After two straight 6A-II quarterfinal exits, Putnam City aims to move forward in 2025 to compete with the division’s best.
“We have to remain healthy and develop quality depth among the whole team,” Putnam City coach Willis Alexander said in a preseason questionnaire. “Offensively we have a chance to be explosive. Players have valuable playing experience. “
Senior Savion James (5’9” 170 lbs) is “dynamic playmaker” for the Pirates. James caught 34 passes for 641 yards and nine touchdowns last season.
On the offensive line, senior Tre Timberlake (6’3” 290 lbs) is a two-year starter.
Senior Rodgerick Sloan (5’10” 180 lbs) carried a majority of the load on the ground last season. Sloan rushed for 824 yards and averaged 5.2 yards per carry.
Putnam City will have a new signal-caller. Josh Lombard returned to Putnam City North for his senior season after a year in Warr Acres.
Millwood transfer quarterback Schuyler Turnbull (6’2” 200 lbs) joins the squad to run the spread offense. The senior was a 3-year starter. He threw for over 1,500 yards for the 2A Falcons while rushing for more than 500 yards and scoring 20 times. Turnbull has multiple D-1 offers.
“Defensively we have many players that have valuable playing and starting experience,” Alexander said.
The Pirates will have to replace Brayden Knox, who graduated and signed with Division I North Texas. Another D-1 prospect figures to play a big role.
Senior Dejon Ackerson (6’3”, 200 lbs) is a Kansas State commit. Ackerson had 71 tackles and eight sacks a season ago.
On the defensive line, senior Tripp Alexander (6’2”, 275 lbs) is a 4-year starter. Alexander had 50 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and eight sacks. Alexander has multiple D-1 offers.
Another defensive lineman, Keelan Johnson (6’0”, 300 lbs), is a 3-year starter entering his senior season. Johnson had 21 tackles last season, 13 of those for a loss. Alexander calls Johnson an “anchor up front.”
Senior Keondre Huffman (5’7” 155 lbs) is a 2-year starter and will play a key role in the secondary. Huffman had 19 tackles and an interception last season/
The Pirates did lose defensive back Gabe Osborne to Mustang. Osborne had 43 tackles and three interceptions. Osborne also played a big role in the return game
“Our success will rely on our development of our depth and the off-field growth transferring to the field,” Alexander said.
The Pirates, 7-5 last season, will have plenty of stiff competition on their journey to the postseason while competing in District 1 of 6A-II. Of the five teams ranked in the Associated Press 6A-II preseason poll, three of them play in Putnam City’s district. The Pirates received votes but weren’t ranked in the poll.
Defending state champion Choctaw is ranked at the top. The Yellowjackets broke through for the title last season after deep playoff runs. Choctaw has beaten PC six straight times with the Pirates’ last win in 2012.
Stillwater is picked second. The Pioneers bounced Original in the quarterfinals in 2023 before losing in the title game. Stillwater won the title in 2022. The Pirates have lost six straight to Stillwater, with their last win coming in 1985.
Piedmont rounds out the top five. The Wildcats beat the Pirates last year in the final game of the regular season, sealing the win on a late drive in a rainy contest. The meeting was the the first between the two schools. Piedmont moved up to 6A-II after being in 5A.
UP NEXT
The Pirates open the season on week zero with a road matchup with 6A-I Yukon (3-7) Friday (Aug. 29) at 7 p.m. The Millers beat PC to open last season, 26-16.
In the loss last season, the Pirates struggled to contain Destry Lujan in short-yardage situations. He had nine carries for 59 yards and a touchdown.
Lujan returns for his senior year after rushing for 630 yards and six scores as a junior. He also collected 94 tackles and four sacks as a linebacker on defense.
Photograph courtesy of Danielle Johnson.
PUTNAM CITY 2025 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
| Aug. 29 | at Yukon |
| Sept. 4 (THU) | Putnam City West |
| Sept. 12 | at Putnam City North |
| Sept. 19 | BYE |
| Sept. 25 (THU) | at Northwest Classen |
| Oct. 3 | Choctaw * |
| Oct. 9 (THU) | at Lawton Eisenhower * |
| Oct. 16 (THU) | U.S. Grant * (Homecoming) |
| Oct. 24 | at Stillwater * |
| Oct. 31 | Southmoore * (Senior Night) |
| Nov. 7 | Piedmont * |
All games on Friday unless noted/All games at 7 p.m. unless noted.
Home games in BOLD
PIRATES AT A GLANCE
Head Coach: Willis Alexander (3rd season at Putnam City, 12-12 at Putnam City, 21st season overall, 127-98)
Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator: Larry Joubert
Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks: Matt Lane
Defensive Line: Carlos Rhodes
Wide Receivers: Ronnie Celestine
Kickers: William Graham
Safeties: Greg Johnson
Defensive Tackles: John Mitchell
Cornerbacks: Victor Perry
Tight Ends: Jeremichael Deason
Offensive Line: Chavez Wilson
Defensive Ends: Corey Wilson
Linebackers: Keontae Williams
Running Backs: Joseph Wood
ALL-TIME RECORD: 366-340-10
STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 3 (1974, Class 4A, 1975, Class 4A, 1977, Class 4A)
Some information courtesy of IWasAtTheGame.com
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