Deer Creek Antlers
Coach: WADE STANDLEY
Schedule:
8-27 – at Edmond North
9-3 – vs. Southmoore
9-10 – at Yukon
9-24 – vs. Stillwater
10-1 – at PC North
10-8 – vs. NW Classen
10-14 – at Midwest City
10-22 – vs. Del City
10-29 – at Lawton
11-5 – vs. US Grant
Quick Hits:
Current OSSAA administrator Grant Gower is the all-time wins leader at Deer Creek. Gower posted 49 victories during his tenure as head coach from 2008-2014.
Quarterback Brett Pense threw for 292 yards and a pair of scores, rushed for 41 and another touchdown in the Antlers 30-24, season opening win over Southmoore.
The Antlers have been shut out only twice in their last 98 games. Both losses came to Midwest City, 35-0 in 2016 and 53-0 in 2020.
Last 7 Years:
2020 – 4-6
2019 – 5-5
2018 – 4-6
2017 – 4-6
2016 – 2-8
2015 – 8-4
2014 – 7-4
OFFENSE
Wade Standley returns for his fifth season as head coach of Deer Creek. The Antlers return eight starters from last year’s team, including VYPE Top 100 player Jacob Sexton (6-6, 305, Sr.). The Deer Creek offense will lean heavily on Sexton, who’s one of the highest rated offensive tackles in the 2022 class, in the country. Sexton’s ability to move and secure blocks with his size has earned him offers from the likes of Oklahoma and Alabama. Brett Pense (6-4, 180, Sr.) returns at quarterback for the Antlers. Pense passed for 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. The Antlers run a one-back spread offense and will look to get the ball into the hands of their playmaking wide outs Gavin Smith (6-3, 180, Sr.) and Jevion Jones (6-1, 175, Sr.). Jones is a three-year two-way starter for the Antlers and will look to make a big impact during his senior season. Alongside Sexton, the Deer Creek offensive line brings back plenty of size and experience in Matthew Wade (6-5, 270, Sr.), Keegan Cocharan (6-0, 255, Sr.) and Peyton Hawkes. “We have a great group of returning starters on offense and we are excited to show our district what we can do,” said Standley.
DEFENSE
The Antlers also return eight starters on the defensive side of the ball. Deer Creek will run a 3-4 defense with defensive lineman Cyrus Scheiging (5-10, 275, Sr.) and Denver Hanna (6-3, 235, Sr.) trying to clog things up upfront. Linebackers Andre Bruner (5-10, 190, Jr.) and Eli Dunn (6-0, 200, Sr.) will patrol the middle of the field while also causing havoc in the backfield with timed blitzes. The secondary will be in good hands with Jones and Bryson Rouse (5-11, 170, Jr.) locking down opposing wide receivers. Jones will most likely have a tough assignment each week, defending the opposing teams best wide out. Deer Creek assistant coaches include Lance Tignor, Steve Neal, Colin Roberts, Jared St. John, Jake Hayes, Alston Brown, Scott MacDonald, Kent Hixon and Mason Myers.
touchdowns during his junior campaign. The Huskies will have a one-two punch in the backfield with senior running backs Garan Smith (6-0, 190, Sr.), Daigen Gibbens (6-0, 175, Sr.), and Reese Slater (6-0, 170, Sr.) will be protecting the secondary and looking to disrupt any thoughts of opponents passing game. Playing at the linebacker position will be Carlos Alverado (5-10, 215, Jr.) and he is looking forward to a big season. Woods says that Seth Carlson (6-1, 180, So.) is a young player that people should keep an eye on. “He played every game as a freshman and has the God-given skill to play with anybody in the state.”
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