Northwestern Oklahoma Football and Softball Underclassmen to Watch List – Presented by Pioneer

Football

AJ Crabtree – Boise City

AJ is a hard worker with great leadership skills. He will play wide receiver and some quarterback this season. 

Dawson Schanbacher – Cherokee

Dawson is a freshman and will compete for the quarterback position. He is a big strong kid for his age and is a competitor. He will take some lumps as a freshman but could be a huge part of Cherokee’s success this season.  

Jase Hennigh – Chisholm

Jase has grown into a tremendous athlete. He is speedy on the field and strong in the weight room. He works extremely hard, and he looks to have a big season for the Longhorns this season.   

Justus Halcomb & Grayson Marler  – Covington-Douglas

Both of these sophomores will see ample time on the field this year and moving forward will need to be stars down the road for the team to be successful.

Cord Southwick – Garber

As a Freshman, stepped up and played a huge role at tight end and defensive end. He has worked extremely hard in the weight room and will have a bigger role in 2024.  

Andy Ozaeta – Guymon

Andy came on to the scene as a freshman this past year and had an immediate impact on the field. He started both ways for the Tigers and is the leading receiver returning to the roster. He  made a name for himself in Guymon last year catching the game-winning touchdown on Homecoming Night against Wheeler. 

Titan Root – Hennessey

Titan is an offensive and defensive lineman with a lot of ability and a great work ethic. He’s got a chance to be a really special player.  

Brody Boeckman – Kingfisher

Brody played an impactful role as a freshman in all three aspects of the game last season. He is a strong, physical kid who understands how the game is played. He will be stepping into a bigger role this season with the departure of last year’s seniors.  

Tyler Smith – Kremlin-Hillsdale

Tyler has a calm demeanor that gives him the right mixture to run the spread offense that showcases his thinking ability along with his arm.  

Trent Lohmann – Medford

Lohmann started at running back as a freshman and has great balance and vision should have a nice year.  

Briggs Allen – Mooreland

Briggs is a very coachable player and tenacious young man.  

Koy Schneider – OK Bible Academy

Koy shows good potential and will get a great chance to start on defense.  

Blayne Jinkens – Okeene

Blayne did not get much playing time last year due to being behind a good senior running back. He works his tail off in the weightroom and has good speed. He should have an outstanding season. 

Gavin Decker – Ringwood

Gavin is a hard working freshman and a very smart kid. He will look to help his team however he can this season. 

Miguel Baray – Tyrone

Miguel was a starter on defense as a freshman as well as the backup quarterback. This year he will be called on to anchor the defensive backfield as well as the starting quarterback.  

Cooper House – Watonga

Cooper is an exceptional athlete. He has exceptional athleticism and strength that allows him to make the hard plays look easy. He plays multiple positions on the field that makes it hard to take him out of the game. 

Wyatt Smith – Waukomis

Wyatt split time as running back as a freshman and played quite a bit on defense. He will be Waukomis’ quarterback this year. He is a hard worker and an outstanding athlete. 

Softball

Myka Louthan – Alva

Myka is a tremendous athlete and works hard at everything she does. She will be fun to watch as she grows as an athlete.  

Jade Davis – Chisholm

Jade played primarily in the outfield last year. She gets a good jump on balls hit in the gaps, has speed, and a good glove. She will possibly split time between the outfield, infield and behind the plate this year.  

Hayden Marler – Covington-Douglas

Hayden is just a freshman but she is a force at the plate and at shortstop. She has a great glove, quick around the bases, and just an all around ball player.  

Josie Hayes – Fairview

She is a very talented athlete and will be a big contributor for the Yellowjackets this season. 

Kailyn Bond – Garber

Kailyn is a versatile player that can play anywhere on the field. She spent a lot of time catching her freshman year and will continue to work behind the plate. Along with being solid in the field, she is also a force at the plate. 

Katy Jo Hayes – Kremlin-Hillsdale

Katy Jo is a returning starter. She is a very talented and versatile softball player. She is a solid pitcher in the circle. She is capable of playing any position on the field. She will be asked to play several key positions this year when she is not pitching.  

Olivia Clem – Mooreland

Olivia had a great freshman season and she is expected to have a bigger season this year. She will move from third to second base, and she will probably hit lead-off. She works hard and is very dedicated.  

Jalynn McAlister – OK Bible Academy

Jalynn is a freshman coming off a knee injury but will make a big difference in the circle and at the plate when she is cleared to return. 

Hadlee Merriott – Pioneer-Pleasant Vale

Hadlee has the potential to be a very good softball player. She will play a few different positions  this year as well as pitch. As a hitter, she has the tools to be a huge contributor at the plate. It is going to be exciting to see what kind of season she will have.  

Day Orozco – Texhoma/Goodwell

Day is a wildcard. She never quite broke into the lineup as a freshman, but did run lots of bases. She is a very athletic player, having the ability to do lots of things on both sides of the ball. 

Harmoney Daniels – Watonga

Harmoney is an electric freshman that will bring a ton of energy to the team and will play a few different positions.  

Aleah Melson – Waukomis

Aleah is the biggest offensive threat in the lineup. She is also one of the fastest girls and brings a lot of experience, despite just being a sophomore. When the team has runners on base, they want Aleah to be at the plate. 

Zoey Smith – Woodward

With an injury to the starting catcher, Smith, an incoming freshman, may play a big role in the team’s success this year. Looking to get her some time behind the plate and at the plate.