TULSA CENTRAL BRAVES
Coach: JARVIS PAYNE SR.
3-7
Tulsa Central heads into 2026 with a young, energetic and inspired roster after graduating 14 seniors from last year’s 3-7 squad under second-year head coach Jarvis Payne Sr. With only four seniors in the program, the Braves will lean heavily on underclassmen who are eager to prove themselves and grow within the system. Payne expects this group’s enthusiasm and buy-in to show up in their physical style of play on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, Tulsa Central will line up in multiple looks but maintain a ground-and-pound mentality built around establishing the run and wearing defenses down. Junior athlete Pete Robinson (5-9, 170) headlines the returning skill talent after catching 29 passes for 513 yards and four touchdowns, giving the Braves a proven playmaker who can line up in several spots. De’Marius Jordan is a VYPE Top 100 selectee and a player every coach wants on their team. Jordan is known for being a three-sport athlete, an exceptional student in the classroom and someone who performs at a high level every day. With three offensive starters back, the staff will look for new faces to emerge alongside Robinson and Jordan as the unit finds its rhythm.
Defensively, the Braves will employ multiple fronts with a zone-pressure philosophy designed to bring heat while still keeping eyes on the football. Junior defensive back Demari McHenry (5-8, 168) returns after grabbing three interceptions last season and will help anchor a secondary that should see plenty of action behind the pressure packages. With four defensive starters back and a scheme built on attacking, Tulsa Central believes it can create takeaways and shorten the field for its young offense.
8-28 – at McLain
9-4 – vs. Tulsa Memorial
9-11 – at Tulsa East Central
9-25 – at Henryetta
10-2 – vs. Claremore Sequoyah
10-9 – vs. Rejoice Christian
10-15 – vs. Okmulgee
10-23 – vs. Westville
10-30 – at Sperry
11-6 – at Holland Hall
