Bishop Kelley Comets OK 2023 Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's the month of July and that means it's preview time! Throughout the month of July and into August, we are publishing well over 100 in-depth team previews to get you completely ready for the 2023 football season. This is something that began in 2021 and has continued to get bigger every single year. We're looking forward to diving deep into the top teams across the state. From defending champions, to top contenders and plenty of dark horses, we'll have complete coverage every single day with new teams from Class 6A, all the way down to the addition of 8-man coverage this year with Class B and C. In this post, we take a look at the Bishop Kelley Comets.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Bishop Kelley Comets</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #8</strong><br><strong>Preseason Coaches Ranking: #10</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bishop Kelley Comets are right back in the conversation among the top teams in Class 5A as we head into the 2023 season. They have been one of the more consistent teams in Class 5A over the past two decades and despite back to back losing seasons in 2021 and 2022, they still found a way to punch their ticket to the playoffs. In 2022, the Comets started out the season slow with an 0-3 record against a tough non-district slate. They would rattle off a 5-2 record in district play and nearly knocked off defending champion Collinsville in district play, which would have gotten the Comets a home playoff game. The season came to an end in the first round in the snow against Del City. But as we close the book on the 2022 season, there is plenty of reason to be excited about what's next for the Comets in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Comets will be headlined by the offensive side of the ball this season as they return eight starters on that side, including the majority of their playmakers and a strong offensive line unit. On defense, they'll have more new starters than returning with only five returning starters but there is plenty of talent on that side, specifically in the front seven with some serious game-wreckers. The non-district schedule will once again provide some challenges for the Comets but they have a chance to win their district and with a district championship, they will set themselves up for a deep run in the playoffs. The Comets definitely have been one of the more consistent teams in Class 5A but they are ready to take that next step and make it back to the semifinals and even further.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2022 RESULTS (5-6 Record - Lost In Class 5A 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 26 - Lost To Poteau 24-6<br>Sept. 2 - Lost To Rogers, AR. 49-21<br>Sept. 9 - Lost To Bishop McGuinness 35-6<br>Sept. 23 - Beat Will Rogers 34-13<br>Sept. 30 - Lost To Collinsville 28-21<br>Oct. 7 - Beat Edison 49-13<br>Oct. 13 - Beat Pryor 41-6<br>Oct. 21 - Beat Claremore 36-33<br>Oct. 28 - Beat Nathan Hale 47-15<br>Nov. 4 - Lost To Grove 41-20<br>1st Round - Lost To Del City 41-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Key Losses To Graduation</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Austin Munson - Running Back/Linebacker<br>Braxton Goodwin - Defensive Back<br>Hudson Knight - Wide Receiver<br>Max Priest - Defensive Back</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Players To Watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["867296"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"2025 athlete [player_tooltip player_id='867296' first='Kai' last='Livesay'] is a prospect that we're very excited to see this fall because there is a lot of potential in his game moving forward. After battling injuries all season as a sophomore, Livesay is going to come back this fall incredibly hungry to make a major impact. He reminds us of former Bishop Kelley standouts who started as a running back and linebacker. At 6'3 and just over 200 pounds, Livesay has the size and athleticism to be a breakout star for the Comets this fall and really make an impact on this season. As of right now, it looks like his best position might be on defense at linebacker but he also has the ability to tote the rock and that's an area of need for the Comets.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["191294"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"2024 defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='191294' first='Reid' last='Jones'] is a prospect on the rise in a big way over the last few months. His recruitment has started to take off and we think that will only continue this fall after another stellar season. Jones is 6'3 and 275 pounds and an absolute monster up front along the defensive line for the Comets. Jones will primarily line up as a defensive tackle, where he's a game-wrecker for opposing offensive lines. The Comets are very excited about the athleticism he brings with him to that position and he has the ability to give them an edge up front. What will be interesting is that coaches have opened the door for him to play offense and he will be a load to bring down with the ball in his hands.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["360241"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"2024 athlete Sam Rhoades is the Bishop Kelley prospect that we are most excited to see this fall for the Comets. Rhoades was already pretty high on our list and the offseason he's had has only risen that expectation as he goes into his senior season. Last season, Rhoades had 25 catches for 400 yards and also had nearly 50 tackles on the defensive side of the ball. But when we look at Rhoades this offseason, it's been in 7v7 tournaments and it's hard not to be excited about the potential there because his hands might as well have been magnets. He caught everything thrown his way. He's getting more and more attention from FBS programs as well for his versatility and overall athleticism.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["911901"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"The Comets will benefit from having the return of starting quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='911901' first='Stice' last='Smith'] this fall. Smith started for the Comets as a cornerback during his sophomore season and then moved over to quarterback to lead the Bishop Kelley offense last fall. With a strong offensive line in front of him, we expect Smith to lead a balanced Comet attack on the offensive side of the ball. The Comets are very excited to see how much of an impact Smith can have within their offense this fall. He's going to have guys to get the ball to at wide receiver but he's also the fastest player on the team. So when he needs to tuck the ball and run, he's going to give defenses fits trying to gameplan for him.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":4,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64b71bf53f7d6"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>More Names To Know</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='867297' first='Carter' last='Couch'] - 2025 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1055383' first='Eli' last='Hensley'] - 2024 Running Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='632299' first='Gabe' last='Dougherty'] - 2024 Linebacker<br>Gunnar Jackson - 2024 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Mason Mcfarlane - 2024 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Ryan Boos - 2024 Offensive Lineman</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 Schedule/Games To Circle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aug. 25 - AT Poteau</strong><br>- For the fourth consecutive season, Bishop Kelley will open up their football season against 4A powerhouse Poteau as they travel to southeastern Oklahoma to take on the Pirates. In fact, the Comets will have to hit the road for decent road trips in the first few two weeks of the season. But then they will only have to leave Tulsa just once the rest of the way. The Pirates have gotten the best of the Comets in the last two seasons but both teams are ranked in the preseason rankings and are preparing for lengthy runs into the playoffs. Both teams return a decent amount of talent on both sides of the ball and that should make for another exciting week zero clash. <br>Sept. 1 - AT Rogers, AR.<br><strong>Sept. 8 - Bishop McGuinness</strong><br>- The Comets will wrap up non-district play in their annual rivalry clash with Bishop McGuinness in week two. And Bishop Kelley will be determined to turn things around after losing the last two regular season meetings to their OKC rivals by a combined score of 84-12. In fact, the Irish have gotten the better of the Comets in four of the last five. But from 2008-2018, these two played some of the closest games in series history. In 10 of the 14 meetings during that time span, the winning margin was seven points or less. And heading into this season, with Bishop Kelley having the majority of their starters and McGuinness rebuilding, the Comets expect to win. <br>Sept. 22 - Will Rogers<br><strong>Sept. 29 - Collinsville</strong><br>- Coming into this season, Bishop Kelley's district feels like one of the more unpredictable in the class. Grove ran away with the district crown last year, Collinsville captured the 2021 state title and Bishop Kelley is always in the mix. And don't count out a few other teams making runs this fall as the battle for the four playoff spots will be highly contested. But coming into this season, it looks like Bishop Kelley and Collinsville might be the two teams to beat when you talk about this district. So this week five clash at the end of September will certainly have an impact on the playoffs and it could very well decide the district crown. The Cardinals got the best of the Comets 28-21 last fall. <br>Oct. 6 - AT Edison<br>Oct. 12 - AT Pryor<br>Oct. 20 - Claremore<br>Oct. 26 - AT Nathan Hale<br>Nov. 3 - Grove</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Notable</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Since the turn of the century, Bishop Kelley has only had five losing seasons. That doesn't include a 5-5 mark in 2014. And while the Comets were able to make the playoffs in the last two seasons, they also had back to back losing seasons in 2021 and 2022 for the first time in well over two decades. But as we mentioned at the very beginning, the Comets are much more experienced as they head into this season and they will also benefit from being in a district where graduation hit last year's contenders much harder than it hit Bishop Kelley. The Comets have punched their ticket to the playoffs in eight straight seasons, but they are hungry to not only get back to the playoffs, but get back to finishing with a winning record and winning a playoff game or two. Class 5A will once again be headlined by powerhouse Carl Albert but after that, it has the feeling of being very wide open. That will open the door for the Comets to make a run.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Championship History</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>1 State Championship</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1981 - Beat El Reno 33-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->