Community Christian Royals 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 Community Christian Royals!</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/wceuQnNVrMI" data-type="link" data-id="https://youtu.be/wceuQnNVrMI">- Community Christian Video Preview With HC Mat McIntosh</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Community Christian Royals</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #7 In Class 2A-2</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Mat McIntosh - 12th Season - 56-65 Record At Community Christian</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 Washington 35-6<br>Sept. 5th - Lost To Mount St. Mary 59-14<br>Sept. 12th - Beat Casady 35-17<br>Sept. 26th - Lost To Beggs 27-7<br>Oct. 3rd - Lost To Dibble 48-7<br>Oct. 10th - Beat Coalgate 13-12<br>Oct. 16th - Beat Tishomingo 34-26<br>Oct. 23rd - Lost To Holdenville 46-14<br>Oct. 30th - Beat Comanche 44-21<br>Nov. 7th - Lost To Davis 56-18</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 Offensive Scoring Average: 19.2 Points Per Game<br>2025 Defensive Scoring Average: 34.7 Points Per Game</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Community Christian came into the 2025 season looking to build on a 2024 campaign that saw them make it back to the playoffs. But it was apparent early on that the Royals were going to fight an uphill battle with an incredibly young team and a roster that just lacked numbers to compete week in and week out. They struggled out of the gate with a 1-4 record, with the lone win coming in week two against Casady in non-district play. However, the Royals did finish the second half of the season strong, getting three wins in district play over Coalgate, Tishomingo and Comanche. The only losses in the second half of the regular season came to the top two teams in the district with Davis and Holdenville. The regular season came to an end at 4-6 and they were on the outside looking in on the playoffs. And while as a whole, the season can be looked at as disappointing with always wanting to make the playoffs and be one of the better teams in the district. We can't help but shine a spotlight on two facts. This was an incredibly young team that started quite a few freshmen and built a ton of depth and overall experience as they head into 2026. And you look at the way they finished the regular season, going 3-2 in the second half and if they can carry that momentum into this year, combined with the returning experience, the Royals should bounce back in a major way when we kick things off in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Royals come into this season with nearly everyone back on both sides of the ball. They look (on paper) like a top ten team in Class 2A-2 and it will be interesting to see what kind of momentum they can carry over from the way they finished the 2025 campaign. Eight starters are back on the offensive side of the ball and if this unit is healthy, there is no way that they don't take a major step forward this season. They averaged just shy of 20 points per game last season. We think they take a major step forward this year when you look at the firepower they have in the skill department and the experience they have on the offensive line. Defensively, the Royals will be even more experienced with nine full time starters coming back on that side of the ball. Similar to the offensive side, if this defense stays healthy, we just don't see any way the Royals don't make major improvements this season. Now, one hurdle that could get in front of Community Christian is the new district lineup. They were in a very competitive district the last two seasons in Class 2A-2. This year, a lot of these teams will be new but the competition level feels like it will be about the same. There will be a good team or two that gets left out of the playoffs. Community Christian is determined to not have that happen to them in 2026. They come into this season as a top ten team and are hungry to finish as one in November and December.</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>Jaden Bowers - Wide Receiver<br>James Peterson - 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":["2124514"],"_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-6a5e6da3193bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2029 wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='2124514' first='Austin' last='Eshelman'] is the first of two freshmen that enjoyed breakout seasons last fall for the Royals. Eshelman finished his freshman year as one of Community Christian's top targets in the pass game and has only gotten better this offseason. Last fall, Eshleman finished with over 40 catches for nearly 500 yards and six touchdowns. He played some of his best football down the stretch and carried that momentum into the offseason. We got a chance to watch Eshelman in person at one of our 7v7 tournaments and he was a standout. He's one of many reasons why we like the potential for this Community Christian offense to elevate this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1834678"],"_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-6a5e6da3194ac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1834678' first='Ben' last='Jolley'] is the number one reason why we're excited about the potential of this Community Christian offense. Jolley was thrown into the fire last season as a freshman and by the end of the year, he was making some special things happen. He threw for over 2,200 yards and 17 touchdowns as a freshman. And we don't have the game logs but we would assume that the majority of those numbers came in the second half of the regular season. There is no doubt that when we look at this roster, Jolley is not going to be lacking skill players around him. There is no reason to think Jolley won't put up some very impressive numbers this season.&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":["1727336"],"_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-6a5e6da319537"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2028 running back and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1727336' first='Carson' last='Rehkop'] comes into this season as arguably the best two-way player on this team. You can certainly make that argument for him from a production standpoint. Last year, Rehkop finished the year with over 900 yards and eight touchdowns. Then he turned around and was one of the team's leaders in tackles with 110 tackles on the season. He was as productive as you could be on both sides of the ball. This season, the Royals will lean on him to be one of those dominant two-way players but defense is where he can shine brightest. There is a lot of potential for him to be one of 2A-2's best two-way players this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1832124"],"_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-6a5e6da3195c4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 running back Christopher Razook is a player that the Royals are excited about coming into this season. He's not a returning starter from last year's team but he kind of is. Razook ran for over 500 yards for the Royals during his sophomore season. But he spent last year over at Norman North and has returned to Community Christian this season. The last time Razook was in the purple and gold, he was incredibly productive for the Royals. He joins a Community Christian offense that already has a lot of firepower. It seems crazy to think but he feels like a luxury addition for an offense the could have used him last year, and now he'll be a plug and play player for them in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1838364"],"_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-6a5e6da319650"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">When we look at this Community Christian roster on paper, it's hard not to be very impressed with the firepower they have returning at the skill positions. But as we've said plenty of times in the past, none of that matters if you don't have the guys on the line of scrimmage getting the job done. The Royals are very excited about the depth they have returning up front on offense and the defensive line for that matter. 2027 OL and DL [player_tooltip player_id='1838364' first='Iain' last='Garmon'] is one of those guys that comes into this season with a ton of experience. He has the potential to be one of the leaders on offense but then he turns around and starts on defense, finishing last year with 40 tackles on the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1832123"],"_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-6a5e6da3196d9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1832123' first='Jaiden' last='Cox'] returns as one of the more important pieces on the defensive side of the ball. Cox finished his junior season a year ago with just over 100 tackles. There is no doubt that he was a heat-seeking missile for this Community Christian defense. And if they are going to take a major step forward, like they have the potential to do, Cox is going to be a big part of that. He did a great job producing last season and if he can take a step forward in that department, as well as helping out the guys around him and opening things up for others to make plays, that's how this defense takes that step. Cox will be a key piece to their defensive success.</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>Aaron Horstloetter - 2028 Athlete<br>Brooks Brasfield - 2028 Running Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1832130' first='Cameron' last='Winkle'] - 2028 Wide Receiver<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1832127' first='Cooper' last='Henley'] - 2027 Tight End/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1832128' first='Dagan' last='Cook'] - 2028 Defensive Lineman<br>Evan Rogers - 2027 Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1832121' first='Graham' last='Neal'] - 2027 Offensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1838371' first='Hudson' last='Davis'] - 2028 Wide Receiver<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1838366' first='Hondo' last='Adkison'] - 2027 Offensive Lineman<br>Isaac McFather-Bias - 2029 Offensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1839414' first='Kaiden' last='Riley'] - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1832133' first='Lucas' last='Merlo'] - 2028 Kicker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1839727' first='Max' last='Maples'] - 2027 Linebacker<br>Max Mofitt - 2027 Offensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1832125' first='Reef' last='Wilcox'] - 2027 Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1834672' first='Will' last='Mauterer'] - 2029 Linebacker</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 - Oklahoma Christian School</strong><br>- Community Christian opens the 2026 season at home against Oklahoma Christian School. These two met in non-district play in 2022 and 2023 and the Saints are back on the schedule heading into this season. In 2022 and 2023, they split that series with each team winning a game. OCS moved up to Class 3A this season.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 3rd - AT Lindsay</strong><br>- The first road game takes place on a Thursday night in week one as the Royals head to face Lindsay. These two teams were district opponents off and on in the last decade. The Royals will be looking for their first win over the Leopards when they square off this fall. They are 0-4 all time against Lindsay and looking to turn that around in 2026.<br><strong>Sept. 17th - Casady</strong><br>- After a bye week, the non-district slate wraps up in week three with a home game against Casady. These two have met in non-district play each of the last four seasons. Casady won the first two meetings in 2022 and 2023 but the Royals have taken care of business in each of the last two. They won 33-12 in 2024 and 35-17 last season.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 25th - AT Meeker</strong><br>- We mentioned that Community Christian was in a new district and would face some new opponents. The district opener puts the Royals on the road to face Meeker in week four. This will be the first time these two teams meet on the gridiron. Meeker will be coming into this season with a new head coach.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 2nd - Alva</strong><br>- The Royals return home to host Alva in week five and this will be another new opponent for Community Christian. They've never played the Goldbugs in football and it will be an interesting match-up. Alva struggled last season but this is a program that typically has a winning record and finds their way into the playoff hunt.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 9th - AT Millwood</strong><br>- The Royals head to Oklahoma City in week six to square off with a Millwood squad that is coming down from 2A-1. These two teams were district opponents in 2018 and 2019 and the Falcons rolled to 20+ point wins in both. Millwood will have a first year head coach and this will be a major test for the Royals in week six.<br><strong>Oct. 15th - Christian Heritage</strong><br>- On a Fall Break Thursday night in week seven, the Royals will host Christian Heritage and this is another team that will have a first year head coach when they square off. Christian Heritage comes up from Class A-1 this season. These two were district opponents in 2020 and 2021 and the Royals won each of those meetings.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 22nd - Newkirk</strong><br>- Newkirk is another new opponent for the Royals heading into this season. Community Christian has never faced the Tigers but that will end when they square off in week eight. Newkirk is a program that has been fighting to get back to the playoffs and winning records. They have struggled over the last two seasons.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 30th - AT Hennessey</strong><br>- After back to back home games, Community Christian will wrap up the regular season with two straight road games. The first one is in week nine when they head up to Hennessey. These two teams have never met on the gridiron but the Eagles will be a challenging opponent. They've been a playoff team three out of the last four years.<br><strong>Nov. 6th - AT Cashion</strong><br>- The regular season comes to an end in week ten with a road trip up to Cashion. The Wildcats are another team that has moved up to 2A-2 from Class A-1 and they look to be an immediate impact team in this class. These two teams haven't met since they were playing eight-man football two decades ago. 2007 was their last meeting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Mat McIntosh has been in charge of this Community Christian football program when they were still playing eight-man football. He took over the Royal football program in 2015, one season after they officially became members of the OSSAA in 2014. So he has seen the evolution of this program in more than a few ways over the last dozen years. He's about to enter his 12th season as head coach of the Royals and there is no doubt that he is hungrier than ever to get the Royals into the mix with some of the top teams in this class. The Royals have made the playoffs in six of the last eight seasons. They've been a consistent playoff team and this year's club is hungry to get back to that in 2026. But ultimately, the Royals are looking to become one of those teams that make deep runs in the playoffs. From 2020-2022, they went 26-11 and it was without a doubt the best run of Community Christian football. With so many young and talented players on this year's team, 2026 could be the start of a two or three year stretch that rivals that. In Class 2A-2, the door is open for teams to go from consistent playoff teams to consistent state championship contenders.&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 - 5-6 - Lost In Class 2A-2 1st Round<br>2023 - 3-7 - Missed Playoffs<br>2022 - 7-5 - Lost In Class 2A 2nd Round<br>2021 - 9-3 - 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>0 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->