Muskogee Roughers Football Preview – Presented by York Street Tire

MUSKOGEE ROUGHERS

TRAVIS HILL

11-2

OFFENSE

After winning the Class 6A-II state championship last season, winning football games is more than just a desire, it’s an everyday game plan doing things the #MuskogeeWay. And while there are losses due to graduation that saw the Roughers program land 11 players on college campuses this fall, there’s plenty of optimism surrounding this season’s prime time offensive heroes lead by Mr. Football Oklahoma 2023 Jamarian Ficklin (6-2, 195, Sr.) who enters his fourth season at quarterback having totaled 8,492 yards passing and 91 touchdown passes. “Byrd” passed for 3,249 yards with a completion rate of 68 percent and 32 touchdowns and rushed for 947 yards on 137 carries with 20 carries to the end zone. A bonafide dual threat with a growing list of Division-I offers, Ficklin will be joined in the Muskogee backfield by two-time VYPE Top 100 pick PJ Wallace (6-1, 225, Sr.) who moves into the Rougher lineup after rushing for 3,421 and 32 scores the past two seasons at Bartlesville where he gained 1,693 yards rushing last year. LaTavion Johnson (5-9, 190, Sr.) returns healthy for 2024 after playing with a torn ACL during the Roughers championship campaign and totaling 651 yards rushing and 14 scores. Head coach Travis Hill can barely hide a smile while describing the talents of slotback Ondraye Beasley (5-9, 180, Sr.) another dual threat that ran for 499 yards while using his speed and balance to pickup another 608 yards receiving for a combined nine touchdowns. EJ James (6-1, 170, Sr.) is another bonafide scoring threat at wide receiver along with Jamie Beasley (6-3, 175, Jr.), Michael Puckett (5-9, 165, Sr.) whose 4.0 GPA is matched by his athleticism on the field along with Noah Darnell (6-0, 170, Sr.), a Carl Albert transfer that has top notch speed to stretch the field. Hill calls tight ends Gervon Washington (6-2, 240, Sr.) and Dustin Carpenter (6-1, 220, Sr.) “unsung heroes” defined by their hard work and commitment to do the “dirty work” on offense. Even though Muskogee graduated every starter from its offensive line, the Roughers have the “heavyweights” to continue to win the battles in the trenches anchored by a Miguel Chavez (6-5, 300, Sr.) who begins the summer with 11 Division-I college offers along with J’lyn Burns (6-2, 315, Sr.) another D-I addition to the Muskogee roster moving in from Tulsa Rogers. O’Shea Stevenson (6-2, 295, Sr.), Ethan Lee (6-6, 315, Sr.), Conner Freeman (5-11, 250, Sr.), along with Hunter Lanier (6-1, 280, Jr.) Jackson Raper (5-11, 268, Jr.), Chris Green (6-1, 265, Jr.) and Devon Nero (6-1, 309, Jr.) will more than answer the question “where’s the beef and brawn” upfront.

“Byrd (Ficklin) being back obviously is a huge advantage and with the other game changers we will put on the field, I feel good about our chances,” Hill nodded with confidence.

DEFENSE

Just as strong as its offense, the Roughers defense kept opponents off the field limiting 13 opponents to 17 points a game posting four shutouts and Muskogee coaches are eager to see what kind of results can be achieved in 2024 where only three starters return. The Roughers 4-3 scheme will look for linebackers Coda Barnoski (6-1, 195, Jr.) who charted 124 tackles and Tim Moore (6-0, 185, Sr.) whose 131 tackles included nine tackles for loss and five sacks to maintain their rugged style of play with LaTavion Johnson expected to bring desire to the linebacker position while Kaden Harkin (6-1, 210, Jr.) joins the group on the edge at the Rougher position, which requires quickness and physicality. Upfront, Stuart Warrior (5-10, 235, Sr.) and Kyron Cope (6-2, 205, Sr.) will lead the Roughers charge while Anthony White (5-10, 180, Sr.) will patrol the secondary at safety while EJ James andMichael Puckett work to create turnovers and tackles at cornerback.

“Starting role experience on defense will develop into added confidence but every player on the defensive side of the ball has worked hard in the offseason to become bigger, faster, stronger competitors,” said Hill. “As the defending state champion there’s big time pressure and make no mistake about it, we wouldn’t want it any other way.”

SCHEDULE

8-30 – vs. Booker T. Washington

9-6 – at Rogers, Ark.

9-13 – vs. Bentonville West, Ark.

9-20 – OPEN

9-27 – vs. Ponca City

10-4 – at Putnam City West

10-11 – vs. Bartlesville