Muskogee

Muskogee Roughers 2023 Football Team Preview – Presented by York Street Tire

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Published

August 1, 2023

MUSKOGEE ROUGHERS

Coach: TRAVIS HILL

10-2

OFFENSE

Muskogee opened the gates to “Rougher Village” in fine fashion in 2022 as head coach Travis Hill’s squad exploded offensively to produce 422.5 yards and 42 points per game. The good news for Rougher fans is that eight starters return including many of those playmakers led by VYPE Top 100 pick Jamarian Ficklin (6-2, 185, Jr.) who returns for his third season at quarterback. “Byrd”, who passed for 2803 yards and 38 touchdowns in 2022 and now has 5,131 yards through the air and 56 scoring strikes will look to reconnect with Kayden “TD” McGee (6-2, 165, Sr.) who raced to the end zone 14 times last year by making 37 receptions for 734 yards while gaining Division-I offers from multiple college programs. Adding to the Roughers air attack will be H-back Anthony Watson (6-1, 240, Sr.) capable of big yards after catch evidenced by his 543 yards on 36 receptions. Tabbed as a “game changer, Ondraye Beasley (5-8, 175, Jr.) returns at slotback where he totaled 515 yards receiving plus 535 yards rushing as a dual threat while LaTavian Johnson (5-8, 185, Jr.) steps into the starting position at running back after gaining 406 yards on 79 carries in 2022. The skill personnel results are made possible by the size, strength and mobility of the Roughers offensive line where two three-year starters Brayd’n Henry (6-2, 255, Sr.) and Vernon Pepiakitah (6-1, 275, Sr.) will return joined by a pair of D-I recruits Wes Harvey (6-8, 265, Sr.) and Teyon Brewer (6-3, 285, Sr.). Adding to the beef and brawn of the offensive line will be Kaleb Huston (6-2, 285, Sr.), O’Shea Stevenson (6-2, 290, Jr.) and Ayrion Parrish (6-2, 265, Sr.). With the four D-I prospects, all VYPE Top 100 nominees, the Roughers have the playmakers on the offensive side of the football. “It’s fun to watch these kids play. Another year of experience matched with the individual talents will let us lineup and make plays with confidence,” said Hill, who begins his third year as the Roughers head coach. “With this scheme and these players, we not only can be multiple in our formations but also be balanced in our results.”

DEFENSE

Equally as efficient defensively in 2022 by holding opponents to 15 points per game, the Roughers have the talent to match those results this fall as six starters return. The #GEE-D (Give Everything Every Day) will make the most of its alignment including the aggressive nature of the 4-man front anchored by Brewer, who charted 65 tackles on the line of scrimmage, Pepiakitah and Kaleb Huston while Parker Pellett (6-1, 225, Sr.) who totaled 31 tackles is 2022 returns at defensive end along with Watson. While the Roughers must replace two of its linebackers, two-year starter Treyveon Houston (5-9, 185, Sr.) will once again stop the run as well as defend the pass after recording 124 stops including four sacks and three interceptions plus the added aggressive efforts from Tim Moore (5-10, 185, Jr.). Deyonn Bowler (5-9, 170, Sr.) who grabbed five interceptions while making 53 tackles from his safety position will join cornerback Martell Bolden (5-11, 165, Sr.) who recorded 23 tackles in the secondary plus multi-position athletes Jayden Swanson (5-11, 155, Sr.) and Israel Martin (5-9 155, Sr.). Following the 2022 season where the Roughers advanced to the 6A-II state semifinals, there’s talk of even more in 2023. “We have lots of returning starters which is a plus and I expect us overall to be improved including both sides of the front lines,” said Hill. “We do have the opportunity to be a much better football team. Make no mistake about it, it’s still a work in progress and we still have to earn everything once again this year, but yes, the dogs are barking.”