Gore Pirates OK 2024 Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% Off Your Subscription By Entering Knight25 In The Coupon Code Area. Enjoy!</strong></em></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 Gore Pirates!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Gore Pirates</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #10 In Class A-2<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: UR In Class A-2</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Head Coach: Brandon Ellis - 2nd Season - 9-3 Record At Gore</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (9-3 Record - Lost In Class A 2nd Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 25th - Beat Wilburton 28-0<br>Sept. 1st - Beat Keys 30-7<br>Sept. 8th - Beat Mounds 43-0<br>Sept. 22nd - Beat Talihina 51-12<br>Sept. 28th - Beat Canadian 58-0<br>Oct. 6th - Beat Pocola 37-22<br>Oct. 13th - Lost To Central Sallisaw 26-16<br>Oct. 19th - Lost To Panama 28-8<br>Oct. 27th - Beat Haskell 32-0<br>Nov. 3rd - Beat Porter 41-6<br>1st Round - Beat Fairland 22-14<br>2nd Round - Lost To Stroud 54-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 31 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 14.1 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have to start this preview and look back at the 2023 season with a hand up. We got this one wrong. We thought after Gore made a run to the state championship game, lost their coach and just about every starter on both sides of the ball, the Pirates might take a step back in 2023. Nope. Gore got a new (and technically old) coach and a fresh batch of talented players to make another run in Class A. And they let everybody know pretty quickly that they weren't going anywhere. They were absolutely dominant in the first half of the regular season. They were 5-0 and had only given up 19 points and that included three shutouts along the way. They would beat Pocola in week six to set up a showdown with a Central Sallisaw team that was also unbeaten. The Pirates came up short and Central Sallisaw prevailed 26-16. Gore couldn't bounce back the next week and they lost to Panama by 20. But Gore would respond with two straight wins to wrap up the regular season at 8-2. They beat Fairland in the first round but then lost to Stroud in the second round to make their final record 9-3. We did not see the Pirates flirting with the 10-win mark last season and they proved us wrong in a big way. And what's scary is as we look ahead to the 2024 season, the Pirates are absolutely loaded.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>And maybe we're making the same mistake again and Gore should be much higher in our Class A-2 rankings but they check in at #10 in our preseason ranks. And just like last year, they'll have an opportunity to silence the doubters really quickly. Nine starters return on the offensive side of the ball and they were an outstanding unit a year ago. They averaged over 30 points per game and with their quarterback and running back, along with the majority of the offensive line returning, there's no reason to think that this year's Gore offense will not only match last year's production, they could surpass it in a big way. Defensively, the Pirates also bring back nearly everybody with eight starters coming back on that side of the ball. Gore has a scary combination for the rest of Class A-2. They are young but experienced and talented. You look up and down the roster and some of their best players are going to be juniors or even sophomores this fall. Gore isn't going anywhere and we could end up seeing the Pirates making a trip back to Edmond sooner rather than later. The district will be tough but Gore definitely has a shot to not only win the district title but they'll contend with some of the other top teams in this class. If they can win the district, that will set them up for success in the playoffs with a much simpler path in the bracket.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>KEY LOSSES TO GRADUATION</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hunter McGee - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Journey Shells - Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Layne Ward - Offensive Lineman/Linebacker</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":["1348797"],"_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-66a3387e69d4e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1348797' first='Ayden' last='Cox'] is a part of a Gore senior class that had to wait for their opportunity to shine bright under the Friday night lights. Cox watched as the Pirates made their run to the state championship game and in 2023, it was finally his (along with several others) opportunity to show what he could do. Cox would respond and become one of the top tacklers on a very underrated defensive unit. Cox would finish the year with nearly 60 tackles and also had a handful of sacks. The Pirates were pretty dominant at times on the defensive side of the ball and we're looking forward to seeing how Cox and the rest of the Pirates improve this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1348799"],"_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-66a3387e69dd2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gore has a handful of two-way players that we really like coming into this season but junior [player_tooltip player_id='1348799' first='Bladin' last='McCartney'] might be the best of the bunch. Last season, McCartney was one of Gore's top options in the running game. He would finish with nearly 800 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. McCartney would also line up at linebacker on the defensive side of the ball and he finished with 60 tackles and three sacks. But an underrated part of McCartney's game was how he was always in the right place at the right time. He came up with four fumble recoveries throughout the year for the Gore defense. He could end up being one of the better two-way players in Class A-2 this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1348800"],"_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-66a3387e69e41"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Earlier in the preview when we mentioned that “fresh batch” of new players, we were talking about Gore's 2027 class. As freshmen, multiple players got in the game and were instant impact players for the Pirates on both sides of the ball. For sophomore linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1348800' first='Devon' last='Mannon'], his greatest impact came on defense. He would finish the season as one of the team's leaders in tackles with nearly 90 on the season. He would also finish with ten sacks as he was an absolute nightmare for opposing offensive linemen. And Mannon did all of this as a freshman in 2023. The future for him is so bright on defense but don't overlook him also turning around and playing running back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1348798"],"_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-66a3387e69eac"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In his first season as QB1, [player_tooltip player_id='1348798' first='Tate' last='Brooksher'] didn't shy away from the spotlight of leading a team that had just made it to the state championship game in the previous year. As a sophomore, Brooksher never looked like a sophomore or a first time starter as he led the Gore offense with efficiency. He would throw for well over 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns and completed nearly 60 percent of his passes. He would also run for nearly 700 yards and finished with 15 touchdowns on the ground. Brooksher is definitely a quarterback that we're going to keep an eye on this season in Class A-2. If he takes another step forward, this Gore offense could be lights out in 2024. </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='1735052' first='Antonio' last='Parker'] - 2026 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Bryon McDuffie - 2025 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Drake Cowart - 2025 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Duane Hunt - 2025 Running Back/Defensive Back<br>Jagger Moore - 2025 Tight End/Linebacker<br>Kaydin McCartney - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Keeton Rowe - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back</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>Aug. 30th - AT Wilburton <br>Sept. 6th - Keys<br>Sept. 13th - AT Chouteau<br><strong>Sept. 27th - AT Mounds<br></strong>- The district opener comes in week four and it's on the road against Mounds. In fact, this will be the third road game for the Pirates in the first four games on their schedule. They face a Mounds team that will be hungry to turn things around in this series. They've met in non-district play for a long time now and Gore has won three in a row in convincing fashion and five of the last six. Mounds was originally supposed to be a Class A-1 school but the April redistricting shuffle bumped them down. <br>Oct. 4th - Talihina<br><strong>Oct. 11th - AT Regent Prep<br></strong>- In week six, we have a very intriguing match-up as Gore will hit the road to Tulsa to face off with Regent Prep. The Rams are a new team to Class A football and a new team to 11-man football altogether. They have a terrific quarterback but not a lot around him in terms of experience so this is going to be an interesting transition to watch. On one hand, the Rams could be one of the top teams in this district. And on the other, Gore will look to give them a rude welcome to 11-man football. <br>Oct. 17th - Wewoka<br>Oct. 25th - Liberty<br><strong>Nov. 1st - AT Central Sallisaw<br></strong>- There's probably not another game on the schedule that gets circled quicker than week nine's trip to face Central Sallisaw. The Tigers were the first team to hand Gore a loss last season and that took the Pirates out of the race for the district championship. This season, when these two meet up in week nine, this could literally be a head to head clash for the district championship. Central won 26-16 last season and snapped a four-game losing streak to the Pirates. Gore looks to start a new streak in 2024. <br>Nov. 8th - Allen</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head coach Brandon Ellis was named head coach of the Pirates for the second time after leading the program 15 years ago. Ellis is an alum of Gore and returned to his alma mater after Brandon Tyler took the Sallisaw job. And Ellis continued the Gore winning ways in his first season. And maybe we shouldn't be surprised. During his first stint at Gore, Ellis had a winning record in every season and finished with a 30-14 record before moving on to another job. Prior to coming back to Gore, Ellis was the head coach at Muldrow and he turned that program into a winner very quickly. And as we mentioned earlier in the preview, we thought that Gore might take a step back in 2023 and that did not happen. Now, they have their sights locked in on making another run to Edmond with the majority of their starters returning and talent on both sides of the ball.&nbsp;</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 - 9-3 - Lost In Class A 2nd Round<br>2022 - 14-1 - Class A Runner Ups<br>2021 - 11-1 - Lost In Class A 2nd Round<br>2020 - 8-1 - Lost In Class A 2nd Round<br>2019 - 10-2 - 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>0 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->