The Vian Wolverines had one of the best football seasons in school history in 2024.

The Wolverines went through the regular season undefeated and made it to the Class 2A, Division II State Championship Game with a perfect record of 13-0.

Unfortunately, things did not go the Wolverines’ way in the state title game as they lost 28-18 to the Davis Wolves.

Despite the heartbreak felt on that December afternoon at Chad Richison Stadium on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, last season can still be looked upon as one of the best.

“Obviously, at the time, we were very disappointed that we couldn’t finish the year off, but you can’t take away from what the coaches and kids did (in 2024),” Vian coach Gary Willis said. “You don’t want to take away from that you didn’t complete it (the season with a state title). It was a tremendous season. It was one of the best in Vian history. The 1971 team won it, and we made it back there (state title game in 2024). We played in (state finals) in 2019 (losing 42-32 to Tulsa Metro Christian), and we played for it for the second time six years (last December).”

The good news is the season opener against Eufaula will get to be played on the newly-laid turf at St. John Stadium at 7 p.m. Sept. 5.

“We got word (on Aug. 8) it will be finished, so we’re looking forward to that,” Willis said.

Three games were contests in which the score might have shown a double-digit victory, they were anything but for at least a half.

The Wolverines opened last season with 37-25 road win over the Eufaula Ironheads in a game in which Vian broke a 7-all tie by outscoring the Ironheads 30-18 in which its key playmakers made plays at opportune times.

In the 2024 home opener against Kiefer, the Wolverines trailed the Trojans 14-0 after a quarter, only to outscore them 45-0 the rest of the way for a 45-14 victory — thanks again to its playmakers.

However, it was the District 2AII-4 home game against Henryetta that might have been the one that stands out the most — and, once again, thanks to Vian’s playmakers.

Late in the first half, the Knights were driving to possibly cut their deficit to either 16-14 or 1612. Within 41 seconds of game time, the Wolverines got a interception, then scored on with a second remaining before halftime to go up 23-6 at the break — and went on to rout the Knights 4314.

Willis said there’s nothing like having playmakers on your team.

“We’ve got several playmakers,” he said. “They stepped up big several times.”

Another reason why the Wolverines are poised to make another state title game run is the fact that just about all, if not all, of the skill players are back.

One of the things Willis and the Wolverines did to begin the 2024 season was move Masyn Wright, now a senior, from quarterback to basically a “wildcat” — being put at any position that would allow him to shine. Wright was replaced at quarterback by Cash Trammel, also now a senior. Things worked so well that the same thing will happen this year.

“Cash will be our quarterback,” Willis said. “Masyn could play some quarterback in a wildcat set. We will move Masyn around to take advantage of what (opposing) team’s do. Masyn has the ability to be a playmaker from anywhere on the field. Ledger Folsom moved in — he was the quarterback at Eufaula — so he may do some of that.”

When Wright isn’t being a quarterback or a receiver, he likely will be a running back, along with fellow senior Draighton Fletcher.

“Draighton and Masyn will get the bulk of the carries,” Willis said. “Masyn will play back there a lot. We’ll move those two around on offense.”

The key receivers are back as well — seniors Riley Ellis and Trace Sanders, along with junior Adoff Stahl.

“Riley does a great job at playing H-back,” Willis said. “He can block well and catch a ball out of there. Trace has had a very good two years in the weight room. He’s a big muscled-up kid and will play receiver. Adoff Stahl will get some time at receiver. We’ve got several who we can count on.”

The biggest concern for Willis this offseason was how to take care of his offensive and defensive lines, which saw four players graduate this past spring.

The first move dealt with Tyson Murphy.

“Tyson has had a big year in the weight room,” Willis said. “We’re going to have to move him from running back to the line this year.”

Then, it was just a matter of taking players who had been below the graduating senior linemen on the depth chart and making them starters.

“Garritt Hunt is a senior, and runner-up at state wrestling at heavyweight,” Willis said. “He’ll play right tackle. Max Ross will play right guard. We’re still looking at center between a couple of guys. Tyson Murphy will play left guard. Manny Terrill will move from tight end and play left tackle. Those guys played a lot (in 2024). I expect them to step right in. I think it will go pretty smoothly.”

Basically the aforementioned players will be the starters in the trenches when the Wolverines on playing defense.

“We graduated four senior defensive linemen last year, who were really good,” Willis said. “Garritt, Max and ’Boomer’ (Murphy) will go fill in over there.”

As for the rest of the defensive unit, there’s pretty much veteran presence throughout. Ellis will spearhead the linebackers, while Fletcher, Wright, Sanders, Trammel and Stall will key the defensive secondary.

“We have skill kids on both sides of the ball,” Willis said. “Our linebacker and secondary will be very strong.”

While the Wolverines seemingly have addressed the offensive and defensive linemen concerns, another concern that is having to be addressed is who will replace Mikayiah Mendoza, the graduating senior who did all the kicking duties a season ago — kickoffs, kicking extra points and field goals and punting.

Willis also would appear to have taken care of this concern as either/ or Wright or Trammel will handle those duties this season.