Bixby’s Presley earns Gatorade POY

Another year, another major honor for Bixby senior Braylin Presley.

The standout running back and Oklahoma State commit was named Oklahoma’s Gatorade Football Player of the Year, the company announced Tuesday. On Thursday, he helped guide Bixby to its fourth-straight state championship, a 63-14 triumph against Deer Creek. The Spartans also won their 49th straight game, which set the state’s 11-man consecutive wins mark.

This season, Presley had 109 rushes for 1,105 yards and 17 touchdowns while catching 56 passes for 665 yards and seven scores. He also completed all three passes he attempted for 82 yards and two scores. All of those stats come while only playing past halftime in three games of 13 this season.

“Braylin Presley looks like a human (video game) cheat code,” Bartlesville coach Jason Sport said in a release. “He has Barry Sanders-like ability as a runner and unbelievable quickness. Great leg strength and vision, and he can cut, stop and start on a dime.”

Presley joins his brother, who won the award in 2019, as recent recipients of the Gatorade Player of the Year from Bixby. He’s now in a contest to be named National Player of the Year.

Presley has the opportunity to award a $1,000 grant to a local or national organization of their choosing that helps young athletes realize the benefits of playing sports. Presley is also eligible to submit a short video explaining why the organization they chose is deserving of one of twelve $10,000 spotlight grants, which will be announced throughout the year.

BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN Bixby’s Braylin Presley runs past Deer Creek’s Adrian Holman during the Class 6A-II state championship football game on Dec. 2 at Chad Richison Stadium in Edmond.