The 2025 Henryetta Knights football team ended their season with the kind of performance every program dreams about – dominant, disciplined and history-making. Last Friday in Atoka, the Knights capped off their season by defeating the Wampus Cats 48-13, powered by a record-shattering effort from senior running back Will Perez, who rushed for 298 yards on 30 carries and scored six touchdowns, setting a new all-time single-game rushing record in Henryetta High School history.

The game marked the final chapter of a season that saw Henryetta go 6-4 overall and 4-3 in District 2A-II-4, finishing in a three-way tie for fourth place. Despite missing the postseason on a tiebreaker with Antlers, the Knights’ campaign will be remembered for its offensive firepower, defensive grit and steady improvement from start to finish.

— First Quarter: Setting the Tone

The Knights struck early and often, wasting no time in establishing control on both sides of the ball. On their opening drive, Henryetta marched methodically down the field behind the bruising runs of Perez, who found a rhythm behind an offensive line that opened holes all night long. At the 9:38 mark of the first quarter, Joseph Cummings capped the drive with a six-yard touchdown run. Kicker Blaze Hill split the uprights for the extra point, giving Henryetta a 7-0 lead.

The defense matched the offense’s intensity, holding Atoka to negative rushing yards in the quarter. The Wampus Cats managed just -5 yards on five rushing attempts, and quarterback Ryan Barton’s short completions were immediately snuffed out by Henryetta’s linebackers and secondary. Defensive standouts Braxton Stockholm and Jaylin Lindsey led the charge, with strong support from Tucker McManus, who recorded multiple tackles for loss on the evening.

At the end of the first quarter, the numbers told the story: Henryetta had 109 total yards to Atoka’s -3, and a commanding 7-0 lead.

— Second Quarter: Perez Erupts

The second quarter belonged entirely to Will Perez.

The senior tailback scored three touchdowns in the span of five minutes, putting on a clinic in balance, acceleration and vision. His first score came on a 14-yard burst through the right side of the line, set up by key blocking from Haiden Kaler and Landon Jones. Hill’s extra point made it 14-0.

Just minutes later, Perez powered through a goalline pile from three yards out to extend the lead to 21-0. His third touchdown of the quarter – a 60yard sprint down the sideline – sent the Henryetta crowd into a frenzy. Behind tight end Alex Clayton’s downfield block, Perez broke two tackles near midfield and sprinted untouched to the end zone. Hill’s third successful kick gave the Knights a commanding 28-0 halftime lead.

By halftime, Perez had already amassed over 200 rushing yards, and the Knights had gained 280 yards of total offense to Atoka’s 34. The Henryetta defense continued to dominate, forcing an interception and limiting the Wampus Cats to a single first down on the ground.

— Third Quarter: Relentless Momentum

Though the outcome was already clear, the Knights refused to ease off the gas pedal.

Midway through the third quarter, Perez added his fourth touchdown on a four-yard run, increasing the margin to 34-6. A missed extra point barely slowed Henryetta’s momentum, and moments later, Perez struck again – this time from the one-yard line – to make it 41-6 after Hill’s kick sailed through the uprights.

The quarter’s lone blemish came when Atoka’s Wade McCall broke through for a one-yard touchdown, ending the Knights’ shutout bid. Still, Hen- ryetta’s dominance was unmistakable. The Knights out-gained Atoka 361-66 in total offense by the end of the third period.

The offensive line of Blazin Davis, Mekko McNac, Tucker McManus, Alex Clayton and Gavin Williams consistently opened lanes, while quarterback Nakona Johnson kept the Atoka defense honest by completing 9 of 16 passes for 87 yards – spreading the ball to Williams, Kaler, Davis and Clayton.

— Fourth Quarter: The Record Breaker

Early in the fourth quarter, Perez cemented his place in Henryetta history. With 8:15 remaining, he broke loose again – this time from 19 yards out – for his sixth touchdown of the night, officially pushing his rushing total to 298 yards and breaking the Knights’ all-time single-game rushing record. Hill’s extra point made it 48-6.

Atoka managed one final score – another Mc-Call run, this time from 20 yards – but by then, the Knights’ victory was long secured. When the final horn sounded, Henryetta had out-gained Atoka 426-108, including 339 yards on the ground and 87 through the air, while holding the Wampus Cats to just 10 net rushing yards.

— A Night for the Record Books

The Atoka game was more than just a victory; it was a validation of everything the 2025 Henryetta Knights had built over the course of the season. Will Perez’s record-setting 298-yard, six-touchdown performance was the exclamation point on a senior campaign that saw him emerge as one of the most dynamic running backs in the district. His season totals placed him among the top rushers in Class 2A-II-4.

Perez’s performance was backed by an offensive unit that found its identity midway through the season – an identity built on physicality, ball control and balance. Henryetta’s offense averaged 31.2 points per game, scoring 312 points across ten games, while allowing 235 for an average margin of +7.7.

— Season Overview: The Road to 6-4

The Knights’ 2025 campaign began with fireworks. Henryetta opened the season with a 54-35 win over Kellyville, followed by a decisive 43-8 victory at Okemah, giving the team an early 2-0 record and momentum heading into district play.

The third week brought a close 20-26 loss to Beggs, one of the toughest teams in the district, followed by a rebound victory over Morris (35-26) in a high-energy county matchup. The Knights continued rolling with a 32-14 win over Wilburton, improving to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in district competition.

A midseason dip saw Henryetta drop consecutive games to Valliant (0-32) and Vian (14-41) – two powerhouse programs that would both finish near the top of the standings. But the Knights bounced back again with a dominant 40-0 shutout win over Spiro, demonstrating the team’s defensive prowess and resilience.

A late-season battle with Antlers proved decisive in playoff tiebreakers. Despite a strong offensive showing, the Knights fell 26-40 in a game that effectively decided the fourth and final playoff spot. Still, the team regrouped and finished the season on a high note against Atoka, earning their sixth win and a final district record of 4-3.

In total, Henryetta’s regular-season journey showcased their growth from an early-season upstart to a district contender – a team capable of competing with anyone on their schedule.

Over ten games, Henryetta’s offense amassed impressive numbers across the board.

According to season totals:

• Total Points Scored: 312 (31.2 Avg.)

• Total Points Allowed: 235 (23.5 Avg.) The Knights’ offense leaned heavily on their ground game, led by Perez’s record-setting performances and supported by Cummings, Kaler and Williams. Henryetta’s rushing attack often dictated the tempo of games, averaging more than 160 yards per game, while the passing game provided efficient balance.

— Defensive Strength: The Unsung Heroes If Perez and the offense provided the highlights, Henryetta’s defense supplied the backbone. Through ten games, the Knights recorded 351 total tackles, including 56 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 10 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries.

• Braxton Stockholm led the team with 49 total tackles and 5 tackles for loss.

• Jaylin Lindsey added 42 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.

• Tucker McManus, the team’s disruptive presence up front, posted 30.5 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

• Haiden Kaler and Landon Jones each added over 20 tackles and multiple stops behind the line.

• Gavin Williams and Nathan Nail anchored the secondary with six combined interceptions, providing key takeaways throughout the season.

The defensive front proved especially strong against the run, limiting opponents to an average of 179.6 rushing yards per game, while the secondary held opposing quarterbacks to 125.4 passing yards per contest. The unit allowed an average of 305 total yards per game – a marked improvement from the previous season.

— Special Teams Contributions

Special teams often set the tone for Henryetta’s field position game. Senior Blaze Hill handled both punting and kicking duties with consistency, averaging 43 yards per punt and converting the majority of his extra-point attempts throughout the season.

Return specialists Gavin Williams and Nakona Johnson combined for more than 150 return yards on the year, with Williams adding a steady presence in both kickoff and punt returns. Henryetta also maintained discipline in coverage, rarely allowing long returns – a reflection of the Knights’ overall team cohesion.

— Offensive Leaders – Season Totals

While Will Perez’s record-setting game will forever stand out, Henryetta’s offensive production throughout 2025 was a team effort. Quarterback Nakona Johnson provided steady leadership, demonstrating poise and accuracy under pressure. Receivers Gavin Williams, Haiden Kaler and Alex Clayton combined for double-digit receptions and timely first downs.

From the team’s cumulative offensive report:

• Rushing Average (Team): 160+ yards

• Passing Average: Approx. 144 yards

• Total Offensive Output: Avg. 305-310 yards — Discipline, Execution, Leadership & Growth Penalties often define close games, and Henryetta’s attention to detail made a difference all year. Against Atoka, the Knights committed six penalties for 67 yards – manageable given their aggressive play. The team’s focus on fundamentals was also evident in the turnover margin: Henryetta rarely lost possession, finishing the season with a positive turnover differential.

Fumbles were minimized thanks to improved ball-handling drills implemented midseason, while the secondary’s 10 interceptions underscored the Knights’ defensive awareness and preparation.

Leadership was another key theme of the Knights’ 2025 season. Veterans like Perez, Hill, Stockholm and McManus set the tone in practice and on game day. Younger players such as Nakona Johnson, Haiden Kaler and Gavin Williams matured quickly, stepping into key roles both offensively and defensively.

Defensive coordinator adjustments throughout the season helped shore up the Knights’ containment against high-powered offenses, while the offensive coaching staff adapted the playbook to highlight the team’s greatest strengths – particularly Perez’s ability to break tackles and create yards after contact.

Henryetta’s 4-3 district record placed them in a three-way tie for fourth in District 2A-II-4, alongside Antlers and another 4-3 team. Unfortunately, tiebreaker rules – determined by head-to-head results and district point differential – gave Antlers the playoff nod. Henryetta’s 40-26 loss to Antlers on Oct. 25 ultimately served as the deciding factor.

Despite falling short of the postseason, the Knights’ fifth-place finish represented a step forward for the program.

— Looking Ahead

While the 2025 season closes the book on several standout seniors, it also lays the groundwork for continued success. The emergence of players like quarterback Nakona Johnson and receiver Gavin Williams ensures the Knights will return experienced leadership on both sides of the ball next fall. The team’s depth at linebacker and the development of underclass linemen promise to sustain the defensive intensity that defined this season.

For Coach Kevin Adler and his staff, the challenge now is to build on the momentum of 2025 – to turn near-misses into playoff runs and competitive efforts into championships. With a foundation of discipline, leadership, and record-setting performances, the Knights appear poised to do just that.