Deer Creek Antlers OK 2026 Team Preview

Get 25% Off Your Subscription By Entering Knight25 In The Coupon Code Area. Enjoy!   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 Deer Creek Antlers!   RELATED   <a href="https://youtu.be/vrZrO1vPAB8" data-type="link" data-id="https://youtu.be/vrZrO1vPAB8">- Deer Creek Preview Video</a>   Deer Creek Antlers   Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #10 In Class 6A-1   Head Coach: Wade Standley - 10th Season - 57-43 Record At Deer Creek   2025 RESULTS (3-8 Record - Lost In 6A-1 1st Round)   Aug. 29th - Lost To Bishop McGuinness 17-14 Sept. 5th - Lost To Edmond Memorial 35-7 Sept. 12th - Lost To Norman North 27-14 Sept. 26th - Beat Enid 65-0 Oct. 3rd - Beat Edmond North 13-12 Oct. 10th - Lost To Moore 40-24 Oct. 16th - Lost To Jenks 56-21 Oct. 24th - Beat Norman 30-28 Oct. 31st - Lost To Bixby 79-15 Nov. 7th - Lost To Mustang 59-45 1st Round - Lost To Yukon 24-7   2025 Offensive Scoring Average: 23.2 Points Per Game 2025 Defensive Scoring Average: 34.3 Points Per Game   The Deer Creek Antlers came into the 2025 season with some momentum after going 8-4 and making the 6A-1 quarterfinals in their first ever season in the state's largest class. But it was obvious at this time last year that the 2025 Antlers were going to look different from the 2024 Antlers with Deer Creek having to replace the majority of their starters from that quarterfinal team. The growing pains would trip up the Antlers early on in the season, starting the year 0-3 against a competitive non-district schedule. They would open district play with back to back wins but would drop their next two games in mid-October. They beat Norman in week eight and that solidified a 6A-1 playoff spot for the next two seasons. They lost to Bixby in week nine and then fell in a shootout to Mustang to wrap up the regular season at 3-7. But the Antlers won the games that they needed to win and got into the postseason. Unfortunately, they were one and done, losing to Yukon in the first round and the 2025 campaign was over with a 3-8 record. There was a lot of “new” with Deer Creek football in 2025. Both on the field and on the sidelines. But as the page turns and we start to look ahead to the 2026 season, there is reason to be optimistic about the Antlers heading into this fall. Now, they play in a class in 6A-1 that is an absolute minefield every single week. But they have the guys that can go out and compete for another winning record in the state's largest class.    2026 OUTLOOK   The Antlers come into this season as a top ten team in Class 6A-1 but they are going to have to fight and claw their way through the state's largest class, week after week. Six starters are back on the offensive side of the ball, starting with the quarterback and then extending out to the offensive line and several skill positions. The Antlers should be much better on that side of the ball as they look towards the 2026 season. Not only do they bring back the majority of their starters from last year, they also have a few additions, both from newcomers to Deer Creek and players who missed last season with various injuries. Defensively, the Antlers also bring back six starters on that side of the ball. It's the same situation where the Antlers should be improved from last year's unit but they are going to be challenged week after week. That's what Class 6A-1 has become in the last several years. The gap between 6A-1 and 6A-2 is getting bigger and bigger the further we get away from the start of the split. Deer Creek was a state championship contender in 6A-2. They will have to fight for every inch in 6A-1. This is a team and a program on the rise. There is no doubt that they are trending in the right direction. We think that they will be improved from last season and should be a playoff team once again. But the biggest question for the Antlers heading into this season is finding out just how high the ceiling is. Can they make it back to the quarterfinals? Can they start pushing some of the 6A-1 powers on a weekly basis? We'll start to get some of those answers when the season kicks off this fall.    KEY LOSSES TO GRADUATION   Alex Nkepang - Defensive Lineman (2025 All State Honorable Mention) Jalen Davis - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back (2025 All State Honorable Mention) Ryan Hubble - Linebacker   PLAYERS TO WATCH    2029 running back [player_tooltip player_id='1839096' first='Brayden' last='Hubbard'] is a name to file away moving forward. At this time last year, we were writing about Hubbard as one of the state's freshmen to watch as he entered high school. A season-ending injury early on in the year halted any potential for that breakout season in 2025. Now, Hubbard is back to 100% and has basically been living in the weight room and on the football field to prepare for his sophomore season. His combination of top-end speed and legit weight room strength is not something you see very often. Whether it's this season or in the future, Hubbard has the tools to be a breakout player in the Deer Creek offense.     2028 quarterback J [player_tooltip player_id='1828592' first='Dax' last='Chancey'] returns for his second season as QB1 of the Deer Creek offense. At this time last year, Chancey was in a battle for the starting position but eventually landed in that spot. He was very solid in his first season against 6A-1 competition on a weekly basis, not to mention Deer Creek had a first year offensive coordinator. Chancey threw for over 1,700 yards and 14 touchdowns while completing 65% of his passes. Now, as he heads into year two in this system, the expectation is for him to go up a level this fall. Chancey has been a 2028 prospect we've been intrigued by for a while now. This could be a huge year for him.     2027 wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='523223' first='Gage' last='Gibbons'] is going to be one of the top playmakers in Class 6A-1 football this season. Gibbons is a 2027 prospect that we've known about for a while now and he had that true breakout moment last year, emerging as a complete playmaker for the Antlers on offense. Gibbons finished last season with nearly 700 receiving yards and five touchdowns. The Antlers are going to get very creative with how they get him involved in the offense and then in special teams as well. And Gibbons will help Deer Creek when defenses send multiple guys to slow him down, allowing others to make plays. Earlier this offseason, he committed to Air Force.    (2025 All State Honorable Mention)     2027 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1563304' first='Hudson' last='Poe'] has turned into one of the better swiss army knives for the Antlers in the last 12 months. Poe went into last season mainly as a tight end but because of injuries, Poe would slide in at left tackle for the Antlers and he held his own against tough competition week in and week out. Poe has the ability to be an offensive lineman, tight end and then turn around and play defense. We've watched Poe go to work at multiple positions and he's had success everywhere he's lined up. Poe will help set the tone on the line of scrimmage. Earlier this offseason, he became the first Deer Creek commit for the 2027 class by committing to Army.     2028 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1836884' first='Jr' last='Harris'] is a new addition to the Deer Creek roster and we're fired up to see how the Antlers utilize him on both sides of the ball. Harris was a breakout star for Bishop McGuinness last season and helped lead them to the 5A state championship game. This offseason, he made the move over to Deer Creek and it will be interesting to see how he does against the top competition in the state on a weekly basis. Offensively, he will be a versatile athlete that can be used at receiver, quarterback and more. Defensively, he's a cornerback that can lock his opponent down. It's hard to not be excited about his potential for the Antlers this season.    (2025 All State Honorable Mention)     2028 defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='2136358' first='Raiden' last='Woodson'] burst onto the scene back in May at our second offseason showcase event. Woodson made plays on both sides of the ball but he was an absolute star on the defensive side of the ball. Whether he was lined up at cornerback or further back like a safety, Woodson found a way to win rep after rep and was our MVP pick for the defensive back group. Then you look more into his game and there's a lot to like. He was a standout on the track team this spring. His older brother is a D1 basketball signee. Woodson is a prospect that is still flying under the radar but could have that breakout moment this fall.     2027 defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1836615' first='Ryan' last='Kiel'] is definitely a name to know as we head into the 2026 season. Kiel has absolutely blown up this summer as he's toured around the region and torn it up at various camps. His recruitment has started to take off and it doesn't appear that it will be slowing down anytime soon. Kiel has started to pick up offers from various spots in this region and is primed for a monster senior season. Kiel enjoyed a breakout season last year as a junior and has only gotten better from there. He looks like a different player altogether as we get closer to the start of the 2026 season. He's a 2027 DL prospect to keep an eye on this fall.    MORE NAMES TO KNOW   Brody Blair - 2029 Offensive/Defensive Lineman Camden Massey - 2029 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back [player_tooltip player_id='1828558' first='Ethan' last='Frasier'] - 2028 Offensive Lineman [player_tooltip player_id='2108477' first='Ian' last='Willis'] - 2027 Wide Receiver Junior Standley - 2029 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back [player_tooltip player_id='1164646' first='Mason' last='Mayhew'] - 2028 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back [player_tooltip player_id='1612586' first='Miles' last='Mayhew'] - 2029 Tight End/Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1164625' first='Romero' last='Campos'] - 2028 Defensive Lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1828594' first='Trey' last='Smith'] - 2028 Tight End/Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1833362' first='Tyler' last='Lopez'] - 2027 Running Back/Linebacker   2026 SCHEDULE   Aug. 28th - AT Sand Springs - The 2026 season kicks off with a trip to the Tulsa area to square off with defending 6A-2 state champion Sand Springs in week zero. The Antlers faced the Sandites twice when they were in 6A-2 and both meetings came in the playoffs. They lost in 2020 but would beat Sand Springs in the 2021 semifinals. Both teams are reloading going into 2026. Sept. 4th - Edmond North - Deer Creek's home opener comes in week one against Edmond North. The Antlers started playing the Huskies every season back in 2020. They've played the last six seasons and Deer Creek is 6-0 all time in this series. But last year's meeting was a low scoring and close match-up with the Antlers winning 13-12.  Sept. 11th - Edmond Memorial - The Antlers will wrap up their non-district slate at home against Edmond Memorial in week two. These two teams have met every year in non-district play since 2022. They've alternated wins each year since starting this series. Edmond Memorial beat the Antlers 35-7 last season. History suggest that this year's meeting goes to Deer Creek.  Sept. 25th - Yukon - After a week off, Deer Creek opens up district play at home against Yukon in week four. This will certainly be a game that the Antlers have circled on the calendar. They had their 2025 season come to an end with a first round loss to the Millers. These two teams have also met in the regular season four other times but this will be the first meeting in district play.  Oct. 2nd - AT Moore - The Antlers head south to face Moore in week five and this will be the third straight year that these two are district opponents. It's been a back and forth series since the Antlers moved up to Class 6A-1. Deer Creek won the first ever meeting in 2024 but the Lions struck back with a 40-24 victory in their match-up a year ago.  Oct. 9th - Jenks - Deer Creek returns home in week six to host Jenks in district play. Similar to Moore, this is the third straight year that these two teams are in the same district. It's been all Jenks since the Antlers moved up to Class 6A-1. The Trojans won the first ever meeting in 2024, shutting out the Antlers 28-0. Last season, they prevailed 56-21.  Oct. 15th - AT Enid - On a Fall Break Thursday night in week seven, Deer Creek goes on the road to face Enid. While the Plainsmen were slated to be in Deer Creek's district for the third straight year, the Plainsmen were granted to play as an independent for the next two seasons. So win or lose, this game will not count towards the district standings.  Oct. 23rd - AT Union - Deer Creek goes back on the road in week eight and heads to Tulsa to face Union for the first time in program history. The Antlers have several coaches, including their head coach that have plenty of history at Union as coaches. But there is no doubt that this game will be a big deciding factor in the playoff race and potential seeding.  Oct. 30th - Owasso - The final home game in the regular season comes in week nine as the Antlers will host Owasso. This will be the first meeting between these two teams in the regular season. The Rams beat Deer Creek 40-26 in the 6A-1 quarterfinals. At this point in the season, Deer Creek will know exactly what they need to get back to the playoffs.  Nov. 6th - AT Edmond Santa Fe - The regular season wraps up with a short road trip over to Edmond Santa Fe to face the Wolves in week ten. These two teams haven't played in nearly a decade and the Antlers will be searching for the first win in the series. Edmond Santa Fe might also look different this season as the Wolves introduced a new head coach in May.    NOTABLE   Head coach Wade Standley is getting ready for his tenth season as Deer Creek's head coach. He's also closing in on a major coaching milestone. Standley is getting close to 100 career wins as a head coach in the state of Oklahoma. He currently sits at 104 wins for his career but six of those wins were up in Kansas. Standley came back to Oklahoma 15 years ago to take over at Norman North and led them to a 12-2 season in 2012 and 6A Runner Up finish. He coached at Ada for two years before taking over this Deer Creek program a decade ago. It was inevitable when he took the job that the Antlers were going to be in the state's largest class at some point. As the Antlers get ready for this season, Standley will eventually get his 100th win as a head coach in Oklahoma high school football. He spent his early years as an assistant coach at Union and has found a home with Deer Creek, where he is determined to help them climb the ladder and be one of the elite 6A-1 teams on the west side of the state.    LAST FIVE SEASONS   2025 - 3-8 - Lost In Class 6A-1 1st Round 2024 - 8-4 - Lost In Class 6A-1 Quarterfinals 2023 - 9-3 - Lost In Class 6A-2 Semifinals 2022 - 10-2 - Lost In Class 6A-2 Semifinals 2021 - 10-3 - Class 6A-2 Runner Ups   CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY   1 State Championship   2000 - Beat Seminole 24-13

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