BARTLESVILLE BRUINS CLOSE IN ON END OF SUMMER PRIDE; PRACTICE OPENING LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AWAY
Bartlesville Bruins Michael Kent hands the ball off to Sutton Williams last season. Both are expected to start this season, which begins Aug. 29.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
July 24, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Bartlesville High School’s football team boasts a unique mix — a deep wave of sophomores and juniors that are already battle-hardened veterans.
Whether their physical development, talent development and intense training will match their experience — and propel them to upper-division status in Class 6A-II — is a question mark that won’t begin to be answered until after the opening whistle blows on August 29 when the Claremore High School Zebras invade Custer Stadium.
The good news is the Bruins have plenty of individual potential. They enjoy a number of players with two-or-more-years main rotation varsity experience, warriors that will bring leadership to the mix for fourth-year head coach Harry Wright and his largely-returning staff.
As mentioned, there will definitely be a youth theme on this squad — a squad that ended last season on a sizzling roll, winning three of its final four games while outscoring its opposition, 146-55.
Wright hopes his 2025 squad can build on last year’s late success — and the seasoning effect it had on several younger players.
“The biggest thing about this year is building on that experience they gained last year,” he said. “Being able to cash in on that.”
He also anticipates a few players that will step up and surprise the coaches.
Meanwhile, the players are engaged in some heavy lifting — literally. The varsity works out three hours a day four days a week. The conditioning is broken up into three basic phases — getting stronger in the weightroom, spending time on auxiliary work and a session of speed and agility on the turf.
The final day of Summer Pride workouts is set for July 31. Other events coming up are the Night of Champions for the public and a major camp and coaches’ clinic.
The opening day of August practice is set for August 11.
Sophomore-to-be Michael Kent is the designated quarterback starter. His main competitor for the position transferred to another area school.
Kent started the final four varsity games last season. As mentioned, the Bruins finished 3-1 in those contests.
The player being prepared as his back-up is a freshman who also is working into a receivers’ role.
“It’s good and bad,” Wright said about the absence of a real quarterback competition. “You can build your offense around what one guy can do really well, but I think it’s better if you have a competition.”
Sutton Williams is the returning leading ball carrier from last season and also expected to make a big impact.
“He’s had several good camps,” Wright said.
He also praised the effort of Harrison Ketchum in a receiver’s role.
One of Bartlesville's most valuable assets is experience on the line. Four of last year’s five starters are back, including John Torres, who also is expected to be a major component on the defensive line.
“We’re still a little undersized up front but they definitely looked better at team camp,” Wright said. “They definitely took a step forward.”
This is Wright’s fourth year in the charge, the longest tenure of any Bruin football head coach since 2017.