Blanchard Lions 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>Throughout the month of July and now into August, we are publishing 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 Blanchard Lions!</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/Ep47hjmbUXw" data-type="link" data-id="https://youtu.be/Ep47hjmbUXw">- Blanchard Video Preview With HC Brock Wardlaw</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Blanchard Lions</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: UR In Class 4A</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Brock Wardlaw - 1st Season&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 RESULTS (5-6 Record - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 5th - Beat Noble 34-14<br>Sept. 12th - Lost To Newcastle 63-40<br>Sept. 19th - Lost To Guthrie 48-7<br>Sept. 26th - Beat Harrah 35-13<br>Oct. 3rd - Lost To Bethany 27-26<br>Oct. 10th - Beat Tecumseh 56-21<br>Oct. 16th - Lost To Ardmore 33-25<br>Oct. 24th - Lost To Tuttle 49-7<br>Oct. 31st - Beat Madill 60-0<br>Nov. 7th - Beat Chickasha 38-7<br>1st Round - Lost To Weatherford 28-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2025 Offensive Scoring Average: 30.5 Points Per Game<br>2025 Defensive Scoring Average: 27.5 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Blanchard Lions came into the 2025 football season with a new head football coach and the season was definitely a roller coaster with ups and downs. After losing longtime head coach Jeff Craig, Lance Manning replaced him as the next head coach of Blanchard football. The Lions started with a 1-2 record against a non-district schedule completely made up of Class 5A opponents. Things didn't get easier when they entered district play. They won the opener against Harrah but then dropped three of the next four games against Bethany, Ardmore and Tuttle. They had to take care of business in the final two weeks or they were in danger of coming up short on the playoffs. They did take care of business with wins over Madill and Chickasha to punch their ticket to the playoffs. The Lions had to go on the road in the first round to face Weatherford and came up short there, falling 28-7. The season came to an end with a 5-6 record. And the ups and downs weren't over there. Manning stepped down following the season and for the second straight offseason, Blanchard would have to find a new head football coach. There's no doubt that Blanchard will look to turn the page in 2026 and find some new stability with a new season, a new head coach and plenty of new starters.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blanchard hired Brock Wardlaw to be their next head football coach back in March. He inherits a program that has high expectations year after year and a team that will have plenty of new faces taking the field this fall. The Lions only bring back three starters on the offensive side of the ball. So it's going to be baptism by fire early on for the Lions as they break in new players all over the offensive side of the ball. The same can be said for the defensive side where they also bring back three starters from last year's team. But after talking with Blanchard's coaches this summer, we're fired up to see what this linebacker group ends up looking like. Despite only having three starters back on defense, Blanchard's linebackers might be one of the best linebacker groups in Class 4A this season. So there is reason for optimism with the defensive side of the ball. While they are working in new starters everywhere, they have one position group that they can lean on throughout the season. Blanchard will face a very competitive non-district schedule once again this season. There will be some growing pains in the first half of the regular season but as long as they grow up quickly, they should be ready for the second half of the year, where the schedule starts having some make or break games when it comes to the district title race and overall playoff positioning. There will be a whole lot of “new” when it comes to Blanchard football but this is a program that has consistently been one of Class 4A's best.&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>Brayden Heffernan - Offensive Lineman (2025 All State Honorable Mention)<br>Cole Watkins - Wide Receiver<br>Colin Cooksey - Offensive Lineman (2025 All State Honorable Mention)</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":["1952550"],"_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-6a6fbe900185a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2029 wide receiver and defensive back is part of a very important sophomore class that is coming into this season. Some of Blanchard's most important players are in this class and Garcia is near the top of that list. He comes into this season after having a terrific offseason so there is some momentum there. Last year, Garcia was just a freshman but still found a way to get some playing time and played his role well. Now, as the Lions go into the 2026 season, the expectation is for Garcia to be a big part to what they do on offense as the top target in the pass game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1831378"],"_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-6a6fbe900192a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As you look up and down this Blanchard roster, the future is bright considering how many underclassmen will be starting this season. 2027 offensive and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1831378' first='Sam' last='Miller'] is one of the few seniors that come into this season with starting experience. He started all year last season on the offensive and defensive lines. When you look at either side of the line of scrimmage, expect Miller to be one of the guys that helps set the tone for the Lions. When you combine his experience with being a senior and a potential leader, Miller is a big piece to what Blanchard will do this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1691843"],"_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-6a6fbe90019c2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2028 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1691843' first='Trevor' last='Engles'] might be the top overall prospect on Blanchard's team going into this season. And there's no doubt that Engles is going to come into this season with a lot to prove because it's been a while since he's had the pads on and was healthy. Engles had offseason surgery and had to miss out on spring drills. So when we look at players that will come out swinging to start the season, Engles is one of those guys. And like we mentioned earlier, we're going into this season with some high expectations from the Blanchard linebacker group as a whole. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2234533"],"_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-6a6fbe9001a4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2028 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='2234533' first='Trusdon' last='Moss'] is another guy to keep an eye on as the Lions kick off the season this fall. We mentioned how the Blanchard linebackers could be a really special group. When we checked out Blanchard in person back in the spring, Moss was one of our favorite players that we watched all spring. He had a day at the Noble team camp where he was flying around the field like it was already November and the Lions were playing for a spot in the state title game. This linebacker is going to be a tackling machine and a heat-seeking missile all rolled up in one dynamic player. </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>Ari Beck - 2030 Running Back/Linebacker<br>Bravyn James - 2029 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1839158' first='Brody' last='McDonald'] - 2028 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Cason Dobbs - 2029 Quarterback/Defensive Back<br>Colten Pierce - 2030 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Jax Nixon - 2028 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Kyle Crawford - 2028 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1832892' first='Logan' last='Wooten'] - 2028 Linebacker<br>Owen Price - 2030 Tight End/Defensive End</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 - AT Clinton</strong><br>- Blanchard opens the 2026 season on the road against 4A historical powerhouse Clinton in week one. These two haven't met in the regular season since 2009 but they have had some playoff run-ins, including the 2024 first round. Both teams have first year head coaches that coincidentally know each other from Class A football.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 11th - Newcastle</strong><br>- Blanchard's home opener comes in week two when they host Newcastle. These two teams have played each other every year for decades. It hasn't mattered if they are in the same class or not, they have gone head to head with one another. Blanchard had their four-game winning streak over the Racers snapped last season in a 63-40 loss.<br><strong>Sept. 18th - AT Guthrie</strong><br>- The non-district slate wraps up with a trip to Guthrie to face the Blue Jays. It's the second straight game against a playoff team from Class 5A. These two teams have met in each of the last two seasons. The Lions beat the Blue Jays 33-24 in their first meeting in 2024. But Guthrie got the best of Blanchard last season, winning 48-7.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 25th - AT Western Heights</strong><br>- The Lions go back on the road to open up district play in week four against Western Heights. The Jets are a new district opponent for the Lions and a new opponent in general as these two teams haven't played in decades. The last time these two teams squared off was all the way back in 1962. Blanchard will look to kick off district play in style here.<br><strong>Oct. 2nd - Chickasha</strong><br>- Blanchard returns home for the first time in a few weeks with a week five game against Chickasha. These two teams remain district opponents after they started playing in 2024. This has been a series that has been friendly to the Lions. They are 2-0 in the last meetings and have won both match-ups by 30+ points.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 9th - AT Tuttle</strong><br>- Week six begins a two week stretch that will make or break Blanchard's district title hopes. They go on the road to face defending state champion Tuttle in week six. These two have played some incredibly close games over the last decade. Last year was not an example of that as the Tigers rolled to a 49-7 win and have won the last two in the series.<br><strong>Oct. 15th - Ardmore</strong><br>- After the showdown with Tuttle, Blanchard returns home to host Ardmore on a Fall Break Thursday night in week seven. Just like Tuttle, Ardmore comes into this season as a top five team in Class 4A. These two teams became district foes in 2024 and have exchanged wins. Blanchard won the first meeting while Ardmore won 33-25 last year.<br><strong>Oct. 23rd - Bridge Creek</strong><br>- Bridge Creek is back on the schedule after these two did not play the last two seasons. They were district opponents from 2022-2023 and the Lions rolled in each of those match-ups. Overall, Blanchard comes into this season with a six-game winning streak over Bridge Creek. In 2023, the Lions prevailed 40-10 over the Bobcats.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 30th - AT Tecumseh</strong><br>- Blanchard goes back on the road to face Tecumseh in week nine. These two teams have been district foes for a while now and the series has been pretty one-sided. The Lions beat Tecumseh 56-21 last year for their seventh straight win in the series and the 12th in the last 13 meetings historically. They'll look for another big win here.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 6th - Harrah</strong><br>- The Lions wrap up the regular season in week ten against Harrah. This will be another opportunity for Blanchard to pick up some momentum with the playoffs around the corner. The Lions have a nine-game winning streak over the Panthers. They won 35-13 last year.&nbsp; Both teams come into this season with first year head coaches.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We mentioned earlier how Blanchard had to hire a new head football coach for the second straight offseason. They didn't have to do that for nearly two decades and have now had to do it twice in the last two years. But with new head coach Brock Wardlaw, the Lions are hopeful that they have brought someone in that can provide some stability that they were used to for the last 20 years. Wardlaw comes to Blanchard after a very successful stint as Minco's head coach. He was there for 11 seasons and had a record of 102-28. He hit the 100 win mark last fall and always had Minco as one of the top small school programs in the state. Wardlaw mentioned to us how Blanchard definitely appealed to him as a program that has the potential to be a state championship contender. They aren't that removed from winning it all in 2023. Contending for a state title has become the expectation and we're looking forward to seeing how this rebuilt Blanchard roster looks in 2026.</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 - 5-6 - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round<br>2024 - 9-2 - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round<br>2023 - 13-1 - Class 4A State Champions&nbsp;<br>2022 - 8-4 - Lost In Class 4A Quarterfinals<br>2021 - 8-4 - Lost In Class 4A 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>3 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 - Beat Wagoner 19-14<br>2012 - Beat Kingfisher 28-21<br>1979 - Beat Hartshorne 37-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->