Mangum Tigers OK 2026 Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% Off Your Subscription By Entering Knight25 In The Coupon Code Area. Enjoy!</strong></em></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 Mangum 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/EwpXKzvLE3c" type="link" id="https://youtu.be/EwpXKzvLE3c">- Mangum Video Preview With HC Sam Powers</a></strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Mangum Tigers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #4 In Class A-1</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Sam Powers - 8th Season - 59-19 Record At Mangum</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 RESULTS (11-1 Record - Lost In Class A-2 Quarterfinals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 5th - Beat Wilson 54-18<br>Sept. 12th - Beat Hobart 65-16<br>Sept. 19th - Beat Watonga 55-0<br>Sept. 26th - Beat Apache 56-0<br>Oct. 3rd - Beat Southwest Covenant 35-7<br>Oct. 10th - Beat Mooreland 50-0<br>Oct. 16th - Beat Cordell 15-0 (Forfeit)<br>Oct. 24th - Beat Texhoma/Goodwell 20-13<br>Oct. 31st - Beat Thomas 28-21<br>Nov. 7th - Beat Carnegie 59-22<br>1st Round - Beat Wilson 57-21<br>Quarterfinals - Lost To Fairland 24-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2025 Offensive Scoring Average: 41.8 Points Per Game<br>2025 Defensive Scoring Average: 11.9 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Mangum Tigers came into the 2025 football season with the goal of competing for the state championship. Plenty of teams come into a season with the same thing but the Tigers were hungrier than ever to take that next step. After being solid in the regular season but getting bounced out of the playoffs in the first round in five straight seasons, Mangum was determined to end that streak. They spent the first two months of the regular season absolutely dominating their way through the schedule. Their closest game in the first seven weeks was a 35-7 win over Southwest Covenant. They were 7-0 and looked like one of the top teams in Class A-2. They would hit their toughest stretch of the schedule with back to back games against Texhoma and Thomas. In each, they got out with 7-point victories, including a 28-21 win over Thomas in a match-up of undefeated teams that was all but certainly going to decide the district championship. They beat Carnegie the following week and entered the playoffs with a 10-0 record. They beat Wilson by 36 points in the first round, snapping their playoff losing streak. But the season came to a halt in the quarterfinal round when they lost to Fairland 24-21. The Owls kicked the go-ahead field goal and stopped Mangum inches short of a first down to secure the victory. Mangum's season ended with an 11-1 record but you can make the argument that it's their best year since the 1998 run to the state title game. Now looking ahead to 2026, there's a lot to be excited about but there's also a new challenge awaiting the Tigers.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On one hand, Mangum is going to have one of their more experienced teams in recent memory when they take the field this season. On the other hand, they'll be climbing up a different mountain as they've moved up from Class A-2 to Class A-1 this season. But there will be a new state champion in this class as back to back state champ Rejoice Christian has also moved up so we'll see a new team on the A-1 mountain in December. Mangum is hopeful that it will be them in 2026. With nine starters back on the offensive side of the ball, including one of the better quarterbacks in the state, the Tigers have the potential to be one of the top offenses in Class A-1 this season. This unit averaged over 40 points per game last season and we don't think that it's crazy to suggest that they flirt with 45-50 points per game this season. Defensively, the Tigers are equally as experienced and talented. They bring back nine starters on defense for a unit that gave up a little over 10 points per game. And just like with the offense, it's not a crazy assumption to think that they'll be improved on defense as well. The thing that makes this Mangum team so special is the experience they are bringing back. They bring back nine starters on both sides of the ball but within those groups, they have players that will be three and four-year starters. You just don't find that kind of experience very often but the Tigers have gone through all the growing pains over the last few seasons. They've been knocking on that state championship door and now, they're ready to kick the whole thing down and raise their first ever gold ball.&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>Jackson Brooks - Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Talan Frazier - Tight End/Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1831163' first='Trey' last='Williams'] - 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":["1054230"],"_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-6a54d5ea45e07"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anchoring the offensive line will be 2028 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1054230' first='Aiden' last='Augustine'] and he's going into his third season as a starter and overall impact player. Augustine was outstanding last season, giving up just two sacks all season. He's also a 2028 prospect that we've been talking about since his freshman season. He's not the biggest offensive lineman prospect in the state but in our opinion, he's one of the more technically sound guys at the position. And that checks out when you watch him in the offseason really dedicating himself to improving his overall game. Augustine will also help the defensive line for the Tigers this fall.&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":["1522520"],"_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-6a54d5ea45e87"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1522520' first='Cooper' last='Kerbo'] is an absolute monster and we're fired up to see what he does with his junior season this fall. Last year, Kerbo firmly established himself as one of the top small school linebackers in the state. He finished with just under 150 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and four sacks. This was after his freshman season, when he would have over 130 tackles. We're not sure what Mangum's school record is for career tackles but we assume that Kerbo could absolutely smash that by the time he's done. He's a big reason why we think that this Mangum defense is going to be really stout throughout the 2026 football season.</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":["1695230"],"_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-6a54d5ea45edf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">At this time last year, we knew about 2027 running back Curtis Henley, but he exceeded all preseason expectations. The Tigers needed a new threat at the running back position and it was Henley that ended up taking that ball and running with it, literally. As a junior, Henley finished with over 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns. He didn't even have 100 carries on the season but was incredibly productive with his touches. He will also play linebacker for the Tigers. He finished with over 40 tackles and three interceptions last season. But there's no doubt that it's his playmaking ability on offense that makes him someone to follow this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1838219"],"_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-6a54d5ea45f2f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1838219' first='Diego' last='Telles'] is another senior to keep an eye on this season for the Mangum defense. Telles was on our radar around this time last year but he certainly had some breakout moments throughout the 2025 season. First off, he was an absolute ball hawk, and emerged as one of the top defensive backs in Class A-2. As a junior, Telles finished the year with seven interceptions. He also had 40 tackles but it is his ability to force turnovers that makes him such a dangerous player to the opposing offense. Telles might play some offense as well but there is no doubt that it's what he does on defense that makes him a player to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1838227"],"_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-6a54d5ea45f91"} --> <!-- 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='1838227' first='Max' last='Richardson'] is a player that could emerge as a breakout star for the Tigers this season. You could see flashes of that last fall during his sophomore season. Offensively, Richardson was whatever the Tigers needed him to be. He finished with over 200 yards rushing and three touchdowns while also having over 500 yards receiving and six touchdowns. Defensively, once again, he was a guy who knew how to fill the stat sheet. He had over 60 tackles, 12 of them coming for a loss, a pair of sacks and several turnovers. There's no doubt that he was just scratching the surface on what he could be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["916843"],"_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-6a54d5ea45fe1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It feels like we've been writing about 2027 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='916843' first='Remington' last='Laughlin'] for about five or six years now. He was a name that we knew about prior to his freshman year and now he's heading into his senior season. It's safe to say that he had his best season as QB1 of the Tigers last fall, leading this offense to new heights. He threw for over 2,100 yards and 23 touchdowns while completing over 70 percent of his passes. He also had over 700 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground and played in spot duty on defense. The Tigers plan on playing him full time on defense this season. That'll make him one of the top two-way starters in the state.</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":["1838225"],"_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-6a54d5ea46040"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1838225' first='Zeke' last='Rogers'] emerged last season as the top target for Laughlin and the Mangum passing attack. We were told about Rogers prior to the 2025 season as being a guy that had breakout potential. He immediately checked that box and turned into a player to follow throughout the fall. He finished his sophomore season with over 50 catches for over 900 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has size and legit speed that makes him a mismatch nearly every week throughout the season. He certainly enjoyed a breakout season as a sophomore and now we're fired up to see how he elevates his game and overall production in 2026.&nbsp;</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='1838221' first='Beau' last='Rogers'] - 2028 Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1752349' first='Bradyn' last='Coffman'] - 2029 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1692673' first='Brylon' last='Smith'] - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1836297' first='Chevy' last='Epperson'] - 2029 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1831966' first='Clayton' last='Caskey'] - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1831969' first='Derek' last='Hamon'] - 2028 Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1830004' first='Gage' last='Adame'] - 2030 Running Back/Linebacker<br>Jaxon Lindsey - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1839251' first='Kagan' last='Clark'] - 2030 Athlete<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1831565' first='Ketcher' last='Lamb'] - 2028 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1751668' first='Sam' last='Slaton'] - 2029 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1633524' first='Shane' last='Lee'] - 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 Thomas</strong><br>- What a way to kick off the season for Mangum. The Tigers go on the road to face former district rival Thomas in week zero. These two teams have played some absolute classics over the last two seasons. Thomas won 47-46 in 2024 and Mangum won 28-21 last season. This meeting isn't for the district title but both teams will be ready for this one.<br><strong>Sept. 3rd - AT Empire</strong><br>- Following their week zero showdown, Mangum goes back on the road in week one to face Empire. This is another non-district match-up where the opponent is somewhat familiar. Mangum and Empire have played a couple times in the last decade and it's been one-sided towards Mangum. They last met in 2023 and the Tigers won 44-20.<br><strong>Sept. 11th - Hobart</strong><br>- Mangum wraps up non-district play with their home opener for the 2026 season against Hobart. These two teams have met in non-district play in each of the last two years and have been consistent opponents for a few decades now. The Tigers won 65-16 last season and they've won the last five in the series.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 25th - Wynnewood</strong><br>- You knew the move up in classes would introduce the Tigers to some new opponents this season and here's the first one. Mangum will open up district play against Wynnewood and what a district opener it will be. On paper, these two teams look like top competitors for the district title. It'll still be September but this game will have November implications.<br><strong>Oct. 2nd - AT Walters</strong><br>- Walters returns to the schedule this season after two years in different districts. Mangum travels to Walters in week five and will be looking to turn things around in this series. They played every year from 2017-2023 but the Tigers dropped the last two meetings. There are seniors on this year's team that certainly remember that.<br><strong>Oct. 9th - Stratford</strong><br>- Mangum returns home in week six to kick off the second half of the regular season against Stratford. This is a new opponent for the Tigers as they haven't played the Bulldogs in recent memory. Stratford is also a program that has struggled a little bit over the last few seasons. They would go 1-8 during the 2025 season.<br><strong>Oct. 15th - AT Comanche</strong><br>- On a Fall Break Thursday night, Mangum will hit the road to face Comanche in week seven. The Tigers are facing Comanche for the first time since these two teams met in non-district play in 2022 and 2023. They split those two meetings, with the Tigers winning the last one 33-7. This year's meeting will carry more weight considering it's in district play.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 23rd - AT Frederick</strong><br>- The Tigers go on the road again in week eight to face Frederick. This is another new opponent for Mangum, or at least this version of Mangum football. These two teams haven't met on the gridiron since 2019. Which is interesting considering these two played every year from 2006-2019. And it was a pretty back and forth series.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 30th - Minco</strong><br>- After back to back road games, the Tigers return home in week nine to host Minco. This game will certainly have some playoff implications in this district. Mangum hasn't faced Minco since they beat them 26-14 in 2021. The Bulldogs could look a little different this season as they have a first year head coach that's coming off winning state last year.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 6th - Luther</strong><br>- The regular season comes to a close in week ten with a home game against Luther. The Lions are dropping down from 2A-2 so this is another new opponent for the Tigers. But it's another new opponent that is going to be hungry to turn things around. They've had three straight losing seasons, including going 3-7 last year.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is no doubt that the Mangum Tigers are going into a new class with as much, if not the most experience for any team that's moving up a level. We mentioned earlier in the preview how not only do they bring back nearly every starter from last year's team, but those starters have multiple seasons of experience under their belt. But with all of that experience and overall talent returning comes pressure. And someone one time said “pressure is a privilege” and there will be plenty of that in southwestern Oklahoma this season. Also like we mentioned earlier, Mangum is coming off arguably the best season in nearly three decades after going 10-0 in the regular season and capturing the district title. But the Tigers want more in 2026. Mangum is 41-8 in the regular season over the last five years. But during that same stretch, they are 1-5 in the playoffs. Last year, they ended a playoff losing streak that began in the 2019 playoffs. On paper, Class A-1 looks very wide open but also extremely competitive. Mangum has what it takes to back up last year's memorable season with an even better one in 2026.&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 - 11-1 - Lost In Class A-2 Quarterfinals<br>2024 - 9-2 - Lost In Class A-2 1st Round<br>2023 - 8-3 - Lost In Class A 1st Round<br>2022 - 7-4 - Lost In Class A 1st Round<br>2021 - 7-3 - Lost In Class A 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 -->