FORT GIBSON TIGERS
Coach: RYAN NOLAN
6-4
OFFENSE
If offensive lines could win championships all by themselves, the Fort Gibson Tigers would be a class favorite this year. They return a seasoned line headed by VYPE TOP 100 player Cooper Hackett (6-7, 260, Jr.). He’s a five-star lineman prospect ranked in the top 10 in the nation in his class with nearly 20 college offers including OU, OSU, TCU and Nebraska to name a few and he’s just beginning his junior season.” Cooper is a freak athlete and one of the nicest kids you’ll ever talk to,” said his coach, Ryan Nolan. Back from injury in the O-line is Stavros (Stevie) Vafeas (6-2, 285, Sr.) who has multiple D-II offers thus far. “Stevie had an insane number of pancake blocks on offense last year and 27 tackles and two sacks on defense in the five games he played before he was hurt,” said Nolan. “He is physically dominant player on both sides of the ball and a mindset to dominate his opponent.” Center Davis Perkins (6-4, 285, Jr.) is back along with junior guard Zac Cushman who will rotate with Hilldale transfer Kaiden Ford (6-0, 300, Jr.). The receiving corps is also solid with Cash Keys (6-1, 170 Jr.) who set school records last year with his pass catching and running, having 46 receptions good for 569 yards and rushing for 466 yards, averaging over 11 yards per carry with a total of 14 touchdowns and Brody Hansen (6-2, 170, Jr.) who averaged better than 20 yards a grab last year. The quarterback spot will fall to sophomore Karrson Davis, who has a big arm and who saw some limited action as a signal caller last year as did Keys. It will be running back by committee to start off with for the Tigers with Keys, Cam Jones and Chase Meisner all in the mix. Nolan says his offense is influenced by some SEC teams and will focus on the running game and taking shots to the playmakers.
DEFENSE
The talented group on the offensive line will also stand tall on defense which should provide plenty of headaches for opposing offensive coordinators trying to figure out how to get to the second level. Hackett, Vafeas, Ford, who recorded 55 tackles last year including eight tackles for loss and three sacks and Cushman will all see action in Nolan’s 3-4 set. The secondary also returns veterans with Keys at free safety who took part in 48 tackles last year along with four interceptions, Hansen, with four interceptions to his credit in 2024, at cornerback and Ky Murrell (6-0, 145, Jr.) who also added four oskies to the defensive numbers, returning at the other corner. Perhaps some of the only question marks for the Tiger defense will be at the linebacker spots. If Davis can make his mark at quarterback, if Keys can have another big year, and if someone emerges as a go-to running back given the talented line and veterans on defense, Fort Gibson could find its way back to the playoffs in 2025.
SCHEDULE
8-29 – at Glenpool
9-5 – vs. Berryhill
9-12 – vs. Hilldale
9-19 – OPEN
9-26 – at Wagoner
10-3 – vs. Oologah
10-10 – at Grove
10-16 – vs. Skiatook
10-24 – at Catoosa
10-31 – vs. Cushing
11-7 – at Miami
