CLAREMORE ZEBRAS
Coach: JARRETT HURT
8-4
Claremore comes off an 8-4 season with a veteran core and one of the toughest overall slates head coach Jarrett Hurt has put together in his 10 years leading the program. The Zebras return six offensive starters, six defensive starters, plus their kicker and deep snapper, and Hurt says there will be great competition for several key spots as they navigate a non-district and district schedule, he calls extremely tough. With experience across the board and a battle-tested culture, Claremore expects to be in the mix again in 5A.
Offensively, Claremore runs an up-tempo, multiple I formation and wants to take what the defense gives both in the run game and the passing game. Senior quarterback Kellen Gaede (6-0, 190) is the leader of the team and a dual-threat who completed 121 of 221 passes for 1,721 yards with 19 touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing for three more scores. Senior wide receivers Graham Williams (6-2, 190) and Jahiem Ewen (5-10, 175) give Gaede proven targets on the perimeter after Williams caught 13 passes for 260 yards and four touchdowns and Ewen added 14 receptions for 150 yards and a score. Up front, senior center Ryne Near (6-2, 225), senior guard Jaxon Heath (6-0, 245) and junior tackle Preston Hollis (6-2, 260) anchor the offensive line, with Near doubling as a 3.833 GPA student who takes multiple honors and Pre-AP classes and is praised for directing traffic up front. With a returning quarterback, multiple senior linemen and playmakers outside, the Zebras believe their offense can adapt weekly to matchups and continue producing at a high level.
Defensively, Claremore lines up in a 4-2-5 with the goal of stopping the run and eliminating explosive plays. Williams doubles as an outside linebacker and posted 49 tackles with a sack and a fumble recovery, while junior linebacker Bo Wolf (5-11, 195) recorded 43 tackles, seven tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries inside. Junior outside linebacker Evan Jameson (5-11, 195) added 43 tackles and an interception, and junior defensive end Demetrius Cummings (6-2, 210) was disruptive up front with 34 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and three sacks. Senior defensive tackle Kaden Conley (6-3, 260) chipped in 24 tackles, eight tackles for loss and a sack, and Ewen contributes 16 tackles at cornerback, giving Claremore experience on the back end. Gaede is the Zebras’ Top 100 nominee and is also the program’s top pitcher in baseball, while underclassman lineman Levi Robinson is a name to know in the trenches and Near brings leadership and intelligence to the line.
8-28 – at Sallisaw
9-4 – vs. Bartlesville
9-11 – vs. Muskogee
9-25 – vs. Hale
10-2 – at McGuinness
10-9 – vs. Tahlequah
10-15 – at Edison
10-23 – vs. Memorial
10-30 – at Pryor
11-6 – at Collinsville
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