TPS Athletes Making A Difference - Part 1

Tulsa Schools is full of talented high school football players who are making their presence felt and helping their teams compete every Friday night. From established playmakers stepping into leadership roles to emerging prospects turning heads with their performances, these athletes are finding ways to make a difference on either side or on both sides of the football. In this feature, we take a closer look at some of the players who have caught our attention through film, live evaluations, and their impact on the field. In this 3 part series, we will keep highlighting the athletes who are stepping up for their teams and making their mark on high school football across the Tulsa area.   Kammel Issah | Edison | Running Back | 2027   I had the chance to watch Kammel Issah in person last week, and he didn't disappoint after what I had already seen on film. I also had the opportunity to watch him during a training session a few years ago, where I was impressed with his footwork and overall movement. It has been good to see those traits translate onto the field, as Issah continues to show what he can bring to the Eagles' offense. Issah is a physical, downhill runner who isn't afraid to attack the line of scrimmage and finish runs through contact. Last week, he rushed for more than 150 yards for the Eagles, putting together a performance that showcased his ability to carry the workload. I really like his running style and the yards after contact he generates. He is difficult to bring down with the first defender, and it often takes multiple defenders to get him to the ground. Issah is a back to keep an eye on as the season continues.   Elijah Fisher | Edison | OLB | 2029   Another talented Eagles player who caught my attention is Elijah Fisher, a member of the 2029 class who plays outside linebacker. Fisher brings an exciting presence to the defensive side of the ball and showed last week that he can be a difference-maker. I really like his ability to take on blocks and use his hands effectively to keep himself clean and set the edge for the Eagles defense. Those are important traits for an outside linebacker, and Fisher is showing the ability to make an impact in that role. Fisher consistently made big plays last week, and his energy on the field is hard to miss. He plays with emotion and passion, and you can see the excitement when he makes a play for his team. That kind of enthusiasm brings energy to a defense, and Fisher is becoming a player worth watching in the 2029 class. As he continues to develop his technique and gain experience, I look forward to seeing how his game progresses throughout the season.   Rasheen Gaines | KIPP | DE/T | 2027   This stand-up defensive end for KIPP has the tools to create problems for opposing offensive tackles. Rasheen Gaines has a big frame and moves well for his size, showing a combination of physicality and athleticism that stands out on film. He uses his hands effectively and displays a developing understanding of pass-rush technique to work his way toward the quarterback. Rather than relying solely on speed to get upfield, he shows an understanding of how to bend the corner and run the hoop, giving himself a better angle to attack the quarterback while maintaining control of the rush. What I like about his game is his physicality at the point of attack. He brings force when engaging offensive linemen and carries that same physical mindset when making tackles. He understands that winning the edge is about more than simply getting upfield; it also means maintaining leverage and not opening running lanes for the ball carrier. With his frame, movement skills, and willingness to use technique, he is an intriguing defensive prospect to keep an eye on as he continues to develop.   [player_tooltip player_id='1829708' first='Brett' last='Gancarz'] | Hale | QB | 2028   Hale lost its starting quarterback to Booker T. Washington this season, but the Rangers have found another standout under center in [player_tooltip player_id='1829708' first='Brett' last='Gancarz']. Coming over from Jenks, Gancarz has quickly adjusted to the Rangers' offense and made an impact in the passing game. He has shown the ability to make a variety of throws while working through his progressions and finding ways to pick apart opposing defenses. His comfort level in the offense continues to grow, and he is becoming an important piece of the Rangers' attack. Gancarz put together an impressive performance a few weeks ago against Claremore in a 35-27 loss. He connected on several deep throws for touchdowns, showing off his arm strength and ability to deliver the football accurately downfield. Even with the tough result, his performance showed what he can bring to the Hale offense. Gancarz continues to improve each week, and he is a player to keep an eye on as the Rangers move forward through the season in his junior campaign.   [player_tooltip player_id='1838956' first='Lonnie' last='Bowler'] | Hale | RB | 2027   One of the starting running backs for Hale is 2027 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='1838956' first='Lonnie' last='Bowler'], who transferred from Webster last season and has made a smooth transition into the Rangers' backfield. Bowler first caught my attention last year while watching his film at Webster, where he showed his versatility by lining up at several different positions, including wide receiver, running back, and defensive end. That ability to contribute in multiple roles speaks to his overall athleticism and the different ways he can impact a football game. As a running back, Bowler has the ability to get downhill and run physically, but he also has enough wiggle to make defenders miss in the open field. He brings a nice combination of power and elusiveness to the Rangers' offense and has become part of a productive one-two punch in the backfield. We will take a closer look at the other half of that combination in an upcoming article. Bowler's athleticism and positional versatility make him an intriguing prospect to watch, and I believe he has the tools to compete at the next level.   Caleb Mitchell | McLain | RB/DB | 2027   McLain has a wide receiver in Caleb Mitchell in the class of 2027.  Mitchell does a nice job finding open space in the defense and giving his quarterback a reliable target in the passing game. He understands passing concepts and knows how to work into open windows, making himself available when the quarterback needs a place to go with the football. He has good size as a target and shows the ability to make catches in tight windows, which is an important trait when defenses take away the easy throws. What stands out is Mitchell's movement once the ball is in his hands. He navigates tight spaces well and has the ability to make defenders miss in the open field, giving him potential to create yards after the catch. I would like to see more film on Mitchell to get a better feel for his overall game, but his early traits are encouraging. He is also a two-sport athlete who plays basketball, and that multi-sport background adds another layer to his athletic profile. Mitchell is a player I will continue to monitor as I get more opportunities to evaluate his game.

Tulsa Schools is full of talented high school football players who are making their presence felt and helping their teams compete every Friday night. From established playmakers stepping into leadership roles to emerging prospects turning heads with their performances, these athletes are finding ways to make a difference on either side or on both sides of the football. In this feature, we take a closer look at some of the players who have caught our attention through film, live evaluations, and their impact on the field. In this 3 part series, we will keep highlighting the athletes who are stepping up for their teams and making their mark on high school football across the Tulsa area.