CARL ALBERT TITANS
Coach: MIKE DUNN
13-0
OFFENSE
No one will have any difficulty remembering the Titans of 2024. Carl Albert emphatically added the 19th gold ball to its overflowing trophy case. The Titans must replace a boat load of skill athletes that have departed for the next level of football. Good news is they have offensive and defensive line personnel returning in bunches that establish Carl Albert as the big dog once again in Class 5A. The Titans even have a loaded freshman class with a handful of players that will see varsity action this fall. Head coach Mike Dunn will choose between Denim Friday (5-11, 180, Jr.) and Anderson Collier (5-10, 180, Jr.) at quarterback. Friday has moved in from Putnam City where he was the starter a year ago. Both are very capable of directing the offense. The offensive line is built around the trio of Thomas Welch (6-2, 285, Sr.), Kathan Pierucci (6-1, 265, Jr.) and Wyatt LeClaire (6-1, 265, Sr.). Welch will be the left tackle with LeClaire moving out of that position to center. Pierucci is a unique athlete. He’s a scratch golfer that will play on both sides of the ball. Kaylen Smith (6-1, 225, Jr.) and Elijah Esparsa (6-0, 210, Jr.) round out the projected starters at guard. The next group of talented Titans are ready to assume the spotlight at the skill positions. D’Elijah Matthews (6-0, 205, Sr.) was busy picking up Division-I offers over the summer. He will be the headliner at running back with several more players capable of backing him up, including speedy sophomore Tylir Simmons (5-9, 170, So.). Jackson Webster (5-10, 180, Jr.) plays much bigger than his size at receiver. Webster possesses incredible ability to pull the ball down in traffic. Austin Johnson (6-3, 200, Jr.) and Makauri Johnson (6-3, 205, Jr.) can also go get the ball in traffic. Makauri Johnson had an incredible team camp and put himself on the radar at the next level.
DEFENSE
The Titans defensive line is not only the most talent rich area on the team but maybe one of the best position groups in the entire state. Lebron Royal (6-1, 215, Sr.) has multiple Division-I offers. Royal forced and recovered a fumble in the state championship win over Guthrie and added nine tackles. Joe Thomas (6-1, 195, Jr.) made all kinds of plays from the weak side as a sophomore with Nick Hill (6-1, 315, Sr.) and Kathan Pierucci at the down positions. Watch for Jax Wilkerson (6-6, 275, Fr.) to make an impact right away. Wilkerson wears a size 17 shoe and is already one of the top prospects in the class of 2029. Bo Davis (6-3, 215, Jr.) shows the way at linebacker with Darion Thomas (5-11, 190, Jr.) and Jake Miller (6-0, 210, So.) ready for action. The secondary is full of players waiting to make their presence felt. Dustin Anderson (6-0, 170, Jr.) has elite speed and great coverage skills at cornerback. He can operate successfully on an island. Boston Holland (6-1, 165, Jr.) and Tylir Simmons are in the mix at the opposite corner. Simmons can also play safety with Hero Abraham (6-1, 165, Jr.), Makauri Johnson and Austin Johnson all ready to contribute. Abraham is ready to return after missing time with an injury. All the pieces are in place for a four-peat and a 20th state championship. Incredibly all of the Titans titles have come since 1989. The chase is on to see if anyone can dethrone Carl Albert.
