Despite a strong veteran presence, Bartlesville High spring football features plenty of youth
Bartlesville High School’s Michael Kent (14) hands the ball off to Sutton Williams (0) last year. The Bruins opened spring practice this week.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
Bartlesville High School’s John Torres (57) blocks during last season. The Bruins opened spring practice this week.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
May 21, 2025
BARTLESVILLE SPORTS AREA REPORT
It wasn’t exactly a miracle season a year ago for the Bartlesville High School football team.
But it was the next best thing.
Saddled with an 0-7 record and a serious roster shake-up, the prospects for a Titanic-like disaster seemed complete.
Then began the breath-taking turnaround.
The Bruins blitzed to three-straight wins — by a combined score of 132-29 — to finish out the regular season and clinch a playoff spot.
The Bruins proved in the playoffs they were truly up and coming — they gave first-round opponent Putnam City a fierce fight. But Putnam City held on for the 26-14 win to end the Bruin season at 3-8.
Among other achievements, Bartlesville qualified for the playoffs for a third-straight season — a new team record.
Now it’s the threshold of a new season, Harry Wright’s fourth as head coach.
Bartlesville opened spring practice this week with several returning veterans and open positions to fill.
“The biggest thing in spring ball for us is competition — who’s going to be physical, who’s going to want to hit,” Wright said.
One of the question marks to be settled is starting quarterback.
Sophomore Michael Kent returns after starting the final four games last season, displaying glimpses of strong leadership and play.
But last year’s jayvee quarterback Braxton Braden will be challenging him for the starting role this season.
“We’ve got some competition,” said Wright.
Of course without reliable targets on passes a quarterback’s chance to contribute is limited.
In that regard, the Bruins graduated last year’s major receiving threat but welcome back a pair of proven reliable receivers in Harrison Ketchum and E.J. Belisle.
Whoever lines up at quarterback will have an explosive back to hand off to in Sutton Williams, a rugged and elusive ball carrier from last season.
“He has a year under his belt,” noted Wright, adding having Williams back is one of the bright spots.
Bartlesville Bruins head football coach Harry Wright coaches during a game last season. The Bruins opened spring practice this week.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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An offense is generally as strong as its offensive line. There the Bruins appear to be singularly blessed, thanks to the return of John Torres, Jesus Ortiz, Caiden Chambers and Landry Holmes.
“All four started last year,” Wright noted. “They got better throughout the year.”
In addition to his contribution at receiver, Belisle also is a returning defensive back along with Ivan Griffin.
Other defensive returnees mentioned by Wright included Boden Roberts, Landen Shaw, Shaun Thrasher and Davin Carter.
Of those players mentioned above, Kent, Belisle, Braden, Shaw and Holmes each were freshmen last year.
“We were starting seven or eight freshmen last year,” Wright said. “They’re still freshmen this going into their sophomore year. This is really their first spring ball.”
A telling component of spring practice is the early focus on depth chart, albeit that won’t be set in marble until summer conditioning and August practice.
Moving into the offensive coordinator’s role this season is coach Brandon Webb while Otis Crane will serve as defensive coordinator.