DEER CREEK ANTLERS
Coach: WADE STANDLEY
3-8
Deer Creek enters the 2026 season as a classic “team on the rise” in 6A-1, with head coach Wade Standley returning for his 10th year and a roster that gained hard lessons in 2025. Standley notes they have “12 starters back” and that they “started 8 sophomores last year,” which sets up a group that is both experienced and still developing. He sums up the mood simply as “Excited about the upcoming season,” and there’s good reason: a seasoned quarterback, high-end weapons and a defense with size and returning production. The Antlers believe that last year’s growing pains will translate into a tougher, more consistent team poised to jump back into the thick of the playoff race.
On offense, Deer Creek will operate from a “Multiple Spread” look, giving Standley and his staff flexibility to feature their best matchups. Junior quarterback Dax Chauncey (6-6, 230) returns after throwing for around 2,000 yards as a sophomore, providing a big-armed, experienced centerpiece for the attack. He’ll have no shortage of weapons, starting with senior receiver/defensive back Gage Gibbons (5-9, 175), a blazing track star with eight Division I offers, back-to-back 6A-1 100-meter state titles and a reported 70 catches as a junior, plus senior tight end/lineman/defensive lineman Hudson Poe (6-5, 245), an Army commit who brings versatility and toughness to the offense. The line is anchored by seniors Steven Lavin (6-2, 278) and junior Ethan Frasier (6-2, 280), while junior tight end/linebacker Trey Smith (6-2, 205) offers another big body who can help in both the run game and passing game. With six offensive starters back and that kind of size and speed, Deer Creek can spread defenses out, protect Chauncey and attack every area of the field.
Defensively, the Antlers will base out of a 3-4 front, pairing their size up front with athleticism on the back end. Junior Rebel Knowles (5-10, 180) returns after starting as a sophomore at receiver/defensive back and will again be a key piece in coverage, while senior Tyler Lopez (6-0, 200) brings a physical presence at linebacker and receiver. The defensive line is big and experienced with junior Sloan Van Ahn (6-2, 240), junior Romeo Campos (6-1, 255) and senior Ryan Kiel (6-3, 255), a three-year starter, giving Deer Creek multiple disruptors in the trenches. Junior defensive back/receiver Mason Mayhew (6-1, 190) adds length and range in the secondary. With six defensive starters back and legitimate playmakers at every level, Standley’s 3-4 should allow Deer Creek to be flexible with its fronts, stop the run and pressure quarterbacks, all while relying on a deep, talented junior class that’s ready to take the next step.
8-28 – at Sand Springs
9-4 – vs. Edmond North
9-11 – vs. Edmond Memorial
9-25 – vs. Yukon
10-2 – at Moore
10-9 – vs. Jenks
10-15 – at Enid
10-23 – at Union
10-30 – vs. Owasso
11-6 – at Edmond Santa Fe
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