Stroud Tigers OK 2024 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>It's the month of July and that means it's preview time! Throughout the month of July and even 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 2024 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 Stroud Tigers!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Stroud Tigers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #7 In Class 2A-2<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: #7 In Class 2A-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Head Coach: Josh Presley - 5th Season - 27-17 Record At Stroud</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (10-3 Record - Lost In Class A Quarterfinals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 1st - Lost To Chandler 26-6<br>Sept. 8th - Lost To Colcord 32-6<br>Sept. 15th - Beat Okemah 56-22<br>Sept. 22nd - Beat Liberty 62-22<br>Sept. 29th - Beat Allen 55-6<br>Oct. 6th - Beat Hartshorne 48-16<br>Oct. 12th - Beat Konawa 53-12<br>Oct. 19th - Beat Mounds 58-8<br>Oct. 27th - Beat Wewoka 59-0<br>Nov. 3rd - Beat Savanna 51-0<br>1st Round - Beat Morrison 56-12<br>2nd Round - Beat Gore 54-6<br>Quarterfinals - Lost To Fairview 56-20</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 44.9 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 16.8 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 football season felt like a bad case of deja vu for the Stroud Tigers. For the second straight season, Stroud would start 0-2 with losses to Chandler and Colcord. For the second straight season they would rally and win eight straight games and capture the district championship. But for the second straight season, the year would come to an end in the quarterfinal round to eventual champion Fairview. The Tigers finished the year with a 10-3 record but the improvement they made from 2022 to 2023 was very impressive. It began with the two losses to Chandler and Colcord but the Tigers came into the year knowing that those two games would be tough to open the season. They wanted those tough openers to prepare them for a long season. They bounced back in a major way, absolutely dominating their way through the rest of the regular season. The closest game was a 32-point win over Hartshorne in week six. They would roll to another district championship and they continued that dominance once they got there. They took out Morrison and Gore in the first two rounds before that quarterfinal rematch with Fairview. But they came up short and the season ended at 10-3. But you look at the year they had, specifically on offense and it's hard not to be impressed. They scored six points in each of the first two games but would then score 50+ points in nine of the next ten games. This was an offense that was potent and what's scary is they bring the majority of them back.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you talk about the Tigers coming into this season, it's hard to not start on that offensive side of the ball. This was an offense that was absolutely lights out last season. They were putting up monster numbers and making it look easy. Eight starters return from last year's unit, including their star running back that will be one of the top guys at his position in Class 2A-2. They also had multiple guys in addition to him finish last year with double digit touchdowns so what's scary moving forward is how this offense could be even better in 2024. Stroud's coaches are very excited about the firepower that they have returning. The skill players will be among the best in the class this season. But they will need some new names to step up along the line of scrimmage. Stroud will need to rely on that team speed because they don't have as much size up front. But this is an offense that could be absolutely potent this season. Don't overlook how good the defense could be either. They also bring back eight starters from last year and this is a unit that is expecting to make a major improvement this season. Similar to the offense, Stroud's defense has a lot of speed everywhere and they'll rely on that while the new guys along the line of scrimmage step up. The Tigers come into this season as a top ten team in our preseason rankings once again but it's a new class. Stroud finds themselves as the smallest school in Class 2A-2 but the expectations are simple. Win another district championship and finally get over that quarterfinal hump. They have a really good shot to do just that this season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>KEY LOSS TO GRADUATION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peyton Gaylord - Offensive/Defensive Lineman</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":["913426"],"_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-669d056f727e3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This Stroud offense has the potential to be one of the top units in Class 2A-2 football this season. A lot of attention will be on the running game but they also bring back their quarterback and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='913426' first='Dylan' last='Baker'] this fall. Baker is one of several players that have been starting since their freshman season. While Baker might be looked at as a distributor to the other playmakers, we look at him as the driver of this offense that can be very tough to stop. And don't forget about what he can do in the secondary for the Stroud defense. No matter where Baker is lining up on the field, he can have a tremendous impact for the Tigers this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1343443"],"_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-669d056f72880"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1343443' first='Jacob' last='Beck'] is a very underrated part of this Stroud offense and the thing we like the most about him is his consistency. When he was a freshman, Beck cracked the lineup and would finish the year with 11 touchdowns. Last season, as a sophomore, he increased that production to 14 touchdowns and we can only imagine what he's going to be able to do this season. Stroud has a variety of weapons in the running game and Beck is just one of them. He will also impact the game on the defensive side of the ball from the linebacker position. If Beck takes another step forward with his production, that's going to be another positive thing for Stround. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["913427"],"_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-669d056f728f3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Speaking of consistent play, senior [player_tooltip player_id='913427' first='Kason' last='Presley'] is in a similar position to Beck where he has been incredibly consistent over the last two seasons. In 2022, Presley would finish the year with nearly 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns. Last season, as a junior, Presley would go over that 1,000-yard mark and he would once again finish the year with 15 touchdowns. And also like Beck, Presley doubles as a standout linebacker for the Stroud defense. But there's no doubt that what makes him valuable is what he can do on the offensive side of the ball. And like the other guys on this breakdown, Presley is incredibly experienced and hungry to finish out his career on a high note. </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>Aiden Collins - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Trystan Baker - 2026 Running Back/Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1402828' first='Ty' last='Stafford'] - 2025 Offensive Lineman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 SCHEDULE/GAMES TO CIRCLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sept. 6th - AT Chandler<br></strong>- The season opener is always a date to circle on the calendar and Stroud will certainly have this opener against Chandler circled. They'll square off with the Lions on the road and they're hungry to turn things around in this series. They've lost four straight in the series with Chandler and prior to this four-game losing streak, they won six straight meetings from 2014-2019. Both teams are top ten teams in their respective classes. This should be a good one to open the season. <br>Sept. 13th - Pawnee <br>Sept. 20th - AT Tonkawa<br>Sept. 27th - Kellyville<br>Oct. 4th - AT Meeker<br><strong>Oct. 11th - Alva<br></strong>- The second half of the regular season will begin with arguably the toughest district contest on the schedule. They'll host Alva in week six and this is a very talented team that is looking to take the next step this season. And for the Tigers, this showdown with Alva comes one week after a tough road game against Meeker. These three teams are the top three teams from this district in our preseason rankings. This two-week stretch will be critical for the Tigers in their pursuit for the district title. <br>Oct. 17th - AT Newkirk<br><strong>Oct. 25th - Casady<br></strong>- In week eight, the Tigers will look to take that next step towards a district championship when they host Casady. This match-up is more about the opponent as this is a unique season where Casady is officially entering OSSAA competition after years of playing in the Southwest Prep Conference. Holland Hall made that transition to the OSSAA nearly a decade ago and now Casady officially enters this season. For Stroud, they'll look to get another win and pick up momentum heading into November.<br>Nov. 1st - AT Hennessey<br>Nov. 8th - Luther</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stroud was one of many schools in Oklahoma that got thrown into a whirlwind back in April. When several Oklahoma City private schools won a decision against the OSSAA, that sparked an emergency redistricting shuffle and there were several schools that not only ended up changing districts, they changed classes altogether. Stroud was one of those schools. Originally, the Tigers were slated to be in Class A-1 and they would have been one of the larger schools in the new class division. But after the shuffle, they find themselves as the smallest school in the new Class 2A-2. And when you look at the latest ADM numbers from April, the difference between Stroud being in one class or the other was just a few students. It was Stroud and Hartshorne as the two teams right on the edge and Stroud had a slightly higher enrollment. They'll be in 2A-2 for at least the next two seasons. They won't be backing down from the challenge and are ready to have a memorable 2024 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>2023 - 10-3 - Lost In Class A Quarterfinals<br>2022 - 10-3 - Lost In Class A Quarterfinals<br>2021 - 6-6 - Lost In Class A 2nd Round<br>2020 - 1-8 - Lost In Class A 1st Round<br>2019 - 11-1 - Lost In Class A 2nd Round</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>4 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1981 - Beat Vian 20-7<br>1974 - Beat Millwood 28-0<br>1970 - Beat Vian 32-6<br>1969 - Beat Bixby 32-12</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->