CANADIAN COUGARS
Coach: KATHEN FUNBURG
1-9
Canadian may be coming off a 1-9 season, but the Cougars believe the work they put in this spring can help turn things around. Head coach Kathen Funburg liked what he saw during practices and team camp, where the group began to build confidence and chemistry. With another year in the system and a roster full of versatile athletes, Canadian is focused on translating that progress into Friday night results. The margin for error is small at a smaller program, but the Cougars embrace the underdog role.
On offense, Canadian will attack with an up-tempo Slot-T, a system built on creativity, deception and getting ball carriers into space. Guard and nose tackle Dustin Storm (5-10, 245) is a tone-setter up front and a trusted leader in the program, providing toughness and accountability in the trenches. In the backfield, fullback and linebacker Drake Franklin (5-9, 180) gives the Cougars a physical runner who can also help on defense, while tailback Demontre Perkins (5-8, 150) is the explosive playmaker everyone will key on. Perkins is a true diamond in the rough, an athlete who becomes electric once he reaches the open field and has the tools to play at the next level. On the edges, Zach King (5-8, 150) and tight end/outside linebacker Rustin Pace (6-1, 180) round out a group that Funburg believes can “block a few, trick a few, and make one miss” in Canadian’s fast-paced scheme.
Defensively, the Cougars will line up in a 3-4 look that allows them to stay aligned and sound against a variety of formations. Storm again plays a critical role inside, helping control the middle and keep linebackers free to flow to the football. Tyler Beshear (5-9, 195) will be a leader at middle linebacker after starting as a freshman and helping his class to a small-school state championship at the ninth-grade level. In the secondary, Jacob McKinney (5-8, 140) brings experience at defensive back, while Triston Miller (5-10, 170) adds physicality at linebacker. With a core of high-character leaders and a scheme aligned to their personnel, Canadian believes it is ready to surprise people in 2026.
9-4 – at Mounds
9-11 – vs. Gore
9-18 – at Afton
9-25 – vs. Wilson
10-2 – at Allen
10-9 – vs. Healdton
10-15 – at Wewoka
10-23 – at Wayne
10-30 – vs. Ringling
11-6 – vs. Konawa
