Norman High's football team returns home Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. to host Missouri in a game that doubles as Military & First Responders Appreciation Night.

The evening will feature a Touch-a-Truck display and postgame fireworks, the Norman High Tigers football program announced on X on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The team's post described the matchup as a homecoming of sorts after road games.

The Tigers most recently beat Westmoore 44-14 on Sept. 4 in a Class 6A matchup, according to The Oklahoman's scoreboard. Norman opened the season Aug. 28 against rival Norman North in the 29th edition of the Crosstown Clash. The Tigers hold a 15-13 edge in the all-time series after winning the last two meetings, according to Norman Athletics.

The preseason schedule from Norman Athletics had listed the Sept. 11 game as an away contest at Mustang. The team's social media post indicates a schedule change to a home game against Missouri, though the opponent's full school name has not been confirmed.

Friday's game comes during a rebuilding year for 10th-year head coach Rocky Martin's squad. Norman lost 27 players to graduation after a 6-5 season and a playoff appearance in 2025, according to the Norman Transcript. Most of those were starters.

Senior defensive lineman Oakley Caruthers, a three-year starter committed to the Air Force Academy, anchors the rebuilt roster. The 6-foot-3, 285-pound lineman recorded 74 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six pressures and six sacks in 2025, according to a season preview from Norman Athletics.

Senior linebacker Ashton Byrd led the team with 98 tackles last season. He added seven tackles for loss, two sacks, two caused fumbles, one recovered fumble and one interception. Fellow senior linebacker Kingston Whitham contributed 63 tackles and three tackles for loss.

"Obviously it starts with Oakley … I think he's kind of the anchor on both sides," Martin told the Norman Transcript in August during fall camp. "Offensive line and defensive line, even though he's primarily defense."

Norman is competing in the newly reclassified Class 6A-II (Class 6A, Division II) this season. The next scheduled home game after Friday is Sept. 25 against Choctaw.