Preps eye Week 5 tests
By Mike Tupa
Monday, September 26, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Christmas is only 90 days away.
Perhaps it's a tad big premature to start the B.C. (Big Countdown).
But, it seems like once the high school football season begins, the jolly fatman starts greasing up his sled run ners.
Case in point: It's already Week 5 of the prep grid campaign. It doesn't seem that long ago the anticipation was building for the season opener.
And, as in most years, this week's games are crucial for the playoff hopes of almost all area teams.
The Bartlesville Bruins (1-3, 0-1) will travel to Ponca City (1-3, 0-1) in a showdown during which the post- season fate of both teams could be determined.
Bartlesville will be trying to generate more offensive points (the Bruins have tallied only 20 points total the past three games).
Scoring hasn't been a problem for the Ponca City Wildcats, who are aver aging 25.5 points per game. But, their defense has allowed 143 points (35.7 ppg).
More later in the week.
Owasso Overpowers BHS
By Mike Tupa
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Early mistakes and the failure to move the chains — especially in the first half— doomed the Bartlesville High Bruin varsity football team to its third- straight loss.
Owasso soared to a 28-0 halftime lead and went on to defeat the Bruins, 49-6, at Custer Stadium.
The loss spoiled a big rushing night for Bruin junior tailback Calan Crowder, who muscled out 154 yards — including a 67-yard scamper to set up Bartlesville's lone touchdown.
Crowder, who missed last week's game, with an injury, has rambled for more than 150 yards in two games this season. Including Jack Wiseman's 100- plus game last week, Bartlesville has boasted a 100-yard rusher in three-of- its-four-games.
Unfortunately for the Bruins, they lost two of those games, including Fri day's showdown against their closest geographic rival. The game also opened up District 6A-4 play for both teams.
Owasso's offense didn't need to do a whole lot of sweating for its points in the first half. Three of the Rams' scoring drives began inside the Bruin 40-yard line; the other one started at midfield. A blocked punt and long punt return set up Owasso twice deep inside Bruin territory — once at the 10-yard line (blocked punt), the other time at the six-yard line (39-yard punt return).
Owasso piled up a 21-0 lead in the first 10:53 and the Bruins' were forced to try to play catch-up with their ground-oriented offense.
"I told them (the Bruin players) after the game we shot ourselves in the foot in the first half," explained Bruin coach John McKee.
Owasso added another touchdown in the second quarter — set up by a short Bruin punt — to take a 28-point advan tage into intermission.
While the Rams were piling up points in the first two quarters, Bartlesville piled up punts.
The Bruins had to kick away on all seven first-half possessions, going three-and-out five times.
Owasso's offense, meanwhile, didn't exactly burn up the artificial turf at Custer Stadium. Other than a 51-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter, Sperry didn't mount a drive longer than 38 yards, against a fired up Bruin defense.
Safety Garrett Hilger intercepted a pass to stop a Rams' drive inside the red zone.Bartlesville's 'D' also forced the Rams to punt twice in the first half.
For the game, Owasso gained less than 300 yards of total offense.On Owasso's first possession of the game, Bruin linebacker Chakota Mays buried a Rams' running back for no gain on a first-and-10 play at the Bruin 30-yard line. The ball was snapped over the quarterback's head on the next play, resulting in a 27-yard loss, with Matt Petrik and Stetson Nordic burying the back who picked up the loose ball.
The Rams' next possession saw Bruin defensive lineman Taylor Long — who turned in a major effort — crumble a running back after a one-yard gain. But, Owasso managed to keep the drive going when a Bruin blitz left a gap open in the middle of the line and Owasso quarterback Kason Key slipped through for a 15-yard gain to the Bruin 14-yard line. Two plays later, Key scored on a three-yard run.
But, Bartlesville's mistakes and failure to sustain drives — the Bruins gained only two first downs in the opening half and 10 for the contest — opened the door for the Rams. The Bruin offense finally touched paydirt, in the third quarter. On a first-and-10 play, from the Bruin 20-yard line, Crowder crashed through a hole on the left side of the line and burst 67 yards, down to the Owasso 13-yard line. Five plays later, Bruin quarterback Grant Shoemaker scored, from the third-yard line, diving across the goalline. The Bruins ended only one other drive in Owasso territory.
Stephen Cochran and Shoemaker both saw time at quarterback.
Next up, the Bruins (1-3) hit the road Friday for Ponca City.
Owasso 49, Bartlesville 6
Owasso 21 7 14 7 — 49
Bruins 0 0 6 0 -- 6
Owa — Kason Key 3 run (Lance Sailing kick PAT), 4:58.
Owa — Matt Gallagher 10 pass from Key (Sailing kick PAT), 3:14.
Owa — Cole Neth 6 pass from Key (Sailing kick PAT), 1:07.
Owa — Jake Burd 18 run (Sailing kick PAT), 5:27.
Owa — Marco Holmes 1 run (Sailing kick PAT). 9:57.
Bar — Grant Shoemaker 3 run (2-pt run fail), 7:28.
Owa — Scottie Preslow 15 run (Sailing kick PAT)
Owa — Holmes 10 run (Sailing kick PAT)
Owasso invades Friday
By Mike Tupa
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
As it is, the Bruins (1-2) have much to prove when the favored Owasso Rams invade Custer Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. showdown.
First-year head coach John McKee admits his squad is trying to slog through this rough stretch. Opponents have outscored the Bruins the past two weeks by a combined score of 69-14.
“Things aren’t going their way,” he explained. “They are down. They’re so down on themselves. …We have to find a way of having fun going out there.”
Owasso offers the Bruins an opportunity to make a major U-turn on their highway of destiny.
The Rams (1-2) have beaten Muskogee, 41-22, and lost to last year’s state runner-up Jenks Trojans, 49-27, and to Broken Arrow, 48-20.
Bartlesville opened the season with a 35-12 thumping of Shawnee, but has fallen the past two weeks to Tulsa East Central, 38-7, and Skiatook, 31-7.
Last week’s loss especially hurt. Not so much because the Bulldogs controlled Bartlesville, but because the Bruins did a Barney Fife in shooting themselves in the foot.
Special teams’ mistakes — including a blocked punt deep in their territory and a punt return for a touchdown — resulted directly in 21 Skiatook points.
But, the fact is, Skiatook only had two drives longer than 45 yards — the longest being 54 yards — and racked up only 10 first downs, including touchdowns, all night.
Bartlesville also outgained Skiatook in total offensive yardage.
And, the Bruins went to war without one of their best athletes.
Lightning-in-cleats tailback Calan Crowder sat out with an injury, which allowed Skiatook to focus on stopping fullback Jack Wiseman in the second half.
The Bruins also lost one of their linebackers, J.R. Culver, to a knee injury, and veteran lineman Jared Johnson had to come out with an injury.
Even so, Bartlesville had a chance early in the third quarter to turn the game around, McKee said.
“Even with all the bad things we did and penalty-wise and fumbling the ball, we came out the second half (trailing 23-7) and got the turnover we wanted,” he explained. “If we would have gone down and scored, we would have had the momentum and we were going to win the game.”
But, the Bruins failed to cash in on the opening drive of the third quarter and didn’t score in the second half. Their only touchdown of the night was Wiseman’s electrifying 81-yard run in the second quarter.
The Bruins had other opportunities to cross the goal line.
“This team’s got to learn we can’t make those mental busts,” said McKee. “We can’t have those turnovers. I know those are things football coaches say, but it’s never applied more than to us on this team this year.”
One of the major positives for the Bruins revolved around their fledgling passing game. They put up decent aerial yards for the first time this season. Stephen Cochran, making his first varsity start, connected on five passes.
He would have put up even bigger numbers if not for a dropped pass and a wrong pass route ran by a receiver, McKee said.
McKee confirmed Cochran will draw the start again Friday.
The Bruin defense, meanwhile, will have to contend with an pass-happy Owasso offense.
“Their strength is their passing game,” McKee explained. “They have an Arkansas-committed guy at wide receiver.”
Kason Key is an experienced weapon at quarterback, and Owasso also boasts a ”really good little running back, who can run inside, outside,” said McKee.
Owasso also is ”always solid defensively,” he added. ”They’ll get after you. We’ve got to find some way to try to be consistent offensively and play defense.”
The Bruins likely will go to battle without Culver, who joins Slade Nordic as key starters sidelined by injury.
Culver’s linebacker spot could be filled by committee, McKee said, including Johnathon Thompson and Ty Sutter.
With a some better luck and sharper play, the Bruins could put themselves in the district playoff driver’s seat.
Bruin jayvee makes amazing grid rally
By Mike Tupa
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Talk about your incredible comebacks.
The Bartlesville High junior varsity football team strung
together a rally that head coach John McKee will spread fire
into this week's varsity game against Owasso.
Trailing 25-0 at halftime, the Bruin jayvee outscored Skiatook, 49-7, in he second half to win Monday's showdown
at Skiatook, 49-32.
The first half struggles may have been a carryover from
last Friday's 31-7 varsity loss to Skiatook, McKee said.
But, the Bruins unleashed a devastating second half
comeback Monday.
"I talked to them at halftime and they came out with fire in their eyes and some enthusiasm," noted McKee.
Quarterback Nick Shoemaker directed the Bruin offensive eruption.
"He had an outstanding night throwing the football," said McKee.
Among his favorite targets were Dylan Pollard and Kyle
Carter, who hauled in a key touchdown strike, McKee said.
Verdell Smith and Grant Shultz ably manned the running game.
Among the standouts on the offensive line included Alan Hatter, center Steven Long and tight end Skylark Frizzell, McKee said.
On the defensive side of the ball, Dominick Merit stood out on the line and Jonathan Thompson excelled at linebacker, McKee said.
Another linebacker, Mason Orr, "played really good and had an interception return for a touchdown," McKee said.
"They all did well. I'm really proud of them."
Several of the jayvee players also have been key contributors to the varsity team.
"These guys are getting a lot of reps," said McKee.
Skiatook cashed in on BHS woes
By Mike Tupa
Monday, September 19, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
Skiatook took advantage of some special teams miscues, and offensive turnovers, to roll past Bartlesville, 31-7, in Friday's non-district showdown.
The loss dropped the Bruins to 1-2, in their final tune-up before beginning District 6A-4 play this week.
Owasso invades Custer Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. battle Friday.
A strong, error-free first half could be vital to Bartlesville's victory hopes.
In last Friday's game, Skiatook blocked a Bruin punt from deep in Bartlesville territory, recovered the ball in the red zone and scored a quick touchdown to put the Bruins in a 6-0 hole, early in the first quarter.
Bartlesville answered in the second quarter -- on a blazing 81-yard touchdown run by Jack Wiseman, and extra point by Ben Jacobs -- to go ahead, 7-6.
But, Skiatook finished up the half with 17 unanswered points. The Bulldogs returned a punt for a touchdown and threw a 37-yard touchdown pass, with 15 seconds left in the half, on a third-down play.
Despite being down by 16 points at halftime, 23-7, the Bruins made a spirited charge early in the third quarter.
Skiatook received the ball to open the third quarter, but the Bruins forced a fumble -- recovered by Mason Orr -- at the Bulldog 15-yard line.
However, the Bruin red zone offense failed to produce any points.
After the drive stalled out at the seven-yard line, Bartlesville lined up for a field goal. But, there was a miscue on the snap and hold, and holder Matt Hoelting picked up the ball, rolled to his right and threw an incomplete pass into the end zone.
Bartlesville's failure to capitalize on Skiatook's fumble proved to be a momentum buster.
Even so, Bartlesville's offense went on to outgain Skiatook in total yards in the second half, and Skiatook managed just one touchdown -- set up by another Bartlesville special teams faux pas, when Skiatook tackled the Bruin punter on Bartlesville's three-yard line.
Despite Bartlesville's scoring woes in the second half, the offense displayed a wave of success, which the Bruins are hoping carries on into next week.
During Bartlesville's second possession of the half, Garrett Hilger gained eight yards on a reverse play, with quarterback Stephen Cochran throwing a block.
During the same drive, Wiseman followed the hole ripped open by blockers Tom Wiseman and Jared Johnson for a six-yard gain.
But, the drive came to a halt when the Bruins came up less than a yard short on a fourth-down play.
On a later possession, Cochran completed back-to-back passes to Hilger for 42 yards.
The first was off a screen pass; the next one off a deep flare.
But, the promising Bruin march hit an abrupt end on a fumble.
Late in the game -- when the Bruins were mainly battling to respect -- Grant Shoemaker came in at quarterback and also found Hilger for a pair of completions, including a 14-yard pickup on a crossing route.
The possession also included a fourth-down conversion by Wiseman, who followed the block of Cody Rutherford.
But, the Bruin drive went bankrupt when the quarterback was sacked on a fourth-down play.
Bulldogs Surprise Bruins
By Mike Tupa
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Special teams turned out to be especially painful Friday night for the Bartlesville High varsity football team.
The Bruins gave up a blocked punt that led to a touchdown, allowed a punt return for a score, failed to get a good snap on a field goal attempt and had their punter tackled inside the five-yard line, setting up another touchdown.
Those four mistakes proved to be the lion's share of the difference during a gloomy Homecoming loss to Skiatook, 31-7.
Bartlesville outrushed and out- gained the Bulldogs, but found themselves trying to scale the slippery slope of a steep mountain most the game.
Skiatook built a 17-point lead, 23-7, heading into halftime and watched Bartlesville fumble the ball away once and turn it over four more times on downs in the second half, including a missed field goal and the punter being sacked.
But, a few bright nuggets of golden moments were mixed among the shoals of Bruin woes.
Senior running back Jack Wiseman broke loose for one of the longest — and most powerful and prettiest — touchdown runs in Bruin history.
With the Bruins facing a 1st-and-10 from their own 19-yard line, Wiseman grabbed the handoff from Stephen Cochran, smashed through a hole, which appeared to have been mostly torn open by Mason Orr and Anthony Hennesy, and burst into daylight. He angled toward the left sideline, with several Skiatook linebackers and defensive backs chasing him like hors- es trying to overtake the horizon.
But, it would have been easier to try to catch a ghost in a hurricane.
Wiseman stampeded across the goal line to tie the score, 6-6, with 8:40 left in the second half.
A few moments later, Bruin kicker Ben Jacobs nailed to extra point to lift the Bruins to their only lead, 7-6.
It didn't hold up for long. A few minutes later — after the Bruins fumbled the ball away on their own 18-yard line — Skiatook kicker Aaron Gillman hammered a field goal to put the Bulldogs back on top, 9-7, with 4:30 showing on the first half clock.
A minute later, a Skiatook punt returner took the ball 47 yards to the house. The extra point stretched Skiatook's lead to nine points, 16-7.
But, there would be more bad news for the Bruins before the half ended.
The Bruins had to punt away with 1:44 left. Skiatook took possession near midfield and tacked on another touchdown, on a 37-yard touchdown fade pass from Cole Binkley to Gillman, after the Bruin pass defender had slipped and stumbled.
The conversion failed and Skiatook led, 23-7.
Bartlesville then took a shot at a near miracle score in the final second of the first half. With less than 12 seconds showing on the clock, the Bruins went deep into the playbook for a nifty 25-yard pass play. Cochran zipped the ball to Garrett Hilger over the middle. Hilger then pitched the ball — on a flea-flicker play — to Wiseman, who powered down to the Bulldog 37-yard line.
The Bruins immediately called timeout to set up one final play of the half.
Cochran lined up in the shotgun, took the snap, rolled toward the left sideline and fired a long pass to Matt Petrik down the left sideline. The ball reached Petrik, but he couldn't find the handle and juggled it as he ran through the end zone and headed toward the end line. Petrik finally secured the ball, but the official ruled he was already out of bounds.
Bartlesville moved the ball more effectively in the second half, gaining a first down on its opening three possessions.
The most-painful possession took place early in the third period, when the Bruins had a chance to make a major charge.
Note: A follow-up story is planned for Monday.
Ski — No. 18 2 run (PAT fail), 8:15 Bart — Jack Wiseman 81 run (Ben Jacobs kick PAT), 8:40. Ski — No. 3 32 field goal, 4:30. Ski — No. 4 47 punt return (No. 3 kick PAT), 3:28. Ski — No. 3 37 from No. 8 (No. 3 kick PAT), 0:15. Ski — No. 18 1 run (2-pt pass), 7:22. |
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Skiatook stomps Bartlesville, 31-7
By Wayne Bunch, Journal Correspondent - Friday, September 16, 2011 - SkiatookJournal.com
Bruins focused on stepping up
By Mike Tupa
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
"I expect them to bounce back," from last week's loss at Tulsa East Central, Bartlesville High head football coach John McKee said Wednesday evening. "They realize we didn't play to our full potential. They've got a little chip on their shoulder. I expect them to come out and give a full effort and execute better."
Skiatook will provide the opposition in Friday's showdown, set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Custer Stadium.
The Bulldogs are better than they were in last year's 48-0 loss to Bartlesville, McKee said.
"They're much improved," he said. "They've changed their offense a little bit from the Wing-T they ran last year. They run a lot of plays out of an 'I' formation."
The Bulldogs' top offensive weapon could be their large (6-foot-2, 230 pound) tailback, who played quarterback last year. "He has decent speed," McKee said. "He's going to run right at you. They'll also do some play action. They have a pretty good quarterback that's quick."
The Bruins will counter by giving junior Stephen Cochran his first varsity start under center, McKee said.
"Hopefully, that will shake things up a little bit," said McKee. "He's a little bit better runner than Grant (Shoemaker) is. Grant is doing a good job, but I think Stephen gives us a chance to do some other things."
The Bruin offense will be without one of its key performers, however, with the injury absence of running back Slade Nordic, who dislocated his elbow in last week's game.
"I don't expect him back for a while," McKee said.
The Bruins (1-1) still have plenty of firepower in the backfield with junior tailback Calan Crowder -- who rushed for 214 yards two weeks ago against Shawnee -- and fullback Jack Wiseman, who has rushed for 50-or-more-yards the past two weeks.
A sore ankle hobbled Crowder in the second half last week at East Central, McKee added.
A third offensive weapon the Bruin coaching staff would like to utilize more is receiver Garrett Hilger. Through two weeks, the swift and talented wide receiver has just one catch for 20 yards.
"We've got to find some way to get the ball in his hands," McKee said.
The Bruins also welcome back to action this Friday receiver/defensive back Sawyer Vaclaw off the injury list. Vaclaw, a returning starter at cornerback, sat out the previous two games with a hamstring injury.
Bartlesville also should be healthier on the offensive and defensive line with the improving condition of Alec Gomez.
"We've had him back for a full week of practice," said McKee. "He's playing at defensive end and offensive tackle. He's had a good week of practice."
Gomez also provides the Bruins a major boost in special teams. He averaged nearly 40 yards per punt last week, twice pinning East Central deep.
Another contributor on the offensive line is sophomore tight end Austin Hunt. Hunt is the lone Bruin with a reception in each of the first two games.
He snared a red zone completion last week that set up Bartlesville's lone touchdown.
"I think he's going to be one of those guys, if he keeps progressing and getting better, who could end up being one of the best we've had here at Bartlesville," said McKee.
The bottom line for the Bruins to be successful Friday is to get sharper -- especially offensively -- the coach said.
"We just try to focus on what we do and try to execute a little bit better," he explained. "We're trying to perfect what we do. We'll try to throw it a little bit better. We want to try to establish the run, but when they stack in the box, you have to be able to throw a little bit."
The Bruins may be throwing a little more on first and second down plays, he added, so "that our running game can be a little more effective."
Friday's battle will conclude the Bruins' non-district schedule.
EC edges BHS in jayvee game
By Mike Tupa
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tulsa East Central took advantage of a late turnover -- ending a Bruin drive toward paydirt -- to squeeze out an 18-13 victory.
"The kids went out and competed," said Bruin head coach John McKee. "They played well enough to win."
Shoemaker, a 6-foot-2 sophomore signal caller, connected with sophomores Jordan Dickson Jr. and Dayln Pollard on aerial scores.
The Shoemaker-to-Dickson touchdown play covered about 30 yards. Pollard scored from 15 yards out, on a slant route.
"Nick Shoemaker threw the ball well and ran the offense well," said McKee. Grant Shultz and Verdell Smith also carried the ball effectively, McKee added.
Dominick Merhib drew the coach's praise for his work on the offensive and defensive line, as well as the work at center by Blaine Peoples.
"Jonathan Thompson had a good game at linebacker," McKee emphasized.
Matt Hoelting wore multiple hats, handling punting, receiving and defensive back duties.
Middle linebacker Mason Orr "had a bunch of knockdowns," McKee said. "He did a good job of getting in the passing lane."
This contest opened the jayvee season
Bruins take aim on Dogs
By Mike Tupa
Monday, September 12, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Kickoff is planned for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Custer Stadium.
Bartlesville will bring a 1-1 record into the fray, following last week's 38-7 loss against the Class 5A top-ranked Tulsa East Central Cardinals.
East Central grabbed early control, scoring two touchdowns in opening 6:06 and using its balanced offensive attack to keep the Bruin defense on the field a good chunk of the time during the decisive first half.
Bartlesville, which squandered a couple of prime scoring chances early, trailed 24-0 at halftime.
But, the Bruins turned in a stronger showing in the second half, capping the game with a impressive touchdown drive. Tulsa East Central 38, Bartlesville 7.
| Bartlesville 0 0 0 7 -- 7 East Central 14 10 7 7 -- 38
First quarter EC -- Marquis Brown 4 run (Mitch Mora kick PAT), 9:36 EC -- John McDavid 40 run (Mora kick PAT), 5:54 Second quarter EC -- Mora 40 field goal, 8:02 EC -- Trent Williams 18 pass from McDavid (Mora kick PAT), 2:31 Third quarter EC -- Damian Gibson 54 pass from McDavid (Mora kick PAT), 4:34 Fourth quarter EC -- Marquis Brown 2 run (Mora kick PAT), 6:04 Bart -- Jack Wiseman 11 run (Ben Jacobs kick PAT), :45.6 |
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East Central powers past Bruins
By Mike Tupa
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
The Cardinals (2-0) piled up more than 500 yards of total offense with almost uncanny balance — 266 rushing, 257 passing. Bartlesville, meanwhile, eclipsed the century mark in total offense — but not by much.
The Bruins (1-1) also squandered two golden opportunities to score — following a long kickoff return (by Slade Nordic) and a big run after an interception (by Garrett Hilger). A missed short field goal, two quarterback sacks in a row, a game-ending injury to Nordic and two turnovers also added to Bartlesville’s woes.
“One thing we can’t do is to make mistakes against quality opponents like Tulsa East Central,” said McKee. Bartlesville doesn’t have to look back far to give grudged respect to the Class 5A powerhouse. Last season, East Central upset Bartlesville, 24-23, in overtime, at Custer Stadium — a rare home loss the past three years for Bartlesville.
East Central — which last week beat Stillwater — is favored again in this year’s meeting. For McKee, that’s a red flag of motivation. “Like I told the kids, we’re not supposed to win this game, but, by golly, we’re going to go and win it or at least give ourselves a chance.”
One of the components of that chance could be Bartlesville’s ability to do damage with its air assault. McKee wants the Bruin passing game to have some success and stretch the Cardinal defense vertically and horizontally. First-year starting quarterback Grant Shoemaker put up only six passes last week, completing one to rookie tight end Austin Hunt, for 15 yards, and throwing an interception — on a fourth-down play — into the end zone.
Truth is, the Bruins didn’t require much of an aerial attack last week.Led by tailback Calan Crowder — who turned in one of the greatest opening game performances in Bruin history with 214 yards rushing and three touchdowns — Bartlesville rushed for more than 350 yards. New varsity running back Slade Nordic also eclipsed the triple-digit mark on the ground, including a scoring burst of 63 yards.
“Because our running game was working so well, we didn’t have to throw it to win the game,” said McKee. “But, right now we need to gain a little confidence in our passing game and move forward. We had a better week in practice in that area. Grant threw some good balls in practice.”
The success of the running and passing games begins with the offensive line.Despite Bartlesville’s rawness at some of the positions up front, McKee gave his linemen overall high marks for last week’s performance.
“Coach (John) King does an outstanding job with those guys,” said McKee. “It wasn’t so much they were overpowering, but they were blocking the right people and getting to where they were supposed to be. They just have to go out and execute.
If we can get to our spots and find a way to make the blocks we’ll have success.”
McKee’s praise extended to his defense, which, other than getting burned a time or two, gave up ground grudgingly. Bartlesville rung up at least 11 tackles for loss — and that didn’t count incomplete passes or carries for no gain.
“I thought our defensive front seven played really well,” said McKee, singling out lineman Hunt, Hal Trentman, Taylor Long and Cody Rutherford, and linebackers J.R. Culver, Chakota Mays and Jack Wiseman.
“J.R. stepped up and had a really good game,” McKee added. “He’s light years ahead of where he was last year, so that’s good to see.”
As far as the all-important question of health, McKee said everyone should be able to contribute on the field, with the exception of Sawyer Vaclaw, who will miss the first two games with a hamstring injury.
“We’re still hurting a little bit, but I think we’re ready to go,” McKee added.
The Bruins likely will need a total team effort — and a continue pilgrimage through the state of Progress — to come out with a smile Friday night.
“I have the utmost respect for coach Hill and his staff,” said McKee. “Last week, they played very, very aggressive defense, which is something we have to contend with. They have a couple of good running backs. … We’re going to have to try and slow them down somehow, and obviously not turn the ball over. We’ve got to create some turnovers. They’re a good football team.”
The bottom line? The Bruins simply want to do better than they did last week and to put give themselves an opportunity to be successful at the end.
It’s all about the state of Progress.
No doubts: East Central routs Bartlesville
By JOSH HARDING World Correspondent Published: 9/10/2011
Bruins to battle East Central
Thursday, September 8, 2011
But the state of Progress has no longitude or latitude.
Only restless competitors, winners and warriors are acquainted with its tried-and-true highway.
Bartlesville High's football program will continue to travel along that thoroughfare as it rolls into Tulsa to take On East Central in a non-district showdown Friday.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. for the two undefeated (1-0) squads.
First-year Bartlesville Bruin head coach John McKee said the main impetus of improvement this past week has been to work on the passing game and to cut down on unforced errors. "First and foremost, we've got to take care of ourselves," said McKee, who helped guide the Bruins to a 35-12 victory last week against Shawnee. "We're trying to get better at we're doing, and to throw and catch the ball a little better. We also need to cut down on penalties and stupid mistakes."
Perhaps the most-impressive reality about last week's dominating win was Bartlesville's ability to overcome multiple major penalties and an interception.
But, the Bruins won't survive every week on the ragged edge of blunders.
"One thing we can't do is to make mistakes against quality opponents like Tulsa East Central," said McKee.
Bartlesville doesn't have to look back far to give grudged respect to the Class 5A powerhouse.
Last season, East Central upset Bartlesville, 24-23, in overtime, at Custer Stadium -- a rare home loss the past three years for Bartlesville.
East Central -- which last week beat Stillwater -- is favored again in this year's meeting. For McKee, that's a red flag of motivation.
"Like I told the kids, we're not supposed to win this game, but, by golly, we're going to go and win it or at least give ourselves a chance."
One of the components of that chance could be Bartlesville's ability to do damage with its air assault.
McKee wants the Bruin passing game to have some success and stretch the Cardinal defense vertically and horizontally.
First-year starting quarterback Grant Shoemaker put up only six passes last week, completing one to rookie tight end Austin Hunt, for 15 yards, and throwing an interception -- on a fourth-down play -- into the end zone.
Truth is, the Bruins didn't require much of an aerial attack last week.
Led by tailback Calan Crowder -- who turned in one of the greatest opening game performances in Bruin history with 214 yards rushing and three touchdowns -- Bartlesville rushed for more than 350 yards. New varsity running back Slade Nordic also eclipsed the triple-digit mark on the ground, including a scoring burst of 63 yards.
"Because our running game was working so well, we didn't have to throw it to win the game," said McKee. "But, right now we need to gain a little confidence in our passing game and move forward. We had a better week in practice in that area. Grant threw some good balls in practice."
The success of the running and passing games begins with the offensive line.
Despite Bartlesville's rawness at some of the positions up front, McKee gave his linemen overall high marks for last week's performance.
"Coach (John) King does an outstanding job with those guys," said McKee. "It wasn't so much they were overpowering, but they were blocking the right people and getting to where they were supposed to be. They just have to go out and execute. If we can get to our spots and find a way to make the blocks we'll have success."
McKee's praise extended to his defense, which, other than getting burned a time or two, gave up ground grudgingly.
Bartlesville rung up at least 11 tackles for loss -- and that didn't count incomplete passes or carries for no gain.
"I thought our defensive front seven played really well," said McKee, singling out lineman Hunt, Hal Trentman, Taylor Long and Cody Rutherford, and linebackers J.R. Culver, Chakota Mays and Jack Wiseman.
"J.R. stepped up and had a really good game," McKee added. "He's light years ahead of where he was last year, so that's good to see."
As far as the all-important question of health, McKee said everyone should be able to contribute on the field, with the exception of Sawyer Vaclaw, who will miss the first two games with a hamstring injury.
"We're still hurting a little bit, but I think we're ready to go," McKee added.
The Bruins likely will need a total team effort -- and a continue pilgrimage through the state of Progress -- to come out with a smile Friday night.
"I have the utmost respect for coach Hill and his staff," said McKee. "Last week, they played very, very aggressive defense, which is something we have to contend with. They have a couple of good running backs. ... We're going to have to try and slow them down somehow, and obviously not turn the ball over. We've got to create some turnovers. They're a good football team."
The bottom line? The Bruins simply want to do better than they did last week and to put give themselves an opportunity to be successful at the end.
It's all about the state of Progress.
Tuesday Morning Quarterback: Prep gridders eye Week 2
By Mike Tupa
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Bartlesville:
Offense: Calan Crowder
Defense: Austin Hunt
With a successful season-opening night under the belts of most area football teams, they are now taking aim on Week 2. Bartlesville High eyes both opportunity to make a major statement and a chance to erase a bad memory from a year ago.
The Bruins will travel to Tulsa East Central to take on the Cardinals — a team that upset them last year on the Custer Stadium turf, 24-23, in overtime. East Central went on to play for the Class 5A state championship, while Bartlesville sliced its way to a second-straight playoff appearance in Class 6A.
A victory Friday night against the Cardinals would help this year’s Bruin team start to start to cement its own identity, separate from the group which posted a 22-11 record the past three years, and add to Bartlesville’s renewal as a 6A power. The Bruins graduated more than 20 seniors off last year’s team.
First-year head coach John McKee and his staff have assembled a mix of hungry returning veterans and talented new varsity players. Bartlesville lashed out with a blockbuster effort Friday, burying visiting Shawnee, 35-12. Shawnee managed to pop a long touchdown pass play early, but the Bruins answered with 28-straight points to take control.
Shawnee hopes to register road win versus Bartlesville
By Fred Fehr
charles.fehr@news-star.com
Posted Sep 02, 2011
charles.fehr@news-star.com
Posted Sep 02, 2011
Bartlesville, with its best team in years, throttled the Wolves 44-20 in a non-district season opener that wasn't as close as the final
score indicated.
The Bruins led 41-0 before taking out their offensive and defensive starters midway through the third quarter.
It's a new year and a different stage for both squads as they get ready to launch the 2011 campaign at 7:30 tonight at Bartlesville.
"It's a typical Bartlesville team in that they are big, but they are replacing a lot of seniors," SHS head coach Billy Brown said. "They're
not as good as they were last year at this time because of all the seniors they lost."
Bartlesville also lost six-year head coach Ron Smith, who — several weeks before the start of two-a-day practices — accepted an
assistant coaching position at Victory Christian.
Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise Sports Editor Mike Tupa said the Bruins lost nine offensive starters — four linemen, a tailback, a
quarterback and three receivers. Bartlesville also lost two linebackers, three linemen and both safeties off the defensive side of the
ball.
Bartlesville will employ both a two-back and one-back offensive scheme with senior Jack Wiseman (6-1, 215) figuring prominently in
both.
"He will be their fullback in the two-set and the tailback in the one-set," Brown said. "They will use him to just pound it up the
middle. He has good speed when he breaks into the clear."
Managing Bartlesville's offense is senior quarterback Grant Shoemaker (6-2, 185).
"He's a good, drop-back passer with a good arm," Brown said. "He won't run much but he moves around well in the pocket.
"They will probably line up and run right at us because they are bigger along the front. Most of the 6A squads we will face are bigger
along the front."
Because of a lack of depth, Shawnee will likely have seven players going both ways, including linemen Justin Brown, Gintrell Frazier
and Landon Greene. Sophomore T.J. Blochowiak has worked his way into a starting defensive end slot.
Shawnee has some outstanding skilled players, including returning quarterback Wolf Kienzle and running back Jeremy Barrientos,
who should test the Bartlesville defense. Kienzle was the starting QB for the final seven games of the 2010 season.
"Wolf has done a good job in practice and our scrimmages," Brown said. "Receiver Theo Berry has looked good in our scrimmages
and Deon Jones has looked good at running back."
Berry caught Kienzle touchdown passes against Norman and McLoud in scrimmage action at Norman.
"We will have to be balanced offensively to have a chance to win," Brown said. "We will have to win the turnover battle and keep the
game at our pace, then try to win it at the end."
Kienzle will handle the punting duties while Matt Daniels has been assigned to the kickoff, field goals and extra-point responsibilities.
On the defensive side, Shawnee will have to receive good mileage from inside linebackers Dillon Gardner and Barrientos and outside
linebackers Kienzle and Andrew Smith.
Shawnee will also play on the road Sept. 9 against Deer Creek before opening its home season Sept. 16 opposite Ponca Cty.
Bruins set sights on Wolves
By Mike Tupa
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Featuring more than dozen new starters -- and a new head coach -- the Bruins will rip the lid off the 2011 campaign by hosting the Shawnee Wolves.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Custer Stadium.
Bartlesville will enjoin the non-district battle with a new starting quarterback, senior Grant Shoemaker (sr., 6-3, 185), five new starting offensive linemen -- including tight end Austin Hunt (soph, 6-4, 210) -- and a completely-rebuilt wide receiver corps, led by Garrett Hilger (jr., 6-0, 180).
The offense will depend on returning running backs Calan Crowder (jr., 5-11, 190) and Jack Wiseman (sr., 6-0, 215) -- along with newcomer Slade Nordic (soph., 6-0, 185) -- to carry a big part of the load.
"For us, like any other week, we're going to have to run the ball effectively, which I think we can do," first-year head coach John McKee said Wednesday. "We'll try to control the clock, use our timeouts wisely, and throw it when we need to." Crowder missed last week's mini-game scrimmage against Southmoore, but should be ready to go Friday, McKee said.
Crowder ran with the first-string offense workout Wednesday, displaying some elusive moves on runs up the middle.
The Bruins will be counting on their young offensive line -- which features just one returning starter, Jarrod Johnson (jr, 6-3, 240) -- to toughen up in a hurry.
"They've had a lot better week at practice," said McKee. "We'll see what happens. We feel good about the progress they're making."
Tom Wiseman (jr., 5-10, 230) handled at least part of the center duties during Thursday's intense first-string offense workout.
Offensive tackle Alec Gomez (jr., 6-2, 215) sat out part of last week's scrimmage against Southmoore. Gomez also is slated as the regular punter.
"There is a chance Alex will be cleared tomorrow to play, at least as a punter," McKee said.
Hunt, who also will start at defensive end, offers a new component a Bartlesville offense hasn't used in several years -- a pass-catching tight end.
"He has great hands and he runs great routes," said McKee.
To complement Bartlesville's smash-mouth, ball-control offense will be a defense in which McKee has major confidence.
"We didn't show that the other night at the scrimmage," McKee said, noting that highly-regarded returning defensive lineman Taylor Long (sr., 6-0, 298) had to sit out after a shoulder injury earlier in the day.
McKee is guardedly optimistic Long will be able to play Friday night.
"When you take Taylor out of the mix, it makes a difference," McKee explained. "He's a force as a presence in the middle. When he can continue to draw double teams and free up our linebackers, it makes us a better defense. When he's not in there, it allows offensive linemen to get on our linebackers."
Two new full-time starters at defensive end will be Hal Trentman (sr., 6-3, 220) and Hunt.
"Hal Trentman is getting better," said McKee. "One guy has really impressed me and that's Austin Hunt. We've been really pleased."
Backing up the D-line will be a rugged corps of linebackers, which could be the heart of the defense.
They include returning starter Wiseman, J.R. Culver (sr., 6-1, 210), who saw some starting time last season, and new Bruin Chakota Mays (sr., 5-11, 200).
"They're a good group and getting better," said McKee. "They need a little time to get into each other."
The two safety spots will feature a pair of new varsity brothers, Stetson Nordic (jr., 5-0, 171) and Slade Nordic.
Hilger and Sawyer Vaclaw (sr., 5-10, 165) return at the cornerback slots.
However, Vaclaw is very questionable -- due to a hamstring issue -- to play Friday.
If Vaclaw -- who also displayed a big punting leg, in Gomez' unavailability, in last week's scrimmage -- is unable to play, Jeyton Knight (sr., 5-11, 165) "will have to step up," McKee said.
The battle for the kicker's job is still up in the air (ha, ha).
McKee said a decision on that spot could be made today.
During a recent kickoff luncheon, McKee praised the contributions of now-graduated kicker Zach Merciez toward last year's success. Merciez booted 70 percent, or more, of his kickoffs in the end zone and was virtually automatic on extra points.
Overall, McKee said he expects his Bruins and Shawnee to both see Friday's opener as a testing ground for several new starters.
"They also did graduate a bunch of kids," he explained. "They have to play a lot of kids that are inexperienced. They'll be going through growing pains."
Shawnee boasts strong athletes at quarterback, wide receiver and a two-way standout at fullback and linebacker, McKee said.
Friday's opener also will take place approximately a month after McKee became the head coach.
He credits his staff with helping prepare the team right.
"We are lucky to have every one of those guys," he said.
McKee's varsity staff includes: Brian Christiansen (offensive coordinator), Nick Bunting (defensive coordinator), Craig Tate (assistant/defensive ends), John King (offensive line), Matt Hancock (defensive line), Steve Craver (defensive backs), Daniel Dolin (running backs) and Sidney Williams (wide receivers).
Bruins battle Southmoore in final scrimmage
By Mike Tupa
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Southmoore outscored the Bruins, 28-0, in the showdown held at the Tulsa Union stadium.
The Sabercats enjoyed a couple of strokes of good luck during the battle, including a tipped ball which landed in the hands of a receiver and went for a touchdown, and a reversal of fumble call inside the Bruin five-yard line.
Even so -- and the fact the Bruins played without some of their key players -- Bartlesville High first-year head coach John McKee found few highlights from the 24-minute session.
"It starts with our offensive line," he said. "We have to block better." Bruin quarterbacks Grant Shoemaker and Stephen Cochran were under fire on almost every passing play by a surging Sabercat pass rush.
Bartlesville went into the half-game scrimmage without the services of highly-regarded senior lineman Taylor Long, who had hurt his shoulder during a controlled scrimmage earlier in the day.
Southmoore registered four sacks, for approximately 30 yards in losses, an interception, and two tipped passes, one at the line of scrimmage.
The Bruin passing game, which was harried all evening by the Sabercat defense, went unofficially 4-for-12 for 31 yards.
Matt Petrik made the catch of the evening for the Bruins. Facing a third-and-8, from his own 37-yard line, Shoemaker zipped the pass to Petrik, who ran a turn and stop route near the right sideline.
After securing the ball, Petrik pivoted past a would-be tackler and slogged a few yards after catch to take the ball inside Southmoore territory, at the 48-yard line.
But, three incompletes later, the Bruins had to punt. New punter Alex Gomez, who appeared to have a case of nerves on his previous attempt, provided a big lift for the Bruins on his final two punts, averaging 39 yards.
The Bruins' running game -- which was without returning tailback Calan Crowder, who was on the sideline but didn't have on pads -- registered mixed success, unofficially gaining 46 yards on 10 carries, not counting yards lost in sacks.
Bartlesville was taken early out of its running scheme after Southmoore had charged out to a 14-0 lead.
First-year varsity runner Slade Nordic led Bruin rushers with seven carries for 26 yards and grabbed a reception late in the game. Returning fullback Jack Wiseman made a couple of carries for seven yards, and also caught a pass in the final minute.
Shoemaker also scrambled for a first down, on the Bruins' final possession.
But, he was sacked for a 10-yard loss on the game's final play, stopping the Bruins' final chance to score.
Defensively, the Bruins gave up a quick seven-place scoring drive on Southmoore's first possession, but grew tougher during the scrimmage.
Long's absence was definitely felt on the defensive line, both in stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback, McKee said.
However, there were spurts of brilliant defensive play by the Bruins.
On the game's first play, Bruin defensive lineman Austin Hunt and linebacker Wiseman stormed into the backfield to drop a Sabercat ballcarrier for a short loss.
But, Southmoore then started moving the chains, scoring off a play-action pass from the Bruin 16-yard line.
Southmoore's next drive also got off to a slow start after Wiseman pulled down a runningback for a three-yard loss.
Later on the same drive, Bruin linebackers Chakota Mays and Wiseman stopped a play for no gain.
But, five plays later, Southmoore had the ball inside the five-yard line and appeared to fumble it away to Bruin defensive back Stetson Nordic. However, the officials ruled the Sabercats maintained possession. They scored on the next play.
Early in the second quarter, the swarming Bruins buried a Southmoore running back for a six-yard loss, with J.R. Culver making the final takedown.
On the next play, however, the Southmoore quarterback put the ball up for grabs down the middle of the field. Bruin defender Jeyton Knight soared high in the air to try to pick off the ball. But, it tipped off his hands and landed in the arms of a receiver, who had an easy sprint to the end zone to complete a 77-yard scoring play.
On Southmoore's final possession, Bruin defensive lineman Jared Johnson planted a ballcarrier for no gain on the first play.
But, the Sabercats still drove the ball for a score, aided by two Bruin penalties.
Bartlesville's offense put together a couple of promising drives on its final two possessions.
"We had a lot of inexperienced guys playing," noted McKee. "We had only three starters back on defense and one or two on offense. It will take a little time for the guys to gain that experience."
Notes: This game provided the coaching staff its last chance to see Shoemaker and Cochran in action before settling on who will start under center in next week's season opener against Shawnee....McKee said immediately after the game he wasn't sure of the status of Long's shoulder....new wide receiver Sawyer Vaclaw snagged one pass for four yards....The Bruin defense forced Southmoore to punt on its third possession.
Bruin football coach offers state-of-the-team analysis
By Mike Tupa
Friday, August 26, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
More than 200 people gathered at the Dink's Barbecue-catered event to listen to McKee's state-of-the-team assessment, just 10 days before the season opener Sept. 2.
"We did lose a lot of good players from last year. Those guys are irreplaceable," explained McKee, who had served as the defensive coordinator the past few seasons, but was promoted in late July to head coach following the surprise retirement of Ron Smith. "We had a good off-season and we've had some guys step up and fill those roles."
Tonight's scrimmage -- which will take place at Tulsa Union -- against Owasso and Springdale Har-ber, followed by a half-game against Southmoore, should yield some needed answers about where the Bruin progress is at, McKee emphasized.
One of the biggest questionmarks is who will emerge between Grant Shoemaker and Stephen Cochran as the starting quarterback. "We want to see them both in a game situation," McKee said.
The Bruins also need to settle on a starting center, he added.
Bartlesville returned only one starting offensive lineman from last year's 7-4 season.
McKee has much more confidence right now in the strength of his defensive unit, although the defensive line also needed to be mostly rebuilt, three-year starting middle linebacker Mick Miller needed to be replaced and two new safeties installed.
Miller, who is now graduated, served as the defensive quarterback on the field, said McKee.
"He did a lot of things...that were invaluable. He got us lined up right and made the right checks."
McKee said he's hoping returnee J.R. Culver, who scored 34 on his ACT, will help fill that role.
New Bruin middle linebacker Chakota Mays "also has looked very, very impressive," McKee said.
McKee gave his defense overall high marks for its performance in last week's scrimmage against Claremore and Collinsville.
The unit gave up only two plays more than 10 yards.
However, he said tonight's scrimmage will provide a much-better test of the strength of the defense at this stage.
"I'm anxious to see how they're going to respond," he said.
One of the harsh realities with which the team has to deal is a thin depth chart at some positions, with 60 players on the roster, and approximately five of those currently out, McKee said.
Assisting McKee will be a mixture of returning and new staff members.
Nick Bunting, who starred as a linebacker at the University of Tulsa, is the new defensive coordinator.
Brian Christiansen, a former Brigham Young University quarterback, has been hired as the offensive coordinator.
Christiansen last year called the offensive plays for the Bruin freshman team.
"He's very smart, very intelligent," said McKee.
Bunting also is very intelligent and "we're fortunate to have him at Bartlesville," McKee said.
Steve Craver is the new defensive backs coach.
One of the areas hit hard last year by graduation was the receiver slot, with the top three pass-catchers now gone.
Garrett Hilger has stepped up as the best receiver, while Sawyer Vaclaw, Matt Petrik, Jeyton Knight and Slade Nordic are among the others who look promising, McKee said.
Bruins finally hit the field
By Mike Tupa
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
The first-string Bruin offense -- which was led by quarterbacks Grant Shoemaker and Stephen Cochran taking an equal number of snaps -- passed the ball relatively well and produced a touchdown.
On the other side of the ball, Bartlesville's No. 1 defense didn't allow any points and came up just shy of making two interceptions. "Our first-team defense played well," said Bruin head coach John McKee, who took charge less than a month ago of the team. "They were flying around the field and tackled well for the first scrimmage, so I was pleased with that. They did a good job there."
The offense is still a work in progress, McKee indicated.
"I thought both our quarterbacks did some good things," he said. "There's some things we can get better at."
The Bruin offense opened up its first 10-play possession with four-straight running plays, with a net gain of two yards. The longest run during that stretch was an eight-yard burst by Calan Crowder. Crowder escaped a would-be tackler in the backfield and bolted through traffic for the tidy gain.
On the fifth play, Shoemaker zipped a swing pass to Crowder, who made a cutback move to shake a defender and rumbled 43 yards up the right sideline.
Cochran then took over and finished up the possession, completing two passes for 31 yards, including a 12-yard completion to Jack Wiseman, off a play action boot to the right.
Slade Nordic scored a touchdown on the possession, slithering through the jaws of the defense up the middle and into paydirt. It would be the Bruins' lone score of the evening.
The possession ended with a 30-yard run by Cochran, on the 10th play.
When the Bruins' starting offense got back on the field, it ran the ball more effectively -- something will be a key to the team's success in the upcoming season.
"That's the thing with our offense, we've got to get positive yards on first downs," McKee emphasized. "We're not big enough, not good enough up front to put ourselves in negative situations. We've got to do a better job on first down. We've got to run the football. ... And I think we can do it."
As mentioned, the Bruins offered glimpses of that ability on their second possession.
They opened again with four straight running plays, this time netting 18 yards. Nordic notched a nine-yard game, off a pitch and run around left end, thanks partly to a block by fullback J.T. Thompson.
The possession bogged down on the next few plays, however, on two incompletions and a tackle for loss on Cochran.
Third-string quarter Nick Shoemaker took snaps on the last two plays of the possession, hitting on one pass for 12 yards.
On its third -- and final -- possession of the night, the Bruin offense was plagued by two turnovers, a dropped pass and a sack, although it also registered several plays for positive yards.
The first turnover was an interception by Shoemaker, on which the receiver ran the wrong route and drifted into the safety's area, causing a double-team situation.
The second was a fumble by Crowder, who had made an impressive move to break free of multiple tacklers, but while he was spinning for extra real estate, he got hit from behind and the ball went on the ground.
But, the possession also netted some nice plays.
Shoemaker threaded the needle on a rocket to Wiseman, who was running a route in the flat, for a six-yard gain.
A few plays later, Cochran heaved a deep ball to Nordic for a 25-yard completion along the right sideline.
Wiseman also carried two times, for eight yards, on the possession, which ended with Cochran being sacked.
The Bruins' first-team defense proved its mettle with some impressive plays.
On the unit's first play of the evening, middle linebacker Chakota Mays came on the blitz, helping to blow up a running play at the line of scrimmage.
"We're going to have to blitz some," explained McKee. "We're not big enough up front. Taylor (Long) does a good job in a drawing a double team, but we're going to have to blitz some for us to be successful."
After Mays' successful blitz, Collinsville went to the air, out of a spread offense.
Following an incomplete pass, the Zebras connected on a short completion, with Nordic burying the receiver, followed closely by cornerback Sawyer Vaclaw.
Collinsville tried two more passes in succession to the side of the other cornerback, Garrett Hilger. Hilger planted the receiver immediately on the first throw, and caused an incompletion on the next.
Collinsville then tried again to run the middle, but Bruin linebacker J.R. Culver led a swarming group of tacklers who stuffed the play for no gain.
On the next play, Collinsville flooded the right flat with the receivers and completed a pass.
Vaclaw successfully defended on an incomplete pass on the next play.
Collinsville then put the ball up in the air again, and Wiseman, who was playing linebacker, got his hands on the ball but couldn't quite wrap it up for the oskie.
The Bruin defense also shut down Claremore.
On a second and long play, Taylor filled up the middle of the line to help stop a running play for no gain.
Ironically, Claremore's only sizable gain of the possession was on a busted play, when the shotgun snap got to the quarterback on one bounce and he rambled over the left side for several yards.
But, Claremore went 0-for-4 in its last four pass attempts, including a near-interception by Vaclaw, who jumped a route and had the ball momentarily in his fingers.
Both HIlger and Vaclaw played strong at the corners, McKee noted.
"Those guys played a bunch last year so they have some experience," McKee said. "We're pretty good on the outside. Our safeties have to get a little better."
Offensively, McKee said Crowder and Wiseman both looked good carrying the ball, and that Nordic will continue to get better.
"Overall, not bad," McKee summarized about the scrimmage.
Next up, the Bruins head south again Friday -- to Tulsa Union -- for their final scrimmage.
The regular season is scheduled to begin Sept. 2, when Shawnee comes to town.
Bruin football focuses on 1st scrimmage
By Mike Tupa
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
The Bruins are slated to travel Friday to Claremore to participate in their first full-fledged scrimmage.
The varsity will take field at 8 p.m., alternating against both Claremore and Collinsville.
For first-year Bartlesville High head coach John McKee, Friday's test will be more than a dress rehearsal.
The refurbished squad still has several questions to answer prior to the season opener Sept. 2 against Shawnee. Friday's encounter could begin to shed some light on some of those gray areas.
"It's going to be interesting to see how our offensive line plays," said McKee, who returned only one starter to the unit, Jared Johnson. "For us, that's the key. We've got to figure out how good we really are up there, to see if we can establish the run."
The starting quarterback slot also still has to be fully determined, McKee said.
Grant Shoemaker, the varsity backup the previous two seasons, and Stephen Cochran are both making a strong bid for the position.
"I've really been impressed with Stephen," said McKee. "He's working hard. He's really pushing Grant. They're both good quarterbacks. They know the system, they're confident kids and they take charge of the huddle. They're pushing each other really hard."
McKee and his staff also are uncertain as to who will play the bandit slot on defense.
There are some certainties evolving during the first 10 days of August practice.
Despite having to completely rebuild the receiver corps, McKee said Garrett Hilger is the top performer.
"He knows he routes to run and he runs great routes," the coach said. "He's got good hands. It's pretty much a toss-up after that."
As expected, Taylor Long has been the dominant force on the defensive line.
McKee is hoping Long won't be required to play on the offensive line, as well.
"If we can keep him from it because he's such a presence on defense," said McKee. "But, if we've got to have him, we've got to have him."
Part of the solution for remaking the offensive line is Hal Trentman, who has been moved from tight end to tackle, McKee said.
On defense, the linebacker corps is set with Chakota Mays playing middle linebacker, Jack Wiseman on the strongside and J.R. Culver on the weakside.
Following this Friday, the Bruins will hit the road again the following Friday to play in the Tulsa Union scrimmage classic.
This Friday's schedule begins at 6 p.m., with the eighth grade teams battling it out.
At 7 p.m., the ninth-grade and jayvee crews will scrimmage on half of the field.
The varsity follows, with sessions for both the first-string and second-string.
Bartlesville gridders work hard 1st week
By Mike Tupa mtupa@examiner-enterprise.com
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
He also gave solid marks to the defense and the passing acumen of designated starting quarterback Grant Shoemaker.
But, the team’s competitive ability, overall, is a work in progress, he emphasized.
“It’s going to be impossible for us to replace what we lost (from last year),” said McKee, who was elevated late last month to the head coaching position following the unexpected retirement of Ron Smith. “But, the kids have been going in, doing what we’ve asked them to do, and so far are doing a good job.”
McKee and his coaching staff are preparing the Bruins to try to keep the momentum of the program’s recent success pushing forward.
Bartlesville accumulated a 22-11 record, and back-to-back playoff years, during the past three seasons. But, the team bid good-bye to a plethora of senior starters off last year’s squad, at least a half-dozen, or more, who are going on to play college sports.
Heading into last Tuesday’s practice opener, McKee welcomed back only a small handful of returning starters.
“The kids are working hard,” he said. “But, we’ve got to stay away from the injury bug. We’re so thin, we can’t afford to lose anybody else.”
In fact, a broken ankle has sidelined projected starter Braden Watts, McKee noted.
But, there are some positives on which McKee and his staff are building.
“The running game looks good with Calan Crowder, Jack Wiseman and Slade Nordic carrying the ball,” McKee said. “We’ve got some options back there.”
Shoemaker, the back-up varsity quarterback the past two seasons, “is doing well,” McKee said. “He’s throwing extremely well and reading defenses well. Right now he’s going to be our starter.”
Even so, McKee said everyone would have to earn the right to line up at first string in next month’s season opener against Shawnee.
“We tell the kids all the positions are open,” he explained.
The competition for starting spots may be a little fiercer on the offensive side of the ball because McKee likes most of what he’s seen on the defensive side.
“Defense is usually ahead on offense,” he said. “Taylor Long really looks good on the line. Our linebacker play has looked strong.”
Those vying to start at linebacker include J.R. Culver, Chakota Mays and Wiseman at the spur.
McKee also singled out for praise the work of defensive back Garret Hilger.
On the offensive side of the ball, “we’ve got to clean up some of the new things, especially in the passing game, we’re trying to put in,” McKee said. “With time it will come.”
Overall, McKee said he’s pleased with the athletes’ attitudes.
The Bruins are slated to travel next Friday for a scrimmage in Claremore.
They will hit the road again Aug. 26 to play a half-game against Southmoore, in the Tulsa Union Gridiron Classic.
The regular campaign is set to begin Sept. 2, when Shawnee invades Custer Stadium.
Bruin Brawl midnight practice set in Bartlesville
8/11/2011 3:09:00 PM
A few football teams practiced at midnight on Tuesday, the first moment allowed for fall practice by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association. Bartlesville didn't do that on Tuesday. On Friday, however, Bartlesville will be working out at midnight, the first moment allowed for practice in full pads. The event will be called the "Bruin Brawl. "Midnight Madness" type of atmosphere that will make it fun for the fans attending the practice.
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Written by Barry Lewis Sports Writer TULSAWORLD |
New BHS head coach prepares for season
By Eric Scott Sports Correspondent
Thursday, August 4, 2011
With the announcement on July 18 of the resignation of Bartlesville High School Head Football Coach Ron Smith, there questions sounding the Bruin football program.
However, new BHS Athletic Director Tim Bart didn’t have to look far for a qualified replacement, keeping the change in house by promoting Smith’s defensive coordinator John McKee to the head position.
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McKee joined the Bruin coaching staff before the 2008 season, and has been apart of the transformation of the program into one that is considered a playoff contender. Before he and his family relocated to Bartlesville, McKee spent time at large Oklahoma schools, including Bridge Creek, Western Heights, Edmond North and Moore high schools.
McKee credits his commitment to high school sports to one of his former coaches.
“My love for sports and my admiration for my mentor, my high school coach, lead me to become a high school teacher and coach as well,” said McKee.
Following his high school playing career and graduation from Pernell High School, located approximately 30 minutes east of Duncan, McKee went on to play for the Tigers of East Central University for four seasons. He also exceled at track for three years.
In 1993, the college team at ECU won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Championship over Glenville State (W.V.).
McKee is married to Traci and has three young children. He is very happy with the opportunity has come to him, mentioning that he and his family are “proud members of the Bartlesville community.”
“I am very thankful to Dr. Quinn, the school board, and Tim Bart for the opportunity to lead this group of young men,” said McKee. “I am very excited about the upcoming season. We have a lot of work to do and can’t wait to get started.”
He went on to express his understanding for the potential difficulties of a late summer coaching change.
“Having a coaching change this late presents us with many unique challenges to say the least,” said McKee. “However, we look forward to these challenges in developing our players and our team.”
“Hopefully people will enjoy the product we put on the field.”
Being a coach whi has been around the program already, McKee said there would be some things that will remain the same, as well as some changes that “will give us a chance to be successful.”
As a coach, McKee is adamant that his philosophy is to encourage his athletes to do their best at everything.
“Coach Walbrick at East Central used to always tell us ‘do the best you can, every time you have to do it,” said McKee. “These are values I hope to instill in our team and our players.”
“Our ultimate goal as a program is to be the very best that we can be. I try not to compare myself to the accomplishments of others, and I attempt to take the same tack with our players,” McKee said. “I evaluate them, try to get to know them, and then try to put them in varying situations to get the most out of them.”
Last season the Bruins finished with a 7-4 overall record, and a third place finish in District 6A-4 at 4-2. Their two losses in district play came at the hands of eventual champion Union in the final minutes and Owasso.
The 2011 slate will start Sept. 2 with a home contest against Shawnee. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
All-World 2011: Top 10 Defensive Linemen
By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer
Published: 7/10/2011
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9. Taylor Long Senior • Bartlesville • 6-0 • 295 |
Bruin football takes aim on September
By Mike Tupa mtupa@examiner-enterprise.com
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
The squad is in the weightroom, or working on conditioning, every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, head coach Ron Smith said.
“Everybody in the state is doing it,” Smith said about a summer conditioning program. “We do a total training regimen. We put them through a series of drills, changing directions, jumping over dummies, running a maze forward and backward, and running the stadium steps. Running the stairs is a great training tool.”
The next target date for the Bruin program is an August 8 meeting, followed by the beginning of official practice, on Aug. 9.
Meanwhile, quarterback air apparent Grant Shoemaker is throwing a couple of days a week to his receivers.
Shoemaker is slated to take the reins of a Bruin offense which has been led the past three-and-a-half-seasons by Kirby Schoenthaler.Schoenthaler, who gained approximately 10,000 yards of offense during varsity action, is slated to begin his freshman year at Dartmouth College, where he will look to make the conversion to wide receiver.
Shoemaker has filled in ably the past two years as Schoenthaler’s back-up, even tossing a touchdown pass to Schoenthaler.
The Bruins also are breaking in a complete new group of receivers, a unit that was depleted greatly by graduation.
Bartlesville has registered a 16-7 mark — and qualified twice for the playoffs — the past two seasons.
This year’s squad can make team history by powering the Bruins into a third-straight playoff appearance.
Smith also is approaching his 30th career victory at Bartlesville — a milestone surpassed by only one other Bruin football coach (Mickey Ripley).
Preparing to begin his sixth year as Bruin head coach — second only to Ripley — Smith has led Bartlesville to 26 wins, including the most successful three-year stretch (22-11) in the program’s history.
Tate to Oklahoma
As the E-E reported last week, former Bruin grid standout Mitch Tate has entered the University of Oklahoma football program as a preferred walk-on.
Tate, who made his biggest impact as a defensive end for the Bruins, had earlier signed a letter of intent with Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, but decided to pursue his opportunity in Soonerland.
“Oklahoma is one of the top five programs in the country,” said Smith. “It will be an interesting challenge. Mitch had a full ride at NEO and had offers from a couple of Division-II schools.
“But, when your heart is set on going to Oklahoma, you need to follow that dream. Your heart can push you. He was a tremendously hard worker for our team.”
Several other former Bruins are headed for other college football opportunities.
Receiver Garrett Powell — a 1,000-yard receiver his junior season — is taking aim on a career at NEO, while fellow receiver Trevor Moll has signed a football letter of intent with Southern Nazarene University.
Lineman Colby Mitchell is headed to a Division I program at Louisiana-Monroe, while, as mentioned, Schoenthaler will be pursuing a grid career and education at Dartmouth.
Two-way lineman Devin Randall initially gave a verbal commitment to play football at the University of Tulsa, but has accepted an offer from the University of Arkansas to compete in track & field.
Zach Merciez, another Bruin departee who brought a big punch to Bartlesville football — with his mighty toe — has signed a baseball letter of intent with Missouri State. Merciez registered an persistent penchant for booting kickoffs into the end zone, as well as being virtually automatic on extra points — an especially big asset, considering the Bruins scored roughly 100 touchdowns the last two years combined.
Michael Thompson, one of the Bruin stars from the Class of 2010, has been preparing to play football at NEO. Thompson excelled as a wide receiver and defensive back for Bartlesville.
Note: If any other Bruins from the football Class of 2011 are endeavoring to play on the college level, please let me know at 918-335-8239, or 918-336-3881, so that the E-E can keep tabs on their college careers.
Bruins open Jenks camp
By Mike Tupa mtupa@examiner-enterprise.com
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
An eye-opener.
That’s how Bartlesville High head football coach Ron Smith described the Bruins’ experience Monday at the Jenks team camp.
“It went about as expected,” said Smith. “Jenks is very good and Booker T. Washington is the defending state champion (Class 5A). They showed us a lot of our shortcomings.”
Consistently protecting first-year starting quarterback Grant Shoekmaker proved to be an area of concern.
“When we protected him, he was right on the money,” he added.
“We’re awfully young at some positions,” Smith continued. ‘We have to learn our assignments. We have to know who we’re covering. We have to know which gap we have defensively. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
The Bruins also produced some positives.
“Jack Wiseman played well on both sides of the ball,” Smith said. “He ran well and ran hard. He made some good plays at linebacker.”
Bruin defensive lineman Taylor Long also earned his coach’s praise.
“Jenks can’t block Taylor Long, so that’s a good side,” Smith said.
The heat played no major factor Monday because the camp wrapped up by 11:30 a.m., Smith said.
The camp ends today.
“Then we’ll start full-fledged weight lifting,” Smith added.
The Bruins are scheduled to open the season, on the first Friday in September, by hosting Shawnee.
Bartlesville has registered three-straight winning seasons, and has been to the playoffs the past two years. The Bruins will be depending this autumn on several first-year varsity starters to continue the momentum of tradition.
Bruins wrap up sprightly spring grid workouts
By Mike Tupa mtupa@examiner-enterprise
Wednesday, May 25, 2010
Wednesday, May 25, 2010
Bartlesville High’s passing attack should be flinger-looking good by the time the first Friday in September rolls around.
Both of the football team’s number one and number two quarterbacks are winging the ball during spring practice with adroit accuracy and air-splitting acceleration, head coach Ron Smith said Tuesday.
Grant Shoemaker, a senior-to-be and designated first-string signal caller, “has great vision,” said Smith. “Grant sees the field well. He’s thrown the ball well. I’ve seen him make a couple of throws I haven’t seen a high school guy make in a few years.”
But, second-stringer Stephen Cochran also is answering the call to arms.
“He’s throwing the ball great,” said Smith. “He’s really pushing Shoemaker. Cochran has really worked hard on throwing the football. He has great velocity and has looked great running the option. There’s not a huge gap between those two. ...Stephen has looked very good.”
On the other end of the passing connection will be stable of first-year full-time receivers and a proven pass-catcher, junior-to-be tailback Calan Crowder, out of the backfield or lining up at receiver.
The Bruins lost two prime-time receivers, Garrett Powell and Trevor Moll, to graduation off last year’s team, along with a handful of other clutch catchers.
One of the main candidates to claim a starting receiving spot next season is junior-to-be Garrett Hilger, who also starts at cornerback.
“Garrett has a chance to play college football,” said Smith. “He can run, jump and catch and he’s really got great hands.”
Other athletes working out in the main receiver rotation are Matt Petrik, Slade Nordic, Matt Hoelting and Cochran.
Several times last season the Bruin offense ran out of a four-receiver or five-receiver set.
But, Smith is looking for another pass catching option in Crowder.
“When Jack Wiseman (fullback) is in the backfield, we’ll run some pass routes with Calan. ...We want to try to get the best 11 men on the field at one time.”
Crowder last season made some big catches against Tulsa Union, Smith noted.
The Bruins won’t be doing too much tweaking to their offensive attack, the coach added.
“I think we’re going to do what we’ve basically been doing,” Smith explained. “We’re going to run the football if we can. If we get up against a team with some stouter guys on the line, we’ll be looking to pass it more.”
Defensively, however, the Bruins will be displaying a slight-different look after graduating four experienced linebackers off last year’s team.
Bartlesville is planning to run a base 4-2-5 defense, with two linebackers playing inside the box.
Wiseman and J.R. Culver are two returning linebackers with starting experience.
Adding depth, desire and strength to the rotation will be a move-in from Pawhuska, Chakota Mays.
“He has been a pleasant surprise,” said Smith.
Overall, Smith said the full-pad spring workout session has been successful.
Next up, the Bruins will be participating in the Jenks team camp, set for the first week in June.
The four participating teams will be the Bruins, Jenks, Booker T. Washington and Coweta.
The teams will interact in a variety of controlled situations, including a 7-on-7 passing skills’ session, which will include the quarterback, running backs and receivers against the other team’s linebackers and defensive backs.
During part of the camp, one of the teams will go on the defense, and each of the other three schools will run one offensive play against it.
The Bruins also will spend a good chunk of the next several weeks in Summer Pride conditioning, during which they’ll try to get bigger, stronger and faster prior to September’s campaign opener against Shawnee.
During the last two years, the Bruin program has registered back-to-back playoff seasons (9-3, 7-4) for the first time since the 1980s.
Bartlesville High's Garrett Hilger makes a stop near the goal line during varsity football action last year. Hilger, who started as a sophomore cornerback, is slated to be a two-way contributor next season, as a defensive back and as a wide receiver. Hilger and his teammates are scheduled within the next two weeks to participate in the Jenks team camp.
Bruin grid practice provides key answers
Although the season opener is still 15 weeks away, Bartlesville High’s varsity football program is taking aim during spring practice on autumn success.
Judging by the first week of full-pad workouts, the Bruins appear to be on target.
“We were very pleased with the way the first week of spring practice went, and no injuries, which is the most important thing,” said Bruin head coach Ron Smith. “We saw some tremendous improvement in some guys, which is exciting.”
At the same time, Smith and his staff have apparently filled the glaring holes on the offensive line left vacated by graduation.
Juniors Cody Rutherford and Anthony Hennessey have pushed themselves to the top of the depth chart at the guard positions.
“They really increased their strength over the winter and in off-season workouts,” explained Smith.
The offensive line’s performance will be key to the Bruin attack, which will feature senior-to-be Grant Shoemaker as the main triggerman.
Shoemaker, who spent the last two years backing up Bartlesville’s all-time passing leader Kirby Schoenthaler, will finally get his chance to direct the Bruin offense.
By all indications in spring preparation, he’s well-oiled and ready.
“He threw the ball well all week,” noted Smith.
Shoemaker also has to break in a brand new receiving corps, another area that was depleted by graduation.
Returning junior-to-be Garrett Hilger, who started last year at cornerback, has moved up into one of the starting wideout spots.
“He really looks good,” Smith said. “We have a number of guys catching the ball, but Hilger stands out.”
One of the Bruins’ most-promising varsity newcomers is Slade Nordic, who made his mark last winter as a freshman on the Bruin varsity wrestling team.
“He’s really looked good at free safety, running back and wideout,” said Smith. “Slade has tremendous foot speed and might be the fastest guy on the team.”
In fact, Nordic was the second-quickest runner on the spring track team, just behind Schoenthaler.
Being that Schoenthaler last year was the fastest Bruin football player, Nordic may own that distinction going into the 2011 campaign.
“His dad, being a professional trainer, he’s maxed out strengthwise,” Smith said about Nordic. “He’s just tremendously strong for his body weight. He’s in great physical condition. Wrestling is part of what helps him to be a great tackler.”
On the other side of the experience scale, Smith said seniors-to-be lineman Taylor Long and linebacker/fullback Jack Wiseman are providing “tremendous leadership,” Smith said. “They were almost flawless this week. They’re doing what they’re supposed to do.”
Despite shedding a massive group of seniors off last year’s 7-4 team, Smith said the Bruin program will go into next season with plenty of strength and promise.
“When you look at the returning players, it’s another exciting group,” he said. “We’re excited to get to the Jenks padded camp. …This will give us a chance to see where we’re at.”
Smith added his focus now is “trying to figure out who are our 11 starters. “We’re happy with the progress we’ve made in the last three years, and I certainly think we can be successful again. And, it’s not like we have to play in two days. We have all summer to get even stronger and faster. We’ll take full advantage of that. We’re excited.”
Spring football will wrap up this week with a hard practice Monday, followed by likely light practices the next few days due to finals’ tests.
Bruins gridders spring into full-pad practice
By Mike Tupa mtupa@examiner-enterprise.com
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
There were few surprises but a lot of smiles generated by Bartlesville High first full-pad football workout Monday, which attracted 74 prospects, including a mix of new varsity hopefuls and battle-tested veterans.
“All the guys who were supposed to do well, did well,” said Bruin head coach Ron Smith.
No one more so than quarterback air apparent Grant Shoemaker.
“Grant made a couple of throws I haven’t seen a high school kid make in a few years,” said Smith. “He’s a really special talent. He was throwing really well.”
On the receiving end of some of Shoemaker’s darts were members of a brand new varsity receiving corps, including Matt Petrik, Stephen Cochran and Slade Nordic.
“The kids caught the ball well,” Smith summarized.
During the first-string defensive reps, “Taylor Long was unblockable,” Smith said about the senior-to-be defensive lineman. “We’re hope the other teams have as much trouble blocking him as we do.”
Another experienced varsity lineman, Jared Johnson, saw time on the defensive side of the ball.
“He’s very big and strong,” Smith said. “Those two guys (Long and Johnson) really played well.”
Returning starting cornerback Garrett Hilger turned his section of the defensive backfield into a no man’s land.
“We could not beat him,” said Smith. “He covered well short and he covered well deep.”
Returning ballcarriers Jack Wiseman and Calan Crowder also grabbed part of the spotlight Monday.
“They ran outstanding,” said Smith. “Calan made the first guy miss almost every time today and Jack Wiseman almost ran over the first guy every time today.”
A glaring vacancy Smith and his staff have to fill for next season is kicker, with the impending graduation of Zach Merciez.
Merciez honed himself into a major weapon last season for the Bruins (7-4), launching between 70-to-80 percent of his kickoffs into the end zone. He also was virtually automatic on extra points.
Smith said the staff is looking at one of three possible replacements for Merciez.
“We’re going to have some competition,” Smith said. “We had three guys kick 35-yard field goals today. We’re certainly going to miss Zach kicking it into the end zone, but maybe we’ll get someone who can do that.”
The Bruins, who accumulated a 16-7 record the past two seasons — and are 22-11 from 2008-10 — are practicing two hours each afternoon.
Smith is the second winningest coach in team history.
Bruins name starting Quarterback
By BARRY LEWIS World Sports Writer
Published: 5/17/2011
Bartlesville won't have a starting quarterback battle during spring practice after the graduation of four-year starter Kirby Schoenthaler.
Grant Shoemaker, a senior, will be the starter following two years as Schoenthaler's backup.
"Shoemaker took a lot of snaps for us in six games last year," Bartlesville coach Ron Smith said. "I think people will be surprised at how well he throws. He's more of a thrower than Kirby."
Other top returnees for the Bruins are fullback-linebacker Jack Wiseman, tailback Calen Crowder, linebacker J.R. Culver, defensive lineman Taylor Long and cornerback Sawyer Vaclaw. Crowder rushed for 511 yards and five touchdowns last season.
The Bruins, who have reached the Class 6A playoffs the last two years, don't plan to conduct the maximum 10 spring practices allowed by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association.
"We never have," Smith said. "We'll probably have eight - four each week and then take Fridays off," Smith said. "We're excited to get started."
Sunday MAY 15, 2011
Bruins to practice in full pads
Bartlesville High’s new football era will feature some familiar faces as full-pad spring practice gets under way Monday.
Grant Shoemaker, who the past two seasons backed up four-year starting quarterback Kirby Schoenthaler, is ready to take the reins of Coach Ron Smith’s high-powered offense and to try to build on what Schoenthaler & Co. achieved the past few campaigns.
“Grant is our starting quarterback — that’s a given,” Smith confirmed Saturday. “Stephen Cochran will back him and also play at wide receiver. He’ll have a lot to do.”
Some of the other returning starters from last year — and they’re aren’t a whole lot due to a massive exodus of seniors off the 2010 team — include cornerbacks Grant Hilger and Sawyer Vaclaw, fullback/linebacker Jack Wiseman and defensive lineman Taylor Long.
Calan Crowder, who received several reps last year at tailback, will be back in the mix at running back, Smith said.
J.R. Culver will be the team’s most-experienced linebacker.
In addition, offensive lineman Jared Johnson and Hal Trentman both earned starting positions last year.
But, this will mostly be a reloading year for Smith and his staff.
Graduation will claim the Bruins’ entire starting receiver corps, most their linebackers, a good chunk of their offensive and defensive lines and both their safeties.
Smith said he and his staff plan to focus more on introductory training in this year’s spring practice, which could last for more than week.
“No doubt about it,” said the veteran Bruin head coach, who is starting his sixth year with the program. “There will be a lot more teaching the next couple of days in pads, explaining our philosophy and what we want done.”
Smith, who has led the program to a resurgence of success it hasn’t seen since the 1980s, said he’s encouraged his players’ offseason conditioning.
“We’ve had a great spring in the weightroom,” he said. “We’re bigger, stronger and faster.”
This new mix of Bruins also will be able to build on the broad foundation of success constructed by the last two senior classes.
Bartlesville registered a cumulative 22-11 record from 2008-10 — the most wins in a three-year period in the program’s history.
The Bruin offense also has put together an impressive string of 34-straight games scoring in double figures.
And, Bartlesville has never been shut out during Smith’s tenure. He also has accumulated the second-most wins in Bruin grid history, with a 26-27 record.
Considering the Bruins were in true rebuilding mode his first two campaigns, Bartlesville football has been on an major upward trajectory since the 2008 campaign, including the school’s first back-to-back playoff years since 1987-88.
But, a large part of the nucleus of players who helped carry the program toward a new stratosphere are departing — a large chunk of them headed to college football — and Smith will rely on the system which has been in place the past few years to produce a new generation of hungry and talented Bruins.
He said it will take a few days of spring ball in order to judge the guys “who will rise to the top. …At most positions we’ve got a good idea between a couple of guys, but there could be some positions with one to four or five guys who are fighting to start. We are going to go with the best at each position. It’s an exciting time for some of these kids.”
The opportunity for one or more sophomores to play key roles is there, he added.
As far as the veterans, Shoemaker looked sharp in relief stints last year for Schoenthaler, and Crowder displayed break-loose running skills.
Wiseman is a two-year varsity starter.
“He’s a great player,” said Smith. “We’re expecting a lot out of him.”
Long also will be a three-year starter. He’s made most explosive impact felt on the defensive side of the ball.
“He’s getting some reps on the offensive line, as well,” noted Smith. “We have some guys that are pretty good size and we have some guys that are medium-sized but really tough.”
Hilger and Vaclaw “are solid,” said Smith. “They’ve really looked good.”
Culver started four or five games last year at linebacker and Trentman was the first-string tight end and part-time defensive end.
Johnson may move from guard to tackle, Smith added.
All-in-all, Smith said this year’s full-pad spring practice is vital in finding the right players for the right spots.
“We’re hoping to get a lot done,” explained.
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Senior-to-be Jack Wiseman, No. 33, is primed to be a key part of Bartlesville High’s varsity football attack next year. Wiseman has been a two-year varsity player, starting at fullback and seeing time on defense. Becky Burch/Examiner-Enterprise
BHS gridders set future course: Handful of Bruins sign with Colleges others eye options
By Mike Tupa mtupa@examiner-enterprise.com
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Saw the Vision of the world, and all the wonder that would be.
— Alfred, Lord Tennyson
They say time stops for no one.
But, a handful of Bartlesville High football senior student-athletes are hoping to make some timely breath-stopping plays during the next four years in college competition.
A handful of them have officially committed — or soon will be committing — to scholarship offers.The list of Bruins who have signed — or are on the verge of signing — football letters of intent include lineman Colby Mitchell (University of Louisiana-Monroe), wide receiver Trevor Moll (Southern Nazarene University) and wide receiver/defensive back Garrett Powell (NEO A&M Miami).
Two-way lineman Devin Randall is headed to Arkansas on a track & field award.
Quarterback Kirby Schoenthaler has stated his intention to play for Dartmouth University, although no letters of intent are required for the Ivy League.
Other Bruin gridders still mulling about their possible sports futures are two-way lineman Mitch Tate, linebacker Mick Miller and kicker Zach Merciez.
Tate has received multiple offers, but has expressed a strong interest in NEO A&M as a chance to play Division-I football later, Bruin head coach Ron Smith said Wednesday night.
Miller said Wednesday night he’s seriously considering Dartmouth, the West Point Academy or Virginia Military Institute. Football may be secondary to his ultimate decision, he added.
Merciez said he likely will forego an opportunity to play college football, but is considering multiple baseball offers.
Tailback/defensive back Chandler Bennett may not be seeking a college football career, although he could settle on college soccer, Smith said.
Smith said he’s overall elated about the college opportunities for his players, adding helping student-athletes get a chance to get a free, or partially-funded, college education is more important than victories.
“We all know this is a great class of kids and good football players,” he added. “It’s been a great time. I think a lot of credit goes to coach James (Smith) and the summer lifting program. Every coach on this coaching staff shows up all summer long. I’ve always said we have good players, and they’ve been trained well by this coaching staff.”
The Bruin class of 2011 succeeded both on the field (22-11 the past three seasons) and in the classroom (two-straight Class 6A state academic championships).
If any single Bruin could said to be the representative of this class, it would have to be Schoenthaler, whose father Marty played college football at Missouri Southern, owned the extremely-rare distinction of being a four-year varsity starter for Smith.
As a freshman, Schoenthaler helped lead the Bruin varsity to a winning record (6-4) and quarterbacked the freshman team to an unprecedented perfect season (9-0).
But, his college future may be at a different position.
During his senior season last fall, he started at quarterback, played extensively at defensive back, and also occasionally lined up at wide receiver.
“They (the Dartmouth coaches) said I could try to play anywhere I wanted to, whether at quarterback or wide receiver or cornerback,” Schoenthaler said Wednesday. “They see me as being a slot receiver and, obviously, that will be a change. But, I’m excited about it. I think it’s a good fit.”
Schoenthaler, who is considering an economics major, said he made his choice based on the academic ambiance at an Ivy League institution. He paid two visits to the school and left impressed each time.
As far as the end of his Bruin career — during which he accumulated just on the edge of a school-record 10,000 total yards — Schoenthaler credits the coaches for giving him a chance to play a variety of positions.
“Just that little experience really helped me,” he explained.
Schoenthaler said he likely would have some pangs of nostalgia next summer when the time for Bruin practice rolls around.
“I think what I’ll mist most is the relationship with my teammates, with the coaches and the community,” he explained. “Most of my teammates have been with me since the third and fourth grade. Every year I’ve been a Bruin, the community seemed to rally around our team.”
One of Schoenthaler’s favorite targets the past seven years was Moll, who said Wednesday playing college football is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
“I always knew my only to get into college was with a football scholarship,” he added.
SNU offered him a full ride, which was the deciding factor.
“They were the only team that did,’ said Moll, adding he paid a visit a few months ago to the campus.
“It was really nice,” he said. “It had some nice facilities, things like that. The coaches were cool.”
Moll said he would work out for the next few months, prior to his August 12 reporting date.
A strong-fingered pass catcher with exceptional savvy, Moll hauled in multiple memorable touchdown receptions this past season.
His two favorites were off a tip against Sand Springs, and against Tulsa Union.
The biggest transition may be playing for a quarterback other than Schoenthaler, he added.
Mitchell (6-3, 290) arrives in the ULM Warhawk program with some impressive credentials.
ESPN ranked Mitchell — a three-year Bruin varsity starter — as the 132nd best offensive guard in the nation. During his tenure at Bartlesville, Mitchell helped clear the way for the most-prolific offensive attack in Bruin history.
Players from two of last fall’s opposing teams also signed with the Warhawks — Shawnee High quarterback Brayle Brown and Jenks offensive lineman Ben Risenhoover.
Randall, who originally had verbally committed to play football and compete in track at the University of Tulsa, decided to do track only for the storied Arkansas program.
Powell was a 1,000-yard receiver his junior year and the team’s leading receiver for the past two years combined. He also played a major role in shutting down opposing receivers.
Tate and Randall formed a devastating and destructive duo at defensive end and on the offensive line.
Tate is determined to play major college football, Smith said.
Miller, on the other hand, said football might not be the essential factor in his college choice.
“I want to decide as soon as possible,” he said. “I don’t want to give up football at all, but an education is more important now. I want to make a good decision for my future and I hope football is involved in that.”
Merciez has decided college football will not be in his future.
“Right now, I’m just going to do baseball,” he said, adding he’s narrowed his choices to Missouri State and Kansas State.
An accomplished kicker, Merciez said he feels its time to focus on just one sport.
“I just had to go with my heart,” he explained. “If I’m going to spend the next four years of my life doing something, I’ve got to love it.”