Coach: RAY HEADLEY
2-8
OFFENSE
Ray Headley becomes the second head coach in as many years for the Panthers as they look for a way to get the program back on the winning track. They return a good nucleus of experience with six returning starters on the offensive side led by quarterback Rhett Rogers (6-0, 180, Jr.). Toting the pigskin in the running game will be Zack Goodwin (5-10, 175, Jr.) and he will be the key to executing Headley’s multiple formation power running game. There’s experience in the line with the return of Kainan Coon (6-0, 260, Sr.) and Jordan Landers (6-0, 260, Jr.). Looking to haul in the long ball off the arm of Rogers will be Cody Johnson (5-11, 165, Sr.) and Alvin Switch (5-10, 160, So.). “The Panthers are returning most of the team from last year on both sides of the ball,” said Headley who took the job late in the spring. “We are looking to build around these young starters from last year with the addition of a few more players.”
DEFENSE
Seven experienced players will make up the core of the Panther defense for the 2025 season led by Coon and Landers in Headley’s multiple front defensive line along with big Rodney Thomas (6-3, 240, Jr.). Making the stops in the secondary again for Okemah will be Johnson and Switch and handling the linebacker duties will be Daxton Tillery (5-9, 200, So.). It will be a busy summer for the Panthers as they adjust to another new head coach but, on the plus side, they have good experience in a lot of the right places and, while still young for the most part, many of them are battle tested and have a good idea of what it takes to turn those losses around in 2025. A plus for the Panthers is that two of their first three games are on home turf. Headley’s staff thus far consists of assistants Ed Vaughn and Logan Britt.
SCHEDULE
9-5 – at Henryetta
9-12 – vs. Holdenville
9-19 – vs. Mounds
9-26 – at Stratford
10-3 – vs. Fredrick
10-10 – at Walters
10-16 – vs. Wynnewood
10-24 – at Christian Heritage Academy
10-31 – vs. Hobart
11-7 – at Minco
