WAGONER

Coach: KIMES GILBERT

5-6

Wagoner heads into the 2026 season after a 5-6 campaign under head coach Kimes Gilbert, who is starting his second year leading the program. Gilbert likes the trajectory of his group, noting, “We return a much more experienced team than a season ago. We are ready and excited about the opportunities in front of us.” With increased experience and continuity, Wagoner expects to be more consistent week to week and return to traditional playoff contenders in 2026.

Offensively, Wagoner will operate out of a spread attack designed to “be simple for our kids and complex for defensive opponents to stop us,” said Gilbert. Senior quarterback and Top 100 nominee Keyshaun Brown returns after throwing for 2,140 yards and adding 527 rushing yards with 25 total touchdowns, giving the Bulldogs a dual-threat centerpiece. “Keyshaun has incredible arm talent and can make all the throws he needs to make as well as beat you with his feet,” said the Wagoner coach. Brown will again look to senior receivers Elijah Love, another Top 100 nominee who posted 856 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, and Zion Corey, who added 356 receiving yards and two scores, along with senior wide out Jonah Smith, who chipped in 87 yards and two touchdowns as primary targets. “There’s no denying that Elijah is a freak athlete and was one of our most explosive players last season,” confirmed Gilbert. Junior running back Prince Austin, limited by injury last year is expected to take on a bigger role while senior lineman Logan Jones anchors the ground game by winning the battles in the trenches.

Defensively, Wagoner returns six starters and will play out of a 3-4 structure aimed at letting players “line up and play fast.” Defined by his coach as a “throwback hard nosed player, a third Top 100 nominee senior linebacker Karson Klinger leads the way after a 110 tackle season with one sack and will be joined in the second level by senior linebackers Noah Peet, who tallied 73 tackles and four sacks, and Bobby Henderson, who produced 43 tackles and two interceptions. Up front, senior defensive lineman Carter Brown returns after recording 52 tackles last year. Adding to the Bulldogs defensive experience will be junior defensive backs Collin Moore, a three-sport athlete and Mark Goins, who combined for over 70 tackles and two interceptions on the back end. Sophomore Gavin Edward will bring “incredible speed” to the lineup.

With that blend of experience and top-end talent, Wagoner is poised to take a step forward in 2026.

Aug.  28  vs. Coweta

Sept.   4  OPEN

Sept. 11  vs. Tahlequah

Sept. 18  at Bishop Kelley

Sept. 25  at Miami

Oct.     2  vs. Skiatook

Oct.     9  at Cleveland

Oct.   15  vs. Oologah

Oct.   23  at Fort Gibson

Oct.   30  vs. Grove

Nov.    6  at Cushing

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