CHOCTAW YELLOWJACKETS
Coach: JAKE CORBIN
8-2
OFFENSE
The Jackets have been right in the middle of it the last five years. A pair of exits in the semifinals and two state runner-up finishes in Class 6A-Division II. All that’s left to do is win the final game. All of Choctaw’s elimination losses have been by seven points or less, including last year’s four-point loss to Stillwater in the semifinals. The pieces are back to potentially right that wrong. Quarterback Cash Williams (6-0, 205, Sr.) and all-purpose weapon Juju Smith (5-9, 165, Sr.) is Choctaw’s version of the Dynamic Duo. Williams is one of the top high school baseball players in the country. He’s a catcher with a big arm that translates to the gridiron. He will play next year at the University of Tennessee. Smith can fly and is hard to tackle. He returned four kicks for touchdowns and can line up all over the field. The Williams to Smith connection will be anything but mundane in 2024. The Yellowjackets have experience to pair with Smith at receiver. Nathan Kieffer (5-10, 165, Sr.) and Hayden Mounce (6-2, 205, Sr.) were full-time starters a year ago. Titus Hawk (6-7, 215, So.) is an exciting player to watch at tight end. He has Division-I talent that can operate at multiple positions on either side of the ball. Mayor Morgan (5-9, 170, Jr.) should flourish with more opportunity at running back. Landon Gatson (6-4, 215, Jr.) has shown across the board improvement from a year ago and adds depth behind Williams at quarterback. Josh McGuinness (5-11, 270, Sr.) is a two-year returning starter at center. Tackle Mason Tyler (6-0, 250, Sr.) and guard Brentrell Smith (6-1, 270, Jr.) also have starting experience. Conlan Gribnau (6-4, 300, Sr.), Levi Shatswell (6-0, 260, Jr.) and Alberto Rivas (6-3, 290, Sr.) complete the contenders for starting spots on the offensive line.
DEFENSE
There are big shoes to fill on the defensive line with the graduation of multiple year starters Marques McGrew and Kaleb Bestida. Devin Gillispie (6-0, 300, Sr.) is ready and waiting to cause problems up front. Brentrell Smith could figure into the picture at defensive end along with up-and-coming Israel Hammons (6-3, 215, So.). Returning firepower at linebacker and some new faces in the secondary solidify the other eight positions on defense. Braven McConnell (6-3, 220, Sr.) has no hesitation to strike the opposition. He has good feet and plays the position downhill. Cole Tyra (5-10, 175, Sr.) and Cole Rowley (6-0, 210, Sr.) along with Titus Hawk can play any combination of the linebacker and strong safety positions. Hawk has already shown the ability to cover a ton of ground at rover. Da’Jon Green (6-2, 200, Jr.) is another physical player that has the power and speed to defend either the run or pass. Juju Smith is a standout and is a big contributor when needed in the secondary. Three newcomers have arrived to provide help at cornerback and possibly at wide receiver. Bryce Tapley (6-2, 190, Sr.) spent last season at Bethel with Zaylun Matlock (5-10, 175, Jr.) coming over from McLoud and Braylen Taylor (6-4, 205, Jr.) from Classen. All have displayed great potential during the summer. Logan Nei (5-9, 180, Jr.) is a likely contributor at safety. The non-conference schedule is a beast! Choctaw gets juggernaut Bixby plus Kansas state champion Gardner-Edgerton along with Lubbock-Monterey. The Yellowjackets have ascended to one of the elite programs in Oklahoma and will once again be in contention to bring home the school’s first state title.
