MEET THE BRUINS’ THURSDAY; MULTI-TEAM SCRIMMAGE FRIDAY AT CUSTER STADIUM
The Bartlesville Bruins football team trains during practice. A “Meet the Bruins” event takes place Thursday, followed by a multi-team scrimmage Friday.
CODY MEADE/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
The Bartlesville Bruins football team trains during practice. A “Meet the Bruins” event takes place Thursday, followed by a multi-team scrimmage Friday.
CODY MEADE/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
By Becky Burch
August 20, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
What offseason?
Ask any player on the Bartlesville Bruins roster, and they will tell you the work never stopped. Between the heavy iron sessions in the weight room, hours spent studying film and memorizing playbook plays, and early morning practices, the grind has been constant. That shared investment has forged a tight-knit squad that has been adapting to a new culture since head coach Matt Hennesy was hired last winter.
The work extended well into the summer through intense Summer Pride conditioning sessions and various team camps. The offseason schedule also featured a youth camp in July for first through sixth grade students, hosted in part with Bartlesville Youth Football with Hennesy and his staff instructing 160 participants. The summer capped off with the Bartlesville Bruin Football Golf Classic at Boots Hollow Golf Club.
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The Bartlesville Bruins football team trains during an early morning fall practice. A “Meet the Bruins” event takes place Thursday, followed by a multi-team scrimmage Friday.
CODY MEADE/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
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While Hennesy has been running the program behind the scenes for months, local fans will get their first look at his system on the field soon. The festivities kick off tonight with a parent meeting at 6 p.m., leading directly into the annual "Meet the Bruins" event at 7 p.m.
Fans in attendance will have the opportunity to meet football players from the seventh through 12th grades, along with football managers, athletic trainers, Bruin Cheer, Bruin Pom Pom and the Bruin Brigade.
On Friday, Hennesy makes his unofficial sideline debut during a multi-team scrimmage against Bishop Kelley, Skiatook and Midwest City. The action begins at 5 p.m., with simulated half-games scheduled to start at 7 p.m. It serves as the final tune-up before the Bruins officially open the regular season at home against Skiatook on Aug. 28.
SC&GC Sports Spectacular on Saturday sold-out
The sold-out Samaritan Counseling & Growth Center Sports Spectacular will be held Saturday at the Bartlesville Hilton Garden Inn.
Marking the 20th year for the event, the evening will feature a sports memorabilia auction including Bruins helmets and footballs.
Bartlesville High School head football coach Matt Hennesy talks to young athletes attending July’s football youth camp.
CODY MEADE/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Bartlesville Bruins wide receiver EJ Belisle helps during the Bruin youth football camp in July.
CODY MEADE/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
A group of 160 athletes, along with coaches, gathers during the Bruins football youth camp in July.
CODY MEADE/Bartlesville Area Sports Report