TAHLEQUAH TIGERS
Coach: BRAD GILBERT
5-5
After a decade-long playoff streak, Tahlequah is focused on getting back to the postseason following two straight years of just missing out in district play. Gilbert, now in his 15th year as head coach and 21st at the school, says the Tigers are coming off “two heart‑breaking finishes” and notes that players are working hard, needing to “continue to stack good days” with the mindset that “our greatest opponent is ourselves.” Gilbert calls the 2026 slate “one of the toughest” schedules the program has seen in decades and emphasizes that leadership, particularly from the upperclassmen, will be critical as the Tigers look to turn close losses into wins.
Offensively, Tahlequah returns seven starters and several key pieces up front and on the perimeter. The Tigers bring back three offensive linemen who logged more than 400 snaps last season—senior tackle Wyatt Hodgson, junior tackle Brayden Carey, and senior guard Braxton Baker—and Gilbert says developing that group will be crucial to protecting senior quarterback Will Talburt, who started the final four games last year. Talburt posted 1,187 yards and 14 touchdowns on 79-of-145 passing, and he will again have a deep threat receiving corps featuring seniors Ashton Morgan (26 receptions, 441 yards, 4 TD), Kael Dobbins (32 receptions, 464 yards, 3 TD) and junior Michael Torkelson (13 receptions, 159 yards, 2 TD; 18 rushes, 120 yards), with juniors Raiden Beckwith and Torkelson expected to share backfield duties to give the offense versatility and speed. Coaches stress that finding balance and efficiency will be the key to keeping the offense consistent.
Defensively, six starters return in a unit built on experience and an aggressive, ball‑hawking style. Up front, VYPE Top 100 nominee Baker, who played through injury at nose guard totaling 22 tackles including 1 sack among 3 stops for loss moves to defensive end and joins fellow senior Josiaha Koshiway to lead a rotation designed to create depth and disrupt offenses, with Koshiway coming off a season with 13 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. In the secondary, strong safety Isvan Santana posted 47 tackles a year ago, while cornerbacks Torkelson and senior Hayden Murphy combined for eight interceptions—six by Torkelson—along with 45 tackles for Santana and 17 tackles, 2 interceptions and 5 pass breakups for Murphy. Coaches believe the defense’s ability to force turnovers and make plays will be vital, and they point to a long list of linebackers and linemen—among them seniors Ashton Morgan, Caleb Lamb, Bryan Luna, Casen Steeley and Avery Culver; juniors Hollister Swafford, Cayson Osburn, Waylon Odom, Eric Talbert, Valon Pllana, Austin Justice and Emory Tidwell; and sophomores Layne Morgan, Dustin Duvall, Jonah Batie and Aaron Chen—who must develop to push the Tigers back into the postseason.
9-4 – vs. Poteau
9-11 – at Wagoner
9-18 – vs. Sapulpa
9-25 – at Tulsa Memorial
10-2 – vs. Pryor
10-9 – at Claremore
10-15 – vs. Collinsville
10-23 – vs. Tulsa Hale
10-30 – at Bishop McGuinness
11-6 – at Tulsa Edison
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