EL RENO INDIANS
Coach: RUSSELL COOK
4-6
El Reno moves into the 2026 season with a clear identity under fourth-year head coach Russell Cook, who describes his group as “Talented but Young in the Skill Positions, Anchored from upper-class OL/DL.” Coming off a 4-6 campaign, the Indians will lean heavily on that veteran size and experience in the trenches while a new wave of backs and receivers grows into larger roles. The staff believes that combination gives them a physical foundation to compete every week as the young playmakers gain confidence.
Offensively, El Reno will be in a spread look and, as Cook notes, there is a “New OC this year – New look!” that should add some fresh wrinkles to the attack. Senior quarterback Donovan Mahsheet (6-0, 140) will direct the offense with junior running back Grant First (6-0, 200) providing punch between the tackles. The wide receiver room is headlined by seniors Jaydon Steele (5-10, 185) and Quon Broadway (6-3, 185), giving the Indians a mix of physicality and length on the perimeter. The real strength, though, is up front, where seniors Dezmond Riley (6-0, 275) and Nick Mithcum (6-2, 320) anchor a big offensive line that should allow the new-look spread to stay balanced and keep the quarterback clean. With four offensive starters back and an experienced front, El Reno’s goal is to play fast, spread defenses out and let its skill talent grow into the system.
Defensively, the Indians base out of a “Base 5-2 Multiple Front Defense,” giving them the ability to shift looks and match up with a variety of offenses. Riley doubles as a standout defensive lineman, while senior Toby Sheridan (6-1, 345) and senior end Tristan Elledge (6-2, 215) join him up front to form a massive, physical defensive line that can control the line of scrimmage. First is the “Captain of the Defense,” a 4.0 student who Cook describes as a “Strong Leader, Hard Worker” who “does everything the Coach asks of him.” With seven defensive starters returning, El Reno expects this side of the ball to set the tone, playing downhill, rotating fronts and letting its experienced front seven dictate terms as the young secondary continues to develop.
8-27 – vs. Midwest City
9-4 – at PC West
9-11 – at Weatherford
9-18 – vs. Noble
10-2 – vs. Altus
10-9 – at Shawnee
10-15 – vs. MacArthur
10-23 – at Elgin
10-30 – vs. Newcastle
11-6 – at Southeast
