Del City Eagles – Football Team Preview – Presented by La Herencia Mexican Grill

DEL CITY EAGLES

Coach: ROBERT JONES

9-3

Del City enters 2026 as a clear contender after a 9-3 season and brings back a very experienced team with returning starters at numerous key positions and a seasoned coaching staff. Head coach Robert Jones expects the Eagles to be physical on both lines, complementing the speed and athleticism at the skill spots.

Offensively, Del City returns several starters and bases out of 10, 11 and 20 personnel, striving for a balanced run-pass attack with a fast tempo. Quarterback is a question mark with the departure of Syncere Overton. The offense will feature senior running back and Top 100 nominee Kaleb Blackwolf (5-11, 200). Blackwolf is the spark that can ignite an offense poised for big numbers. Up front, a powerful junior trio of linemen—Mark Bolds (6-1, 280), Anthony Masheet (6-2, 285) and Richard Roberge (5-11, 275)—gives Del City size and experience to control the line of scrimmage. Blackwolf is a three-year starter on offense, defense and special teams and is praised for his leadership and tremendous work ethic, making him a strong Top 100 candidate. According to reports, several new players have been added to the roster and will fill in where needed.

Defensively, the Eagles will base out of a four-man front with the flexibility to shift to a three-man look. The staff leans into Del City’s speed by blitzing and stunting up front while playing man coverage on the back end. Blackwolf is a veteran defensive back, joined by fellow seniors Walter Franklin (6-2, 170) and Kadien Johnson (6-2, 170), while senior end Gaylon King (5-10, 225) and sophomore tackle Demauni Godwin (5-9, 295) provide punch in the front seven. The Eagles will fly to the ball and look to play an opportunistic style of defense forcing opposing quarterbacks to make poor decisions. Sophomore Gabriel Wells is a long, athletic defensive end and tight end expected to use his length and athleticism to make plays on both sides of the ball. With physical lines, dynamic skill talent and depth of experience, Del City has the pieces for another deep postseason push. The schedule finds the Eagles on the road to Southeast and Midwest City to start the season. Other road games include Coweta, Will Rogers, and Bishop Kelley. All are key games for the Eagles if they are going to grab a spot in the playoffs.

9-4 – at Southeast 
9-11 – at Midwest City 
9-18 – vs. Carl Albert
9-25 – at Coweta 
10-2 – vs. Glenpool
10-9 – at Tulsa Rogers 
10-15 – vs. Sapulpa
10-23 – at Bishop Kelley 
10-30 – vs. East Central
11-6 – vs. McAlester

NORMAN TIGERS

Coach: ROCKY MARTIN

6-5

Norman brings back a hungry group in 2026 after a 6-5 season and a playoff appearance under 10th-year head coach Rocky Martin. The Tigers face a challenging schedule but return key pieces on both lines and in the skill group, giving them confidence they can remain a factor in Class 6A. With a deep staff and a culture built over a decade, Norman aims to reload quickly despite limited returning offensive starters.

On offense, the Tigers have one returning starter but a promising core of playmakers, headlined by senior receivers London Herbin (5-9, 165) and Kole Baden (6-0, 175). Baden caught seven passes for 105 yards last season and should see a bigger role, while Herbin brings experience and quickness on the perimeter. The line features juniors Haiden Brock (6-4, 253), Colin McGeisey (6-1, 245) and Cotton Patterson (6-0, 260), giving Norman size up front, and junior running back Dezmond Cooper (5-10, 178) returns after rushing 17 times for 114 yards and catching two passes for nine yards. With that mix, the Tigers expect to lean on physical line play while new backfield pieces emerge.

Defensively, Norman brings back three starters and will again rely on a front seven filled with proven producers. Senior defensive lineman Oakley Caruthers (6-3, 285), a three-year starter with multiple Division I offers and a Top 100 nod, anchors the line after recording 74 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six pressures and six sacks. Linebackers Ashton Byrd (98 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, two caused fumbles, one recovered fumble, one interception) and Kingston Whitham (63 tackles, three tackles for loss) headline the second level, while defenders like Deylan Moore, Rocky Martin Jr. and defensive back JaMarcus Davis add more depth and production. Norman’s 2026 schedule features a rivalry opener with Norman North, followed by road trips to Westmoore, Mustang and Ponca City and a home date with Choctaw. District play continues with Eisenhower, Putnam City, Piedmont, Putnam City North and Putnam City West, giving the Tigers plenty of chances to prove they belong near the top of the 6A-2 conversation.

8-28 – vs. Norman North

9-4 – at Westmoore

9-11 – at Mustang

9-18 – at Ponca City

9-25 – vs. Choctaw

10-2 – at Eisenhower

10-8 – vs. Putnam City

10-23 – vs. Piedmont

10-30 – at PC North

11-5 – vs. PC West

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