STIGLER PANTHERS
Coach: KEVIN WILKETT
5-6
OFFENSE
After 15 years with the Panthers program as an assistant including the last three seasons as the offensive coordinator, Kevin Wilkett takes charge of the Stigler program as head coach and welcomes experienced “game changers” on both sides of the football to chase a 10th consecutive season of reaching the state playoffs. VYPE Top 100 nominee Houston Perry is one of seven returning starters who totaled 32 receptions at tight end totaling 385 yards and six touchdowns. “He’s a three-year starter and he does everything we ask of him,” said Wilkett. “Houston is a great blocker with really good hands and a good understanding of our offense.” There’s a friendly fire competition battle at quarterback between Jackson Cardell (5-11, 170, Sr.) and Jackson McCarter (5-9, 145, Jr.). “It’s a battle between the two who both took snaps last year,” said Wilkett. “Both are very competitive athletes, and each has their own skills. Either way, our team benefits because of their leadership and work ethic.” In addition to Perry, the Panthers passing game will also showcase the skills of TJ Kettles (5-11, 150, Sr.) as a wide receiver. The ground game will rely upon the talents of Morgan Peery (5-11, 160, Jr.) who averaged 10-plus yards per carry as a sophomore along with Will Yarosz(5-9, 145, Sr.) to run with confidence behind the offensive line strengths of two-year starter Gavyn Jones (6-5, 270, Jr.) who has the strength and mobility to control play at the line of scrimmage. “Our offense will get a lot of players involved in order to make our opponents have to defend the field,” said Wilkett.
DEFENSE
The experience of nine starters whose style of play is to seek and destroy their opponents allows the Panthers to kickoffthe 2024 season with size, muscle, and speed in order to play “bend don’t break” defensive football. With Houston Perry returning to his inside linebacker after making 132 tackles the past two years joined by outside linebackers Eli Mitchell (6-1, 190, Sr.) who Wilkett calls a “quiet leader by example” that totaled 77 tackles including 6 quarterback sacks and Morgan Peery to records 48 stops last season. Latch Smith (6-1, 260, Jr.) who recorded six sacks among his 32 tackles joins forces with Gavyn Jones to anchor play on the defensive line of scrimmage. Stigler’s secondary unit maintains the ability to attack the football against the run or passing schemes of their opponent due in part to the efforts of Jackson McCarter, who snatched a pair of interceptions while making 42 tackles at safety while Jackson Cardell will provide run-pass coverage at cornerback.
9-6 – vs. Sallisaw
9-13 – at Mena AR.
9-20 – at Stilwell
9-27 – at Lincoln Christian
10-4 – vs. Idabel
10-11 – at Checotah
10-17 – vs. Eufaula
10-25 – at Locust Grove
11-1 – at Muldrow
11-8 – vs. Holland Hall
