Stars align at Carl Albert Titan Preview

Yukon, Kee steal the show

Long gone are the days of the Yukon flexbone. During the early portion of the scrimmage, neither Yukon’s offense nor defense looked good. The opposite, actually. But then, at the end of the night, The Millers — who finished 1-9 in Class 6A-I last year — struck gold on the defending 5A champions’ field. 

Senior quarterback Holden Kee, who had little varsity game experience after missing his junior year with an injury, orchestrated the Millers’ newly polished spread offense masterminded by first-year head coach Brent Barnes. Kee looked as poised as any player at the scrimmage as he hit receivers Lucas Jones and Baylor Weaver for touchdowns, sandwiching a Carter Creach interception while the Millers went ahead 14-0. 

“I think [running the spread] has really helped us a lot, especially with me,” Kee said. “The receivers, I know they were happy about it, getting the ball more. It’s been a great adjustment.”

Later in the game, Kee scrambled on a third-and-7 and, with nobody open, lowered his pad and popped a Carl Albert defensive back near the chains to set the Millers up for fourth-and-1. The following play, he hit a receiver for the first down to keep Yukon’s offense — and more importantly, Carl Albert’s Power-5-recruit-loaded offense off the field. 

The scrimmage finished in a 21-21 tie as Sooners commit Xavier Robinson scored a late touchdown to set the final. Kee finished the half match throwing 18-27 for 226 yards and two scores plus three carries for a touchdown; he connected with Kenison Rodgers seven times for 96 yards.

“You’ve gotta stay hungry after that, you know, you can’t be satisfied with anything. I think we showed the new brand of Yukon football tonight, but we’ve gotta stay hungry. We’ve got to keep working,” Kee said. “I think it gives us a lot more confidence in ourselves, believing that what we’ve been putting in has really showed off.”

Washington can give it to you any way you like it

“You know they’re going to be good when they’re running like they’re doing to Tuttle,” VYPE+ editor Hunter Shepard said as 2A defending state champion Washington drove down the field Thursday afternoon against the Class 4A powerhouse. 

Hunter was right. The Warriors have one of the best offensive skill groups I’ve seen before Week 0 in Class 2A football in a while — yes, maybe even better than Rejoice Christian’s offense which I raved about last year. Quarterback Major Cantrell displayed great rapport with his receivers and overall poise in the offense, and between Nate Roberts, Cooper Alexander, Max Wilson and Cage Morris, he’s playing with a full deck of cards. 

Meanwhile, backs Hudson Howard and Kade Norman proved showed glimpses of what’s to come for maybe the most dominant tandem in small-school football. Both found creases and escaped the mesh for big gains, displaying speed, elusiveness and instinctive ball-carrying.

Sooners commit Sperry talks recruiting

There hasn’t been a more anticipated newcomer to OKC than Carl Albert junior quarterback Kevin Sperry, an Oklahoma commit who started for Texas 6A Rock Hill last year.

Sperry alternated possessions with Cash Ferris, who started for the Titans during their 5A championship run last year, in the half-game against Yukon and, in limited actions, justified his status as a big-time commit. VYPE+ caught up with Sperry after the scrimmage to divulge on his relationship with other Oklahoma commits and recruits, like teammate Xavier Robinson, Millwood’s Jaden Nickens and Washington’s Nate Roberts:

https://x.com/mckinnisbryce/status/1692552020677271748?s=46&t=5BEj9X0m6TiYBJnaWejSWw

Heritage Hall’s Bass takes stage for senior year

Right as rain, senior dual-thread quarterback Andy Bass wasted no time at the scrimmage leading the Hall to the end zone.

On his first possession against Tuttle, Bass took the Chargers to the promised land in four plays, accounting for all 80 yards either with his arm or his legs. The defending state champion and Power 5 prospect appears more physically massive, but he hasn’t lost even any of the speed that won him gold in the 100m last spring. He looked sharper with his reads Thursday, too.

“It’s a great to have a year [as a starter] under my belt now, really just be able to focus on my senior year,” Bass said. “I know the offense. This fall camp, we were putting in a ton of plays, so we’re already way ahead of schedule. We’re right where we need to be. We just have a few things to tune up, then I think we’re going to be rolling.”

Chargers head coach Brett Bogert commented on Bass’ role as a coordinator on the field.

“[Bass] knows when we’re in a bad play. He knows how to move guys around. We’ll be giving him a lot more freedom with that once the season comes,” Bogert said.

Bass’ arm looked as good as ever as he hit his receivers in stride and made several connections with a particular returning receiver with a familiar name.

Who turned heads?

Cal Welker — Heritage Hall WR

Welker caught several passes via Bass and exposed each opposing defense at the scrimmage. Like his uncle, Heritage Hall alum and NFL veteran Wes Welker, the Chargers junior runs great, instinctive routes from the end zone, finds his way to the spot and makes catches through pressure.

Hudson Howard — Washington RB

Howard was a machine Thursday. He showcased his blazing speed and reactionary ball-carrying against several defenses and often found his way to the end zone with even the slightest crease.

Ambiguity surrounds Choctaw’s quarterback situation

Choctaw head coach Jake Corbin’s “good problem” only appears worse (better?) after Choctaw’s scrimmage against Sand Springs. Sophomore Landon Gatson and junior Cash Williams “both did well at the scrimmage.”

“We feel like both are exceptional young men and leaders,” Corbin said.

It remains unclear which will get the start Week 0 against Del City on Friday night, but it appears both will see time against the Eagles. Corbin had glowing reviews about the team’s performance against Sand Springs.

“[We] got a lot of guys reps and got the chance to see what we need to improve on for this upcoming week,” Corbin said. “We feel we have the pieces, just have to get better each week.”

McGuinness showcasing new talent

Bishop McGuinness’ new quarterback showed strides in a 7-0 scrimmage loss against Deer Creek on Friday night.

“Damon Cochran did a great job,” McGuinness head coach Bryan Pierce said. “He is going to be able to give us that running threat again from the QB position which we haven’t had in a couple of years.”

The Irish lost on an explosive pass play.

“Other than that, defensively, we played well,” Pierce said. “Offense needs to continue to gain experience. We have a lot of new starters and new talent that are ready to make some waves.”

Westmoore, Mustang impresses in Enid

Westmoore’s offense produced five explosive plays and rushed for almost 9 yards per carry at Enid on Thursday night.

“We played fast and physical,” Westmoore head coach Lorenzo Williams said. “Defense was good. We gave up two explosive plays for TDs, but other than that, we were really good.”

The Jaguars open the season Week 0 against Union on Thursday.

“Union is going to be tough. They are one of the few schools that can match us athletically, but we are excited for the opportunity, for sure.”

Mustang fielded a young team but “looked solid,” according to head coach Lee Blankenship.

“[We] had some kids step up and make some nice plays,” Blankenship said. “I was proud of our discipline in terms of taking care of the football, fundamental tackling and eliminating silly penalties. Our young group is getting better every day.”

Mustang opens Sept. 1 vs. Southmoore.