Christian Heritage Crusaders 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 Christian Heritage Crusaders!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>RELATED</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em><a href="https://youtu.be/NYdV2fgdXSM" data-type="link" data-id="https://youtu.be/NYdV2fgdXSM">- Christian Heritage Preview Video With HC Daniel Kitchel</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Christian Heritage Crusaders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: UR In Class 2A-2</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Daniel Kitchel - 1st Season</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 RESULTS (4-6 Record - Missed Playoffs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 29th - Lost To Oklahoma Christian School 27-0<br>Sept. 12th - Beat Crooked Oak 26-0<br>Sept. 19th - Lost To Rejoice Christian 31-7<br>Sept. 26th - Beat Walters 41-7<br>Oct. 3rd - Lost To Wynnewood 30-7<br>Oct. 10th - Beat Stratford 28-6<br>Oct. 16th - Lost To Frederick 34-14<br>Oct. 24th - Beat Okemah 44-0<br>Oct. 31st - Lost To Minco 30-12<br>Nov. 7th - Lost To Hobart 22-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2025 Offensive Scoring Average: 19.2 Points Per Game<br>2025 Defensive Scoring Average: 18.7 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Christian Heritage Crusaders came into the 2025 season looking to build off their 2024 campaign that saw them capture a district championship and make a run to the Class A-1 semifinals. The 2025 season would not be as friendly to the Crusaders as they would come up short on making it back to the playoffs. Facing a very competitive non-district schedule, Christian Heritage began the season with a 1-2 mark. The district slate started out with a win but overall, they would go 3-4 in district play, including tough losses to Minco and Hobart in the final two weeks to keep the Crusaders out of the postseason. One year after capturing the district championship, Christian Heritage's season came to an end with a 4-6 record. Anytime you go through a season where you come up short on the postseason, it's hard to find that silver lining. But in those four wins, the Crusaders looked really good, winning all four by 20+ points. Now, they go into a new season with the majority of their starters returning. It will be an opportunity for a bounce back season in a major way. However, things are going to look very different for Christian Heritage, in more than one way as they get ready to kick things off in 2026.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two major things are changing with the Crusaders coming into this season. The first being the head coach as Daniel Kitchel has taken over following the last few seasons as an assistant coach. The other major change coming is the fact that the Crusaders are moving up to Class 2A-2 this season and in 2027. That will bring new opponents, a new district and a new challenge in a higher class. But the Crusaders bring back the majority of their starters from last year's team. Six starters return on the offensive side of the ball. The Crusaders have a really solid group of skill players returning and they'll rely on their speed quite a bit throughout the season. They are turning to a sophomore at the quarterback position. There will be some growing pains but Christian Heritage's coaches are confident that he'll get the job done. Seven starters are also back on the defensive side of the ball. Speed will once again be the name of the game for the Crusaders. Looking back at some of their averages from last season, we think that this year's team has the potential to improve quite a bit from last year's team. The new district will present some challenges but this is a team that has the talent to make it back to the postseason.&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>Ben Vogler - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Dillon French - Athlete<br>Marshall Brown - Quarterback</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":["1838748"],"_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-6a68b55d3cb39"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 tight end and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1838748' first='Bennett' last='Orr'] has the potential to be one of the top two-way players in Class 2A-2 this season. Offensively, Orr will act as an extension of the offensive line as a run-blocking tight end but he also has the ability to be a safety blanket in the pass game. Defensively, there's a chance that Orr ends up being one of Christian Heritage's best players from the linebacker position. Talking with Christian Heritage's coaches this summer, they were very excited about his potential. He checks a lot of the boxes for a possible two-way star. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2257128,"_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-6a68b55d3cbdb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 wide receiver and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='2257128' first='Cane' last='Davidson'] is a newcomer to the Christian Heritage roster and the Crusaders expect him to be an instant impact player. Davidson comes from Oklahoma Christian Academy and is looking to finish up his high school career on the gridiron. Measuring in at 6'2 and incredibly quick, Davidson gives the Crusaders more depth on the offensive side of the ball. He gives Christian Heritage a long and athletic player that has the potential to have a big senior season. The stage is certainly set for him to be a breakout player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1832508"],"_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-6a68b55d3cc3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Joining Davidson is 2027 wide receiver and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1832508' first='Eli' last='Holshouser'] and he's another wide receiver prospect that is going to immediately pass the eye test when he gets off the bus. He's 6'2 and 175 pounds and he gives the Crusaders another long receiver that has the potential to be a match-up nightmare. As Christian Heritage opens things up offensively throughout the season, look for them to stress defenses with both of these potential playmakers. Holshouser comes into this season looking to establish himself as one of the top receivers in 2A-2 football. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2257133,"_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-6a68b55d3cc8f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We mentioned earlier in the preview how Christian Heritage was turning to a sophomore at the quarterback position. [player_tooltip player_id='2257133' first='Jarren' last='Herrera'] is going to get the nod at QB1 heading into this fall and we're fired up to see him behind the wheel of this offense. On one hand, yes, there will be some growing pains as he faces real varsity action for the first time this season. But conversely, his ceiling moving forward is incredibly high and when you look at some of the playmakers he has around him, there is a lot to like about his potential to come out of the gates swinging this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1832505"],"_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-6a68b55d3cce4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 running back and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1832505' first='Nathaniel' last='Walsh'] is another offensive weapon that the Crusaders are excited about coming into the 2026 season. Walsh can be very productive in the run game but will also be a threat for the Crusaders out of the backfield as a pass catcher. He's one of several seniors that Christian Heritage expects to lead the way this season. He's incredibly strong and will require defenses to send multiple guys to try and slow down this fall. While the Crusaders give Herrera more responsibilities, look for Walsh to lead the offense a lot early on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2257134,"_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-6a68b55d3cd36"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2028 offensive and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='2257134' first='Price' last='Gowens'] looks like he's going to be the foundational piece for what Christian Heritage does on both sides of the line of scrimmage. He gives the Crusaders size on both sides but there's a chance that he ends up dominating from the defensive line position. Gowens is going to be one of the bigger guys on Christian Heritage's offensive line. We mentioned a few of their potential stars at the skill positions. None of those guys will be effective if the Crusaders don't get the job done on the line and Gowens will be critical to that.</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>AJ Warn - 2028 Tight End/Linebacker<br>Banks Warn - 2030 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Caden Taylor - 2030 Running Back/Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1832509' first='Cal' last='Goodman'] - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1832512' first='Charlie' last='Dinwiddie'] - 2028 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Colton Burris - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1838755' first='Dash' last='Garber'] - 2029 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1838752' first='Jackson' last='Thompson'] - 2028 Defensive Back<br>Jonah Herrera - 2030 Running Back/Linebacker<br>Jonathan Christensen - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Leo Sherer - 2030 Wide Receiver/Linebacker<br>Nathan Schapansky - 2029 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Owen Holshouser - 2029 Wide Receiver/Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1832503' first='Sam' last='Graves'] - 2027 Wide Receiver/Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1839200' first='Simon' last='Thomas'] - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1838753' first='Tracker' last='Brown'] - 2027 Offensive/Defensive 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 - AT Casady</strong><br>- The 2026 football season kicks off with a trip to OKC as Christian Heritage faces Casady in week zero. The Crusaders have played the Cyclones a couple times in the last few seasons. They first met in 2022 and Christian Heritage won 49-21. The rematch in 2023 would go to Casady as the Cyclones won 14-12.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 4th - Frederick</strong><br>- Christian Heritage hosts Frederick in their 2026 home opener in week one. This isn't a new match-up for the Crusaders. These two teams were district opponents in each of the last two seasons. The Crusaders won the first meeting in 2024 with a 24-0 win but Frederick won 34-14 last season. Also, Frederick beat Christian Heritage in the 2020 playoffs.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 11th - AT Luther</strong><br>- The non-district slate wraps up in week two with a road trip to face Luther. The Lions are back on the schedule for the first time in nearly a decade. These two teams were district opponents for ten straight years from 2008-2017 but haven't played since that 2017 meeting. During that ten-year stretch, the Crusaders were 7-3 against the Lions.<br><strong>Sept. 25th - Hennessey</strong><br>- The Crusaders return home to host Hennessey in week four to open up the district schedule this season. These two teams haven't played since 2016, when Christian Heritage beat Hennessey 34-7 in the opening round of the playoffs. Three of their previous five meetings came in the playoffs. Overall, Hennessey is 4-1 against the Crusaders.<br><strong>Oct. 2nd - AT Newkirk</strong><br>- In week five, Christian Heritage goes on the road to face Newkirk and this will be the first opponent that the Crusaders play this season that they have no past history with. Despite moving classes and districts, the Crusaders have met the majority of their opponents this season. That's not the case with Newkirk as this year's meeting is the first.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 9th - Cashion</strong><br>- Both Cashion and Christian Heritage are moving up this season from Class A-1 and both expect to be immediate impact teams. These two are in the same district once again after they have been off and on for the last eight years. Since 2018, they've met four times in district play and each team has won twice. The Crusaders won the last two meetings.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 15th - AT Community Christian</strong><br>- On a Fall Break Thursday night in week seven, the Crusaders will head over to Norman to face Community Christian. Both teams bring back the majority of their starters and expect to be playoff teams this fall. These two were district opponents in 2020 and 2021 and the Royals swept that series, with the last win coming by 35 points.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 23rd - Alva</strong><br>- Christian Heritage hosts Alva in week eight and this will be the first time that these two have matched up in the regular season. They met three times from 2012-2017 but every meeting was in a first round playoff game. Christian Heritage beat Alva in 2013 but the Goldbugs won the other two meetings against the Crusaders.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 30th - AT Meeker</strong><br>- The last road game in the regular season comes in week nine when the Crusaders go on the road to face Meeker. These two teams haven't played since 2017. They were district opponents for two seasons in 2016 and 2017. The Crusaders swept that series, with the last win coming by 20 points in 2017. Both teams and programs look different a decade later.<br><strong>Nov. 6th - Millwood</strong><br>- The regular season wraps up in week ten with a home game against Millwood. These two teams haven't faced off in nearly a decade. They were district opponents from 2010-2017 and the Falcons held a 7-1 advantage over the Crusaders during that time. Both teams are hungry to make it back to the playoffs after missing out last year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's no other way to describe it, Christian Heritage has a very weird playoff run going right now. They became an official member of the OSSAA and started qualifying for the playoffs in 2008 and became a consistent playoff team shortly after that. But starting in 2018, when Christian Heritage actually made a run to the state championship game, they would start missing the playoffs every other year. They missed the playoffs the following year in 2019. They made the playoffs in 2020 but would miss them in 2021. They were back in the postseason in 2022 but then came up short in 2023. Then they made a run to the semifinals and won the district title in 2024 but missed the playoffs again last fall. So either this is a complete coincidence (it probably is) or the Crusaders are headed back to the playoffs this season and might end up going on a deep run in November.&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 - 4-6 - Missed Playoffs<br>2024 - 9-4 - Lost In Class A-1 Semifinals<br>2023 - 5-5 - Missed Playoffs<br>2022 - 9-3 - Lost In Class A 2nd Round<br>2021 - 4-6 - 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><strong><em>0 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->