Bishop McGuinness Irish OK 2026 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 2026 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 Bishop McGuinness Irish!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>RELATED</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong><a href="https://youtu.be/e2x5PPEkSDM" type="link" id="https://youtu.be/e2x5PPEkSDM">- Bishop McGuinness Video Preview With HC Ryan Stringer</a></strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Bishop McGuinness Irish&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #2 In Class 5A</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Ryan Stringer - 3rd Season - 20-6 Record At Bishop McGuinness</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 RESULTS (12-2 Record - Class 5A Runner Ups)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 29th - Beat Deer Creek 17-14<br>Sept. 5th - Beat Bishop Kelley 22-17<br>Sept. 13th - Beat Bishop Lynch, TX. 35-28<br>Sept. 19th - Beat Bishop Carroll, KS. 38-14<br>Sept. 26th - Beat Classen SAS 57-0<br>Oct. 10th - Beat Midwest City 56-8<br>Oct. 17th - Beat Duncan 28-10<br>Oct. 24th - Beat Southeast 45-7<br>Oct. 31st - Beat Newcastle 24-14<br>Nov. 7th - Lost To Lawton MacArthur 35-21<br>1st Round - Beat Guthrie 42-35<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Claremore 42-14<br>Semifinals - Beat Lawton MacArthur 61-28<br>Championship - Lost To Carl Albert 48-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2025 Offensive Scoring Average: 35.4 Points Per Game<br>2025 Defensive Scoring Average: 19.4 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bishop McGuinness Fighting Irish are a good example of why you can't put too much weight on preseason rankings. At this time last year, we had the Irish outside of the 5A top ten. They finished 12-2 and were the 5A Runner Ups. It's not about where you start but how you finish, or something like that. The Irish came into the 2025 season understanding that they were going to be road warriors throughout the year. All in all, 10 of their 14 games were either true road games or neutral-site games. That didn't stop them from winning. They started the season 9-0, with close wins in the early part of the season but they kicked it into another gear in October. They were 9-0 heading into the final week of the regular season but they lost their starting quarterback and would fall 35-21 to Lawton MacArthur in week ten. They went from 9-0 to actually finishing third in the district because of a three-way tie. That put them back on the road for the playoffs, where the Irish felt more like home. They beat Guthrie by a touchdown in the first round before going to Claremore and dismantling the Zebras. They would face district foe Lawton MacArthur in the semifinals. And a few weeks after losing by two touchdowns, they would beat up the Highlanders 61-28 to punch their ticket to the 5A state championship game. They would face former rival and current 5A powerhouse Carl Albert with the gold ball on the line. We wouldn't see a fairy tale ending for the Irish as they fell down in a hole early and couldn't climb out, falling 48-7. They finished 12-2 and took the silver ball back home. While the 2025 Bishop McGuinness season might have been one we didn't see coming, we're not making that same mistake for 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even though last year proved that preseason rankings mean absolutely nothing. We're not making the same mistake twice and the Irish are squarely in the top five for Class 5A heading into this season. The Irish are going to look pretty different in 2026 but they are still going to be one of the teams to beat in this class. Things will also look different for the Irish on the 2026 schedule. But more on that in a bit. Looking at the Irish, they bring back six starters from last year's squad that averaged 35 points per game. There is no doubt that the strength of the offense will be the skill positions. The Irish have to find several new starters along the offensive line. But they bring back their starting quarterback, running back and several playmakers at wide receiver. If the offensive line can come together and gel as a unit, the Irish will be just fine on that side of the ball. Defensively, the Irish bring back seven starters from a unit that gave up under 20 points per game last season. And just like with the offense, their defense is going to have to find new names on the line of scrimmage. The strength of this unit will come at linebacker and in the secondary. In fact, we really like the potential for this secondary to be one of the best units in Class 5A. The Irish have multiple players that enjoyed breakout seasons last year. Now, the bar has been raised and the Irish expect to be right back in the mix for the 5A title. The road to Edmond is going to look completely different this season. The Irish are in a new district for the next two seasons and it features strictly teams in Tulsa and eastern Oklahoma. So the Irish will once again be road warriors to a certain extent. But they won't care as long as that road ends with a stop at UCO with the state championship on the line.</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>Aiden Monigold - Defensive Lineman (2025 All State Honorable Mention)<br>Andrew Harris - Tight End/Defensive Lineman (2025 All State Honorable Mention)<br>Jacob Costello - Offensive Lineman (2025 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":["1830609"],"_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-6a490c203c50b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1830609' first='Braydon' last='Splitt'] returns as one of the top pass catchers in the McGuinness passing attack. Splitt had a really strong junior season on both sides of the ball and his ability on defense can't be overlooked. On defense, Splitt finished the year with nearly 50 tackles and 14 pass break ups. He's the first of several standouts returning that make the McGuinness secondary a very fun unit to watch. On offense, Splitt finished the year with just over 500 yards and seven touchdowns. He's going to come into this season as a very important two-way player for the Irish. Looking at his play last year, he looks equally valuable on both sides of the ball. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1836873"],"_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-6a490c203c5c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We knew about 2028 defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1836873' first='Carter' last='Akin'] coming into the 2025 football season but good grief, we did not expect him to blow up the way he did from a production standpoint. Akin was a heat-seeking missile all season. He's listed as a defensive back but this guy was always around the ball like a linebacker. He finished the year with 166 tackles, including 14.5 tackles for loss. Akin also forced three fumbles and came down with two interceptions last season. The tackle number is absolutely off the charts from the safety position. What's scary is that Akin was just a sophomore last season. Akin was just scratching the surface on what he will ultimately be on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(2025 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":["1834412"],"_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-6a490c203c654"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 running back [player_tooltip player_id='1834412' first='DreAndre' last='Bruton'] is back for more this season, following an outstanding junior season in 2025. Bruton would end up being one of McGuinness' top playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. He finished with just shy of 1,000 yards and ten touchdowns on the ground. He was also a threat out of the backfield as a pass catcher. The Irish will need Bruton to elevate his game this season and be that 1,000+ yard rusher to have that balance on offense. And with the Irish having to replace some key pieces on the offensive line, Bruton will be in a different position coming into this season. But we're fired up to see what he does with the opportunity. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1689435"],"_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-6a490c203c6e1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1689435' first='Gage' last='Chance'] is on the shortlist of players that we're fired up to watch this season. For Chance, the 2025 season feels like a “what if?” year after he got hurt in the regular season finale and had to miss their playoff run. Chance was terrific throughout the 2025 season and he was certainly missed in the postseason. Chance threw for over 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also added over 300 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. You look at the skill players that the Irish bring back in 2026, and we would be very surprised if Chance doesn't take his production up a notch this year. And after having to miss their playoff run, Chance will be hungry to get back on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1743060"],"_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-6a490c203c76b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At this time last year, we were expecting 2028 running back and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1743060' first='Malachi' last='Darby'] to be a breakout player in the McGuinness offense. As it turned out, he was certainly a breakout player for the Irish, but it came on the defensive side of the ball. Darby finished the year with just shy of 100 tackles on the year. He lived in the backfield, becoming one of the team's leaders in tackles for loss with 17 on the season. He was still productive on offense but there was no doubt that he had a higher ceiling for the Irish on the defensive side of the ball. Darby still finished with over 200 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. He will give the Irish another versatile athlete. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1836882"],"_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-6a490c203c7f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 wide receiver and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1836882' first='Marcellous' last='Tyner']-Walker was one of the breakout stars in Class 5A last season. At this time last year, we didn't know much about Tyner-Walker and he had a terrific season as a sophomore. While some of the players listed here are two-way players that are equally valuable on both sides of the ball. Tyner-Walker was definitely a huge bright spot on the defensive side of the ball. He finished the year with nearly 100 tackles on the year, including 16 tackles for loss and a dozen sacks. The defensive breakout star was all over the field for the Irish. He also had over 200 yards and a touchdown as a receiver on offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(2025 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":["1828105"],"_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-6a490c203c876"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We mentioned it earlier in the preview how the offensive line group was going to be an area where the Irish would need new names to step up after their losses to graduation. 2028 offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1828105' first='Sam' last='Randolph'] is one of the players that the Irish expect to be featured in a bigger role this season. Bishop McGuinness lost three outstanding offensive linemen to graduation. Randolph and a few other guys return with some experience. If the junior and this rebuilt offensive line come together quickly, the Irish certainly have the firepower to be one of 5A's best. Randolph could be primed for a breakout season by paving the way for this offense. </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>[player_tooltip player_id='1836875' first='Jackson' last='Blackburn'] - 2027 Linebacker<br>John Luke Kloberdanz - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Kyson Tyner-Givens - 2029 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1830616' first='Liam' last='Parker'] - 2028 Offensive Lineman<br>Nick Pittman - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1837095' first='Stacey' last='Brewer'] - 2027 Athlete<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1829685' first='Taylor' last='Chambers'] - 2029 Tight End/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1830621' first='Will' last='Hughes'] - 2027 Offensive Lineman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2026 SCHEDULE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aug. 28th - Putnam City North</strong><br>- The 2026 football season opens up with a home game against Putnam City North in week zero. This will be the first meeting between these two teams in recent memory. The Irish will look to kick off the season with a win to pick up some momentum. They'll need that momentum going into the next two weeks of non-district play.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 4th - AT Bishop Kelley</strong><br>- The annual rivalry clash with Bishop Kelley takes place in Tulsa this year. The Irish have won three straight in the series and five of the last six meetings. And one of the biggest things we really like about this series historically is how close the games end up being. That also includes last year's 22-17 victory over the Comets.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 11th - Carl Albert</strong><br>- The non-district schedule wraps up with a home game against defending champion Carl Albert. Needless to say, there's a few different reasons to circle this one on the calendar. The Irish fell to the Titans in last year's title game. They will also have a chance to possibly end Carl Albert's winning streak and get their first win in the series since 2016.<br><strong>Sept. 25th - AT Collinsville</strong><br>- After a week off following the showdown with Carl Albert, Bishop McGuinness opens up district play with a road game against Collinsville. The Irish will be facing the Cardinals for the first time since the 2021 quarterfinals. The Cardinals won that night and went on to win the 5A state championship. The Irish will look to get a big district opening win.<br><strong>Oct. 2nd - Claremore</strong><br>- It's another new district opponent for the Irish as they'll host Claremore in week five. But this won't be a new opponent after they saw the Zebras in the 5A quarterfinals a year ago. Bishop McGuinness prevailed 42-14 last year so this is definitely a game that Claremore will have circled. It's another game that will have major playoff implications.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 9th - AT Pryor</strong><br>- Bishop McGuinness heads east again in week six to face the Pryor Tigers. Pryor was one of the top teams in Class 5A last season, going 10-0 and winning their district title. This will be the first meeting between these two teams in recent memory. Both teams come into this season expecting to contend for this year's district title and much more.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 16th - Memorial</strong><br>- Bishop McGuinness hosts Memorial from Tulsa in week seven. The majority of teams will be playing on Thursday night this week but the Irish will host the Chargers on Friday night. Memorial is another new district opponent for the Irish. They are also a team that has struggled mightily against 5A competition for a while now.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 22nd - AT Edison</strong><br>- It's a Thursday night trip to Tulsa to face Edison in week eight. It's also another new district opponent for the Irish but not a new opponent in general. These two teams played a very memorable quarterfinal match-up back in 2019. The Irish prevailed that night, winning 42-41. The Eagles have struggled over the last several years.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 30th - Tahlequah</strong><br>- The Irish host Tahlequah in week nine and this is yet another match-up between teams that have high expectations coming into this season. The Tigers are also another new district opponent for the Irish. They've met twice in the last decade. It came in back to back years in the playoffs. Bishop McGuinness prevailed both times.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 6th - AT Nathan Hale</strong><br>- The regular season comes to an end with another trip to Tulsa as the Irish will face Nathan Hale. The Rangers are another new district opponent for the Irish and they'll square off in week ten. While a few other TPS programs have continued to struggle, Nathan Hale has turned things around and looks to build on the last two years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As you can see, Bishop McGuinness is in a whole new world with the new district alignments in Class 5A. When you look at Irish football over the last couple decades, they have not played Tulsa-area teams very often. Other than the annual rivalry game with Bishop Kelley, the Irish haven't played Tulsa-area teams other than the playoffs. This has just been the way Class 5A has been over the last few seasons. Teams that are near Oklahoma City have been considered “east side” teams in Class 5A. Del City has fought that battle for several years now and the Irish have joined them this season. So while the Irish won't have the majority of their games away from home, four of the seven district games are away from home and McGuinness will get very familiar with I-44 throughout this season. But McGuinness can take lessons from last season to prepare for a completely new district schedule this season. And on the flip side, while McGuinness has to prepare for new opponents throughout the year, those opponents also have to prepare for an Irish team that has been routinely one of Class 5A's best.&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>2025 - 12-2 - Class 5A Runner Ups<br>2024 - 8-4 - Lost In Class 5A Quarterfinals<br>2023 - 8-4 - Lost In Class 5A Semifinals<br>2022 - 10-2 - Lost In Class 5A Semifinals<br>2021 - 7-5 - Lost In Class 5A 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>2 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2007 - Beat Glenpool 14-9<br>2006 - Beat Grove 31-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->