Coach: BRAD GILBERT
6-4
OFFENSE
Coach Brad Gilbert begins his 20th year at the helm of the Tahlequah Tigers in 2025 in a coaching career that saw the Tigers make the playoffs for 10 straight years before coming up short last season. With six starters back on the offense, Gilbert summed up his team’s priorities for the upcoming campaign. “We need to develop the offensive line and solidify the quarterback position before we take the field in August,” said the veteran coach.
A three-way battle for the quarterback spot is developing with Synjin Sampson (6-2, 182, Sr.) moving from wide receiver along with Will Talburt and sophomore Michael Torkelson who distinguished himself as the Tiger kicker last year. There is some experience returning to the offensive line with center Jayden Whitehead (5-11, 253, Sr.) and guard Kael Carey (5-11, 261, Sr.). The running game will again be in the hands of Jake Girty who bulldozed his way to over 600 rushing yards and nine touchdowns last year. The receiving corps is in good hands with Top 100 nominee tight end Elvis Myers (6-6, 209, Sr.) and wide receivers Jett Morrison (5-10, 161, So.) and Sampson if he doesn’t end up at quarterback.
DEFENSE
Gilbert’s 3-4 defense is spearheaded by defensive end and VYPE TOP 100 pick Kingston Hall (6-4, 272, Sr.) who already has multiple D-1 offers including Tulsa, Kansas State, Maryland and Baylor. He registered 14 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks last year. Adding muscle on the D-line will be Braxton Baker (5-10, 269, Jr.) along with Myers, who Gilbert expects to be a two-way impact performer. Besides Hall, linebacker seems to be the strength of the Tiger defense with Xaxton Carshall (6-0, 172, Sr.) another TOP 100 choice who should finish his career with 300-plus tackles, Traeven Morrison (5-10, 184, Sr.) and Chris Perry (5-10, 179, Sr.) all returning. Carshall led the team with 168 tackles in 2024 while Morrison turned in five sacks and Perry had eight tackles for loss. Cutter Girdner (6-1, 171, Sr.) will anchor the secondary where he had 21 pass breakups last year and will be joined by Michael Murphy (6-0, 166, Jr.) and Isvan Santana (5-11, 172, Jr.). “We believe in keeping things simple on defense, allowing our players to be fundamentally sound and play fast,” said Gilbert.
SCHEDULE:
8-29 – vs. Tulsa East Central
9-5 – at Sapulpa
9-12 – vs. Wagoner
9-19 – OPEN
9-26 – vs. Claremore
10-3 – at Pryor
10-10 – vs. Collinsville
10-16 – at Tulsa Memorial
10-24 – vs Del City
10-31 – at Tulsa Rogers
11-6 – at Tulsa Hale
