Bishop Kelley Comets OK 2024 Team Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% Off Your Subscription By Entering Knight25 In The Coupon Code Area. Enjoy!</strong></em></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 Bishop Kelley Comets!</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: #9 In Class 5A<br>Preseason Coaches Ranking: #9 In Class 5A</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Head Coach: JJ Tappana - 20th Season - 141-74 Record AT Bishop Kelley</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2023 RESULTS (9-3 Record - Lost In Class 5A Quarterfinals)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Aug. 25th - Lost To Poteau 24-21<br>Sept. 1st - Lost To Rogers, AR. 35-7<br>Sept. 8th - Beat Bishop McGuinness 24-7<br>Sept. 22nd - Beat W. Rogers 47-7<br>Sept. 29th - Beat Collinsville 39-28<br>Oct. 6th - Beat Edison 49-13<br>Oct. 12th - Beat Pryor 36-8<br>Oct. 20th - Beat Claremore 42-41<br>Oct. 26th - Beat Nathan Hale 55-20<br>Nov. 3rd - Beat Grove 38-27<br>1st Round - Beat McAlester 36-21<br>Quarterfinals - Lost To Bishop McGuinness 28-14</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>2023 Offensive Scoring Average: 34 Points Per Game<br>2023 Defensive Scoring Average: 21.6 Points Per Game</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bishop Kelley Comets came into the 2023 season hungry to bounce back in a major way. Despite a 5-6 season and first round exit in 2022, the Comets came into last season as a top ten team and they certainly lived up to the hype. But for the second straight year, they would have somewhat of a slow start against a tough schedule. In 2022, they started 1-4. In 2023, they started 0-2 but turned things around immediately. It began with a rivalry win over Bishop McGuinness and then they entered district play. They beat Collinsville in week five and then had a big showdown with Claremore in week eight. This was one of the more exciting games that we covered in person and the Comets would rally to beat the Zebras 42-41. That win would put the Comets in position to take home the district championship. That also gave them home field advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs. They opened the postseason with a win over McAlester and then they squared off with rival Bishop McGuinness in the quarterfinal round. Despite beating the Irish 24-7 in the regular season, the Irish got the best of the Comets and the season came to an end with a 9-3 record. The Comets definitely bounced back in a major way after two straight 5-6 seasons with a 9-3 campaign and district championship. While the season didn't end the way that they would have liked, there were definitely more positives than negatives and they also have some building blocks to build on as we head into the 2024 season.&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 Comets bring back about half of their starters from last season but this is also a program that you should pencil into the top ten year in and year out. They always get the most out of their roster and this year will not be different. Only four starters are back on the offensive side of the ball and the Comets definitely need to find new players to step up in a big way. They need to replace the quarterback, running back and other skill players but they do bring back some experience on the offensive line and have some players that have stood out on defense that can also make plays on offense. And they'll be able to lean on that defense as they bring back more starters with six guys returning on that side of the ball. We really like the balance the Comets have throughout the three levels but specifically with the linebackers and secondary. They have some dudes there that are hungry to improve on their success in 2023. The Comets face another tough non-district schedule but that should toughen them up for the district slate. Another thing to look out for this season with Bishop Kelley is a particular milestone. Head coach JJ Tappana is going into his 20th season as the head ball coach of the Comets. And as he enters the 2024 season, he's nine wins away from 150 wins as Bishop Kelley's head coach. There is no debating that Tappana has made Bishop Kelley one of the more consistent winners in Oklahoma high school football. The Comets will look to get their coach his 150th win with another long season, full of wins.&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>Eli Hensley - Running Back<br>Reid Jones - Defensive Lineman<br>Sam Rhoades V - Athlete<br>Stice Smith - Quarterback</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":["867297"],"_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-66a24f9abf743"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bishop Kelley's offensive line could be the strength of the offense, especially early on in the season. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='867297' first='Carter' last='Couch'] is a big reason behind that statement and he's an offensive lineman in the state's 2025 class that we think is flying under the radar. He is your prototypical interior offensive lineman and he's back for his third season as a starter. Couch is also a standout on the Bishop Kelley defensive line and similar to the offense, Couch is probably flying under the radar as a defensive lineman right now but that could change this fall. Carter and this Bishop Kelley offensive line will set the tone for what this season is like on offense in 2024. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1348256"],"_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-66a24f9abf7a9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bishop Kelley's coaches are very excited about the potential of junior standout [player_tooltip player_id='1348256' first='Gavin' last='Nichols'] and that's on both sides of the ball. Nichols broke into a starting lineup that was full of seniors. He quickly had an impact in the secondary and the coaches are very high on his potential moving forward as an athlete that can do just about anything they ask of him. On defense, he'll be a game changer and he could do that on offense as well. Whether it's at wide receiver or even at quarterback, the Comets are going to put a lot on his plate and we can't wait to see how he responds and performs this season. Nichols could be one of the breakout stars in 5A football this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1348253"],"_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-66a24f9abf7f0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1348253' first='Josh' last='Pickard'] is another three-year starter for the Comets on the defensive side of the ball. Pickard has been outstanding at the safety position over the last several seasons. Last year, Pickard finished the year with 35 tackles but his production and overall impact definitely goes further than the typical box score. This season, Pickard will be the vocal leader of this Comet defense and an extension of the coaching staff when he's on the field. He has a very high football IQ and he'll be able to help some of the new players throughout the year. Pickard will also contribute on the offensive side of the ball at wide receiver. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a24f9abf835"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bishop Kelley senior [player_tooltip player_id='867296' first='Kai' last='Livesay'] feels like a player that the Comets have had many different versions of during the last decade. A very physical and talented athlete that will line up at running back on offense and linebacker or in the secondary on defense. And wherever Livesay lines up on the field, he's able to impact the game in a major way. Bishop Kelley's coaches believe that Livesay will be the leader of this year's team and he's definitely going to be hungry to get back on the field. Late in the season, Livesay broke his foot and did not participate in the playoffs. Now, Livesay is back and ready to be one of the top two-way players in 5A football this fall. </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>Corey Colbert - 2026 Running Back/Wide Receiver<br>Gage Hall - 2025 Athlete<br>Isaac Oliphant - 2025 Defensive Back<br>Jack Taylor - 2025 Quarterback/Defensive Back<br>Mac Conroy - 2026 Offensive Lineman</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>Sept. 6th - Bishop McGuinness<br></strong>- It doesn't get much better than this for a season opener. It's the annual rivalry game between Bishop Kelley and Bishop McGuinness. These two teams met twice last season and while the Comets dominated the regular season meeting, the rivals from OKC got the last laugh with a win over Bishop Kelley in the quarterfinals. Historically, this match-up usually features close match-ups that are decided by single digits. But recently, we've seen a few more blowouts. <br>Sept. 13th - AT Springdale, AR.<br><strong>Sept. 20th - Sand Springs<br></strong>- In week three, Bishop Kelley will wrap up non-district play against Sand Springs at home. These two teams squared off in 2020 and then again in 2021. They split the two meetings and both teams are ranked in the preseason rankings in their respective classes. For the Comets, they'll look to take advantage of a Sand Springs that is playing an absolute gauntlet of a non-district slate. Before traveling to face the Comets, Sand Springs will face 6A-1 powers Bixby and Owasso. <br>Sept. 27th - AT Edison<br>Oct. 4th - Coweta<br>Oct. 11th - AT Booker T Washington<br><strong>Oct. 17th - AT McAlester<br></strong>- Arguably the toughest district game this season will come on the road on a Fall Break Thursday night. Bishop Kelley will hit the road to face McAlester in week seven and these two teams are the top two ranked teams in the district going into the season. And McAlester will certainly have this one circled after losing to the Comets a year ago and having their season come to an end in the first round. The district championship could very well be on the line when these two clash. <br>Oct. 25th - East Central<br>Nov. 1st - Shawnee<br>Nov. 8th - AT Durant</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Kelley has to be in the conversation for one of the more consistent programs in the state since the turn of the century. Coach Tappana is going into his 20th season and he's led the Comets to the playoffs in all but one season. In fact, starting with the 2000 season, Bishop Kelley has been to the playoffs every single year, with the exception of the 2014 season. Despite always facing a challenging non-district schedule, the Comets routinely have winning seasons and make it to the playoffs, and once they get there, they usually win a game or two. This season, the expectations have not changed and the Comets expect to build off last season's run to the district championship and finish the job once they get into the playoffs. The consistency that Bishop Kelley plays with year after year has a lot to do with the fact that the Comets always get the absolute most out of their roster. This year, they look to do it again.&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 - 9-3 - Lost In Class 5A Quarterfinals<br>2022 - 5-6 - Lost In Class 5A 1st Round<br>2021 - 5-6 - Lost In Class 5A 1st Round<br>2020 - 9-2 - Lost In Class 5A Quarterfinals<br>2019 - 8-5 - Lost In Class 5A Semifinals</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 -->