Pryor 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 August and we're continuing our preview series! Throughout the month of July and now 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 Pryor Tigers!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Pryor Tigers</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: UR In Class 5A<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: UR In Class 5A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Head Coach: Kenny Davis - 6th Season - 30-25 Record At Pryor</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (5-6 Record - Lost In Class 5A 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 25th - Beat Locust Grove 45-14<br>Sept. 8th - Lost To Alma, AR. 35-0<br>Sept. 15th - Lost To Coweta 17-8<br>Sept. 22nd - Lost To Collinsville 48-26<br>Sept. 29th - Beat W. Rogers 38-14<br>Oct. 6th - Lost To Claremore 33-32<br>Oct. 12th - Lost To Bishop Kelley 36-8<br>Oct. 20th - Beat Edison 40-8<br>Oct. 27th - Beat Grove 46-7<br>Nov. 3rd - Beat Nathan Hale 58-12<br>1st Round - Lost To Del City 48-8</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 28.1 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 24.7 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Pryor Tigers came into the 2023 football season hungry to bounce back after going 2-8 and missing out on the playoffs. But Pryor would get off to a rocky start and it forced them to have to play some of their best football down the stretch. They would start the season with a 1-3 record and then sat at 2-5 heading into the final three weeks. They lost close games to Coweta and Claremore and in order for the Tigers to punch their ticket back to the playoffs, they would need to go 3-0 in the final three weeks. And not only did the Tigers accomplish that, they did it at a very high level. They beat Edison, Grove and Nathan Hale and all three wins were by 30-plus points. The Tigers left no doubt, going from a 2-5 team to 5-5 and back into the playoffs. The first round featured them going on the road and losing to a Del City squad that would make it all the way to the state championship game. Nevertheless, it was good to see the Tigers back in the postseason and for Pryor, they had a very unique bounce back season. They had to bounce back from a slow start to finish the job and make it back to the playoffs. Now, the Tigers turn their attention to the 2024 campaign and we're looking forward to seeing if they can take the next step.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pryor brings back the majority of their starters coming into the 2024 season and the conversation has to start on the offensive side of the ball with the firepower they have coming back there. First off, they bring back seven starters from last year's team and the unit will be headlined by the return of their starting quarterback and several of their top playmakers at wide receiver. The Pryor offense is going to have to find a new player to step into the role of starting running back after having to replace a very productive player at the position. But we think that this offense could be even better in 2024. They averaged right around 28 points per game in 2023 and we think they could shoot past the 30 point mark this fall. Defensively, they also bring back seven starters on that side of the ball and this is a unit that could also see a major improvement in 2024. They gave up just shy of 25 points per game and we really like what the Tigers have coming back in the front seven. Pryor has the majority of their starters coming back but they will be challenged by a tough schedule this season. Most of their competition will come in district play and when you look at the schedule as a whole, it looks like their toughest games are on the road. So it's not an easy path to make it back to the playoffs but it's a path that Pryor intends to conquer this fall.&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>Jacob Couch<br>Julian Espinoza<br>Noah Cowan</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":["1366322"],"_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-66b660df38663"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1366322' first='Braden' last='Ward'] returns this season and is looking to build on what ended up being a breakout season last fall. Ward is the younger brother of former Pryor quarterback Ben Ward and Braden has a chance to really tear things up this season. First off, Pryor could end up becoming more of a pass-first offense this season after graduating their leading rusher. And last season, despite being really balanced offensively, Ward would finish with nearly 2,400 yards and 20 touchdowns. With Ward back, along with the majority of his firepower at wide receiver, it wouldn't be surprising to see his production explode this season and for him to become one of the top 5A quarterbacks this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1366324"],"_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-66b660df38718"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior wide receiver and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1366324' first='Brock' last='Ward'] is the twin brother of Braden and it's not a surprise that Brock will be Braden's top returning target in the passing game. And when you look at what Brock brings to the table on both sides of the ball, an argument can be made that he will be their most valuable player on both sides of the ball. On offense, Ward is the leading receiver after catching nearly 60 passes for over 700 yards and seven touchdowns last season. On defense, he would finish with nearly 70 tackles and three interceptions. He was a complete player that impacted so much of what Pryor did in 2023. We're looking forward to seeing what he does in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1286537"],"_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-66b660df38802"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We really like what Pryor has in their junior class but the Tigers are not lacking talent with their senior class. Leading the way on the defensive side of the ball will be [player_tooltip player_id='1286537' first='Caleb' last='Cantrell'] at the linebacker position. Cantrell would have a monster 2023 season on this Pryor defense. He finished the year with well over 100 tackles and a handful of sacks, tackles for loss and forced fumbles. We got a chance to watch Cantrell in person back in May at the Wagoner team camp. A Pryor coach would point him out and after watching him for 15-20 minutes, it was pretty clear that he was arguably the best player on the Pryor defense. He'll look to bring that same energy this fall. </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>Brycen Cowen - 2025 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Gavin Roberts - 2026 Wide Receiver<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1684110' first='Jackson' last='Parks'] - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>John Whipple - 2025 Linebacker<br>Justin Pryor - 2026 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Mason Mcalvain - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Nathan Hansbrough - 2026 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>Aug. 30th - AT Sallisaw<br></strong>- It feels like you always have to circle the season opener and this year is no different. Pryor opens up the season on the road against a Sallisaw team that was one of the surprise squads in 2023. Pryor's non-district slate is made up of three Class 4A programs but this opener could end up being the toughest of the bunch. The Black Diamonds had several seasons where wins came at a premium and then they made an unexpected run to the 4A quarterfinals in 2023. Pryor looks to start the year with a big win. <br>Sept. 6th - Catoosa<br>Sept. 13th - AT Glenpool<br>Sept. 27th - W. Rogers<br><strong>Oct. 4th - AT Tahlequah<br></strong>- The first half of the regular season comes to a close in week five as Pryor goes on the road to face Tahlequah. It'll be a battle of the Tigers in this one as Tahlequah is back in Class 5A after spending the last two seasons in Class 6A-2. These two teams were district foes from 2010-2021 and while Tahlequah has the series edge, Pryor won the last meeting in 2021. They would win 31-14 before making a run to the Class 5A quarterfinals. That win would also end a six-game losing streak to Tahlequah. <br>Oct. 11th - Claremore<br>Oct. 17th - AT Nathan Hale<br><strong>Oct. 25th - AT Collinsville<br></strong>- In week eight, Pryor once again hits the road for a big district match-up. They face a Collinsville team that is a top five team in our Class 5A preseason rankings. And these two teams are very familiar with one another after being in the same district since the 2011 season. Pryor won that first district showdown in 2011 but it's been all Collinsville ever since. The Cardinals have won 12 in a row and Pryor is hungry to turn things around. The Tigers will look to slow down Collinsville's talented offense. <br>Nov. 1st - Memorial<br>Nov. 8th - AT Del City</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another game to keep an eye on comes in the final week of the regular season. Pryor will hit the road and face a Del City squad that they lost to in the first round a year ago. The Tigers will be looking to solidify their playoff spot in the final week and if they can pull off the upset of Del City on the road, they'll take a ton of momentum into the playoffs. And like we mentioned earlier in the preview, you can make the argument that their toughest games this season come on the road. Pryor will have to play the role of road warriors this season and this week ten clash with Del City will be the final test on the road. Pryor is looking for their second straight playoff appearance this season.&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 - 5-6 - Lost In Class 5A 1st Round<br>2022 - 2-8 - Missed Playoffs<br>2021 - 9-3 - Lost In Class 5A Quarterfinals<br>2020 - 8-3 - Lost In Class 5A 2nd Round<br>2019 - 6-5 - Lost In Class 5A 1st 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 -->