Oklahoma high school football: Three under-the-radar storylines heading into Week 9
Week 9 of the Oklahoma high school football season has arrived.
Here are three storylines, focusing on some radar-the-under players who are thriving this year.
More: Ada at Poteau tops list of Oklahoma high school football games for Week 9
Yukon QB Holden Kee showing out despite underwhelming 1-7 season
Holden Kee has been on a tear in his final season at Yukon.
Although the Millers have struggled mightily this year with a 1-7 record, their starting quarterback has been one of the team's saving graces.
Kee put on a show in Yukon's Week 8 49-34 loss to Edmond North. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound senior completed 23 passes for 321 yards and two touchdowns while also running for 94 yards and two additional touchdowns on the ground. The performance marked back-to-back weeks that Kee threw for over 300 yards with four touchdowns.
While Yukon's offensive identity revolved around its rushing attack in past years, first-year Millers head coach Brent Barnes has made it a mission to spread the ball to as many of his playmakers as possible.
"We couldn't do what we're doing offensively without a guy like Holden here," Barnes, a former head coach at Norman North, said. "I could see his unique skill set from a mile away.
Yukon averaged 12 points per game a year ago before Barnes took over. Since under the helm, the Millers now average 28 points and nearly 450 total yards total per contest despite only winning one game so far.
Kee suffered a broken ankle in training camp last year, which kept him out for his entire junior season. Yet, he currently sits atop Class 6A-I in total passing yards thanks mainly to his dynamic core of receivers spearheaded by junior Lucas Jones. He leads Yukon with 67 receptions, 937 yards and eight touchdowns.
While the Millers have had an underwhelming first year under Barnes, he believes the loss column doesn't represent the step in the right direction the Yukon football program has made.
"I think there's a clear need for growth in many areas, especially defensively," Barnes said. "We've got to have a first full offseason this upcoming year. This spring will be huge for us to get in the weight room, try and come together and get stronger to grow into an even stronger program heading into year two."
More: Vote for The Oklahoman's Landmark Fine Homes fall high school athletes of the week
Kordell Gouldsby a do-it-all playmaker for Bixby
Kordell Gouldsby was pretty clear about Bixby’s mindset following its 78-28 win over Westmoore last week.
The Spartans are rolling once again this season, but their hunger remains.
“It’s a great win, but we’re not satisfied,” Gouldsby said. “We still got a lot of work to do. We got a lot of things to clean up on the edges. So we’re just going to look forward to building on this and being ready for next week.”
Bixby, which won seven state titles from 2014 to 2021 in Class 6A-II and is the defending champion in Class 6A-I, is 8-0 overall and 5-0 in District 6A-I-1, and Gouldsby’s contributions can’t be overlooked.
He’s having a great senior season for the Spartans, starring as a receiver, ball carrier, defensive back and returner.
Gouldsby has 16 carries for 280 yards and three scores, 15 receptions for 235 yards and two touchdowns, two interceptions on defense and three punt return touchdowns.
Gouldsby, who holds offers from Central Arkansas, Lindenwood, Missouri State and Valparaiso, is savoring his senior year and enjoying helping Bixby average 64 points per game while allowing just 10.6 per matchup.
“I love the challenge,” Gouldsby said. “When we play better players, I feel like I really play my part and I step up in those games just because there’s a lot on the line. And I just like trying to make an impact anywhere I can, like that’s more important to me than anything.”
More: The Oklahoman's Class 6A-I to C high school football rankings for Week 9
Malachi Nicholson continues to carry the load for El Reno
El Reno senior running back Malachi Nicholson had a definitive goal on how he wanted to end the season after pulling off one of the best rushing performances in the history of 11-man Oklahoma high school football.
“I’m trying to reach the 25 (hundred-yard rushing mark) and around 30 touchdowns,” Nicholson said a few days after running for 521 yards and eight touchdowns on 37 carries in a 68-67 win over Noble on Sept. 29.
It’s been nearly a month since then, and Nicholson is getting closer to fulfilling those goals.
Nicholson is up to 2,140 yards and 19 touchdowns on 213 carries this season.
He’s been sensational for his team, and El Reno (4-4, 3-2 District 5A-1) has won three of its last four games.
Nicholson, who also plays linebacker, has been the main force behind the Indians’ success this season.
El Reno won’t want to take any opponents lightly, but its remaining two games in the regular season will be against teams that have struggled.
The Indians will travel to Duncan (0-8, 0-5) on Friday before hosting Altus (1-7, 1-4) on Nov. 3.
—Jordan Davis and Nick Sardis, Staff writers
More: The Oklahoman's Class 6A-I to C high school football rankings for Week 9
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma high school football: Three storylines heading into Week 9
