Scene Setter – Elgin AT Lawton MacArthur

<!-- 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>Each week on Prep Redzone Oklahoma, we'll put a spotlight on one of, if not the very best game of the week. From a match-up breakdown to looking at each team and their top players, we'll get you completely covered! This week, one of the best games will see 4A's #1 Elgin going on the road to face 5A's #2 Lawton MacArthur on Thursday night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both sides of this match-up feature D1 commits, including a pair of SEC commits and there's even more guys that will go on to play college ball. It's a rare “1 VS 2” match-up so needless to say, both of these teams expect to contend for the state championship in their respective classes. We could also end up seeing a difference in styles as Elgin could be more ground and pound while Lawton Mac has plenty of weapons in the pass game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Highlanders, there's a lot to like when you look at what they have returning on offense. They have an experienced quarterback that can absolutely push the ball down field. And with the weapons Lawton Mac has at wide receiver, they need a guy that can put the ball out there. They have multiple wide receivers that can beat you and after watching them in person at Carl Albert's rapid fire scrimmage last week, they also have an underrated running game. The Highlanders could end up being a team that has one of the top scoring offenses in Class 5A football this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side of the match-up with Elgin, you have a squad that has a big advantage on the line of scrimmage. They have arguably the state's top OL in the 2025 class and another D1 commit lined up right next to him. At quarterback, they have a very experienced starter returning and while Elgin graduated their top offensive weapon, the Owls aren't lacking new players that are ready to step into those new roles. Defensively, all eyes will be on their secondary to see how they look against Lawton Mac's passing attack. But Elgin will try to control the clock with a rushing attack that will be among the best in Class 4A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below, we take a look at four players to watch from each side of the match-up. We'll be in the house for this Thursday night clash so be sure to <strong><a href="https://x.com/PrepRedzoneOK">follow along on Twitter/X</a></strong> and check out all of the highlights and postgame coverage right here on Prep Redzone Oklahoma!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>ELGIN PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='629029' first='Antoni' last='Kade Ogumoro'] - Senior Offensive Lineman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Elgin's offensive line has the potential to be one of the better units in the state and it starts with senior [player_tooltip player_id='629029' first='Antoni' last='Kade Ogumoro'] up front. This offseason, he moved into Oklahoma from North Carolina and immediately became one of, if not the top offensive lineman prospect in the state's 2025 class. This offseason, he committed to Tennessee and he's one of two D1 commits on this Elgin offensive line. Fellow 2025 prospect [player_tooltip player_id='497346' first='Jace' last='Williams'] is committed to Navy and he has lined up at left guard while Ogumoro is at left tackle. Needless to say, the Owls can absolutely dominate that side of the line of scrimmage. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='915637' first='Colyn' last='Donnelly'] - Senior Linebacker </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='915637' first='Colyn' last='Donnelly'] definitely needs to be on more radars as we begin the 2024 season. All you have to do is throw on the tape from last season and look at the production that he had. He led the team in tackles and it wasn't particularly close. He was one of the top linebackers in Class 5A last season and now he's looking to wreck shop in Class 4A this season. We caught Elgin in person for one game last season and Donnelly was a tackling machine that could not be contained. Now, how does he do against Lawton MacArthur's high-powered passing attack? That'll be a big key to Thursday's game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='211570' first='Tres' last='Lorah'] - Senior Quarterback</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='211570' first='Tres' last='Lorah'] comes into this season as one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the state. He's been QB1 for the Owls for several years and he's a big reason why they've turned into one of the top programs, whether that's in 5A or 4A, during the last two seasons. This season, we anticipate that Lorah will have a bigger role within the offense after Elgin lost their star running back to graduation. And with one of the top offensive lines in the state blocking for him, don't be surprised if Lorah puts up some monster numbers this season and it could start on Thursday night in Lawton. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='472321' first='Ritson' last='Meyer'] - Junior Athlete</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>So we've mentioned a few times how Elgin has to replace a star at running back. And we've probably mentioned this as well but we think they'll be just fine. Junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='472321' first='Ritson' last='Meyer'] is a player that really stood out to us last fall as a sophomore. While Matt Lund got the bulk of the carries for Elgin in 2023, Meyer would also get into the game plenty of times and he produced at a very high level. So when we look at him taking that next step as THE guy in the backfield this season, we don't have very many concerns. And when you combine that with that stout Elgin offensive line, you have a dangerous combination. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LAWTON MACARTHUR PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='403509' first='Adam' last='Auston'] - Junior Defensive Back</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='403509' first='Adam' last='Auston'] is the other SEC commit in this match-up. While Ogumoro is committed to Tennessee, Auston called the Hogs earlier this month and committed to Arkansas. Simply put, we love what Auston brings to the football field on the defensive side of the ball. We've watched a lot of film on him in addition to seeing him in person at 7v7 tourneys along with team camp and scrimmages. The instincts that he plays with on the football field cannot be coached. He's a good example of a player that it looks like it's easy for him at times. And don't overlook him playing offense as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='670654' first='Aivan' last='Locklin'] - Junior Quarterback</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was around this time last year that we first watched quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='670654' first='Aivan' last='Locklin'] running this Lawton MacArthur offense. He passed the eye test for us then and he'll definitely be a name to watch in Class 5A this season. Now, when you look at this Highlander team on paper, you see a lot of potential in the passing game with the experience and overall talent that they have at quarterback and wide receiver. Locklin has a fantastic deep ball and we've seen that in person as well as on film. This week, he'll look to attack an Elgin defense, and specifically their secondary, with his arm by going vertical. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1294586' first='Boux' last='DeLong'] - Senior Wide Receiver</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If Lawton MacArthur contends for the state title, don't be surprised if senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1294586' first='Boux' last='DeLong'] is a big reason why. In our opinion, he has the potential to be the X-Factor for this year's team. After watching him in person back in the spring at team camp as well as last week in a scrimmage, we're convinced. First off, he has insane hands and while he might give up the size advantage, he's shown that it doesn't matter. He's made some spectacular catches that we've witnessed and he gives the Highlanders another threat in the passing game. He's another versatile weapon for Lawton Mac. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1045555' first='Joshua' last='Rushing'] - Junior Wide Receiver</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Our final player to watch is another playmaker on the offensive side of the ball. Junior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1045555' first='Joshua' last='Rushing'] is the perfect counterpart to what DeLong brings to the table at wide receiver. While DeLong is more of a prototypical inside wide receiver, Rushing is the same for the outside. He's long, athletic and can absolutely dominate in one on one situations. Whether it's been in pads or in any 7v7 tournaments that we saw him in, Rushing is a massive problem for opposing defensive backs. Most don't have the size to compete with Rushing and there are definitely times when he looks like a man playing against boys. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->