Bethany Bronchos OK 2024 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 even into August, we are publishing well over 100 of the most in-depth team previews that you'll find anywhere to get you completely ready for the 2024 football season. This is something that began for us at PRZ-Oklahoma in 2021 and it continues to get bigger and better every single year. We're looking forward to diving deep into the top teams across the state in every class. From defending champions, to the top contenders and plenty of dark horses and other teams to know, we'll have complete coverage every single day. There will be multiple previews dropping every single day! In this post, we take a look at the Bethany Bronchos!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Bethany Bronchos </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: #9 In Class 4A<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: UR In Class 4A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Head Coach: Jon Arthur - 8th Season - 61-22 Record At Bethany</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (6-5 Record - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 25th - Lost To Jones 26-14<br>Sept. 1st - Beat John Marshall 51-34<br>Sept. 8th - Beat Woodward 40-14<br>Sept. 22nd - Lost To Tuttle 30-10<br>Sept. 29th - Beat Bridge Creek 38-0<br>Oct. 6th - Beat Classen SAS 45-6<br>Oct. 12th - Beat Tecumseh 49-14<br>Oct. 19th - Beat Harrah 38-14<br>Oct. 27th - Lost To Blanchard 27-7<br>Nov. 3rd - Lost To Newcastle 35-7<br>1st Round - Lost To Clinton 28-25</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 29.5 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 20.7 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the second straight year, the Bethany Bronchos played in arguably the toughest district in Class 4A and for the second straight year, they would lose a heartbreaker to Clinton in the first round of the playoffs. It had to feel like deja vu for a Bethany team that came into the season with high expectations. But they knew there was a gauntlet ahead of them. The Bronchos were ranked in the top ten of our Class 4A preseason rankings in 2023. But the problem was that three other district foes were also ranked, including two teams in the top five. But the Bronchos kept their head down and pushed forward through a tough early slate. They went 2-2 to start the season with losses to 2A power Jones and then to 4A power Tuttle to open district play. After the loss to Tuttle, Bethany won four straight games and looked really good in each, winning all of them by at least 20 points. Then came showdowns with Blanchard and Newcastle in the final two weeks. They dropped both games and because of that, they fell to the four seed heading into the playoffs and that meant another trip to Clinton to start the playoffs. They lost an overtime heartbreaker to Clinton in 2022 and while this first round game didn't go to overtime, they still came up short, losing 28-25 and the season came to an end at 6-5. The record and results are not solely indicative of how good this Bethany team was in 2023. They just had a tough battle in a brutal district and came up short. With the majority of their starters returning in 2024, they look like a team that is battle-tested and ready to make a run in Class 4A.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bronchos come into this season as a top ten team once again in Class 4A. They have weapons back on the offensive side of the ball that make them a very dangerous team to watch this season. Seven starters are back on an offense that averaged nearly 30 points per game last season. The quarterback and running back return as well as the leading receiver. So they check all the boxes in terms of the skill department. Now, they need new names to step up on the line of scrimmage after graduating three starters on the offensive line. But if those guys step up and are ready to play, this is an offense that could definitely take a major step up in 2024 and be among the best units in Class 4A football. On the defensive side of the ball, there's just as much excitement. Eight starters return on a defense that gave up a little over 20 points per game last season. And they get back one of the best cornerbacks in the state's 2026 class after he missed almost all of the 2023 season. When you look at the Bethany defense on paper, there's no reason to think that they won't also see a significant improvement from last year's unit. Now, the Bronchos once again find themselves in a very tough district. This has been a district dominated by Blanchard and Tuttle over the last few years and they expect to continue that domination this season. Both are in the top five of our preseason rankings but with Bethany's experience and overall talent returning, they should be ready to push both of those teams for the district title. And if they do that, they will be set up for a really good run in the playoffs when November rolls around.&nbsp;</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>Christian Sigler - Offensive Lineman<br>Will Strawn - Offensive Lineman</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":["403574"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a253ae980d0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We mentioned earlier in the preview that Bethany would need new guys to step up along the offensive line after graduating three starters from last year's unit. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='403574' first='Ben' last='Sailer'] is one of the guys that we have circled as one to watch on this year's offensive line coming into the season. Sailer definitely checks some of the boxes when you look at his size. He checks in at 6'4 and 280 pounds and will give the Bronchos someone that they can definitely lean on early on in the 2024 season. While the new guys come along, we expect Sailer to be the anchor to this unit and put them in a good position. The Bronchos have some talented guys coming up but Sailer is the veteran of the group. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["402375"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a253ae98131"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It's possible that Bethany has the best cover corner in Class 4A this season. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='402375' first='Evenson' last='Malaska'] is back after being injured for most of the 2023 season. He started for the Bronchos as a freshman and had a very strong 2022 season. He's the younger brother of former Bethany standout and current Sooner Jocelyn Malaska and we remember talking to some of Bethany's coaches about Evenson during his freshman season. They brought up how Evenson was ahead of where Jocelyn was at that stage of his career. We're just fired up to see Evenson healthy and back on the field. And it would not surprise us at all if he ended up becoming the best cover corner in 4A football this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["917666"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a253ae9817b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='917666' first='Jackson' last='Payne'] had big shoes to fill last year as he stepped into the role of Taylor Heim after he graduated. Payne would answer the call and had a strong season as a QB and as a safety on defense. Offensively, Payne would throw for over 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns. He would also add over 40 tackles and three interceptions on the defensive side of the ball. This season, with all the talent that Bethany has coming back in the skill departments, it's not crazy to think that Payne's production will also see a spike this fall. Payne comes into the season as one of the quarterbacks to watch in Class 4A and we're looking forward to seeing what kind of numbers he puts up. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1348269"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a253ae981bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior [player_tooltip player_id='1348269' first='Judson' last='Gilliland'] returns on both sides of the ball for the Bronchos and for Bethany's opponents, it has to feel like a “pick your poison” situation. First off, Gilliland is arguably Bethany's top two-way player with the impact he has on offense and also on defense. Offensively, he can contribute as a running back, quarterback or receiver and produce at a high level. Last season, he threw four touchdowns and also added nearly 500 passing yards. He also ran for nearly 400 yards and totaled ten touchdowns between running and receiving. Then you throw in the fact that Gilliland led the team in tackles last season with 118 and you have the makings of a dominant football player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>MORE NAMES TO KNOW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Devonta Melton - 2025 Linebacker<br>Gabe Baxton - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Seth Greiner - 2026 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>[player_tooltip player_id='917665' first='Wyatt' last='Geissler'] - 2025 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 SCHEDULE/GAMES TO CIRCLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aug. 29th - Noble<br></strong>- The season opener is always a date that you have to circle on the calendar but this is definitely a game the home fans won't want to miss. Bethany opens the season against 5A's Noble but this isn't as much about the match-up as it is with the schedule breakdown. Following the week zero game against Noble, Bethany has four straight road games and won't play again at home until week six. Starting then, they close the season with four out of five games at home but they'll be road warriors early. <br>Sept. 6th - AT John Marshall<br>Sept. 13th - AT Jones<br>Sept. 27th - AT Chickasha<br><strong>Oct. 4th - AT Blanchard<br></strong>- The last road game of four straight away from home will take place in week five and it's arguably the toughest one. Bethany will go on the road to face defending champion Blanchard. These two have been going back and forth for the majority of the last decade. Blanchard won in 2023 while Bethany won in 2022. This year, Blanchard is very similar to Bethany where the Lions have a ton of skill talent returning but they also need new guys to step up along the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. <br><strong>Oct. 11th - Tuttle<br></strong>- After four straight road games, Bethany finally returns home and it's another monster game as they host Tuttle in week six. The Tigers might be the team to beat in this district with all the talent they have coming back as well as the guys that are new to the program. The Bronchos are looking to get a big win here after losing to Tuttle in each of the last two years. And with a win over the visiting Tigers, there's no doubt that Bethany will be in the driver's seat for the district championship. <br>Oct. 17th - Harrah<br>Oct. 25th - AT Ardmore<br>Nov. 1st - Tecumseh<br>Nov. 8th - Madill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bethany is hungry to get out of the first round of the playoffs this season after four straight years of first round exits. They want to get back to where we saw them from 2017-2019, where they were winning at least ten games every year and they made a run to the state championship game in 2018. And as we've mentioned several times in this preview already, the district certainly hasn't helped. They've been in arguably the toughest district in Class 4A for the last two seasons and it could be the toughest again this year. Clinton has been a playoff thorn in their side in each of the last two years but we think with the experience and overall talent they have returning, this could be the year that not only do the Bronchos get out of the first round, but they start flirting with that 10-win mark and if they get to double digit wins, who knows what could happen after that.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LAST FIVE SEASONS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2023 - 6-5 - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round<br>2022 - 9-2 - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round<br>2021 - 8-3 - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round<br>2020 - 5-6 - Lost In Class 4A 1st Round<br>2019 - 11-1 - Lost In Class 4A Quarterfinals</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>1 State Championship</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2003 - Beat Davis 40-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->