Yukon Millers 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 August and that means it's preview time! During 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 Yukon Millers!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Yukon Millers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: UR In Class 6A-1</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Brent Barnes - 3rd Season - 4-16 Record At Yukon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 RESULTS (3-7 Record - Missed Playoffs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 30th - Beat Putnam City 26-16<br>Sept. 6th - Lost To Mustang 52-14<br>Sept. 13th - Beat Sapulpa 10-7<br>Sept. 27th - Lost To Westmoore 31-21<br>Oct. 4th - Lost To Broken Arrow 42-28<br>Oct. 11th - Lost To Edmond Memorial 38-0<br>Oct. 17th - Lost To Union 59-30<br>Oct. 25th - Lost To Norman North 42-21<br>Nov. 1st - Beat Edmond Santa Fe 28-27<br>Nov. 7th - Lost To Owasso 50-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2024 Offensive Scoring Average: 19.2 Points Per Game<br>2024 Defensive Scoring Average: 36.4 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After going 1-9 for the second straight year in 2023, Yukon was more than ready to turn the page and start a new chapter in 2024. The Millers would open the season with a couple wins early on and things were turning around in a positive direction. Yukon beat Putnam City and Sapulpa to start the season 2-1. But they were in an absolute gauntlet of a district and when district play began, the losses started to pile up. Yukon would lose five straight after the 2-1 start, including a loss to Westmoore in the district opener that really hurt their chances of making it back to the playoffs. They would beat Edmond Santa Fe by a point in week nine to avoid going winless in the district but they finished the season at 3-7, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Now here's the thing. 3-7 and missing the playoffs isn't something that you have as a goal before the season begins. But improving as a team and as a program is something you have as a goal. And Yukon was able to improve. They went from 1-9 to 3-7 and their defense made a massive jump when you look at the scoring averages. They gave up over 50 points per game in 2023 and that average went down dramatically in 2024. Now, Yukon is turning the page to a new season and the Millers will once again be looking to improve on the year before. And if they are able to make an improvement this fall, they could be looking at a playoff appearance.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Yukon comes into this season needing to replace the majority of their starters from last season's team. And that's the bad news but the good news is that most of the returning starters they bring back were some of the best players on last year's team. So they are bringing back plenty of their production and overall star power despite the majority of their starters graduating. Only four starters are back on the offensive side of the ball but they do get their quarterback and top rusher from last season returning. They also get arguably their best offensive lineman back to pave the way on the line of scrimmage. Defensively, they bring back five starters from last year's team and that was a unit that made a significant jump from 2023 to 2024. If they can make another decent jump in 2025, that should make them a fun unit to watch this fall. Now, the biggest hurdle they have to overcome is the district. Since Class 6A split into two divisions, it has turned district play into a gauntlet for the teams that are borderline playoff teams. It's definitely a class that feels like it's a class of “haves” and “have nots” and the “have nots” have to scratch and claw for everything they can get. It will be important to get out to a fast start in district play. As we mentioned earlier, that loss to Westmoore in the district opener ended up being the difference between making the playoffs and missing out on the postseason.&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>Kenison Rogers - Wide Receiver - 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":["1304575"],"_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-688ceba7c5527"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We mentioned earlier in the preview how Yukon is bringing back arguably their best offensive lineman to help pave the way on the line of scrimmage. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1304575' first='Cayden' last='Carter'] is that guy and we're looking forward to seeing what he does this fall. Carter checks a lot of the boxes that you're looking for when it comes to an offensive lineman prospect. With Yukon losing the majority of the offensive line from a year ago, Carter quickly turns into the experienced veteran that will be leaned on to bring those guys along. In addition to that, he's an absolute bulldozer coming off the line.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1330007"],"_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-688ceba7c5585"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">One player that we're very excited to watch this season is junior [player_tooltip player_id='1330007' first='Daniel' last='Yebit'] on both sides of the ball. It doesn't matter if he's lining up on offense or defense, Yebit is a 2027 prospect that is getting more and more attention as a legitimate college prospect. Yebit started turning heads this spring, not for what he was doing on the gridiron, but it was what he was doing on the track. To put it simply, Yebit is an athletic freak and if that athleticism translates even a little on the gridiron, he's going to start turning a lot of heads on the football field this season. Right now, he has a very high ceiling.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["858874"],"_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-688ceba7c55cb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In our opinion, senior [player_tooltip player_id='858874' first='Destry' last='Lujan'] is one of the more underrated two-way players returning in Class 6A-1. Offensively, he led the Millers in rushing last season and really elevated his game on that side of the ball. He finished with well over 600 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Defensively, he also finished the season with nearly 100 tackles and led the team in that category from the linebacker position. Earlier this summer, Lujan announced his commitment to Western Colorado. This season, he has the chance to become one of unquestioned best two-way players in 6A-1.&nbsp;</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":["1745314"],"_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-688ceba7c560b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1745314' first='Wyatt' last='Jones'] returns for his second season as QB1 of the Miller offense but it will be his first full season as the starter. Jones got in spots throughout the 2024 season but really established himself as the guy in the second half of the season. Last year, he threw for nearly 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns and also added nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. It's safe to say that his production should go up significantly in both departments this season. Jones had a solid start to his career last fall and should build on it in 2025.&nbsp;</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>Connor Cannon - 2028 Linebacker<br>Michael Johnson - 2026 Defensive Lineman<br>Prince Shelburn - 2028 Running Back<br>Rocco Johnson - 2027 Linebacker<br>Trendon Turner - 2028 Running Back<br>Zayden Khalil - 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 - Putnam City</strong><br>- For the second straight year, the Millers will kick off the regular season against Putnam City. Last season, they went on the road and beat the Pirates 26-16. This season, they'll host the Pirates and Putnam City definitely looks improved from last year. It will be a solid challenge to kick off the year.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 5th - AT Mustang</strong><br>- In week one, Yukon has their annual rivalry game with Mustang and the Millers are desperate to turn things around. Yukon lost 52-14 last season and it was their seventh straight loss in the series. But Mustang has reloaded with a lot of new additions that have made them a top five team heading into 2025.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 12th - AT Sapulpa</strong><br>- The Millers will wrap up non-district play with a road trip east to Sapulpa, to square off with the Chieftains. Last season, these two teams met for the first time in recent memory. They played a low-scoring game that saw Yukon prevail 10-7. Sapulpa is improved from last season with the majority of their production back.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 26th - AT Westmoore</strong><br>- After a week off, Yukon will open up district play with a road game against Westmoore in week four. As we mentioned earlier in the preview, their 31-21 loss to Westmoore essentially kept Yukon out of the playoffs. They've lost three straight to the Jaguars so it'll be important to get out to a fast start with a win here.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 3rd - Broken Arrow</strong><br>- After playing away from home during the entire month of September, Yukon finally returns home to face Broken Arrow in week five. The Millers lost to the Tigers 42-28 last season and Broken Arrow looks like they are set to be 6A-1's most improved team in 2025. They'll certainly provide a bigger challenge.<br><strong>Oct. 10th - AT Edmond Memorial</strong><br>- The second half of the regular season begins with a short road trip over to Edmond to take on Edmond Memorial. These two teams have been district opponents every year since Class 6A was split into two divisions. The Millers have lost three straight to the Bulldogs, including last year's 38-0 loss.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 16th - Union</strong><br>- On a Fall Break Thursday night in week seven, the Miller will host Union. These two have been district opponents since 2022 and it's been all Union in this series. But the Redhawks will look different this year with a first year head coach and new faces all over the roster, on offense and defense.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 24th - AT Norman North</strong><br>- Yukon heads over to Norman to face Norman North in week eight. Last season, the Millers were doubled up by the Timberwolves, losing 42-21. That was the second straight loss to Norman North in the series. Norman North is opening their new on-campus stadium this season.<br><strong>Oct. 30th - Edmond Santa Fe</strong><br>- In week nine, Yukon hosts Edmond Santa Fe and if Yukon makes the playoffs this season, this game is another must-win for the Millers. Last season, they beat Santa Fe 28-27 and it snapped a four-game losing streak to the Wolves. Both teams are trying to bounce back after tough 2024 seasons.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 7th - Owasso</strong><br>- In the regular season finale, Yukon hosts Owasso and the Millers are hoping that this won't be their last game of 2025. The Millers lost to the Rams 50-14 and have lost the last three since they became district foes in 2022. Bill Blankenship has returned to the Owasso sidelines after a year of retirement.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After back to back 1-9 seasons in 2022 and 2023 and then going 3-7 in 2024, Yukon is incredibly hungry to make it back to the playoffs for the first time in a few seasons. As a program looking to grow in a positive direction, first you crawl, then you walk and then you run. For the Millers, crawling would be flirting with a playoff spot and they nearly did that last season. Walking would be to make the playoffs and then running would be winning in the playoffs. And Yukon has not run in quite some time. 2021 was the last playoff appearance but you have to go all the way back to 1997 to find the last playoff win. That's when they made it all the way to the state championship game but they haven't won in the playoffs ever since. They've lost in eight consecutive playoff appearances and Yukon is hungry to end that streak and with the expanded playoffs in 6A-1, we think that's definitely something that's possible and this program could really start taking giant leaps in the right direction moving forward.</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 - 3-7 - Missed Playoffs<br>2023 - 1-9 - Missed Playoffs<br>2022 - 1-9 - Missed Playoffs<br>2021 - 4-7 - Lost In Class 6A-1 Quarterfinals<br>2020 - 6-5 - Lost In Class 6A-1 1st 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 -->