The Oklahoman

Oklahoma high school football takeaways from opening day of 2024 practices

By Jordan Davis and Nick Sardis, The Oklahoman,

3 days ago

High school football practices are back underway in Oklahoma.

Some teams kicked things off at midnight early Monday morning, while others waited a little and got some rest before beginning their first day.

The Oklahoman's high school sports reporters visited several spots in the OKC metro.

Here are some observations from the opening day of practices.

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Heritage Hall fueled to remain a staple atop 3A

Brett Bogert had Monday circled on his calendar for 254 days.

It marked Heritage Hall's first organized football practice since losing to Lincoln Christian in the Class 3A state championship a year ago. A game marred by untimely injuries and a blown first-half lead ate away at Bogert's psyche for months.

Despite the disappointment of the previous season, Bogert and his team were relentless in drills. They didn't dwell on the past but used it as fuel to circle a new date on the team calendar.

On Sept. 6, the Chargers will open the season with a state title rematch against Lincoln Christian at home in Week 1.

"Losing the last one is never fun, so it makes the off-season a little longer," said Bogert, Heritage Hall's 10-year football coach. "We've been thinking about Lincoln Christian for quite a while — I can't lie — but it's added motivation for us."

The Chargers enter the 2024 season with many young pieces as they aim to find their new identity.

Only six seniors return from last year's 3A runner-up roster, including key playmakers in receivers Jerrod Williams, Carter Knowles and Cal Welker. However, the trio will have big shoes to fill in their new lead roles.

They'll step in for the Chargers' graduated seniors Jordyn Harris and Rashaud Smith, who each eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving in 2023. Most notably, a four-person quarterback competition is underway to replace former Gatorade Player of the Year and now-OU preferred walk-on Andy Bass under center.

The absence of last year's captains was apparent at Monday's practice. Yet, it also served as a jarring reminder to stay focused on the Chargers' near future.

"It's an interesting new world without guys like them, that's for sure," Bogert said. "But that's what these opening practices are for. We had a great first day. It felt great to get back out there with the guys and begin the fight for the goals we have in place here."

—Jordan Davis, Staff writer

Putnam City North shooting for breakout season in 2024

Milton Alford threw his bed covers aside as his alarm rang at 4 a.m.

Despite the Panthers' first practice being scheduled for a 6 a.m. start, the PC North senior running back adhered to his summer routine. It was time for Alford's morning workout ahead of the up-downs, drills and running that awaited him at Panther Stadium.

The morning routine serves as small steps toward Alford's larger goals for himself in his final high school season.

"I've always just wanted to lead by example for my younger teammates and help set my own standard for myself," Alford said. "The things we do now will pay off in the long run, so we want to build chemistry early in these practices for when those hard times hit in the season."

The Panthers are entering 2024 determined to bounce back from their 5-7 finish last year.

Several players moved to PC North over the summer and project to make an immediate impact in the maroon and gold. The promising additions of junior quarterback Mason Jones from Bishop McGuinness and two-way star Kyran Axtell from Guthrie were on full display with their electric play on Monday.

The most notable returning seniors for the Panthers are Alford, linebacker Dameon Hardmon, and receiver Lewis Moreland. All five of PC North's stars have received immense praise from head coach Derek Lane, who aims to lead the program to its first winning season since 2020.

"We've been anticipating the start of practice for a long time, and the guys are ready," Lane said. "It's just good to take the work they've put in over the summer in the weight room and at camps and bring it together to get the whole team involved. I think a really special year awaits us."

—Jordan Davis, Staff writer

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Washington to enter season on 30-game win streak

Washington is gearing up for another season, and the Warriors once again enter with a target on their backs.

Washington won Class 2A state titles the last two seasons and are on a 30-game win streak.

The Warriors have simply dominated, appearing in four straight state title games, and they’ll be in Class 2A-I in the first year of the class being split.

Although Washington lost players like star quarterback Major Cantrell and tight end Cooper Alexander to graduation, the Warriors have several standout seniors returning, including tight end Nate Roberts and running back Hudson Howard.

“It’s an exciting year,” Washington coach Brad Beller said. “It’s an exciting time for Washington football because I think a lot of people think we’re going to dip. And I think it’s our challenge to not worry about the results but the process of what it was the last four years that’s got us to state championship games.”

Roberts and Howard aren’t the only players to keep an eye on.

Tanner Olson is a veteran cornerback. Mason Singletary caught a touchdown pass and returned a kickoff for a score in Washington’s 41-24 win over Millwood in last year’s title game. And Kane Lampkin is expected to play a big role on the defensive line.

A few players are in the mix to start at quarterback and will duel it out leading up to the season opener against Community Christian.

“It’s going to be a great season full of big games,” Beller said.

-Nick Sardis, Staff writer

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Blanchard looks to stay on top in Class 4A

Blanchard surprised a lot of people last season .

Wagoner entered the year as the defending state champion and favorite in Class 4A, but Blanchard faced the Bulldogs in the title game and put together a great performance, winning 19-14 and claiming its first football crown since 2012 and third overall.

Star quarterback Carson Cooksey graduated, but standout receivers Brayson Carter and Coric Pierce are back for their senior seasons after playing key roles in the Lions’ championship run.

A pair of sophomores will battle for the starting signal caller spot, and Blanchard did suffer a blow this offseason as senior tight end and receiver Hudsen Periman broke his collarbone at a North Texas camp and likely won’t be able to play until the last few weeks of the regular season.

“That’s a big blow, but we got some other guys that’ll step up and fill in,” Blanchard coach Jeff Craig said.

Blanchard will begin the season with three Class 5A opponents in Noble, Newcastle and Guthrie.

The Lions will again be in District 4A-2, which also includes Ardmore, Bethany, Cushing, Harrah, Madill, Tecumseh and Tuttle.

Blanchard and Tuttle have had some battles in recent years and this season could include another.

“Tuttle is good,” Craig said. “Everybody is getting players. They’ve got some guys in. They’ve got some really solid prospects coming in and they have the good bunch coming back.”