FOOTBALL
PREVIEW
EDMOND NORTH 2023
EDMOND NORTH
36
37 Jameson McGee 12 RB/ DL 92 Coda Moore
38 Gavin Bruhn 10 WR/ FS 93 CJ Merideth 10 RB/ DL
40 Owen Gragg 10 WR/ FS 94 Rowan Llach 10 RB/ DL
41 Aditya Gaige 11 TE/ FS 95 Favian Camacho 12 TE/ DL
42 Max Conder 10 RB/ FS 99 Andrew Palomarez 10 OL/ DL
43 Brogan Griggs 10 TE/ LB
EDMOND NORTH 2023 SCHEDULE
25-Aug Deer Creek
1-Sep @ Moore
8-Sep Edmond Memorial
15-Sep @ Enid
22-Sep @ Norman
6-Oct Owasso
13-Oct BYE
19-Oct @ Yukon
27-Oct Mustang
2-Nov @ Union (Tulsa, OK) All games kickoff at 7PM unless otherwise noted.
29-Sep @ Edmond Santa Fe
WHITSON BRINGS WINNING TRADITION TO EDMOND NORTH
By George McCormick
Coach Carter Whitson knows what winning football looks like.
Prior to taking the head coaching job four months ago, transformed both Putnam City High (Oklahoma) and Martinsville High (Indiana) by putting wins on the board.
Whitson led Putnam City High to 11 wins in three years, turning around a program that had gone a combined 1-19 during the two seasons before he arrived.
Martinsville was 1-19 in the two year prior to Whitson’s charge. He explained “In the middle of (my first) season, we had a six-game winning streak and went on a run in the playoffs. So, we turned that around pretty quickly.”
Before coaching, Whitson played for Bob Stoops at the University of Oklahoma from 2005 to 2009, appearing in multiple conference championships and a national title.
Now, in 2023, Coach Whitson is bringing that winning culture to Edmond North football.
The Huskies went 3-8 in 2022, but if Whitson’s history is any indicator, fans can expect that winning culture to improve this year’s record.
Whitson’s excitement and passion stems from the Edmond community and its reputation for some of the best football in the state.
“I wanted to be a part of this community,” he said. “My wife has a store in Edmond. So I always looked at Edmond North like, ‘Hey, if that comes
open, I’m going to go after it.’ So I went full speed after it when it came open.”
Huskies players have a lot to be excited about this fall.
Offensively, senior quarterback Pryce Bender will look to build off of his record-breaking junior year. Senior center Landon Hock has stepped up as a leader of the offense, and senior Devanor “Dev” Mathews returns as the primary running back after injuries cut his 2022 season short.
Despite losing All-State wide receiver Sedrick Frazier, North boasts a deep and experienced receiving corps. Seniors Pierson Baker and Jace Lakin headline the wide receiver room, and senior tight end Braden Turner is the Huskies’ leading pass catcher with over 400 receiving yards.
On defense, lineman Ricky Thomas will be the guy to watch, and junior safety Preston McDaniel will give them a long, fast and explosive body in the secondary according to Whitson.
Whitson’s team is ready to get Edmond North football back to the level of play it’s used to competing at. Expect big things for the Huskies in 2023.
“They’re just ready to go, and they’re hungry for it,” he said. “Just like everybody else at this school that wins, they’re ready to be another program in this school that wins and competes for state championships on a yearly basis.”
100 YARDS with COACH CARTER WHITSON
By George McCormick
How is your approach to this season different from last year’s?
Me being new here, we’ve had a fresh start for everybody. Brand new staff and brand new vibes around the whole culture of the program, and the kids have embraced that. They’re excit-
ed and I’m excited because we want to win fast and we want to win now.”
Are there any players you would say benefited the most from spring ball and summer workouts?
The guys that have come through in the spring for us have been some offensive linemen that have really
shown they’re ready to play, even though they didn’t have a lot of experience from last year. But the five guys up front, I think, have had maybe the best spring out of everybody. What’s your favorite football memory?
Going back to my dad, me and him won a state cham-
pionship in 2003. I was the quarterback at Shawnee and he was the head coach, that’s hard to beat. I played some good games at Oklahoma with Coach Stoops but, man, you can’t beat a high school state championship. For the full 100 Yards with Coach Thomas Visit www. theedmondway.com
By George McCormick
#7 PRYCE BENDER, SENIOR - QUARTERBACK
Edmond North quarterback Pryce Bender wants to etch his name in Husky history heading into his senior season.
As a junior, Bender broke the school records for passing yards in a season and passing touchdowns in a season. His goal for this year: break even more.
“I want to throw for over 3,000 yards, over 20 touchdowns and over 215 completions,” Bender said. “I’d like to set all of my career records and break all of the single season records I broke last year.”
Last season, Bender threw 209 completions for 2,520 yards and 17 touchdowns putting him at No. 1 in Edmond North history for passing yards and passing touchdowns.
Bender is currently at 2,567 career yards, just over 1,000 yards away from breaking the school record for career passing yards.
The current record is 3,610 yards set by Blake Byford from 2002 to 2004.
The senior quarterback spent the offseason working on ways to improve his game to achieve his milestones.
“I’ve been working a lot on my footwork,” Bender explained. “Trying to create separation from the defense, being able to get out of the pocket when I need to and overall, just being more on time with the routes.”
It’s often seen that strong baseball pitchers make good quarterbacks. Sure enough, Bender plays pitcher and shortstop for the Edmond North varsity baseball team.
He says playing baseball during the offseason has improved his ability to throw a football.
“It definitely helps my arm strength,” Bender said. “[Baseball] helps me stay conditioned in the offseason and to make the tran-
sition from baseball season to football season without having to get my arm back in shape.”
Bender plans to take the college baseball route after graduation. His current top three college interests are Oklahoma State, Kansas State and Nebraska.
When asked what game on the Huskies’ schedule he was most looking forward to playing this season, Bender has a specific opponent in mind that he wants to beat.
“I’m looking forward to Memo rial this year,” Bender said. “We beat them my sophomore year, that was my first ever start. Then we came up short last year, so we want to get back at them.”
Bender’s journey to set more school records and avenge the loss to Edmond Memorial starts Friday, Aug. 25, when the Huskies host the Deer Creek Antlers at home.
25-Aug @ Moore
BULLDOGS TRENDING UPWARD but losing 30 seniors a challenge
By George McCormick
Edmond Memorial’s football team won just four games in 2022, but Coach Logan Thomas’ expectations are much higher this year.
Thomas, entering his third season coaching the Bulldogs, was tasked with reviving a struggling football program. He said his team actually caught some folks by surprise a year ago.
“We’re ready to go prove people wrong,” Thomas said. “I don’t think we’re going to sneak up on anybody. … I told (the team) that, this year, we’re not going to have the benefit of no one really knowing what we’re doing.”
Opponents will certainly have the Bulldogs on their radar this fall, which hasn’t been the case in years past. In the previous three seasons before Thomas became head coach, Edmond Memorial won three total games.
With four wins last season (4-7), it’s safe to say that Thomas is on the right track since taking the helm at his alma mater. He graduated from Memorial in 2009 and went on to coach the Bulldogs in 2014 as an assistant. He made stops at Yukon and Piedmont along the way before finally returning to Memorial in 2021 as head coach.
The Bulldogs are going to look a lot different this season after losing 30 seniors from a year ago. Many of those were three-year starters. Most notably, All-State linebacker Markell Johnson and lineman Will Morris are two impact players Thomas is tasked with replacing this fall.
On offense, Memorial is led by junior quarterback David McComb, who had a breakout season as a sophomore by throwing for more than 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns in just eight games. After
injuries cut his season short, the Bulldogs are expecting a monstrous season from McComb, who committed to play for the University of Kansas in July.
Defensively, linebacker (and standout basketball player) Drelen Nero is primed for a big year, hopefully replacing Johnson’s production. Nero transferred to Memorial from Edmond Santa Fe this summer, which will make for an intriguing reunion when the Bulldogs visit the Wolves on Sept. 22.
Thomas emphasized his team’s leadership as one of the glaring differences on this year’s team compared to a season ago.
“The leadership is a little more spread out,” he said. “Which is good that it doesn’t come from one or two guys. The voice in the locker room isn’t just a few guys, but kind of the whole team, which has been cool to see.”
As far as who will step up to take on that leadership role, Memorial has a treasure trove of experienced guys who could lead the way.
McComb is one of those players who has been working on improving his leadership qualities throughout the offseason.
“When he speaks, everyone listens,” Thomas said.
Senior linebackers Carson Evans and Bennett Bickle will be among the leaders on defense this season after both received valuable playing time last year. Along with Nero, the linebackers appear to be the impact group for a team primed for a promising season.
“We’re in a stronger place as a program, and (the players) believe in what we’re doing,” Thomas said. “Winning four games last year is not anywhere near where I want to be, but from where we started, it’s a big jump.”
#9 DRELEN NERO, SENIOR - LINEBACKER
By George McCormick
Senior Drelen Nero is a brandnew face for Edmond Memorial football this season.
The linebacker transferred to Memorial this summer after spending three years down the road at Edmond Santa Fe.
Nero said he needed a change of scenery when describing what went into his move but says his work ethic hasn’t changed.
“I needed a new experience with a new school and new atmosphere,” Nero said. “But wherever I am, we’re going to put in work.”
Nero was named a team captain after only a few months with the team, a testament to how quickly he fell into the Bulldogs’ culture.
He says he believes the team’s physicality is their top strength going into the season. “As a team,
we’re going to be real physical, and we’ll be real athletic and speedy.”
Nero’s own quickness and physicality is something he’s been focusing on over the offseason.
As a junior at Edmond Santa Fe, he recorded 45 tackles and four tackles for loss. Now, he wants to improve on those numbers and earn more college interests.
“I want to get on coaches’ radars and get my stats up from last year.” Nero said.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound linebacker has already received scholarship offers from both the University of Central Oklahoma and East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma.
Nero is also a standout basketball player for his Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team, Oklahoma Chaos Elite, and plans to be for Memorial.
COACH LOGAN THOMAS
By George McCormick
How is your approach to preparing for this season different from last year’s approach?
Going into last year, we were still so new, whereas going into Year 3, we feel like the approach is less focused on getting the thing off the ground and more about specifics. Now we have some goals, like how many games we wanna win and wanting to host a playoff game. Those are things we didn’t really talk about in Year 1 and really not even Year 2, but going into Year 3, there’s a little more expectation now.
Are there any players you would say benefited the most from spring ball and summer workouts?
“Levi Peck is one. He came out from basketball last year and he’ll play receiver for us. He’s really confident in his ability right now. Also,
Cade Sanderson is another senior receiver; he had a great spring and summer. This’ll be his first time playing football. It gives us a shot in the arm in the receiver room as well.
What is your favorite football memory?
I’ve probably got three. My first year at Piedmont when we beat Carl Albert to break their 40-some thing game winning streak. That was pretty special. Then I’d say both Edmond wins at home last year were really special. It’s something that hadn’t been done around here in a long time. Then I’d say the third one was getting to host a playoff game last year, it was really awesome. It was snowing and every thing you want to have in a playoff football game.
For the full 100 Yards with Coach Thomas Visit www.theedmondway.com
Nero faces off against his old team on Friday, Sept. 22, when the Bulldogs travel to Edmond Santa Fe. The former Wolf says he’s excited to play his former teammates.
“That’s definitely the game I’m going to love to play in,” Nero said with a playful smile looking forward to facing off with Santa Fe’s running back Demarius Robinson. He continued, “I hope their defensive end, Jason Wilson, gets crossed up by our running backs (too).”
5
ANTLERS LOOK TO GO ALL THE WAY THIS SEASON AFTER 10-2 RECORD LAST YEAR
By George McCormick
The Deer Creek Antlers were one win away from playing in the state title final game in 2022.
Head coach Wade Standley led his team to a 10-2 record and an appearance in the Class 6A-2 state playoffs, where they lost to Stillwater, 33-28, in the semifinal round.
With last season in the rearview mirror, the team turns their focus to making it all the way.
“Our guys have really worked their tails off this summer,” Standley said. “It’s a matter of guys taking what they’ve done in the summer and transferring that to the field in the fall.”
Deer Creek football has built a winning culture in the seven seasons with Standley as head coach. He established the Antlers as one of the top programs in the state.
“We’ve had some great players come through here that set a standard,” Standley said. “The young men we’re coaching now know that standard. The real focus has been on player development and everybody becoming the best they can be to get ready for the season.”
Deer Creek is retaining much of the talent from last year’s state semifinal team.
Junior quarterback Grady Adamson’s stellar sophomore campaign included a 228-yard and a one touchdown perfor-
mance in that semifinal loss. He finished with over 2,800 passing yards, 33 passing touchdowns and six scores on the ground.
Junior wide receiver Mason Smith is the Antlers’ leading pass catcher. After recording 744 receiving yards and nine touchdowns last year, he’ll be a primary target this season for Adamson.
Senior Mason Miller returns as a central running back after a 652-yards and 10 touchdowns in his junior season.
Senior Toran Smith, another returning player, will look to be the leader of a stout offensive line.
Across the line of scrimmage, senior defensive lineman Kevin Shenje is stepping up as a leader of the defense. With 13 sacks last season, the Antlers’ coaching staff has high expectations for him going into his fourth year.
Coach Standley enjoys the Deer Creek program and cherishes the relationships he’s built with the players and people in the community.
“We’ve got great support, great fans and great people,” Standley said. “The young men we have in our program love each other and they’re for each other. It’s a special place.”
The Antlers begin their 2023 season at Edmond North High when they take on the Huskies on Friday, Aug. 25.
100 YARDS with COACH WADE STANDLEY
By George McCormick
How is your approach to preparing for this season different from last year’s approach?
I think it’s pretty similar in a lot of ways. We have our standard and our way of doing things here, so the way we operate is pretty similar. We’ve continued to work toward things the way we normally do, for the most part.
Are there any players you would say benefited the most from spring ball and summer workouts?
We’ve had a really good offseason, which they’ve all benefited from. There’s some guys on the defensive side that are new faces and have spent the last couple years learning under different players and coaches. I think that group of guys have
really made a jump and we’re looking forward to seeing them, for sure.
What is your favorite football memory?
Oh man, there’s so many. One of the top ones has to be when, in my second year at Norman North (2012), we beat Owasso in the semifinals to make it to the state championship. That was their first appearance in the state championship ever and that was a special group of young men. Another great one was making it to the state finals with Deer Creek in 2021. Again, another special group of young men. Those are the two that come to mind, but there have been so many.
For the full 100 yards with Coach Standley visit www.theedmondway.com
By George McCormick
Kevin Shenje can’t remember a time in his life that he wasn’t playing football. “I’ve had a football in my hand since I was a baby.” Shenje said.
The senior defensive lineman’s love for his team shines as brightly as his love for the game. Shenje has stepped up as one of the leaders of the team. Especially important because the team lost a number of impactful seniors. Shenje says he’s enjoyed getting to step into that leadership role for the team.
“Just seeing how the culture’s changed and seeing how we continue to grow,” Shenje said. “I’m just grateful and I’m blessed to be a part of that.”
Standing at 6-feet, 205 pounds, Shenje is aware that his opponents underestimate him due to his below average size at a traditionally larger edge rusher position. Rather than make the switch to a smaller position, he uses those assumptions to his
benefit.
“I feel like because of my size I’m overlooked sometimes, in a literal sense, “ Shenje explained. “But I think it works to my advantage. You wouldn’t really think an undersized player would be able to contribute to the game as much as I do. I got a high motor and I keep going no matter what.”
Shenje has proven he can contribute to the game in big ways despite his smaller stature. He finished with 13 sacks as a junior ranking him the sixth-most in the state.
Regarding last season, Shenje says the Antlers have a job to finish. The defensive end believes the team’s standards and work ethic will get them back to the Class 6A-2 semifinals and beyond.
“There’s no reason why we shouldn’t get to that point this year,” Shenje said. “The way we’re coached, with our values and our effort, we practice that every day. That’s just who we are. I truly believe that we’ll have success on the field and off the field if we continue to practice our core values.”
EDMOND SANTA FE
WOLVES EAGER TO SHAKE OFF LOSING SEASON
By George McCormick
The Edmond Santa Fe Wolves aren’t used to losing seasons, given that the program had recorded only one sub.500 year since Kyle White became head coach in 2015.
So, what went wrong last season?
The Wolves finished 1-9, their lone win at Yukon, the school’s worst record since 2010.
“When you have a season like we did, it’s a little bit of everything.” White said. “Coaching, injuries, having to play young kids, just the totality of all that.”
Heading into this season, Coach White intends “to really refocus and reset.”
Santa Fe will showcase a number of players who already hold multiple college offers as fall inches closer.
Most notably, senior offensive lineman Josh Aisosa committed to the University of Oklahoma in early August. Aisosa is currently rated as the top offensive lineman in the state of Oklahoma, and the No. 13 player in the state regardless of position.
Senior defensive end and fellow OU commit Bergin Kysar, junior running back Demarius Robinson and senior defensive back Kyus Henry have all accumulated offers and are all going to play impactful roles for the Wolves in 2023.
“They’re all really good kids and really good athletes,” White said. “They work hard, they’re very gifted and talented athletically, and they just do
things right.”
Santa Fe loses multiple key starters, including quarterback Malikai Miller, who transferred to Moore over the summer.
Junior Daniel Newton will start in his place after sporadically stepping in for Miller due to injury last season. Newton completed 25 passes for 200 yards and threw for two scores as a sophomore.
The Wolves must also replace three All-State players: linebacker Chris Fitzpatrick, offensive lineman Jonathan Ashford and defensive lineman Jaylen Kariuki.
One of the biggest intrigues when beginning a new season is seeing which young players can make a splash onto the scene and carve out roles among the upperclassmen.
“We have a lot of really talented sophomores who are going to get a lot of opportunities to play, as well as some juniors who haven’t had their shot yet, so I think it’s going to be fun to watch them play,” he said.
Santa Fe opens its season Aug. 25 at Jenks, and White says he’s ready to get last year’s taste out of his mouth and get the Wolves back to the level of play they’re accustomed to.
“With the way the season went last year, I think all of us are a little more focused and just eager to get going,” he said. “Eager to get back to where we belong and play the kind of football that Santa Fe is used to playing.”
EDMOND SANTA FE HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER SPOTLIGHT
#1 BERGIN KYSAR, SENIOR - DEFENSIVE END
By George McCormick Head coach Kyle
White mentioned
Bergin Kysar when asked what makes this year’s team special.
The coach sang praises for his senior defensive end, “(He’s a) really good athlete and a good kid,” White continued, “He’s a hard worker, very gifted and talented athletically. He just does things right and is a big-time player.”
Like the rest of his teammates and coaches, Kysar wants to put last year behind him and make things right in 2023.
“We’ve really put effort
into learning how to win,” Kysar noted the team’s mindset heading into the season. “Last year it felt like we expected to win, we didn’t put in the work. Now we’ve really learned how to win and how to have that passion for the game.”
Despite a disappointing team record, Kysar had a standout year as a junior. He totaled 42 tackles and five sacks, marking him as one of the top defensive linemen in Oklahoma and landing him on the radars of multiple Division One college programs.
It’s hard to keep Kysar off the field. Coaches play him at defensive end, tight end and on special teams. He recorded seven catches for 137 yards and three touchdowns, two through the air and one on the ground.
Coach White praised Kysar’s build and pure athleticism as one of the main factors for him dominance on the field. It’s no wonder why the 6-foot-4, 230-pound defensive end caught the attention of OU head
100 YARDS with COACH KYLE WHITE
By George McCormick
How is your approach to preparing for this season different from last year’s approach?
Any time that you have the season that we had last year, I think it refocuses you. You gotta evaluate everything. We’re harping different things that maybe we didn’t in the past, things like discipline and doing the little things right. I think we’re hyper focused compared to what we were the last couple years. Are there any players you would say benefited the most from spring ball and summer workouts?
I think everyone had a great offseason. They changed their bodies, got stronger and they’re moving well. As a collective whole, I don’t know if anyone stook out more than the others. I think we had a great offseason. They’re bought in and working their tails off, and they know that last year is not our reality. They want to make it right and they’ve done an excellent job so far. Which former coach or mentor would you say influenced you the most?
My biggest mentor, who was also my O-line coach in high school, is Butch Hensley. We’re still very very
tight, he and his wife are godparents to our kids. He’s just had a huge impact on my life. He’s like my second dad, just a great man. What is your favorite football memory?
Coaching in the state championship game (2020). I’ve got a ton of great memories from here, and great kids, athletes, families. We’ve had a lot of big wins, beating Jenks and BA (Broken Arrow) in Tulsa in the same year would be up there. There’s a lot, but those two would be at the top, for sure. Do you have any pre-game or post-game rituals?
Not really. Just go hang out with the coaches and families after games. Just fellowship with them in that environment and relax a little bit. That’s really what I like to do. Favorite sport besides football? Softball. Both my girls play fastpitch, so I help coach them during the travel teams in the spring and summer. We’re a huge softball family. School ball is a little rough though because I don’t get to see a lot of games, but then I get to see all the spring and summer stuff, so football and travel softball work good together.
coach Brent Venables.
Kysar committed to play for the Sooners in early August. Despite being recruited by many other schools, he chose the Sooners due to the family atmosphere and the potential to develop his game.
“(I like) what they’ve got going on there,” Kysar said. “The relationships that they’re willing to build, I just feel like it’ll be a great fit for me. I’m excited to learn from the coaches and to become a better man and football player.”
Kysar is a team-first player who doesn’t settle for anything less than his best. His focus first is helping the Wolves get back to winning like the past, then he turns his focus to Norman.
“I love to be the best that I can possibly be,” Kysar said. “I always set the goals very high for myself. I just want to do the best I can to help the team win.”
OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN
100 YARDS with COACH TANNER ROOF
By George McCormick
How is your approach to this season different from last year’s?
It’s a whole lot different. We’ve had to evaluate all spring, figure out players’ strengths and weaknesses, where we’re going to plug them in at. So the approach has been getting to know the kids and building relationships with them, and from there we started putting the pieces together this fall.
Are there any players you would say benefited the most from
spring ball and summer workouts?
I would say Garret (Wilson). Garret’s one that, just from all the seven on seven reps, along with a lot of the receivers, got a lot of good work in.”
What’s your favorite football memory?
Probably beating Santa Fe last year on a last-minute, two-point conversion, while at Edmond North.
For the full 100 Yards with Coach Thomas Visit www.theedmondway.com
By George McCormick
For Tanner Roof, new Oklahoma Christian School head
coach, his first offseason has been about acclimating himself into the culture of the program.
In February 2023, the former Edmond North head coach took over a Saints football team that posted a 9-3 record last season and made it to a second round loss to Washington High in the Oklahoma Class 2A Playoffs. Roof hopes to build off that success with a new team and new staff.
“During the spring, it was a lot of trying to build continuity with the staff,” Roof said. “And get on the same page with the new system. The cohesiveness is something we continue to work.”
Fortunately for Roof, the Saints players and coaches have embraced him and his new philosophy. The first-year coach couldn’t say enough good things about the team he inherited.
“The attitudes have been unbelievable,” Roof praised, “and the work ethic they’ve shown since day one has been second to none. We have a hungry group that’s ready to go out and put some work in.”
five starters returning as seniors. Tackle Jake Green and guard Trent Belford are headlining with senior quarterback Garret Wilson at the reins after throwing for more than 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior.
Running back Senior Brandon Orme also returns following a nearly one-thousandyard rushing season.
The Saints boast an experienced pass-catching group. Last year’s leading receiver, tight end Luke Grey, had five touchdown receptions for more than 450 yards. Grey towers at 6-foot-8 making it easy for Wilson.
“He doesn’t even have to do anything, and he’s already double-teamed,” said Wilson. “Which opens things up for everyone else.”
On defense, leading tackler Henry Rothwell will lead the unit from the safety position. The senior garnered attention from all of the military colleges but made his commitment to play for the Naval Academy.
“Offensively, we return eight or nine starters.” Roof inherits an offensive unit stacked full of veterans. “So, I think we have the opportunity to be really explosive.”
The offensive line alone is packed with
Seniors Nick Brooks and Noah Gray occupy the defensive line following a productive season, and Roof expects big things from senior cornerback Mason Lopez too. With how quickly Roof has fit into the OCS culture, the Saints look to be in for another strong year. Their season kicks off on Friday, Aug. 25 when they host Christian Heritage Academy.
#15 GARRET WILSON, SENIOR - QUARTERBACK
By George McCormick
The Saints went 9-3 last year with quarterback Garret Wilson as the starting quarterback. OCS made a run to the Class 2A playoffs last season, but lost in the second round to Washington High.
In 2023, Wiilson has his sights set on a Class 2A state championship.
“That’s always been a goal of mine in high school,” Wilson said. “That’s probably my biggest personal goal. Whatever I can do to get a ring.”
That is a real possibility If he can replicate his junior stats.
In 2022, Wilson recorded 1,101 passing yards resulting in 12 touchdowns and picked up 203 yards on the ground with five rushing scores.
“Community Christian and Millwood,” Wilson answered when asked which games he was looking forward to the most. “[Both teams] got us good last year, so I’m
excited to play them. Especially with the new coaching staff, I think we really have a shot against them this year.”
The offseason is crucial in football to develop and improve players for the coming year. Wilson says he’s been working on some parts of the quarterback position that he can improve.
“This year’s been a lot of just getting my reads down,” Wilson said. “Not trying to force anything and just taking what the defense gives me.”
The 6-foot-2 quarterback has garnered some attention from college programs already. He’s received a scholarship offer from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma and a couple of visits to Pittsburg State University in Kansas.
Wilson expressed his desire to continue his football career and hopes to see more school offers
through his senior year.
“I kind of just playing it by ear right now,” Wilson said. “I don’t have many looks right now, but as the season goes on, I’m hoping I can get some more attention.”
The senior has big expectations for the team and himself in 2023. With the Saints’ season opener against Christian Heritage Academy quickly approaching, he wants to put everything he has on the field for his final year.
“I just want to have fun out there with my teammates,” Wilson said. “I don’t want to have any regrets on the field. [I] just want to give it everything I got.”
TERMITES & TERMITE INSPECTIONS
