Wow! BHS Bruin seniors sparkle in final history-making home game; Kent tosses 3 Touchdowns
Bartlesville High School’s Boden Roberts (23) goes after a loss ball during the Bruins 62-0 win over Capitol Hill on November 7, 2024 in Bartlesville.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
Bartlesville High School's Michael Kent (14) throws a pass while John Torres (57) blocks during the Bruins 62-0 win over Capitol Hill on November 7, 2024 in Bartlesville.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
Bartlesville Area Sports Report
In what has been a dizzying ride through almost incomprehensible turmoil, the Bartlesville High School football team delivered a powerful adieu in a smashing regular season finale Thursday (Nov. 7) in front of an energized throng of supporters at Custer Stadium.
True, no one was going to mistake their opponent Capitol Hill Red Wolves for the Detroit Lions.
Even so, Bartlesville’s 62-0 romp & stomp proved the Bruins — the heavily revamped Bruins — are playing their best ball heading into next week’s Class 6A-II playoff first round. As an aside, Bartlesville has qualified for the playoffs for the third-straight season — a Bruins’ history-making accomplishment.
In addition to that, Bartlesville tied the team record for most points scored in a game and the largest margin of victory.
The best thing of all? The beleaguered and devoted seniors that have endured the adversity played a major role in Friday’s Red Wolves fricassee.
“I think they’ve handled it well,” Wright said about his 12th graders that hung tough while Bartlesville (3-7, 3-4) struggled through seven-straight losses to start the season and then stayed committed to the squad following a major turmoil three weeks ago that resulted in approximately a half-dozen players, including a handful of seniors, leaving the roster.
As a result of the seismic shake-up, an influx of freshmen — led by new starting quarterback Michael Kent — took charge of the Bruins’ field fortunes.
Since the change, the Bruins are 3-0 — albeit, to be honest, the three opponents were the weakest on Bartlesville’s schedule. But not only did the Bruins win — they dominated each of those contests.
Friday’s fray was the shining crown of that run.
Making it all the sweeter was the heavy influx of senior highlights — achieved in front of a fawning flock of fans.
Seniors that burst into the end zone for scores included: receiver/linebacker Grant Foote (fumble recovery),receiver/defensive back Zach Keen (pick-six), lineman Junior Earnhart (3-yard run), fullback/linebacker Noah Newton (2-yard run).
“I think they’ve handled it well,” Wright said about the seniors who remained after the reshuffling. “I really appreciate Junior Earnhart who has prepared well for every game and made his 35th or 36th straight start. He’s been a key player for several years. … That’s a testament to him not quitting and kind of helping us get out of that streak so that we’re finishing the year on a positive note.”
Juniors that contributed to scoring total Friday included: running back Sutton Williams (11-yard run, 18-yard run), and Harrison Ketchum (53-yard pass from Kent).
Making it truly a night for all classes, freshman Landry Deaton hauled in a pass from Kent for a 30-yard score and sophomore Evan Goad grabbed a Kent aerial for a 40-yard touchdown.
Dillon Burson booted most of the extra points and Maci Alleman hit at least one.
Kent delivered three touchdown passes.
“I’ve been really proud of him for handling the situation, being a freshman and thrown into the fire. I think he stepped in and handled it really well. … You can tell from his body language he doesn’t let the moment be too big for him. He’s getting better throwing the football every week. … He got thrown in on the fly against Putnam City North and he responded well … and has the team rallying behind him.”
Even during the first seven games several freshmen had distinguished themselves for their play on varsity. In the past three contests, even more have contributed.
“It’s kind of a perfect storm for them (freshmen),” Wright said. “We do have some talented freshmen that worked extremely hard to give themselves the opportunity.”
Wright also didn’t forget about the team’s defensive performance against Capitol Hill.
“I was proud of them to pitch a shutout,” he said. “They’ve gotten better each week. They’ve committed to what we’re doing.”
Bartlesville High School’s Landry Deaton (5) scores during the Bruins 62-0 win over Capitol Hill on November 7, 2024 in Bartlesville.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
Bartlesville finishes as the No. 5 seed out of District 6A-II-2. The Bruins will have to travel next Friday (Nov. 15) to the Oklahoma City area to open the postseason.
Wright is nearing the end of his third season as head coach. The last time Bartlesville recorded back-to-back playoff seasons was 2014-2015.
Bruin touchdowns
Sutton Williams, 11 run (Burson kick)
Landry Deaton 30 pass from Michael Kent (Burson kick)
Williams 18 run (Burson kick)
Grant Foote fumble recovery (Burson kick)
Zach Keen interception return (Burson kick)
Harrison Ketchum 53 pass from Kent (PAT fail)
Junior Earnhart 3 run (Burson kick)
Evan Goad 40 pass from Kent (Burson kick)
Noah Newton 2 run (Maci Alleman kick)
Bartlesville High School’s Maci Alleman (25) kicked an extra point during the Bruins 62-0 win over Capitol Hill on November 7, 2024 in Bartlesville.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports