Rejoice Christian Eagles 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 two-time defending state champion Rejoice Christian Eagles!</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/GPWZqkx-K0c" type="link" id="https://youtu.be/GPWZqkx-K0c">- Rejoice Christian Video Preview With HC Brent Marley</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Rejoice Christian Eagles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #8 In Class 2A-1</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Brent Marley - 12th Season - 112-27 Record At Rejoice Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 RESULTS (13-1 Record - Class A-1 State Champions)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 29th - Beat NOAH 48-27<br>Sept. 5th - Lost To Cascia Hall 21-14<br>Sept. 19th - Beat Christian Heritage 31-7<br>Sept. 26th - Beat Haskell 76-7<br>Oct. 3rd - Beat Pocola 27-20<br>Oct. 10th - Beat Panama 51-0<br>Oct. 16th - Beat Hartshorne 49-14<br>Oct. 23rd - Beat Chouteau 65-8<br>Oct. 31st - Beat Hulbert 54-6<br>Nov. 7th - Beat Warner 70-0<br>1st Round - Beat Morrison 48-20<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Hooker 49-8<br>Semifinals - Beat Pawhuska 42-34<br>Championship - Beat Tonkawa 34-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2025 Offensive Scoring Average: 47 Points Per Game<br>2025 Defensive Scoring Average: 13.2 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After capturing the school's first state championship in program history in 2024, the Rejoice Christian Eagles were hungry for more in 2025. The Eagles followed the script from 2024 almost perfectly in 2025 when you look at the two seasons side by side. In each season, they opened up with a win over NOAH, lost to Cascia Hall the week after and then didn't lose again the rest of the year. In 2025, the Eagles fell 21-14 to the Commandos and then bounced back with 12 straight wins. They beat Pocola 27-20 on the road in week five to take command of the district title race. That would be the last time they would have to play all four quarters as they wouldn't be challenged the rest of the regular season. They finished the regular season at 9-1 and captured another district title. They went into the playoffs looking to defend their 2024 state championship and they took care of business in the first two rounds. They beat Morrison in the first round, followed by a 41-point win over Hooker in the quarterfinals. That set up a semifinal showdown with Pawhuska and it lived up to the hype in a match-up between two teams that can absolutely light up the scoreboard. The Eagles would escape with a 42-34 victory to punch their ticket to the state championship game. They would square off with Tonkawa with the gold ball on the line and Rejoice Christian's star power was too much for the Buccaneers to contend with. The Eagles took the opening kick back for a score and that was just the beginning as they rolled to a 34-13 victory to win the school's second straight state championship.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Things are going to look completely different for Rejoice Christian as they begin the 2026 football season. The Eagles are coming off back to back Class A-1 state championships but there won't be a third A-1 title as they've been bumped up to Class 2A-1 for at least the next two seasons. Not only will the class and opponents look different in 2026, the product on the field is going to look drastically different. Only two starters return from last year's offense that averaged nearly 50 points per game. They lost multi-year starters at the skill positions to graduation and their star quarterback to transfer. So needless to say, the Rejoice Christian offense will look different but coaches are confident with the pieces they are putting in place to go to work this fall. Defensively, the Eagles only bring back one full time starter from last year's championship squad and that comes on the line of scrimmage. Now, similar to a lot of programs that have the benefit of a lot of blowout victories, the Eagles have been building depth. So while the starters that take the field this season for Rejoice Christian might be new in starting roles. They aren't going to be new to playing under the Friday night lights. But for those new faces this fall, they are going to get thrown into the fire. The Eagles will once again test themselves against a competitive non-district schedule. But that should set them up for success in the district slate. While Rejoice Christian has to move up not one, but two classes from A-1 to 2A-1 this season, the district slate is a favorable one. The Eagles will have to battle for another district crown but it's not out of the question this season.</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>Cade Shaffer - Linebacker (2025 All State 2nd Team Selection)<br>Noah Goodwin - Running Back (2025 All State Honorable Mention)<br>Xavier Okwufulueze - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back (2025 All State 1st Team Selection)</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":["1832388"],"_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-6a47279551af6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The last time that we watched 2028 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1832388' first='Alex' last='Yorman'] on the football field, he was taking the opening kickoff of the state championship game back to the house. That kicked off a dominant state championship performance from the Eagles. Now, Yorman appears to be ready to take the next step as an impact player for the Eagles. Yorman will play in the slot at the receiver position and be a reliable playmaker there. He'll also see time on defense at the cornerback position. He got playing time on both sides of the ball last year but has been waiting to step into the starting role. And of course, he'll still be an impact player for Rejoice Christian in the return game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1839278"],"_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-6a47279551b6a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1839278' first='Jeremiah' last='Tate'] is one of a few guys who return after being full time starters last season. On the defensive side of the ball, Tate is the lone full time starter that comes back on that side of the ball. Tate is your prototypical defensive tackle or nose guard and is a guy who sets the tone on the line of scrimmage. Tate is also a successful track athlete and the Eagles like using athletes that can utilize their speed along the line of scrimmage. Tate is the perfect example of that. There will be plenty of new faces behind Tate on the Rejoice defense. But all signs point to Tate stepping into a bigger role on defense and bringing those new faces along.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1838634"],"_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-6a47279551bbc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rejoice Christian lost one of the state's best overall players at the quarterback position this offseason. So needless to say, 2028 signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='1838634' first='Kenyon' last='Terwilliger'] is stepping into a major position this season. Terwilliger comes into this season with experience as the backup from a year ago so he's not going to be a complete stranger to the Friday night lights but he is stepping into a new role within this offense. But when you look at Rejoice Christian over the last decade, they have routinely had solid play at the quarterback position. It hasn't mattered who has been back there. Terwilliger is ready to become that next guy to lead the Eagles on the offensive side of the ball.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1832385"],"_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-6a47279551c09"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On a team that has so many new faces on both sides of the ball, we'd be very surprised if 2027 offensive and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1832385' first='Trace' last='Sanchez'] isn't one of the unquestioned leaders on this year's team. Sanchez started for the Eagles in each of the last two seasons. He was a big part of their offensive line that helped pave the way towards back to back state championships. He'll be a three-year starter for Rejoice Christian when he takes the field this fall and he'll also see time on the defensive side of the ball. Sanchez will look to be the foundational piece to the Rejoice offense. Making things a little easier for their new quarterback and skill players.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1703227"],"_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-6a47279551c55"} --> <!-- 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='1703227' first='Tristan' last='Willis'] is another Rejoice Christian prospect that returns that has some significant playing time from last year's team. Willis has the opportunity to battle with Yorman to become that top target for the Eagles in the passing game. He's certainly shown that he's capable of stepping into that role after a solid sophomore season. Willis will also be relied on with the Rejoice defense as they look to replace some serious talent in their secondary. Willis was a rotational player for the Eagles last season but he appears to be ready to take that next step and become a very reliable two-way starter for the Eagles this season.&nbsp;</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>Brody Knapp - 2029 Wide Receiver/Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1839778' first='Clovis' last='Hatch'] - 2029 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1839834' first='Daniel' last='Mojica'] - 2029 Running Back&nbsp;<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1839831' first='Dylan' last='Myers'] - 2027 Running Back<br>Jack Curry - 2028 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1830809' first='Jackson' last='Sanders'] - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1839775' first='Jaden' last='O'Bryan'] - 2029 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1839832' first='Jude' last='Voto'] - 2029 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Nick Strle - 2027 Running Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1839279' first='Sam' last='Nichols'] - 2028 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Tanner Piazza - 2029 Running Back</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 - Victory Christian</strong><br>- The 2026 campaign begins for Rejoice Christian at home against Victory Christian. We were surprised to find out that these two have never locked up in the regular season. In non-district or district play. The only time these two have met on the gridiron was in 2023, during the first round of the playoffs. Coincidentally, that was also the last time Rejoice lost a playoff game.<br><strong>Sept. 4th - AT Cascia Hall</strong><br>- Rejoice Christian hits the road for a short trip south to face Cascia Hall in week one. The Eagles will look to turn things around in the series with the Commandos. These two teams now find themselves in the same class, although this remains a non-district clash. Cascia Hall has won the last three meetings, including last year's 21-14 win.<br><strong>Sept. 18th - Perkins-Tryon</strong><br>- After a week off, Rejoice Christian wraps up their non-district schedule with a home game against Perkins-Tryon in week three. This will be the first meeting between these two teams and that's not all that surprising. Perkins-Tryon is a top ten team in Class 3A and Rejoice Christian hasn't played too many 3A teams in their history. That changes in 2026.<br><strong>Sept. 25th - Westville</strong><br>- District play opens up in week four with a home game against Westville. And the schedule will have a few new opponents because of the district assignments and Westville is one of them. This will be the first meeting between these two teams. Westville is looking to turn things around after four consecutive losing seasons.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 2nd - AT Sperry</strong><br>- Rejoice Christian goes up to Sperry in week five and this will be the first of several challenging district match-ups in a row for the Eagles. The Pirates were a district opponent for the Eagles in 2020 and 2021. They split that series but Rejoice lit up the scoreboard on both occasions. They lost the 2020 meeting 56-41 but won 48-14 the following season.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 9th - Central</strong><br>- Rejoice Christian returns home to host Central in week six and this will be another match-up featuring a new opponent for the Eagles. The Braves will certainly provide a challenge to Rejoice Christian. You look at the last several years and they've been a borderline playoff team year in and year out. Rejoice can't afford to be caught looking ahead to week seven.<br><strong>Oct. 15th - AT Holland Hall</strong><br>- Arguably the biggest district test for the Eagles comes on a Fall Break Thursday night in week seven when they head to south Tulsa to face Holland Hall. The Dutch are expecting to contend not only for the district crown, but they are looking to get back into the state championship picture. This will be the first meeting between these two on the gridiron.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 23rd - Henryetta</strong><br>- Following the showdown with Holland Hall, Rejoice Christian returns home in week eight for their final home game in the regular season. They'll host Henryetta to close out their home slate in the regular season and they'll be looking to get another big district win. This will be the first meeting between these two programs.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 30th - AT Claremore Sequoyah</strong><br>- Rejoice Christian goes on the road to face Claremore Sequoyah in week nine. Out of the seven district opponents, Claremore Sequoyah will be the only opponent that the Eagles are somewhat familiar with. The last time Rejoice was in Class 2A, they were district opponents from 2020-2023. The Eagles won the last three meetings in the series.<br><strong>Nov. 6th - AT Okmulgee</strong><br>- The regular season comes to a close in week ten when Rejoice Christian heads south to face Okmulgee. This is going to be another new match-up for the Eagles in the regular season. The Eagles and Bulldogs have only met one time and that came in the 2020 playoffs. Rejoice Christian would beat Okmulgee 30-6 in that lone meeting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Rejoice Christian will have a lot of “new” during the 2026 season from players to class and district opponents, things will look familiar on the sidelines. Head coach Brent Marley is getting ready for his 12th season as head coach of the Eagles. He not only helped guide Rejoice Christian to their second straight state championship last season, he also hit a major milestone in the process. In the season-opening win over NOAH, Marley hit 100 wins as Rejoice Christian's head coach. He also had a successful run at Victory Christian prior to this stint at Rejoice and during the last season, Marley would win his 150th game as a head coach between both spots. He has turned Rejoice Christian into one of the marquee small school programs in the state. It hasn't mattered what class they've been in. With Marley at the helm, Rejoice has won at a high level. The last time they were in Class 2A, it was a 64-team 2A and the Eagles went 27-8 in their last three seasons. They've gone 26-2 in the last two seasons and have two gold balls to show for it. They come into 2A-1 looking to continue their winning ways. And with Marley at the helm, we don't think it's crazy to think they will do just that.&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 - 13-1 - Class A-1 State Champions&nbsp;<br>2024 - 13-1 - Class A-1 State Champions&nbsp;<br>2023 - 6-5 - Lost In Class 2A 1st Round<br>2022 - 10-1 - Lost In Class 2A 1st Round<br>2021 - 11-2 - Lost In Class 2A Quarterfinals</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>2 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2025 - Beat Tonkawa 34-13<br>2024 - Beat Hooker 35-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->