a month, when they face Gore. They beat the Pirates 48-6 last season, snapping a four-game losing streak in this series. The Golden Tigers will look to dominate this match-up again in 2025.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 10th - AT Central Sallisaw</strong><br>- The second half of the regular season kicks off with a road game against Central Sallisaw. The Golden Tigers won this match-up 27-6 last season. This series could be turning around in a major way. They've lost four of the last six in this series but this year's match-up has major district implications.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 16th - Liberty</strong><br>- On a Fall Break Thursday night in week seven, Talihina will host Liberty. Last season, the Golden Tigers won 51-12 and this was a new district series for Talihina. Prior to last season's meeting, these two teams hadn't squared off since they were district foes in 2006 and 2007.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 24th - Wewoka</strong><br>- Wewoka was another new district opponent for Talihina last season. Prior to last year, these two teams hadn't squared off since the 2012 playoffs. Talihina prevailed 50-8 last season and expect to do much of the same this season. The Golden Tigers will be looking to pick up momentum late in the year.<br><strong>Oct. 31st - AT Regent Prep</strong><br>- On a Halloween Friday night in week nine, Talihina travels to Tulsa to face Regent Prep. The Golden Tigers will look to avenge their only regular season loss from a year ago. The district title could go to the winner of this match-up. Regent will look quite different with a new QB in 2025.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 7th - Mounds</strong><br>- The regular season will come to a close at home against Mounds in week ten. Similar to several other district match-ups, this was a new series for the Golden Tigers when they kicked off the 2024 football season. Last year, they would win 42-6 and will be favored to win again in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fact that Talihina went from not playing football in 2022 to making the state championship game in 2024 is one of the more remarkable stories in Oklahoma high school football from last season. But it's much more than that. Look at the previous five years alone before their run to Edmond in 2024. They missed the playoffs every season. In 2019 and 2020, they didn't win a single game. 2020 featured only four games as the Golden Tigers were significantly impacted by Covid. Even in 2023 during their return to the field, they would go 5-5 but missed out on the postseason. They hadn't played a playoff game since 2018. And to go from that to playing for the state championship is a significant leap and it's one that you just don't see that in sports very often. You hear all the time about young teams “having to learn how to win” but Talihina used the growing pains of that 5-5 season in 2023 as a springboard to what we saw in 2024. And like we said earlier in the preview, nobody likes to lose a state championship game but when Talihina was handed the silver Class A-2 Runner Up trophy, they celebrated with each other and with their community. And it's hard to imagine they won't be back in the race for the title in 2025.</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 - 12-2 - Class A-2 Runner Ups<br>2023 - 5-5 - Missed Playoffs<br>2022 - Did Not Field A Team<br>2021 - 4-5 - Missed Playoffs<br>2020 - 0-4 - 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>1 State Championship</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1966 - Beat Watonga 19-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->