HEAVENER WOLVES
Coach: JEFF BROYLES
7-4
OFFENSE
In just his second year as head coach Jeff Broyles guided the Wolves to their first winning record in nearly 20 years last season and made the playoffs for the first time since 2011. He hopes to build on that momentum this season, but he’ll have to replace a lot of senior talent to do so. “We had a very good senior group last year including two, Jackson Clubband Camden Broyles, who will be playing at Northwestern State this year, but our goal is to keep the program moving forward.” Only four starters are back for the Wolves on offense, but three of them are in the O-line which is a big plus. Center Kevin Bretado (5-9, 220, Sr.), and tackles Travis Kincaid (5-9, 270, Sr.) and Jerami Casteel Jr. (6-4, 275, Jr.) will bring experience to whoever calls the signals and carries the mail for Heavener. The lone skill player returning is a good one in wide receiver Jaxon Armstrong (5-9, 155, Sr.) who had 48 grabs for 559 yards and rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2023. Obviously identifying the guy who throws those passes will be a top priority for Broyles during summer camps.
DEFENSE
The defense also has just four returning starters but with a lot of solid experience behind it. Casteel, who had 63 tackles and five sacks last year and has had college discussions with Tulsa and OSU so far will be a key to the front in Broyles 4-2-5 set. Stopping up the middle at linebackers will be Carson Payne (6-0, 190, Sr.) who had 74 tackles last year and Spencer Clubb (5-9, 175, Jr.) who recorded 30 tackles and a pair of interceptions last season while Armstrong will be the main man in the secondary. Broyles is also high on Willie Dehart, an underclassman who he expects to see some action at linebacker and possibly running back for the Wolves and senior Hagen Ritter. “Willie is a great kid who will be a player and leader as he grows in our program,” said Broyles. “Hagen is one of those guys that has never been a starter but has never complained and has seen action in a lot of games. He’ll probably start at defensive end this year.”
9-6 – at Central Sallisaw
9-13 – vs. Panama
9-20 – at Charleston, AR
9-27 – at Hugo
10-4 – vs. Prague
10-11 – at Roland
10-17 – vs. Kingston
10-25 – vs. Okmulgee
11-1 – at Kiefer
11-8 – vs. Bethel
