PRYOR TIGERS
Coach: KENNY DAVIS
2-8
OFFENSE
Pryor returns a big bulk of its offense from last season under head coach Kenny Davis. The Tigers, who will use a doubles formation and will be up tempo with multiple formation groups, shifts and motions, will be led by VYPE Top 100 nominee Jacob Couch. Couch (5-10, 215, Sr.) can be used in a variety of ways on both sides of the ball and will also be a big factor on defense. At tight end, he had 113 receiving yards and a touchdown in 2022. “This will be his third year to start for us,” Davis said. “He is the leader on our defense and as the TE/FB he does all the dirty work on offense. Strongest kid on our team, great leader, and has a great work ethic. When you say football player, he is exactly what you envision.” Running back Julian Espinoza (5-10, 180, Sr.) will be the Tigers’ primary ball carrier after rushing for better than 700 yards with nine TDs in 2022. Espinoza is also a threat as a receiver. He added 156 receiving yards with a score. Pryor returns three receivers with experience, including senior Kendrick Propst (6-0, 175), who had 335 yards and three TDs last year. Sophomores Brock Ward (6-0, 170) and Gavin Robert (6-0, 165) also return. Senior Noah Cowan (6-2, 260) will be the key piece on the offensive line.
DEFENSE
The Tigers will base out of the 3-4 defensive alignment with multiple personnel groups and pre-snap movement. Couch posted 86 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season from the linebacker position. Ward, Cowan and Prospt will each also play on the defensive side of the ball. Ward tallied 36.5 tackles and had an interception as a sophomore in the secondary, Cowan had 24.5 tackles and two sacks at defensive end, and Propst registered 21 tackles and had three INTs as a cornerback. Davis has high expectations for Ward. “Brock started at FS and WR as a freshman. Going into his sophomore year he is starting to fill out and is really starting to master his roles. As his body continues to mature, we think he has a chance to be one of the best players in the state,” he said. Others who will contribute are junior linebacker Caleb Cantrell (6-1, 210) and senior defensive lineman Taylor Callison (6-1, 245). Cantrell had 21 tackles last year, while Callison logged 24 tackles. “I’m excited to get to work with this group of young men,” Davis said. “Overall we will be a young team, but we have some talented young guys and I’m excited to see how they develop. We also have some guys with 20 plus starts returning at some key positions. I’m blessed with a great staff and I’m excited to see how this year shakes out.”
SCHEDULE
8-25 – at Locust Grove
9-8 – vs. Alma (Ark.)
9-15 – at Coweta
9-22 – vs. Collinsville
9-29 – at Tulsa Rogers
10-6 – at Claremore
10-12 – vs. Bishop Kelley
10-20 – at Tulsa Edison
