Fort Gibson Tigers 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 Fort Gibson Tigers!</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/8Oqw5u0m0gQ" type="link" id="https://youtu.be/8Oqw5u0m0gQ">- Fort Gibson Video Preview With HC Ryan Nolan</a></strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Fort Gibson Tigers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #4 In Class 4A</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Ryan Nolan - 5th Season - 24-28 Record At Fort Gibson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 RESULTS (7-4 Record - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 29th - Beat Glenpool 42-21<br>Sept. 5th - Lost To Berryhill 31-30<br>Sept. 12th - Beat Hilldale 37-28<br>Sept. 26th - Beat Wagoner 47-25<br>Oct. 3rd - Beat Oologah 49-7<br>Oct. 10th - Lost To Grove 29-28<br>Oct. 16th - Beat Skiatook 42-22<br>Oct. 23rd - Beat Catoosa 49-14<br>Oct. 31st - Lost To Cushing 35-31<br>Nov. 7th - Beat Miami 56-28<br>1st Round - Lost To Ada 34-27</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2025 Offensive Scoring Average: 39.8 Points Per Game<br>2025 Defensive Scoring Average: 24.9 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Fort Gibson Tigers were ready for a return back to the playoffs and perhaps more in 2025. They had gone through three straight seasons of missing the playoffs from 2022-2024 but in each year, the win total was going up. This was a program that was trending in the right direction and they took another step forward in 2025. The Tigers came out strong, going 2-1 in non-district play with the only loss coming by a point to Berryhill. They beat Wagoner by 20+ points in the district opener but then tripped up two weeks later against Grove. They won back to back games before losing another close one to Cushing in week nine. But they followed that up with a 56-28 win over Miami to wrap up the regular season with a 7-3 record. The seven wins were the most for the Tigers in just over a decade. The season came to an end in the first round of the playoffs, losing 34-27 to Ada. But Fort Gibson had done a couple things during the 2025 season. They took the next step and won more games than the previous year. They also ended their playoff drought, punching their ticket back to the postseason. Overall, it's hard not to be impressed with the Tigers and think that they are trending in the right direction in a major way. They lost four games in 2025 by a combined 13 points. Two of those losses came by a single point. This is a program that is certainly trending in the right direction as we turn the page and start looking ahead to the 2026 season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Preseason expectations are at an all time high for the Fort Gibson Tigers heading into the 2026 season. The Tigers are not only expecting to make it back to the playoffs but they are expecting to contend for the state championship. They took that first step last season, making it back to the postseason but looking ahead to 2026, they are certainly one of the favorites to win it all this fall. First off, they bring back nearly everyone from last year's team. Ten starters return on both sides of the ball. Ten starters return on the offense that averaged right around 40 points per game and they could be even better this season. With multiple skill players that enjoyed breakout seasons returning and solid numbers back on the offensive line, this offense could be one of the best in Class 4A. And when you look around at the top teams in Class 4A, there are going to be some really good offenses that put up a lot of points. On the other side of the ball, you have a defense that also returns ten starters from last year's team, including everyone at linebacker and in the secondary. The Tigers are expected to be even more improved on that side of the ball. And because there are plenty of potent offenses in Class 4A this season, having a unit that brings back so much experience and overall talent is going to put the Tigers in a position to contend for the state title. The Tigers have only made it to the semifinal round twice in program history. But all signs point to them making a strong run at ending that semifinal drought and potentially further this season.&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>Stevie Vafeas - 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":["1830824"],"_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-6a5108e137445"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Fort Gibson had a few breakout stars throughout the 2025 football season. 2027 wide receiver and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1830824' first='Brody' last='Hansen'] is one that might still be flying under the radar heading into the season this fall. Hansen led the Tigers in receiving last season. He finished with over 50 catches for nearly 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns. There's no doubt that Hansen was incredibly productive last season and there's a chance that he expands his production this season. And if he's able to do that, we're confident that he's not going to be flying under the radar by the time November and December roll around. He's the first of many breakout stars that return in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1837059"],"_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-6a5108e1374d8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whenever people watch Fort Gibson, all eyes instinctively go to the 5-star offensive lineman. But do not make a mistake by overlooking 2027 standout [player_tooltip player_id='1837059' first='Cash' last='Keys'] because he was one of the more complete players in 4A football last season. Keys would finish the year with 750 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also added just over 900 yards and ten touchdown receptions. As if that wasn't enough, he also was dynamic on defense, finishing with over 50 tackles, five interceptions and countless pass deflections. There are a handful of players that we are fired up to see in person this season. Keys is one of those players because of everything he's able to do. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["933579"],"_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-6a5108e13755f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='933579' first='Kaiden' last='Ford'] is a player that we've written about since his freshman season at Hilldale. Last year, he moved over to Fort Gibson and immediately became a force on the Tiger defensive line. Now, it helps that he's going against guys like Hackett and the rest of the Fort Gibson offensive line in practice. But we've said this countless times when it comes to Ford, he's an absolute monster on the line of scrimmage. Throw on the film or watch him in person and you see a very technical defensive lineman that can beat his opponent in a number of ways. Every time we've watched Ford in person, he always finds a way to stand out in a major way.</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":["1839047"],"_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-6a5108e1375da"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>You look at the players to watch for Fort Gibson and it's clear that this senior class is absolutely loaded. But the 2028 class has some dudes and it starts with the quarterback position. 2028 signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='1839047' first='Karrson' last='Davis'] returns for his second season as QB1 of the Tigers. He enjoyed a breakout season in 2025, along with several other Tiger skill players. As a sophomore, Davis threw for over 2,300 yards and 26 touchdowns. Davis has all of his skill players around him returning so don't be surprised if his numbers go up in a major way. There's no doubt that Fort Gibson is talented on offense but it will all begin with the play of their junior quarterback in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>(2025 All State Honorable Mention)</em></strong></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='1837062' first='Braden' last='Criner'] - 2027 Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1530067' first='Cooper' last='Hackett'] - 2027 Offensive Lineman (2025 All State 1st Team Selection)<br>*Will miss majority or possibly the entire 2026 season after offseason surgery*<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1828345' first='Dawson' last='Steveson'] - 2028 Tight End/Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1832810' first='Ryan' last='Steele'] - 2028 Tight End/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 - Sapulpa</strong><br>- The 2026 football season will kick off with a new opponent for Fort Gibson. They'll welcome in Sapulpa in week zero and it'll be the first time these two teams have met on the gridiron. Sapulpa is dropping back down to Class 5A for at least the next two seasons. This is a solid test for the Tigers to kick off the season.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 4th - AT Berryhill</strong><br>- Fort Gibson hits the road for the first time in 2026 right here with a week one match-up against Berryhill. These two teams have been playing every year in non-district play since 2018. With the one exception coming in 2020 due to Covid. The Tigers dropped last year's meeting 31-30 and that snapped a two-game winning streak.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 11th - AT Hilldale</strong><br>- The annual rivalry game with Hilldale will wrap up non-district play in week two. The Tigers beat the Hornets 37-28 in last year's meeting. It's their second straight win in the series after dropping four straight from 2020-2023. The Hornets will have a first year (sort of) head coach when they take the field this fall.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 25th - AT Cleveland</strong><br>- The district slate opens up with a week four road game against Cleveland. In this battle of the Tigers, it will be the first time these two teams have met on the football field in nearly two decades. Cleveland is a new district opponent with them moving up from Class 3A. Fort Gibson won the last meeting back in 2009.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 2nd - Oologah</strong><br>- Fort Gibson will host Oologah in week five and they'll look to continue the momentum they have going in this series. This will be the third straight year that these two have met in district play. Fort Gibson has won the previous two meetings, with last year's contest being a dominant 49-7 victory over the Mustangs.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 9th - AT Miami</strong><br>- Time for a trip up to northeastern Oklahoma as Fort Gibson will travel to face Miami to kick off the second half of the regular season. These two teams met in the regular season finale in each of the last two years. In 2024, the Tigers lost a heartbreaker by two points. Last year, they left no doubt, winning 56-28 in week ten.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 15th - Skiatook</strong><br>- The Tigers will host Skiatook on a Fall Break Thursday night in week seven. The Tigers have taken care of business in this series over the last few years. They beat Skiatook 42-22 in last year's meeting and also won by 30+ points in their first district meeting in 2024. They'll look to roll again this year.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 23rd - Wagoner</strong><br>- Fort Gibson hosts Wagoner in week eight and they'll have some confidence this year after getting the monkey off their back last year. They beat Wagoner 47-25 in 2025 and that snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Bulldogs. It was also just their second win over Wagoner since 2005 but this is a new era of Fort Gibson football.<br><strong>Oct. 30th - AT Cushing</strong><br>- Based on the preseason rankings and overall hype coming into this season, the district championship could very well be decided here when Fort Gibson travels to Cushing in week nine. These two have met in each of the last two years and Fort Gibson is still searching for their first win in this series.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 6th - Grove</strong><br>- A win over Cushing in week nine means nothing if Fort Gibson doesn't return home and take business against Grove to wrap up the regular season. This is another series that the Tigers are hungry for their first win after dropping the last two meetings against the Ridgerunners, including last year's brutal 29-28 setback.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Recruiting rankings have been around on a wide scale for about 25-30 years. Fort Gibson's [player_tooltip player_id='1530067' first='Cooper' last='Hackett'] has a chance to go down as one of the top prospects to come out of Oklahoma in recent memory. Now, it's absolutely brutal that we don't get to see one more season of him playing high school football after he underwent offseason surgery and he will miss this season. But the state of Oklahoma has been producing football players for decades and decades that have gone on to have successful college and NFL careers. And Hackett might be the next guy in that conversation. When it comes to the recruiting rankings that we have come to know, there is only one prospect that has come out of Oklahoma that has been considered a better prospect than Hackett currently is. Gerald McCoy came out of Southeast in the 2006 class and was considered a top five overall prospect in the nation. McCoy would go on to have a very successful college career, get drafted #3 overall and had a long and dominant NFL career. Hackett appears to be in the conversation for going down the path that McCoy went down two decades ago. With a full senior season, Hackett could have ended up being a top five overall prospect in the nation by the time he signs in December. He still might, despite missing this fall. Will he end up being a top five NFL pick in several years? Only time will tell on that part.&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 - 7-4 - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round<br>2024 - 6-4 - Missed Playoffs<br>2023 - 4-6 - Missed Playoffs<br>2022 - 1-9 - Missed Playoffs<br>2021 - 6-5 - Lost In Class 4A 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><strong><em>0 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->