COLLINSVILLE CARDINALS

Coach: KEVIN JONES

8-3

Collinsville has grown accustomed to winning under longtime head coach Kevin Jones, and 2026 should be no different even as the Cardinals break in new faces. Jones, in his 16th year as head coach and 19th overall at the school, guided Collinsville to an 8-3 record in 2025 but now must replace several standout seniors, including Ben Daniels, Scott Rigby, Austin Boren and Sean Ross. He describes the 2026 team as “young but talented,” a group that may lean more on underclassmen but still expects to maintain the program’s high standard. With a strong junior and sophomore class and proven production at key spots, the Cardinals again project as a factor in Class 5A.

The offense returns six starters and is led by junior quarterback and VYPE Top 100 nominee Carter Vaughn (6-4, 215). Vaughn put up huge numbers as a sophomore, completing 163 of 253 passes for 2,415 yards with 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions, and he set the school record for passing yards in a season while earning praise as a “great team leader,” very intelligent and confident. Collinsville operates out of a spread, multiple look and “tries to be balanced run/pass,” which fits Vaughn’s skill set and the surrounding personnel. Senior lineman Maverick Carlile (6-1, 265) is a three-year starter up front, and junior lineman Griffen Devore (5-11, 250) is set to be a three-year starter as well, giving the Cardinals a seasoned core in the trenches. On the perimeter, senior receiver/defensive back Max Whitekiller (5-10, 160) returns after catching 12 passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns while also impacting the game on defense. Sophomore running back/safety Beau Daniels (5-10, 180) flashed as a freshman with 42 carries for 231 yards and seven touchdowns, plus 33 tackles and two interceptions, and is viewed as an underclassman who “has a chance to be one of the best players we’ve had at Collinsville in the past 19 years.”

Defensively, Collinsville also brings back six starters and will base out of a 3-4 while remaining multiple. The goal is to “play fast and physical on defense,” and the personnel fits that mindset. Whitekiller doubles as a standout defensive back, posting 63 tackles and three interceptions and serving as the program’s Character Counts athlete; he is called a “team captain,” “leader” and “highest character kid we have in the program,” as well as a “great player.” Senior inside linebacker Alex Reid (5-10, 195) anchors the middle after racking up 74 tackles and two interceptions, while junior defensive back Denton Townsend (5-9, 170) contributed 39 tackles and two picks. Junior outside linebacker/running back Logan Jeter (6-1, 190) adds versatility with 51 carries for 211 yards and two touchdowns on offense and 22 tackles and a fumble recovery on defense. With Vaughn headlining an explosive offense, a deep cast of two-way contributors and a defensive identity built on speed and toughness, Collinsville is well-positioned to keep its long run of success going in 2026.

8-28 – at Booker T. Washington

9-4 – at Grove

9-11 – at Bartlesville

9-25 – vs. Bishop McGuinness

10-2 – at Hale

10-9 – vs. Edison

10-15 – at Tahlequah

10-23 – vs. Pryor

10-30 – at Memorial

11-6 – vs. Claremore