'MEET THE BRUINS' NIGHT SIGNALS START OF BARTLESVILLE BRUIN FOOTBALL’S 2026 CAMPAIGN
Bartlesville Bruin varsity football players EJ Belisle (13) and Michael Kent (14) are introducted during Thursday’s “Meet the Bruins’ Night” at Custer Stadium.
CODY MEADE/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Bartlesville Poms perform during Thursday’s “Meet the Bruins’ Night” at Custer Stadium.
CODY MEADE/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
By Cody Meade
August 21, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
The official kickoff to the Bartlesville Bruin Football 2026 fall season arrived Thursday night as coach Matt Hennesy hosted his first "Meet the Bruins Night," a high-energy evening that blended mandatory parent meetings, program introductions, performances, and a clear sense of new-era excitement.
The night began at 6 p.m. with a football parent and athlete meeting for both high school and junior high levels, led by Hennesy. The new head coach, who takes over after Harry Wright’s four-year tenure, used the session to deliver updates and key reminders as the program prepares for the upcoming campaign.
By the time the main program began at 7 p.m., the venue was packed near Friday-night football capacity. Parents and supporters from football (grades 7–12), band, cheer, and pom arrived in force, creating an atmosphere Hennesy himself has described as the kind of spectacle he likes his events to deliver.
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Bartlsville Bruins Brigade members prepare to perform during Thursday’s “Meet the Bruins’ Night” at Custer Stadium.
CODY MEADE/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Bartlesville Band director Chris Koehn participates in Thursday’s “Meet the Bruins’ Night” at Custer Stadium.
CODY MEADE/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
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The Meet the Bruins portion of the evening followed a well-organized schedule:
Welcome and administrative introductions by Hennesy
Welcome remarks from Bartlesville Public Schools Superintendent LaDonna Chancellor, including the upcoming bond issue
Introduction of the Bartlesville Band by director Chris Koehn, followed by a performance
Introductions of the cheer squad from coach Kyle Kachelmeyer and pom coach Somer Brown, with both groups performing to the fight song accompanied by the band
Introductions of seventh-grade coaches and players by coach Andy Thurman
Introductions of eighth-grade coaches and players by coach Bobby Holmes
Introduction of ninth-grade players by coach Aaron Winfrey
Introduction of the coaching staff by Hennesy
Introduction of high school trainers by coach Allan Mount
Introduction of high school managers by coach Nathan England
Introduction of high school players by Hennesy
Closing remarks by Hennesy
The evening served as both a formal introduction to the 2026 Bruins and a celebration of the broader athletic family that supports the program.
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Bartlesville Bruins lineback coach Eric Strike, left, stands with sophomore transfer Dahkari Stewart during Thursday’s “Meet the Bruins’ Night” at Custer Stadium.
CODY MEADE/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
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Looking Ahead: Inaugural Clash of the Classes
The Bruins waste no time transitioning from introductions to action. On Friday, Bartlesville hosts the Patriot Auto Group Clash of the Classes, designed as a premier event for the program, visiting teams, and high school football fans.
Schedule
Scrimmages begin at 5 p.m.
Half games begin at 7 p.m.
Half-game itinerary
6:45 p.m. – Game 1 warm-up
7 p.m. – Half Game 1: Midwest City vs. Skiatook
8:15 p.m. – Game 2 warm-up
8:30 p.m. – Half Game 2: Bartlesville vs. Bishop Kelley
Coach Hennesy’s first “Meet the Bruins Night” successfully set the tone for the 2026 season—energetic, inclusive, and focused on building momentum.
Friday’s Clash of the Classes offers the next opportunity for Bruins fans to see the program take the field as the new campaign truly begins.
Eighth grade football coach Bobby Holmes introduces a player during the “Meet the Bruins’ Night” at Custer Stadium.
CODY MEADE/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Bartlesville Public Schools superintendent LaDonna Chancellor speaks during Thursday’s “Meet the Bruins’ Night” at Custer Stadium.
CODY MEADE/Bartlesville Area Sports Report