CHRISTIAN HERITAGE ACADEMY CRUSADERS
Coach: DANIEL KITCHEL
4-6
Christian Heritage Academy enters 2026 with a new head coach but a familiar vision, as Daniel Kitchel takes over a Crusader program coming off a 4-6 season and a move into Class 2A-2. Kitchel says the team has put in “smart work to get faster, stronger, and more connected” and that there is a genuine belief and energy surrounding a group with strong senior leadership and young players ready for bigger roles. With a staff committed to developing athletes on and off the field, CHA is focused on building a team that plays with speed and toughness, competes with joy, and represents Christ well in everything it does.
Offensively, the Crusaders will be known for multiple formations built around various buck-sweep and counter concepts, along with play-action and RPO looks designed to stretch defenses vertically across the entire field. Senior tight end and linebacker Bennett Orr (6-1, 205) is the tone-setter up front and is the kind of senior Kitchel hopes to build around, bringing toughness, dependability and relentless effort on Friday nights. Senior running back Nathaniel Walsh (5-7, 180) gives CHA a physical option in the backfield, while senior lineman Tracker Brown (5-11, 225) anchors the line and helps establish the run game. Senior wide receiver Eli Holshouser (6-2, 175) and sophomore receiver Owen Holshouser (6-2, 165) provide length and athleticism on the perimeter, and senior wideout/athlete Cane Davidson (6-2, 170) adds another versatile target who can line up across the formation. With seven offensive starters returning, the Crusaders expect the scheme and personnel to mesh into an attack that forces defenses to defend every blade of grass.
Defensively, CHA will base out of a 3-4 with a philosophy built on pressure, multiple adjustments and disguised coverages, fronts and blitzes. Orr is the centerpiece again at linebacker, where he averaged nearly 11 tackles per game as a junior and plays with intelligence, physicality and relentless pursuit. Senior defensive backs Simon Thomas (5-8, 160) and Cal Goodman (5-10, 170) bring experience to the secondary, senior linebacker Sam Graves (5-10, 165) adds range and toughness at the second level, senior defensive lineman Colton Burris (5-10, 215) provides power up front, and junior defensive back Charlie Dinwiddie (6-3, 180) offers length and athleticism in coverage. Orr is described as the unquestioned leader of the team, a mission-minded senior who will travel to Cambodia for the second time on a mission trip this year. Owen Holshouser started every game on offense as a freshman and is labeled explosive and fierce, with the staff expecting him to take a major step forward as one of the most exciting players in Oklahoma’s 2028 class.
8-28 – at Casady
9-4 – vs. Frederick
9-11 – at Luther
9-25 – vs. Hennessey
10-2 – at Newkirk
10-9 – vs. Cashion
10-15 – at CCS
10-23 – vs. Alva
10-30 – at Meeker
11-6 – vs. Millwood
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