PLAYOFFS: BHS Bruins take aim on PCHS Pirates in Class 6A-II showdown opener
Bartlesville High School's Harrions Ketchum (17), Sutton Williams (0), Michael Kent (14) and Noah Newton (20) celebrate after a score during earlier season action. The Bruins start Class 6A playoffs Friday (Nov. 15) against Putnam City at 7 p.m. at the Pirates' homefield.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
Bartlesville High School's Michael Henson (30) and Garrison Dennis (28) make a tackle during earlier season action. The Bruins start Class 6A playoffs Friday (Nov. 15) against Putnam City at 7 p.m. at the Pirates' home field.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
By Mike Tupa
Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Never before have Bartlesville and Putnam City high schools clashed on the football field.
But they will get to know each other up close and personal Friday (Nov. 15) night in the opening round of the OSSAA Class 6A-II playoffs. KIck-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Putnam City Pirates’ field.
The winner will play the top-ranked Muskogee Roughers (10-0) in the quarterfinals on Nov. 22. The loser will move into the offseason.
The Pirates bring a 6-4 mark into the fray, but are 1-2 in their last three games.
Less than a month ago Bartlesville’s journey to the playoffs seemed mighty shaky.
Halfway into October the Bruins’ record stood at 0-7 and they faced playoff-bound Ponca City.
But following a major personnel shake-up, Bartlesville caught a gust of momentum, blew past Ponca City, 30-20, and won their next two regular season games to wrap up a No. 5 seed in the postseason.
A couple of notable facts: Bartlesville tied the team record for the most points (62) and largest margin of victory while hammering Capitol Hill in the district finale, 62-0. Bartlesville also made history by qualifying for the playoffs for a third-straight season — all with Harry Wright as the head coach.
Guiding the Bruin offense is freshman quarterback Michael Kent, who is preparing to make just his fourth varsity start.
Kent has put up big numbers the final third of the season — completing 68 percent of his passes (36-of-53), chucking seven touchdowns with only one interception, and providing an alternate running threat.
First-year starting running back Sutton Williams has rushed for 530 yards and six touchdowns, while averaging 4.0 yards per tote. Daeton Stevens — a hard-nosed freshman — has added 244 yards rushing (4.3 per rush) and three scores.
Williams also has seized 12 catches for more than 160 yards.
Senior wide receiver Damien Niko has averaged almost six catches per game for nearly 850 yards, including 10 touchdowns. He is averaging 15.4 yards per catch.
For Putnam, Rodgerick Sloan averages more than five yards per carry and as of nine game had rushed for better than 600 yards.
Quarterback Denymn Friday had thrown for 1,247 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine picks through nine games.
His favorite target has been S. James, who had pulled in 31 aerials for more than 600 yards through nine games.
L. Shoels also is a running threat at more than five yards per carry and two touchdowns.
__________
Following is the full OSSAA football playoff brackets.
All games are Friday (Nov. 15) at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted
__________
CLASS 6A-I
Bixby (8-2), bye
Moore (6-4) at Norman North (3-7) (1 p.m., Saturday)
Edmond Memorial (8-2), bye
Westmoore (2-8) at Norman (9-1)
Owasso (10-0), bye
Broken Arrow (4-6) at Deer Creek (7-3)
Jenks (7-3), bye
Mustang (5-5) at Tulsa Union (7-3)
__________
CLASS 6A-II
Muskogee (10-0), bye
Bartlesville (3-7) at Putnam City (6-4)
Stillwater (8-2), bye
Southmoore (4-6) at Putnam City North (7-3)
Choctaw (8-2), bye
Eisenhower (4-6) at Sapulpa (4-6)
Sand Springs (7-3), bye
Ponca City (3-7) at Piedmont (6-4)
__________
CLASS 5A
Noble (4-6) at Newcastle (7-3)
Bishop Kelley (5-5) at Pryor (7-3)
Collinsville (7-3) at BT Washington (8-2)
MacArthur (7-3) at Guthrie (7-3)
Midwest City (5-5) at Carl Albert (10-0)
Claremore (8-2) at McAlester (8-2)
Shawnee (6-4) at Del City (9-1)
Lawton (4-6) at Bishop McGuinness (7-3)
__________
CLASS 4A
Ardmore (6-4) at Elgin (10-0)
Grove (8-2) at Sallisaw (8-2)
Poteau (6-4) at Wagoner (10-0)
Clinton (8-2) at Blanchard (9-1)
Elk City (5-5) at Tuttle (10-0)
Hilldale (6-4) at Miami (8-2)
Cushing (7-3) at Ada (7-3)
Bethany (8-2) at Weatherford (8-2)
__________
CLASS 3A
Seminole (7-3) at Heritage Hall (9-1)
Holland Hall (6-4) at Berryhill (6-4)
Jay (4-6) at Lincoln Christian (10-0)
Pauls Valley (7-3) at Perkins (8-2)
Kingfisher (5-5) at Sulphur (9-1)
Claremore-Sequoyah (7-3) at Idabel (7-3)
Checotah (6-4) at Cascia Hall (9-1)
Bristow (6-4) at Plainview (9-1)
__________
CLASS 2A-I
Crossings (5-4) at Millwood (9-1)
Hugo (7-3) at Chandler (7-3)
Sperry (5-5) at Kingston (9-1)
Chisholm (6-4) at Marlow (8-2)
Perry (6-4) at Washington (10-0)
Tahlequah-Sequoyah (5-5) at Kiefer (7-3)
Bethel (5-5) at Metro Christian (10-0)
Lindsay (6-4) at Jones (8-2)
__________
CLASS 2A-II
Community Christian (5-5) at Stroud (10-0)
Salina (6-4) at Henryetta (8-2)
Antlers (5-5) at Adair (10-0)
Hennessey (6-4) at Davis (6-4)
Luther (5-5) at Holdenville (10-0)
Valliant (5-5) at Colcord (9-1)
Kansas (6-4) at Vian (10-0)
Beggs (8-2) at Alva (8-2)
__________
CLASS A-I
Hartshorne (7-3) at Pawhuska (8-2)
Hinton (5-5) at Christian Heritage (7-3)
Nowata (3-7) at Rejoice Christian (9-1)
Wynnewood (8-2) at Fairview (9-1)
Minco (7-3) at Hooker (9-1)
Tonkawa (6-4) at Pocola (8-2)
Panama (6-4) at Pawnee (7-3)
Cashion (7-3) at Walters (9-1)
__________
CLASS A-II
Barnsdall (6-4) at Talihina (9-1)
Texhoma/Goodwell (7-3) at Velma-Alma (8-2)
Wilson (5-5) at T.F. Custer (9-1)
Central Sallisaw (7-3) at Hominy (8-2)
Mooreland (7-3) at Ringling (7-3)
Ketchum (7-3) at Regent Prep (9-1)
Gore (6-4) at Woodland (10-0)
Konawa (7-3) at Mangum (9-1)
__________
CLASS B-I (8-man)
Snyder (3-7) at Laverne (9-1)
Foyil (5-5) at Caddo (8-2)
Savanna (4-5) at Yale (10-0)
Garber (7-3) at Empire (9-1)
Pond Creek-Hunter (7-3) at Hollis (7-2)
Keota (7-3) at Drumright (7-3)
Depew (1-9) at Dewar (8-1)
Waurika (4-6) at Turpin (8-1)
__________
CLASS B-II (8-man)
Cherokee (5-5) at Copan (8-2)
Thackerville (6-4) at Seiling (9-1)
Wesleyan Christian (2-8) at Cov.-Douglas (10-0)
Shattuck (6-3) at Wetumka (6-4)
Boise City (5-5) at Weleetka (10-0)
Webbers Falls (6-4) at Waukomis (8-2)
Davenport (3-7) at Wilson (Henryetta) (8-1)
Alex (6-4) at Okeene (9-1)
__________
CLASS C (8-man)
Mt. View-Gotebo (4-6) at Timberlake (10-0)
Oaks Mission (7-3) at Paoli (7-3)
Bowlegs (6-4) at Medford (7-2)
Waynoka (5-5) at Ryan (9-1)
Balko/Forgan (5-5) at Tipton (10-0)
Saskwa (7-3) at Welch (9-1)
Watts (4-5) at Maysville (8-2)
Geary (7-3) at Tyrone (7-2)