Sulphur Bulldogs 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 Sulphur Bulldogs!</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/29CJx4ApILQ" type="link" id="https://youtu.be/29CJx4ApILQ">- Sulphur Video Preview With HC Corey Cole</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Sulphur Bulldogs&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #2 In Class 3A</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Corey Cole - 4th Season - 33-7 Record At Sulphur</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 RESULTS (13-1 Record - Class 3A Runner Ups)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 5th - Beat Washington 28-19<br>Sept. 12th - Beat Davis 34-14<br>Sept. 19th - Beat Cache 42-7<br>Sept. 26th - Beat Perkins-Tryon 42-20<br>Oct. 3rd - Beat McLoud 60-0<br>Oct. 10th - Beat Lone Grove 53-21<br>Oct. 16th - Beat Bristow 52-14<br>Oct. 24th - Beat Seminole 35-0<br>Oct. 31st - Beat Victory Christian 59-0<br>Nov. 7th - Beat Mannford 48-0<br>1st Round - Beat Anadarko 63-12<br>Quarterfinals - Beat Holland Hall 77-28<br>Semifinals - Beat Perkins-Tryon 35-8<br>Championship - Lost To Lincoln Christian 24-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2025 Offensive Scoring Average: 46.4 Points Per Game<br>2025 Defensive Scoring Average: 11.9 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sulphur Bulldogs had the same approach throughout the 2025 football season. Taking it one game at a time and one opponent at a time. But for us on the outside of that Sulphur program, we had our sights set on one date and one match-up. A 3A state championship rematch with Lincoln Christian. Those two played an instant classic in 2024 and all signs pointed to a rematch in 2025. That thought only strengthened with Sulphur's start to the season. They beat defending 2A-1 champion Washington in week one, snapping their 45-game winning streak. They followed that up with a rivalry win over defending 2A-2 champion Davis in week two. The closest game they would have the rest of the season came in week four, in the district opener, against Perkins-Tryon. They prevailed 42-20. From there, they absolutely steam-rolled their way to the district championship. They finished the regular season with a perfect 10-0 record. They scored a combined 140 points in their first two playoff wins over Anadarko and Holland Hall. They followed that up with a rematch from week four in the semifinals against Perkins-Tryon. The result was the same with the Bulldogs prevailing 35-8. And finally, we reached the 3A state championship game and it was the match-up we were waiting to see all year. Undefeated Lincoln Christian and undefeated Sulphur for the 3A state championship. Unfortunately, for Sulphur, the result was the same. They came up short once again, falling 24-21 and settling for the silver ball. But one thing that is true in sports more times than not, if you keep pounding away at that door, eventually, the door comes down.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the third consecutive year, Sulphur comes into a football season as a top five preseason team and one of the top teams to look out for in Class 3A. After two straight trips to the state title game, the Bulldogs are ready to finish the job in 2026. They have half of their starters back from last year's team and some key additions that could end up providing them the firepower to get over the top. Six starters are back from an offense that averaged over 45 points per game last season. They'll have a new quarterback and they have to replace some other weapons but they are not going to go into this season without firepower. They will just feature some familiar names in more prominent roles this season. On the other side of the ball, you have a defense that brings back six starters from a unit that gave up a little over 10 points per game last season. And we believe that the story with Sulphur's defense will end up being very familiar. Those returning starters were impact players last season but maybe flew under the radar because of the senior class that Sulphur had. Now, they are ready to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight this fall. We really like the talent that the Bulldogs bring back at the linebacker position and in the front seven in general. So Sulphur is going to have quite a few new names on both sides of the ball and those new names will get thrown into the fire. The non-district slate is very difficult but it should get them ready to make a run at another district championship and ultimately the 3A state championship. The last two seasons, it has felt like a foregone conclusion that Sulphur would be playing for the state title. This year, they are going to have to earn their spot at UCO. But that challenge is something that Sulphur is going to embrace when things kick off in September.&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>Bridge Barrett - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back (2025 All State 2nd Team Selection)<br>Kale Brakefield - Quarterback/Linebacker (2025 All State Honorable Mention)<br>Maddax Mobly - Running Back/Defensive Back (2025 PRZ-Oklahoma Player Of The Year Finalist)</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":["2234527"],"_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-6a4a5ab237b4a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Bulldogs have a pretty special senior class this season but 2028 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='2234527' first='Carter' last='Cole'] is one of the underclassmen to keep an eye on this season. You could start seeing flashes that he was going to be a big time player during his sophomore season. He would do a little bit of everything on offense and defense for the Bulldogs. His season was cut short in the semifinals and there's no doubt that he's hungry to get back on the field after not being able to play in the state championship game. Cole finished last year with over 1,000 all purpose yards between running, receiving and return yardage. There is no doubt that he's going to have an elevated role this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["820911"],"_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-6a4a5ab237bfc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sulphur got a huge addition to the team this offseason when 2027 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='820911' first='Houston' last='Bynum'] joined the Bulldogs. Bynum used to be a homeschool standout in Oklahoma before going down to Texas. Now he's back in Oklahoma and he's joining a Sulphur defense where he will fit right in. Bynum is already on the radar of college coaches and has a handful of offers. His style of play is going to mesh really well with Sulphur's defense. He's a guy who will look the part from a physical standpoint every time he steps on the field. We have a feeling that Bynum is going to be a major impact player for the Bulldogs and emerge as arguably their best defender this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1694449"],"_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-6a4a5ab237caa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 running back [player_tooltip player_id='1694449' first='JoJo' last='Gray'] is on the shortlist of players we're fired up to watch this season. Last year, Gray finished with over 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns on 153 carries. And he split carries for the Bulldogs. This season, he's stepping into a new role where he will be the featured back in this offense and Sulphur is not going to be shy about putting the ball in his hands. He's proven over the last several years that he can produce at a very high level. But because he was splitting carries, he might have flown under the radar across the state. Not with us and we're fired up to see him step into the spotlight. He has the potential to have a dominant senior season 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:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1833172"],"_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-6a4a5ab237d22"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Talking with Sulphur's coaches this offseason, they are very excited about the potential of the run game this season. The number one reason is the offensive line as they bring back almost everyone up front. 2027 offensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1833172' first='Kaleb' last='Walker'] is one of several offensive linemen that returns for the Bulldogs this season. He became one of the foundational pieces for Sulphur and the offense last season. This year, he looks to pave the way for an offense that could light up the scoreboard a year ago. There is no doubt that the Bulldogs have some weapons in the skill department. But nothing happens for them if Walker and the offensive line don't work hand in hand.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1184125"],"_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-6a4a5ab237d92"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1184125' first='Kash' last='Pickett'] returns for his senior season and he looks to be the unquestioned leader on the Sulphur defense. Pickett had a nose for the football last season that you just don't see in Class 3A very often. As a junior, Pickett finished the year with nearly 150 tackles on the season and he's going to come into 2026 hungry for more. We've written about the Sulphur defense and how they have a reputation for hitting and hitting hard. Pickett is the embodiment of that as one of the hardest hitting players on the team. Sulphur will also turn around and play him on offense this season. But Pickett will come into this season as one of Class 3A's best defenders.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1838496"],"_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-6a4a5ab237e00"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 two-way athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1838496' first='Madden' last='Duck'] is a name to keep an eye on this season for the Bulldogs. Last year, Duck was mostly known as a tackling machine for the Sulphur defense. Duck finished his junior season with just shy of 100 tackles on the year. But because he's one of the faster players on the team, the Bulldogs are going to put him on offense more and they aren't going to be afraid of putting the ball in his hands. Sulphur expects Duck to be a solid addition to the offensive side of the ball. But make no mistake about it, Duck is going to be very valuable to the Bulldogs on defense as he tries to go into the triple digits in tackles this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1838493"],"_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-6a4a5ab237e6d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We mentioned earlier in the preview how one question mark with the offense might be at the quarterback position. 2027 signal caller [player_tooltip player_id='1838493' first='Traber' last='Sartors'] appears to be the next guy in line to lead the Sulphur offense. Sartors was the backup last season and now steps into the spotlight in 2026. Like we talked about with some of the other players, because Sulphur has dominated opponents, Sartors got some experience last season, despite being the backup. Sulphur will be able to do a lot of things on the offensive side of the ball but Sartors is the guy that can keep this unit moving up and down the field. Don't be surprised if he ends up having a breakout season this fall.&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>Caysen Meador - 2028 Offensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1832234' first='Drake' last='Wood'] - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1839752' first='Jackson' last='Haggard'] - 2028 Running Back/Defensive Lineman<br>Mavric Lowrance - 2029 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1838499' first='Michael' last='Morris'] - 2028 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>Sept. 4th - Washington</strong><br>- The Sulphur Bulldogs will once again square off with Washington to open the season in week one. These two have developed quite the rivalry over the last several years. They've played in week one every year since 2020 and the Warriors had a 5-0 advantage over Sulphur, until last season. The Bulldogs beat Washington 28-19 and snapped their 40+ game win streak.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 11th - Davis</strong><br>- It's Murray County Bedlam in week two as the Bulldogs welcome rival Davis to town. This series has been as back and forth as it gets over the last several decades. Sulphur has won two in a row and nine of the last ten in the series. They beat the Wolves 34-14 last season but Davis comes into this season with a lot of experience and talent returning.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 18th - AT Gunter, TX.</strong><br>- Sulphur wraps up non-district play with a trip to Texas to square off with Gunter. After facing one of the best 2A-1 and one of the best 2A-2 teams, the Bulldogs will test themselves against an out-of-state opponent for the first time in a few seasons. It will be the last test for the Bulldogs before they enter a district that should be competitive.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 25th - AT Madill</strong><br>- The Bulldogs will open up district play in week four with a road trip to Madill. These two teams used to play each other every season but that hasn't been the case lately. Madill is back in Sulphur's district and this will be their first meeting since 2021. They played every year from 2010-2021 and Sulphur was 8-4 during that stretch.<br><strong>Oct. 2nd - Seminole</strong><br>- Sulphur returns home for the first time in several weeks to host Seminole in week five. These two have been district opponents the last two seasons and the Bulldogs have been dominant since they started facing off in district play. They beat Seminole 49-6 in 2024 and followed that up with a 35-0 win over the Chieftains last season.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 9th - AT Idabel</strong><br>- Sulphur heads to southeastern Oklahoma to square off with Idabel in week six. The Warriors will be a new district opponent for the Bulldogs this season. They are familiar with Idabel after meeting in the playoffs two years ago. In fact, the playoffs have been the only time these two have met recently. Sulphur won in the 2018 playoffs, followed by a 53-21 win in the 2024 playoffs.<br><strong>Oct. 15th - Lone Grove</strong><br>- On a Fall Break Thursday night in week seven, the Bulldogs will host Lone Grove. The Longhorns are another district opponent that Sulphur is very familiar with. They've been district opponents since the 2014 season. The Bulldogs have a commanding lead in the series. They've won three straight, including last year's 53-21 win.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 23rd - AT Kingston</strong><br>- Sulphur heads to Kingston in week eight and the Redskins are another new district foe for the Bulldogs as they are back in 3A after several seasons in 2A and 2A-1. These two teams were district foes in 2020 and 2021. They split the meetings in those two seasons. Kingston has been a consistent 10-win team over the last few years.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 30th - Star Spencer</strong><br>- The final home game in the regular season comes in week nine as the Bulldogs host another new opponent. They'll face Star Spencer late in the regular season and it's definitely the first time these two teams have met in recent history. The Bulldogs could be closing in on a district championship and they can't afford to trip up here.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 6th - AT Pauls Valley</strong><br>- The regular season comes to an end in week ten with a road trip to Pauls Valley. These two teams haven't met since 2023. They were district opponents from 2016-2023 and the Bulldogs dominated the series. They went 7-1 during that stretch, including a 37-7 victory over Pauls Valley in the last meeting in 2023.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Sulphur Bulldogs find themselves in a similar position to a few other top teams heading into the 2026 football season. Sulphur is coming off back to back trips to the state championship game but walking off the UCO field with a silver ball. Owasso and Vian are in the same position and both teams expect to be right back in the mix, just like Sulphur. The Bulldogs did fall to Lincoln Christian in the last two state championship games but the 3A boogeyman is gone. Lincoln Christian (and their 42-game winning streak) has dropped down to Class 2A-1 for at least the next two seasons. That opens the door for everyone else in Class 3A so the Bulldogs are going to have some company. With Lincoln Christian dropping down, there were quite a few contenders that came up from 2A-1. Class 3A has been dominated by private schools for the last 15 years. In fact, the last time a public school captured the 3A state title was in 2017 when John Marshall beat Beggs. Two public schools sit atop the 3A preseason rankings so perhaps a new dawn is approaching. For Sulphur, they are hungrier than ever to return to Edmond in December and walk off the field with gold.  </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 3A Runner Ups<br>2024 - 12-2 - Class 3A Runner Ups<br>2023 - 8-4 - Lost In Class 3A Quarterfinals<br>2022 - 4-5 - Missed Playoffs<br>2021 - 8-4 - Lost In Class 3A 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>2004 - Beat Purcell 48-12<br>2002 - Beat Seminole 26-13</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->