Week Zero Players To Watch

<!-- 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>The 2026 football season kicks off this week and the long offseason is finally over! Every Thursday, we'll put the spotlight on ten players to watch in some of the biggest games across the state of Oklahoma. On Wednesday nights, you can get a sneak peek at the ten players to watch by checking out our YouTube channel at 7PM. </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/OnJqsbp8SrE" data-type="link" data-id="https://youtu.be/OnJqsbp8SrE">- Week Zero Players To Watch Video</a></em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1716194' first='Abe' last='Gomez'] - Senior Quarterback - Holdenville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holdenville is kicking off their season against small school powerhouse Vian Friday night. In this battle of Wolverines, Holdenville is led by a four-year starter at the quarterback position. [player_tooltip player_id='1716194' first='Abe' last='Gomez'] has been incredibly productive and more importantly, he's been critical to Holdenville becoming a serious championship contender in the last few seasons. He's coming off a junior campaign where he ran for over 1,600 yards and 24 touchdowns. Going on the road and beating Vian would be quite the statement win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1837353' first='Ben' last='Rogers'] - Senior Running Back - Newcastle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Newcastle senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1837353' first='Ben' last='Rogers'] has been patiently waiting for his opportunity to be THE guy in the Newcastle backfield. He gets that as the Racers open the season against defending champion Carl Albert on Friday night. Newcastle lost to the Titans in the semifinals a year ago so Rogers and company have had this game circled for a while now. Rogers ran for nearly 800 yards and double digit touchdowns last season, including one against the Titans in that semifinal and now he's hungry for more. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='473879' first='Case' last='Alexander'] - Senior Tight End/Linebacker - Washington</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Teams that have faced Washington in the last few years are probably wondering how [player_tooltip player_id='473879' first='Case' last='Alexander'] still has any eligibility. The Washington senior tight end and linebacker has been starting for the Warriors since his freshman season and has played a ton of football over the last three years. Alexander has been one of the state's top 2027 prospects during the past three years as well and committed to Penn State this summer. Alexander and the Warriors open the season with a tough test against Perkins-Tryon Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1831885' first='Damon' last='Davis'] - Senior Defensive Lineman - Millwood</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Millwood senior [player_tooltip player_id='1831885' first='Damon' last='Davis'] will take the field for the first time as a Falcon after moving from Southeast this summer. The Falcons are hosting Marlow in a rematch of a double overtime thriller in the 2024 2A-1 playoffs. Marlow's offense has some playmakers but Davis will be looking to neutralize their backfield very quickly on Friday night. At this time last year, we didn't know much about Davis but that changed quickly. There weren't many players that got off to better starts than Davis last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1235926' first='Drew' last='Frankenfield'] - Senior Quarterback - Owasso</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owasso senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1235926' first='Drew' last='Frankenfield'] enters this season as arguably the most experienced quarterback in Class 6A-1 football. You can also make the argument that he's the most talented signal caller in this class as well. The Rams will lead on that talent and experience as they try to take down Bixby on Friday night. Frankenfield made his first career start against Bixby in the 2024 season opener and led the Rams to a big win. Two years later and he's kicking off his senior season in the same setting, against the same opponent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1067472' first='Fisher' last='Lai'] - Senior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back - Cascia Hall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the annual "Hall Brawl" rivalry game between Cascia Hall and Holland Hall, look for Cascia Hall senior [player_tooltip player_id='1067472' first='Fisher' last='Lai'] to have a massive impact on the game. Offensively, Lai has the ability to be their top playmaker, doing most of his damage as a receiver but the Commandos will get creative with giving him the ball. Defensively, Lai is one of the best cornerbacks in the state and facing a first-year starter ata quarterback, he'll have an advantage. And finally, don't forget about his ability to change the game as a returner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1297663' first='Gabe' last='Osborne'] - Senior Wide Receiver/Defensive Back - Mustang</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every time Mustang plays this season, senior and OU commit [player_tooltip player_id='1297663' first='Gabe' last='Osborne'] is going to be a player to watch. But in a match-up with Choctaw, where there are going to be D1 commits and future D1 players everywhere, Osborne is the king of that domain. Osborne is one of three 2027 prospects in the state that are considered 5-star guys by national recruiting services. He's been one of the freakier athletes to come through Oklahoma in the last several years and that playmaking ability will be on full display Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1171159' first='Kyng' last='Golston'] - Senior Tight End/Defensive Lineman - Broken Bow</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Broken Bow goes on the road to face McAlester Friday night and Tulsa commit and 2027 tight end and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1171159' first='Kyng' last='Golston'] takes the field for the first time with the Savages. Like Davis, Golston is a dominant force on the defensive line and joined the Savages this offseason after a very strong career with Valliant. Golston is known for terrorizing offensive linemen but don't be surprised to see him play a little offense as well. He's been known to line up at tight end and he will routinely have the physical advantage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='916843' first='Remington' last='Laughlin'] - Senior Quarterback/Defensive Back - Mangum</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Out in southwestern Oklahoma, we'll see Mangum go on the road to face Thomas. These two teams were district rivals and the last two meetings were decided by a combined two points. Last year, Mangum won by a point, thanks to quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='916843' first='Remington' last='Laughlin'] and his QB sneak in the final minute. Laughlin now enters his senior season and his stock continues to go up as one of the better small town athletes in the state. Laughlin had a good game against Thomas last year and expects to do the same in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1035103' first='Titus' last='Hawk'] - Senior Tight End - Choctaw</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Choctaw opens their 2026 season with a massive game against 6A-1 contender Mustang Friday night. The Yellowjackets will have new names all over the place so they'll lean on senior tight end and Notre Dame commit [player_tooltip player_id='1035103' first='Titus' last='Hawk'] to be that leader of the offense. Hawk is certainly a name to watch every single week as one of the state's best 2027 prospects. But over the last two years, it seems like he always performs well in the biggest games. Speaking specifically about his performances in the last two state title games. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->