The OUAZ Football team is looking to add another Sooner Athletic Conference Championship to the trophy case this season, hoping to capture its fifth title in its seventh season of the program. The Spirit are bringing back many great returners, and are adding new pieces to the mix for a team that led in many categories in both the Sooner and the NAIA on both sides of the ball.
In 2023, the Spirit averaged 55.2 points per game, which led the entire NAIA by nearly 9.0 PPG. In just nine contests, OUAZ scored 66 touchdowns, a total that led the entire Sooner Athletic Conference.
The Spirit also led the entire NAIA in yards per game, racking up 526.1 on average per contest. OUAZ was the only team last season to average more that 500+ yards a game, and eclipsed over 2,000 yards both in the air and on the ground.
The Spirit return a trio of all-conference players from last season's offense, which includes Sooner Offensive Player of the Year Luke Giron. Giron, who threw for over 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns, will be able to air it out to All-Sooner returner Da'Vicious Wilson, who only needed 32 receptions to rack up nearly 700 yards and reach the end zone eight times.
The offensive line for OUAZ is full of returners as well, led by 2023 All-Sooner guard Zach Woltz. The o-line also sees rock solid returners David Sanchez and Zane Hekking while welcoming freshman Keon McDaniel to the mix.
The Spirit defense was spectacular as well, allowing the least amount of points per game (16.0) in the Sooner and ranking ninth in the NAIA in the category. OUAZ also allowed just the least amount of yards per game as well, as was the only school in the conference to allow less than 100 rushing yards per contest.
The defense was relentless, forcing 27 turnovers and scoring six defensive touchdowns. The six scores from the defense was the most in the NAIA, and the 18 interceptions ranked among the top 10 in the country.
The three current starting linebackers listed for OUAZ are all returning, as D'Angelo Jackson, Isiah Cotton and Matteo Alicea are looking to keep up the intensity. Tyler Faber and Kier Gibson had 2+ interceptions each last season as the secondary will strive to repeat high-level play.
Jackson was a team leader in sacks and will see fellow sack leader Arvell Ferguson get back to the rushing the passer effectively. In all, the Spirit will return seven players who recorded at least one half-sack during the 2023 campaign.
OUAZ will play nine games in the 2024 season, with five of those coming at Spirit Field. The first contest is Saturday night when the Spirit take on Texas Wesleyan. A limited number of tickets are still available at ouazspirit.com/tickets.
