Bishop Kelley Comets OK 2025 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 2025 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><em><strong>Preseason Prep Redzone Ranking: UR In Class 5A</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Head Coach: JJ Tappana - 21st Season - 146-80 Record AT Bishop Kelley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2024 RESULTS (5-6 Record - Lost In Class 5A 1st Round)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sept. 6th - Lost To Bishop McGuinness 39-25<br>Sept. 13th - Lost To Springdale, AR. 36-7<br>Sept. 20th - Lost To Sand Springs 38-3<br>Sept. 27th - Beat Edison 49-6<br>Oct. 4th - Beat Coweta 20-8<br>Oct. 10th - Lost To Booker T Washington 25-0<br>Oct. 17th - Lost To McAlester 29-21<br>Oct. 25th - Beat East Central 53-13<br>Nov. 1st - Beat Shawnee 58-20<br>Nov. 8th - Beat Durant 29-14<br>1st Round - Lost To Pryor 38-19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>2024 Offensive Scoring Average: 25.8 Points Per Game<br>2024 Defensive Scoring Average: 24.2 Points Per Game</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2024 football season for Bishop Kelley was one plagued by season-ending injuries to some of their key players. The Comets could never really get any kind of sustained momentum because of the struggles in the health department. They began the season facing a very tough non-district schedule and would go 0-3 to start the 2024 football season. But healthy or not healthy, Bishop Kelley knew that they were going to see trial by fire in the first three weeks of the season. They bounced back once district play began, beating Edison and Coweta in back to back weeks. They would then drop the next two games against Booker T Washington and McAlester but rallied to finish the season 5-5. They beat East Central, Shawnee and Durant all by double digits to close out the regular season and clinch a playoff spot for the tenth consecutive season. The Comets would run into Pryor in the first round and they were knocked out of the playoffs by the Tigers and were one and done for the third time in the last four seasons. You can't help but wonder “what if?” when it comes to the 2024 football season. If Bishop Kelley had been healthy or at least healthier, what would that season look like? But now the Comets will benefit from the struggles from the year before. They'll have players that come into this season with some experience that might not have seen the field as much in 2024.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 OUTLOOK</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Kelley brings back the majority of their starters this season and they have more players that have some significant playing experience to mix into their lineup this season. The Comets have six starters back on the offensive side of the ball. They are really excited about the skill players they bring back, specifically at the running back position. They have multiple players that can break a big play. They'll be breaking in a new quarterback but he's a player that has high expectations from the Comet coaching staff. And the offensive line should be very improved this season. They have some good numbers returning on the line of scrimmage but more importantly, they hired David Alexander this offseason to coach up the offensive line. Defensively, the Comets bring back six starters as well and just like with the offense, we think that this unit could be improved this season because of the experience they are bringing back this fall. Now, the schedule is going to be baptism by fire once again. They play a very difficult non-district schedule but that should also benefit them. The district is going to be incredibly competitive. There's only four playoff spots but it wouldn't be surprising if any one of six different teams were in contention for those four playoff spots. For Bishop Kelley, they want to be one of those four teams and extend that streak. And if they stay healthy throughout the 2025 season, they could end up being much more than a playoff team. They could contend for the district and perhaps even the state title.&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>Issac Oliphant - Cornerback<br>Kai Livesay - Defensive Back<br>Nic Modovsky - Wide Receiver</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":["1741348"],"_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-68893964d960d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1741348' first='Beckett' last='Jackson'] comes into this season after a breakout year in 2024. Looking back at some of our notes from this time last year, Jackson wasn't on our radar but he ended up being one of Bishop Kelley's top defenders. Jackson finished the year with nearly 70 tackles and a handful of tackles for loss as well as interceptions. Jackson returns this season, looking to lead the Bishop Kelley defense to new heights. He had a significant impact on the defensive side of the ball last year and this unit could be improved this fall. Jackson showed that he has a nose for the football and we're looking forward to seeing what kind of production he has this fall. </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-68893964d966e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='1348256' first='Gavin' last='Nichols'] is a player that we've been talking about for a few years now. The ceiling is still so high for Nichols as an overall athlete. He had his junior season cut short and that certainly hurt his production and his overall film in 2024. Nichols still produced when he was on the field at the running back position and on defense in the secondary. When Nichols is healthy, he has a world of potential on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he's a game changer no matter where he's lining up. Defensively, he's moved around the secondary and had success in every position. Nichols is a player that we like to have a major bounce back season this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1741351"],"_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-68893964d96d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1741351' first='Max' last='Gipson'] comes into this season as a first year starter at quarterback. As we mentioned earlier in the preview, Bishop Kelley's coaches have already been very positive about Gipson's potential and the impact he could end up having this season. He's a terrific baseball player so you know the arm strength and overall talent is going to be there. Gipson is a player that we simply don't know much about but he's certainly a candidate to have a breakout season. If the Comets and more specifically, their skill players stay healthy, Gipson could end up having a big season. And if he's able to produce at a high level, the Comets will be in a great position in Class 5A.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1741347"],"_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-68893964d9722"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1741347' first='RJ' last='Woody'] has the potential to be one of the top playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. He showed signs of that throughout his junior season a year ago. Last fall, he finished with 16 catches for over 400 yards and five touchdowns. We look at those numbers and we see a player that only had 16 receptions but made the most of them, averaging well over 20 yards per catch and was ending up in the end zone once on every third reception. Those averages are off the charts. And if he sees his opportunities go up this season, those averages might go down a bit but he's still going to be able to produce at a very high level. He could end up becoming Gipson's top target. </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>Carsen Brown - 2028 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Carsen Thompson - 2027 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back<br>Corey Colbert - 2026 Running Back/Defensive Back<br>Jack Rhem - 2028 Offensive Lineman<br>Joe Huber - 2026 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Josh Phillips - 2026 Defensive Lineman<br>Lars Fretter - 2027 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Lucas Goodman - 2028 Tight End/Defensive Lineman<br>Mac Conroy - 2026 Offensive/Defensive Lineman<br>Owen Govier - 2026 Kicker<br>Wes Woody - 2028 Wide Receiver/Defensive Back</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>2025 SCHEDULE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sept. 5th - AT Bishop McGuinness</strong><br>- For the second straight season, Bishop Kelley will face rival Bishop McGuinness in the season opener. And the Comets are hungrier than ever to bring the shillelagh back to Tulsa. They lost to the Irish 39-25 last season and have dropped four of the last five to their Oklahoma City rival.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 12th - Springdale, AR.&nbsp;</strong><br>- Last year, Bishop Kelley traveled to northwest Arkansas to square off with Springdale. They lost 36-7 but now, the Bulldogs make the return trip to Oklahoma and Bishop Kelley will get the Arkansas opponent at home. When you look back on the history of Bishop Kelley football, they haven't played out of state foes often.<br><strong>Sept. 19th - AT Sand Springs</strong><br>- The non-district slate will wrap up with a road game against Sand Springs in week three. The Comets lost to the Sandites 38-3 last season and have dropped the last two in the series. Sand Springs comes into this season with one of the top passing offenses in the state, regardless of class.&nbsp;<br><strong>Sept. 26th - Edison</strong><br>- District play will open in week four with a home game against Edison. Last year, the Comets rolled to a 49-6 victory over the Eagles and that would end up being their largest margin of victory in 2024. These two have met every year since 2014 and the Comets are 9-2 during that time.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 3rd - AT Coweta</strong><br>- The Comets go on the road to face Coweta in week five. They beat the Tigers 20-8 last season and it snapped a two-game losing streak to Coweta. Both of these teams come into this season with high expectations. Coweta was young last season and Bishop Kelley was injury-riddled in 2024.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 9th - Booker T Washington</strong><br>- The second half of the regular season begins with a Thursday night game against Booker T Washington in week six. Last season, the Hornets dominated the line of scrimmage and shut out the Comets 25-0. It's the fourth straight loss against BTW. Bishop Kelley's last win came in 2011.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 17th - McAlester</strong><br>- In week seven, Bishop Kelley will host McAlester in another big district showdown. Last season, this game was competitive, with the Buffaloes winning 29-21. The Comets will be looking for their second win in the last four meetings. The other win came in the 2023 playoffs.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 24th - AT East Central</strong><br>- Bishop Kelley will hit the road but it's a short trip over to East Central to face the Cardinals in week eight. The Comets come into this season with a three-game winning streak over the Cardinals that started in 2020. Prior to that, the Comets hadn't had much success against the Cardinals.&nbsp;<br><strong>Oct. 31st - AT Shawnee</strong><br>- In week nine, Bishop Kelley will travel to Shawnee on Halloween night to face the Wolves. These two teams have been off and on district opponents for the last decade. During that time, Bishop Kelley has never lost to Shawnee. They won 58-20 last season but this is a much improved Shawnee squad.&nbsp;<br><strong>Nov. 7th - Durant</strong><br>- The regular season comes to an end in week ten with a home game against Durant. The Lions are another example of a team that has a lot of potential to make plenty of noise this season. But Bishop Kelley has Durant's number. They've won nine straight meetings, including last year's 29-14 win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>NOTABLE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bishop Kelley's JJ Tappana is going into his 21st season as head coach of the Comets and he's a few wins away from a major milestone. He's currently sitting at 146 wins as Bishop Kelley's head coach and four more wins puts him at 150 for his career with the Comets. Tappana, in our opinion, is one of the more underrated coaches in the state, and certainly in the Tulsa area. He's helped lead the Comets to the playoffs every single season, with the exception of the 2024 season. This year, Tappana and the Comets will once again face a tough non-district schedule but like we've said in the past, it should toughen them up to compete in district play and keep that playoff streak alive. We think that Tappana will hit that milestone number and he'll have his Comets in a position to contend in district play. We're not the only ones to say this about Tappana but it feels like year after year, he gets the absolute most out of the roster he has. This year won't be any different.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>LAST FIVE SEASONS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2024 - 5-6 - Lost In Class 5A 1st Round<br>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</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>1981 - Beat El Reno 33-6</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->