Ketchum Warriors 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 Ketchum Warriors!</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/i4fn3lxCPAY" type="link" id="https://youtu.be/i4fn3lxCPAY">- Ketchum Video Preview With HC Tanner Brown</a></strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Ketchum Warriors</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #2 In Class A-2</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Tanner Brown - 6th Season - 26-25 Record At Ketchum</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 RESULTS (6-5 Record - Lost In Class A-2 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 28th - Beat Liberty 40-7<br>Sept. 5th - Beat Chelsea 18-7<br>Sept. 12th - Lost To Wyandotte 49-32<br>Sept. 26th - Beat Afton 47-0<br>Oct. 3rd - Lost To Hominy 34-14<br>Oct. 10th - Beat Barnsdall 45-14<br>Oct. 16th - Beat Porter 34-0<br>Oct. 24th - Lost To Fairland 55-14<br>Oct. 31st - Lost To Woodland 44-16<br>Nov. 7th - Beat Summit Christian 56-7<br>1st Round - Lost To Talihina 51-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2025 Offensive Scoring Average: 29.4 Points Per Game<br>2025 Defensive Scoring Average: 24.2 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Ketchum Warriors came into the 2025 football season with some momentum after finally having a breakthrough year in 2024. In 2024, they went 7-4 and made the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. They came into 2025 expecting to make it back to the postseason. They opened up the year with a 2-1 record, with the only loss coming to Wyandotte in non-district play. The Warriors then turned their attention to arguably the toughest district slate in the class. And it played out like that. They took care of business in the games they were supposed to win. They beat Afton, Barnsdall, Porter and Summit Christian in district play to clinch their spot in the playoffs for the second consecutive year. But they took their lumps as well, losing to Hominy, Fairland and Woodland. But when you look at those trio of teams, you have Hominy that would play for the state title, Fairland that nearly played for the state title but lost in the semifinals and Woodland, who won the 2024 state title. They went into the playoffs at 6-4 and had to go on the road to face unbeaten Talihina in the first round and the season came to an end there, losing 51-8 to the eventual state champs. Looking back on the 2025 season, we see it as a building block to what's ahead. Ketchum had to learn how to win and they will be able to take a lot of lessons away from last season. And now as we turn the page and look ahead to the 2026 season, we could be looking at a year where Ketchum takes a few steps forward and turns into a contender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ketchum finds themselves in a position they haven't been in very often. They come into a new season with some very high expectations. They are a top five team in our preseason rankings in Class A-2, coming off back to back playoff appearances and the majority of their starters coming back from last year. On paper, this looks like a team that can turn into a contender in Class A-2. Seven starters return on the offensive side of the ball and the majority of them are in the skill department, with the Warriors returning 90% of their production from a unit that averaged just shy of 30 points per game last season. We think the ceiling for this group is incredibly high in 2026 based on the production and overall talent they bring back in 2026. Defensively, they'll be even more experienced with eight starters returning on that side of the ball. If the offense and the defense take a major step forward, there is no reason to think the Warriors couldn't have arguably the best season in program history this fall. We said there were high expectations and now they have to live up to them with their play on the field. The Warriors will challenge themselves against a very competitive non-district slate and the district will once again be very competitive. Those three district foes they lost to in 2025 are still there and they won't make things easy on the Warriors. But when we look at the Warriors heading into the 2026 season, it's hard to imagine that they won't take a major step forward and be one of the teams that ends up contending in Class A-2 this season.&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>Kayden Sandridge - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Wyatt Sophia - 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":["1832182"],"_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-6a4b99e3b2c9e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's hard to not focus on the skill talent that Ketchum brings back for the 2026 season. But none of that matters if the Warriors don't get the job done on the line of scrimmage. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1832182' first='Blaine' last='Walker'] leads an offensive line group into the 2026 season and could end up being the foundational piece of this line. And if that ends up being the case, look for Walker to help pave the way for the Warriors to end up being one of the higher scoring teams in Class A-2 this season. That's obviously a high bar but if Walker and the rest of this Ketchum offensive line have success, the Warriors have the skill talent to find the end zone a ton of times this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1692341"],"_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-6a4b99e3b2d39"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2028 wide receiver and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1692341' first='Gracian' last='Jones'] is a prospect that got on our radar back in February when he performed well at one of our camps. And in all honesty, that opened our eyes to how much talent Ketchum was bringing back for the 2026 season. Jones had a terrific sophomore season and is hungry for more this fall. He'll be the top target in the passing game, after finishing last year with over 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was also a ball hawk on defense with several interceptions. He's going to come into this season as one of their top two-way players and a guy that can score from just about anywhere on the field. All signs point to another big year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1832183"],"_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-6a4b99e3b2db3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1832183' first='Hunter' last='Carriger'] feels like a player that the Warriors are going to be able to use in a variety of ways on both sides of the ball. That's what it felt like last season when you see some of the production that he ended up having as a junior. Last season, Carriger finished with over 300 yards on the ground and five touchdowns. He also had 250 receiving yards and three touchdowns. So he was productive in multiple ways on the offensive side of the ball. Then he turned around and finished the year with 72 tackles on the defensive side of the ball. It doesn't matter where he lined up on offense, he was productive and then he was a solid linebacker on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1829423"],"_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-6a4b99e3b2e10"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">If 2027 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1829423' first='Keegan' last='Johnston'] can elevate his game this season, the Warriors are going to have the chance to contend for the state championship. You saw flashes of that last season, with Johnston emerging as one of the better dual-threat quarterbacks in Class A-2. He finished with over 1,400 passing yards and 17 touchdowns. But he also added over 800 yards and ten touchdowns on the ground. If Johnston's numbers go up, and we don't see why they won't with the skill players the Warriors return, Ketchum is going to be in a very good position to contend for gold. Johnston might be flying under the radar right now but we don't think that will last very long. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1838435"],"_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-6a4b99e3b2e6b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 running back and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1838435' first='Logan' last='Beisley'] will be another player that will have a significant impact on both sides of the ball for the Warriors this season. That's exactly what we saw from him in 2025 and there's no reason to think that he can't back it up again this fall. Beisley finished his junior season with over 1,000 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns. He also was dominant on the defensive side of the ball, finishing the year with just shy of 100 tackles on the season. Between Johnston and Beisley, the Warriors are going to have one of the best backfields in Class A-2 this season. We're fired up to see how Beisley elevates his game in 2026.</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>Carter Johnston - 2030 Running Back/Linebacker<br>David McGimpsey - 2028 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Gabe Hayes - 2030 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1832175' first='Isiah' last='Truster'] - 2027 Running Back/Defensive Lineman<br>Kaden Martin - 2028 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Mason Bledsoe - 2030 Running Back/Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1828218' first='Parker' last='Adams'] - 2028 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. 27th - Colcord (Game @ Pryor H.S.)</strong><br>- The 2026 football season opens for Ketchum in week zero against Colcord. The Hornets are back on the Ketchum schedule after they haven't played in the last two years. These two have been district opponents for the majority of the last 15 years and Colcord has had the edge. Ketchum is looking to snap a five-game losing streak to Colcord.<br><strong>Sept. 4th - Chelsea</strong><br>- This is the tenth straight year that Ketchum has faced Chelsea early in the season, with the exception of the Covid-impacted 2020 season. The Warriors have done well against the Green Dragons, especially recently. They've won three straight in the series against Chelsea, including last year's 18-7 victory over the Green Dragons.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 18th - AT Nowata</strong><br>- The non-district slate wraps up in week three with a road game against Nowata. The Ironmen are not only a new team on the schedule this season, but it'll be the first meeting between these two in recent memory. Ketchum will be looking to wrap up non-district play in style against a Nowata team that is looking for their first winning season since 2015.<br><strong>Sept. 25th - Afton</strong><br>- The Warriors open up their district schedule at home, against Afton in week four. These two teams are very familiar with one another. They've met in non-district or district play every year for the last few decades. It's been a relatively even series but Ketchum has the edge right now. They've won five straight against Afton, including last year's 47-0 win.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 2nd - AT Hominy</strong><br>- The first major test of the season comes in week five when Ketchum heads west to square off with Hominy. The Bucks played for the state title a year ago but they have to replace a special senior group. These two teams have met twice in the last two seasons and the Bucks won each meeting by at least 20 points and Ketchum looks to end that streak.<br><strong>Oct. 9th - Barnsdall</strong><br>- The Warriors return home to host Barnsdall in week six to kick off the second half of the regular season. These two teams have been district opponents since the split in Class A in 2024. The series has been dominated by the Warriors and they look to continue that this fall. They won 45-14 last season and 49-14 in their first meeting in 2024.<br><strong>Oct. 15th - AT Oklahoma Union</strong><br>- On a Fall Break Thursday night, the Warriors go on the road to face Oklahoma Union in week seven. The Cougars are back on the schedule for the first time since 2021. They were district opponents from 2018-2021 and the series was completely dominated by Oklahoma Union. This will be the first year for the Cougars in A-2 after being in A-1 the last two seasons.<br><strong>Oct. 23rd - Fairland</strong><br>- The first of two major district clashes in late October happen here with a week eight contest against Fairland. The Owls have to replace a lot off of their semifinal team from a year ago. But they've also owned the series with the Warriors in the last decade. In their last ten meetings, Fairland is 7-3 against Ketchum, including last year's 55-14 win.<br><strong>Oct. 30th - AT Woodland</strong><br>- Following the showdown with Fairland, Ketchum goes back on the road to face Woodland in week nine. These two have been district opponents since the split in Class A a few years ago and Woodland has had the complete edge. They are 2-0 in the last two meetings, winning each meeting by 28 points or more. But this game will have a lot of impact on the standings.<br><strong>Nov. 6th - Quapaw</strong><br>- Quapaw is back on the schedule as they've dropped down to Class A-2 this season and it's the first meeting since the split in Class A. By the time week ten rolls around, the Warriors will know exactly where they stand in the district title hunt. A win here could solidify their playoff seed and also snap a six-game losing streak to Quapaw.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ketchum finds themselves in an interesting position coming into the 2026 football season. This is a team and a program that feels like they are on the upswing but being ranked in the top five of the preseason rankings is certainly a new position that they haven't found themselves in lately. The Warriors are coming off back to back playoff appearances but each had first round exits. They've never been to the playoffs in three consecutive years and that's something that is very much in the cards for them this season. Ketchum has also never made the quarterfinals in program history, let alone the semifinals or title game but being #2 in the preseason ranks, we obviously think that's a possibility for them in 2026. And maybe this becomes the norm in Class A-2 for programs that might have struggled historically but get that one special group (or groups) to come through the program. Defending champion Talihina is coming off back to back state title game appearances in 2024 and 2025. Before 2024, they hadn't even been to the playoffs since 2018. Perhaps 2026 sees Ketchum break through and have a season to remember.</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 - 6-5 - Lost In Class A-2 1st Round&nbsp;<br>2024 - 7-4 - Lost In Class A-2 1st Round&nbsp;<br>2023 - 4-6 - Missed Playoffs<br>2022 - 5-5 - Missed Playoffs<br>2021 - 3-7 - 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 -->