Early Season Standouts – Film Breakdown Pt. 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we get deeper into the early part of the 2026 football season, several Oklahoma high school athletes have already begun to make their presence felt on the field. From established veterans stepping into bigger roles to emerging players starting to turn heads, this group of early-season standouts has shown the ability to impact games in a variety of ways. These are athletes who have caught our attention from early-season performances. As the season continues to unfold, we will continue to keep an eye on these players and see how they build on their early success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1830892' first='Parker' last='Madison'] - QB - Tuttle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior quarterback for the Tigers is [player_tooltip player_id='1830892' first='Parker' last='Madison'] who is in the class of 2027. Stepping in for a two-year starter in Cruz Campbell on a team coming off a state championship is no easy task, but he has looked nearly flawless through the first two games against some tough competition. A baseball player as well, he has shown that he is a very good game manager at the quarterback position. He throws a nice deep ball and does a good job placing it where only his receiver has a chance to make the play. He does a nice job stepping up in the pocket, moves well under pressure, and keeps his eyes downfield while extending plays. He also isn't afraid to tuck the ball and use his legs when needed to keep the chains moving. Through two games, he has shown poise, decision-making, and the ability to keep the offense on schedule.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2243557' first='Dason' last='McBride'] - RB - Cascia Hall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cascia Hall's running back [player_tooltip player_id='2243557' first='Dason' last='McBride'] has been one of the top performers through each of the first two weeks of the season. While he has produced consistently as a running back, last week he showed his versatility by making an impact as a runner, receiver, and returner. As a runner, McBride hits the hole with good explosion and gets vertical quickly, allowing him to take advantage of running lanes before they close. He has good footwork and moves well in space, giving him the ability to create additional yardage once he gets into the open field. He has also shown that he can be trusted in pass protection, doing a good job of stepping up and allowing the quarterback time to get the ball downfield. His ability to contribute in multiple phases has made him a player to keep an eye on as the season progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1695230' first='Curtis' last='Henley IV'] - RB - Mangum</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another back-to-back top performer to start the season, [player_tooltip player_id='1695230' first='Curtis' last='Henley IV'], he is coming off a really good junior campaign and has been on an absolute tear to begin his senior year. His play has Mangum looking like a serious state title contender early in the season. PRZ-Oklahoma will get an opportunity to see him in person in Week 4 when Mangum takes on Wynnewood. He is a tough runner who is difficult to bring down on first contact and shows good vision and footwork when working through the line of scrimmage. He has a good feel for finding running lanes and can make defenders miss in space. He also brings another dimension to the offense by taking snaps in the Wildcat package. Mangum has multiple ways to get the ball in his hands, including motioning him across the formation and finding creative ways to get him into space. His versatility and ability to consistently make plays have made him one of the early standouts in Oklahoma.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1530096' first='Brayton' last='Carter'] - ATH - Stilwell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stilwell athlete [player_tooltip player_id='1530096' first='Brayton' last='Carter'] is an all-purpose monster who has found a variety of ways to make an impact through the first two games of the season, he has also helped Stilwell jump out to a 2-0 start after finishing 2-8 a season ago. He is a nightmare matchup for opposing corners, with the size, frame, and athleticism to create problems all over the field. He does a great job going up and attacking the football in the air, using his wingspan and catch radius to make plays that others simply can't. He can be a problem in all facets of the game and is the type of athlete you want to find ways to get the ball to. He has the ability to stretch the field vertically as a legitimate deep threat, while his size and ball skills make him a dangerous target underneath as well. Through two weeks, he has shown that he can be a difference-maker in multiple ways.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaiah Ward - RB - Lawton MacArthur</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Highlanders lost their top two running backs in the season opener against Weatherford, but sophomore Isaiah Ward answered the call in a big way last week during their win over Lawton Ike. Ward finished with more than 150 rushing yards and four touchdowns, showing that he is more than capable of stepping into a bigger role for the Highlanders. He has good vision, attacks the hole with confidence, and doesn't shy away from contact. Ward is a smooth runner who has the speed to make plays in open space and physical to finish runs. It will be good to see him next week and get a closer look at how he continues to handle the increased workload for the Highlanders as they make the drive to play at S.E. Williams Stadium, home of Booker T. Washington Hornets.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->