Bristow Pirates 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 Bristow Pirates.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Bristow Pirates</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #10</strong><br><strong>Preseason Coaches Ranking: UR</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bristow Pirates round out the preseason top ten rankings in Class 3A at number ten as they head into the 2023 football season. At this time last year, Bristow was making the transition back to Class 3A after four seasons in Class 4A. The Pirates found themselves in arguably the most competitive district in Class 3A and it played out that way. Bristow would begin the season with back to back losses to Cushing and Chandler. But they would bounce back in a major way with four consecutive victories, including a 15-14 win over Verdigris in week six that would set Bristow up for a run at the district title. However, back to back losses to Cascia Hall and Holland Hall in weeks eight and nine would leave Bristow with a 5-2 record. And despite that 5-2 record, they finished fourth after losing the head to head tie with Holland Hall and had to go on the road to face district champion Lincoln Christian in the playoffs. It would be a first round exit as they fell to the Bulldogs and their season ended with a 6-5 mark. As they look ahead to the 2023 football season, Bristow is still in a very competitive district but it looks like it is completely up for grabs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With half of their starters back, Bristow is actually one of the more experienced teams in the district. The four playoff teams from this district (Bristow, Cascia Hall, Holland Hall and Verdigris) all lost quite a bit of experience and overall talent from last year's team to graduation. We've said it a few times this month already but this district is absolutely up for grabs at this point and there's no reason to think that Bristow can't go ahead and win it. They beat last year's district champion in the regular season. Five starters return on the offensive side of the ball and the Pirates will continue to run the flexbone option attack to ground and pound their opponents this season. Six starters are back on defense and we really like what Bristow brings back in terms of skill players and on the front seven of the defense. They bring back some really good experience and skill in those departments and that should provide them with a good start to contend in this district and then Class 3A overall. The beginning of the season will provide a challenge but the Pirates will be hungry to get off to a good start. And if they can get a good start, they'll look to ride that momentum into district play and contend for the district championship. And if that happens, who knows what will happen when the playoffs roll around.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2022 RESULTS (6-5 Record - Lost In Class 3A 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 2 - Lost To Cushing 63-20<br>Sept. 9 - Lost To Chandler 23-16 (OT)<br>Sept. 16 - Beat Mannford 56-28<br>Sept. 23 - Beat Inola 64-14<br>Sept. 30 - Beat Dewey 58-6<br>Oct. 7 - Beat Verdigris 15-14<br>Oct. 13 - Beat Jay 35-34<br>Oct. 21 - Lost To Cascia Hall 56-22<br>Oct. 28 - Lost To Holland Hall 28-3<br>Nov. 3 - Beat Central 45-21<br>1st Round - Lost To Lincoln Christian 68-19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Key Loss To Graduation</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Charles Ware - Running 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":["917724"],"_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":"Bristow loses one running back but they bring back another one as [player_tooltip player_id='917724' first='Darien' last='Dansby'] is heading into his junior season with the Pirates. Bristow's coaches have been high on Dansby since he was a freshman and his career has played out that way so far. Dansby is on the shortlist of players that we're excited to see this season. He showed signs of being a marquee back last season in various games throughout the regular season. Now that Dansby should get the majority of the carries with Ware graduating, we could see that production really go up. Bristow is still going to have balance and spread the love but don't be surprised if Dansby puts up big numbers.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["917731"],"_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":"Whenever you're talking about the Bristow offense and the flexbone specifically, having everyone on the same page is going to be critical each and every week. Having an experienced player like 2024 [player_tooltip player_id='917731' first='Sloan' last='Dixon'] at the offensive line position is going to be very helpful for Bristow as he looks to open up the running lanes for Dansby and the rest of this Bristow offense. The Pirates really like their numbers and depth they have at some of the various positions but they are not one of the bigger teams and Dixon is a good example of that. He's not the biggest offensive lineman but he has good technique and quick feet that allows him to get the job done.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":2,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64bc09b0a6429"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>More Names To Know</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chandler Forney - 2024 Wide Receiver/Linebacker<br>[player_tooltip player_id='1350361' first='Talon' last='Bigpond'] - 2025 Tight End/Defensive End</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>Sept. 1 - Cushing</strong><br>- These two teams have gotten very familiar with one another over the last few decades. In most instances, they've opened up the season against each other. In the other cases, they've been district foes. But Bristow will have this season opener circled after losing the last three in the series to Cushing. Last season, it was a rout for the Tigers as their high-powered offense led the way in a 63-20 victory. But just like Bristow's district, graduation has hit Cushing hard as the majority of their playmakers are gone. A win here will give Bristow some serious momentum. <br>Sept. 8 - AT Chandler<br>Sept. 15 - Mannford<br>Sept. 22 - AT Inola<br>Sept. 29 - Dewey<br>Oct. 6 - Verdigris<br>Oct. 12 - AT Jay<br><strong>Oct. 20 - Cascia Hall</strong><br>- In week eight, Bristow will play host to Cascia Hall and it begins a massive two-week stretch where the Pirates are hosting the other two district teams that are ranked in the preseason rankings. And fortunately for Bristow, they get all three of the other playoff teams from this district at home this season. That will certainly help their chances as they welcome in a Cascia Hall team that will look quite different this season. In addition to new personnel, they are going to be throwing the ball more this season. If Bristow can go 2-0 in this stretch against Cascia Hall and Holland Hall, they'll be in a good spot. <br>Oct. 27 - Holland Hall<br>Nov. 3 - Central</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Notable</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bristow seems to be one of the communities that is always on the border every year when the new ADM numbers come out. They're either one of the smallest schools in Class 4A or one of the largest schools in Class 3A in any given district cycle. Right now, Bristow is one of the largest 3A schools but that could very well change as soon as 2024 as another redistricting cycle will be taking place. We'll get a better idea of where they might end up when the updated ADM numbers are put out sometime in August. The going back and forth between 4A and 3A is nothing new to Bristow as they've been doing that for the last ten years. They moved up to 4A in 2014 and 2015 and then went right back down in 2016 and 2017. They were back up to 4A in 2018-2021 and moved back down to 3A last season. But what's probably the most important part of this Bristow program is their consistency, no matter what class they are in. They've been a playoff team the majority of the last decade and it hasn't mattered what class they are in.&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>3 State Championships</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>1985 - Beat Vinita 22-7<br>1976 - Beat Vinita 13-10<br>1975 - Beat Clinton 20-7</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->