OKEMAH PANTHERS

Coach: MICHAEL GREGORY

4-6

OFFENSE

Michael Gregory takes over the reins of the Okemah program in 2023, replacing Joe Turner. Gregory will have some experience on the offensive side of the ball in year one as the Panthers return seven starters. Leading the way is VYPE Top 100 nominee Blake Gaxiola at fullback. Gaxiola (5-11, 205, Jr.) rushed for 745 yards, averaging 7.5 yards per carry as a sophomore in 2022. He finished with 850 all-purpose yards and had four touchdowns. “Hard-working young man on and off the field,” Gregory said. “Very strong in the weight room and has over 1,100 yards and 10 TDs from the fullback spot in the last two years. Very strong, physical runner looking to run through his opponents.” Senior quarterback Andrew Swayze (6-2, 190) will direct Okemah’s run-heavy diamond offense. Swayze rushed for 123 yards with four TDs last season and threw for 286 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Cameron Swayze (5-9, 180, So.) and James Beasley (6-0, 155, Jr.) will join Andrew Swayze in the backfield, and Landen Lee (6-1, 145, Jr.) returns at receiver. Cameron Swayze rushed for 368 yards, finished with 132 yards receiving and had six touchdowns in 2022, and Lee had 13 receptions for 166 yards with two touchdowns.

DEFENSE

The Panthers also return seven starters on defense, which will be a 4-4 alignment designed to stop running games. Outside linebacker Trae Woods (5-10, 200, So.) returns as the leading tackler from last year. Woods had over 80 tackles and one interception. Also back is middle linebacker Conner Stacey (5-11, 240, Jr.), who recorded over 70 tackles, four sacks and had two fumble recoveries in 2022. James Beasley and Cameron Swayze will be leaders in the secondary. Beasley, a cornerback, collected 28 tackles and two interceptions as a junior as is the team’s lockdown corner. Swayze had over 40 tackles last season. Blake Gaxiola will also be featured on defense as a defensive end. He registered over 40 tackles and had a pair of sacks in 2022. “We are a very young team but scrappy and eager to bounce back to the playoffs. New coach and new system,” Gregory said.

SCHEDULE

9-1 – at Pawnee

9-8 – at Wewoka

9-15 – vs. Stroud

9-22 – vs. Sequoyah Tahlequah

9-29 – at Warner

10-6 – vs. Vian

10-12 – at Roland

10-20 – vs. Henryetta

10-27 – at Keys

11-3 – vs. Prague