HOOKER BULLDOGS
Coach: TANNER MCBEE
9-3
Hooker looks to build on a 9-3 quarterfinal run as it chases an even deeper postseason push in 2026. The Bulldogs lost some key contributors from last year but return a strong nucleus of veterans, and third-year head coach Tanner McBee believes several players are ready to step into bigger roles and keep the program trending upward. The focus is on rebounding from the quarterfinal exit and taking the next step in an already successful era.
Offensively, Hooker returns seven starters and features one of Oklahoma’s most productive small-school backs in senior and VYPE Top 100 nominee Justin Palacios (5-10, 185). Palacios is described by McBee as the best athlete he has ever coached and one of the nicest, most humble kids he has been around, with more than 4,000 career rushing yards and over 70 touchdowns; in 2025 he carried 175 times for 1,259 yards and caught 32 passes for 490 yards, scoring 27 total touchdowns. Senior tight end/fullback Gunnar Martens (6-0, 225) adds physical versatility after rushing 64 times for 297 yards and catching 12 passes for 185 yards and four scores. Junior quarterback Roy Herald (6-1, 185) saw limited varsity action last season, completing six of 11 passes for 86 yards and a touchdown, and will now guide a balanced attack. Junior left tackle Kip Nunley (6-2, 220) anchors the offensive line, joined by receivers like junior Ryker Hill (5-8, 150) and senior Shase Redmond (6-2, 190), who caught 12 passes for 227 yards and five touchdowns. McBee and his staff plan to lean on team speed and size up front to stay very multiple and maintain an even run-pass mix.
The defense brings back six starters in a 4-3 base built on aggression and physicality. Palacios doubles as a standout linebacker after racking up 116 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, three sacks and three interceptions last fall. Nunley is a major factor at linebacker as well, posting 65 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, six sacks and a fumble recovery, while Martens disrupts from defensive end with 56 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, seven sacks and three fumble recoveries. Redmond adds more edge production after having 35 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks last season. The secondary features returning playmakers in Hill (27 tackles, two pass breakups, two interceptions) and junior defensive back Anthony Martinez (6-1, 185; 23 tackles, four breakups, two picks). The Bulldogs aim to create opportunities off opponent mistakes by flying to the football and capitalizing on turnovers.
McBee’s staff this season includes Jace Kerr, Harrison Funderburk, Dayton Metcalf, and Eric Yarborough.
8-28 – at Gruver (TX)
9-4 – vs. Guymon
9-11 – at Spearman (TX)
9-25 – at Hinton
10-2 – vs. Tonkawa
10-9 – at Crescent
10-15 – vs. Fairview
10-23 – vs. Watonga
10-30 – at Sayre
11-6 – vs. Merritt
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