North Rock Creek Cougars 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>Throughout the month of July and now 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 North Rock Creek Cougars!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>North Rock Creek Cougars&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: Jason Murray - 7th Season - 20-36 Record At North Rock Creek</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 RESULTS (3-7 Record - Missed Playoffs)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 29th - Lost To Marlow 41-6<br>Sept. 12th - Beat Prague 45-0<br>Sept. 19th - Lost To Holdenville 52-6<br>Sept. 26th - Lost To Heritage Hall 48-12<br>Oct. 3rd - Beat Star Spencer 49-0<br>Oct. 10th - Lost To Pauls Valley 23-21<br>Oct. 16th - Beat Purcell 25-20<br>Oct. 23rd - Lost To Kingfisher 34-0<br>Oct. 31st - Lost To Plainview 21-18<br>Nov. 7th - Lost To Anadarko 28-0</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2025 Offensive Scoring Average: 18.2 Points Per Game<br>2025 Defensive Scoring Average: 26.7 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The North Rock Creek Cougars came into the 2025 football season with a major chip on their shoulder. They went 6-4 in 2024 and were in a three-way tie for the final two spots in the playoffs. But they were on the wrong end of that tie and were the one team left out. But the Cougars lost a lot of talent and firepower to graduation so they would need to reload heading into the 2025 season. This group had an up and down start to the season, either blowing their opponent out or being on the losing end of a blowout. They were 2-3 at the halfway point of the regular season but things got much closer down the stretch. They lost a heartbreaker to Pauls Valley in week six but turned around and beat Purcell by five points the following week. The Cougars were still in the hunt for a playoff spot but three straight losses in the final three weeks would keep them out of the postseason for the second straight year. They ended the year at 3-7 and on the outside looking in, it looks like the Cougars took a step back. But you look at their play week to week and they were in a lot of those games for all four quarters. They also played a lot of young talent which should set them up to have success as the 2026 season is upon us.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Rock Creek still has that chip on their shoulders as they enter the 2026 football season. And they bring a lot of experience back from last year's team that should give them a boost. Eight starters return on the offensive side of the ball. They will be led by an experienced offensive line and several players at the skill positions that can help lead them to new heights this season. Defensively, the Cougars also bring back eight starters from last year's team. There will be several starters that will be equally important on the offensive and defensive side of the ball this season. If both sides of the ball show improvement this season, the Cougars could be right back in the mix for one of those playoff spots. But they are going to have to earn it. The biggest hurdle that North Rock Creek will face is their new district slate. There are six teams that we could make legitimate arguments for being playoff teams. And the math isn't working in their favor as only four teams from this district will be playoff teams. If the Cougars can start strong in district play, winning their first three games specifically, they will have their fate in their own hands. If they stumble in one of those first few games, they will be in danger of missing the playoffs again.</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":["1177925"],"_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-6a7de182a3512"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1177925' first='Brodie' last='Grace'] returns for another run on the North Rock Creek defense. Last season, Grace was one of the team's top defensive standouts. He finished the year with just shy of 100 tackles on the season and also had an interception. This season, he leads a North Rock Creek defense that is very experienced and could end up taking a major step forward. In our opinion, if the Cougars do take that next step, it will be because Grace is even more productive, becomes one of the top linebackers in Class 3A and has North Rock Creek contending for one of those playoff spots. All of those things are on the table for Grace and the Cougars this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1838860"],"_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-6a7de182a3590"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 running back and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1838860' first='Reid' last='Rollins'] is the first of several two-way players to look out for this season. It's hard to argue that Rollins wasn't very productive on both sides of the ball. He's an example of a player where it's hard to figure out where he is at his most valuable. Offensively, Rollins finished with over 400 yards and five touchdowns on the ground last season. That production is expected to go up this season. Defensively, Rollins also finished with 80 tackles and was right there with Grace as one of the top tacklers on last season's team. He will once again look to be a very impactful player on both sides of the ball this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1184832"],"_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-6a7de182a35f2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">2027 wide receiver and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1184832' first='Tyson' last='Hawkins'] is another starter that returns and he is the unquestioned veteran on this team heading into the season. Hawkins has been starting and making plays for the Cougars since his freshman season. This year, he has the potential to be one of the best two-way players in Class 3A and possibly the state. Last year, he emerged as one of their top threats in the passing game, finishing with 45 catches for nearly 700 yards and five touchdowns. He's also one of the best ball hawks on the defensive side of the ball but offenses have learned that the hard way and avoided throwing in his direction last season. </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='1832611' first='Cooper' last='Ford'] - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Dion Frazier - 2029 Running Back/Defensive Back<br>Gabe Hobbs - 2029 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Kash Christopher - 2027 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>Aug. 28th - Tecumseh</strong><br>- The 2026 football season kicks off with a home game against Tecumseh in week zero. This is also the first of three straight games against new opponents. The non-district schedule this season features three opponents that the Cougars have never played before. Tecumseh is up first and the Cougars will be looking for a win.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 4th - AT Crossings Christian</strong><br>- The first road game of the season comes in week one when they head to Crossings Christian. This is another first time match-up between these two teams. Crossings Christian is looking to reload this season after losing some talented players to graduation and to transfers. North Rock Creek could get some momentum with a win here.<br><strong>Sept. 11th - AT Harrah</strong><br>- The non-district slate comes to an end in week two when the Cougars will travel to Harrah to face the Panthers. Again, this will be the first time these two teams have met on the gridiron. Harrah is in a similar position to Crossings where they lost some talent to players transferring out. They will also have a first year head coach this season.<br><strong>Sept. 25th - Kingfisher</strong><br>- After a week off, North Rock Creek opens up the district schedule with a week four home game against Kingfisher. We mentioned earlier in the preview that the Cougars have to start fast in district play. It's only week four but this is a must-win game for North Rock Creek. They've played Kingfisher in each of the last four years and have a 1-3 record.<br><strong>Oct. 2nd - AT McLoud</strong><br>- North Rock Creek goes back on the road to face McLoud in week five. The Redskins are back on the district schedule after not playing the last two seasons. And for the Cougars, this is an opportunity to get their first ever win over the Redskins. They lost in 2022 and then dropped a close 21-16 game in 2023. The Cougars can't afford to slip up here.<br><strong>Oct. 9th - Purcell</strong><br>- The Cougars host Purcell in week six and this will be the third straight year these two have met as they remain district opponents. This has been a series that the Cougars have taken care of business in. They're 2-0 all time in the series, winning the first meeting in 2024, 42-21 and following that up with a 25-20 win over Purcell last year.<br><strong>Oct. 15th - AT Mount St. Mary</strong><br>- The gauntlet stretch of the schedule begins in week seven. The Cougars head to south OKC to face Mount St. Mary. The Rockets are back on the schedule after moving back up from 2A-1. These two teams were district opponents in 2022 and 2023 and the Cougars won both meetings. The Rockets are a top five team heading into this season.<br><strong>Oct. 23rd - Plainview</strong><br>- The Cougars host Plainview in week eight as the gauntlet run in their district schedule continues with another preseason top ten team. These two teams have been district opponents in each of the last two seasons. North Rock Creek has an 0-2 record against Plainview with both losses coming by a combined four points.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 30th - AT Marlow</strong><br>- The Cougars go on the road to face Marlow in another massive district contest in week nine. These two teams have met in the season opener in each of the last two seasons and now they are district opponents with Marlow moving back up to Class 3A. The Cougars won the 2024 meeting while the Outlaws won last year 41-6.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 6th - Oklahoma Christian School</strong><br>- The regular season comes to an end in week ten with a home game against Oklahoma Christian School. The Saints are another team moving up from 2A-1. This will also be the first meeting between these two programs. And at this point of the season, North Rock Creek will know exactly where they stand in the 3A playoff hunt.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Rock Creek is in an interesting position compared to the other programs they are competing against. This school (let alone the football team) wasn't even around a decade ago and they find themselves competing against some of the more tradition-rich programs in the state. They took a big step in the 2023 season, going 5-5 in the regular season and making it to the playoffs for the first time in program history. We mentioned the massive chip they had on their shoulders last year after going 6-4 in 2024 but were left out of the playoff picture. The Cougars have only been an OSSAA member for four full seasons and this year will be the fifth. They are hungry to make it back to the playoffs and to compete for that first playoff win in program history. They have the overall experience and talent returning to make a run at one of those playoff spots. And if they make it to the dance, you could make the argument that it'll be the best season in program history considering how deep and competitive their district is this season.</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 - 3-7 - Missed Playoffs<br>2024 - 6-4 - Missed Playoffs<br>2023 - 5-6 - Lost In Class 3A 1st Round<br>2022 - 3-7 - Missed Playoffs<br>2021 - 3-5 - Non-OSSAA Member</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 -->