OKEENE WHIPPETS
Coach: TANNER ALLEN
11-2
Okeene enters the 2026 season coming off an impressive 11-2 campaign but with a dramatically different look on both sides of the ball under Tanner Allen, who is in his third-year as head coach. Allen understands the scope of the roster turnover, saying, “We will replace a ton of spots on both sides of the ball this year.” At the same time, he views the changeover as an opportunity, adding that he is “looking forward to our new core of guys and watching them grow throughout the season.” The challenge will be blending that new core with a small group of proven returners quickly enough to keep Okeene in contention within a tough district as the season unfolds. With so many starting jobs open, Allen and his staff expect intense competition in camp and believe that internal battles will help set the tone for how this group practices and prepares each week.
On offense, only three starters return, so the unit will be built around senior playmaker Blayne Jinkens (6-1, 170), who plays both running back and wide receiver and will be featured all over the formation. Jinkens is Okeene’s nominee for VYPE Top 100 and Allen described him as “a great athlete that can score from anywhere on the field,” underscoring how central he will be to everything Okeene does with the ball. His versatility allows the staff to move him between the backfield and the perimeter, forcing defenses to account for him on every snap and creating favorable matchups for less experienced teammates. With so many new faces stepping into starting roles, Jinkens’ experience, toughness and big-play ability should help ease the transition as younger players settle into the system and a new offensive identity takes shape. Allen’s hope is that as the season progresses, the offense becomes more balanced and multiple instead of relying solely on one featured weapon.
Defensively, Okeene brings back just one full-time starter, so a small core of proven tacklers will be asked to stabilize a largely rebuilt lineup. Junior linebacker Brett Woolley (6-0, 175) will be counted on to lead the second level, set the tone physically and help get everyone aligned in a group that will depend on pursuit and tackling fundamentals. Jinkens (6-1, 170) returns as a disruptive presence at defensive end, where his quickness and motor can affect the pocket and give Okeene a playmaker off the edge in addition to his offensive duties. Junior linebacker Dalton Turnham (5-9, 170) is another key defender expected to help solidify the front seven, providing toughness and range as the defense breaks in a host of first-time contributors. With only one returning defensive starter and so many roles up for grabs, Allen and his staff know there will be some early growing pains, but they believe this new group has the tools to improve steadily and be playing its best football as district play and potential postseason opportunities arrive.
8-28 – at Laverne
9-4 – vs. Hollis
9-11 – at Seiling
9-18 – vs. Waukomis
9-25 – at Pioneer
10-9 – vs. Canton
10-15 – at Mountain View-Gotebo
10-23 – vs. Kremlin-Hillsdale
10-30 – at Snyder
11-6 – vs. Oklahoma Bible Academy
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