BARTLESVILLE BRUINS BLITZ COMETS EARLY IN CLASH OF CLASSES SCRIMMAGE
Bartlesville Bruins quarterback Michael Kent (14) tries to break a tackle during Friday’s half-game scrimmage against Bishop Kelly at Custer Stadium. The Bruins won 22-3 and open their season at home this Friday against Skiatook.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Bartlesville Bruins Eman George (0) reaches for a Michael Kent pass during Friday’s half-game scrimmage against Bishop Kelly at Custer Stadium. The Bruins won 22-3 and open their season at home this Friday against Skiatook.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
By Becky Burch
August 24, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
The Bartlesville Bruins didn’t waste any time putting points on the board during last Friday’s Patriot Auto Clash of Classes scrimmage against Bishop Kelley at Custer Stadium, defeating the Comets 22-3 in a two-quarter half-game.
On the game's opening possession, a Comets fumble on their own 30-yard line put the Bruins in immediate scoring position. The Bruins offense took full advantage, driving 30 yards to seize an early lead.
Junior quarterback Michael Kent, who started his career halfway through his freshman year, connected with Price Lusk around the five-yard line. Wyatt Mathias then ran it in for a touchdown, with Kent getting the two-point conversion on a quarterback keeper to put the Bruins up 8-0 with 11:23 left in the quarter.
The Bruins offense worked fast. There was a noticeable sharpness in the team's mechanics, marked by players sprinting on and off the field between possessions.
Just three minutes later, Bartlesville struck again. Following a quick defensive stop, the Bruins took over on their own 27-yard line but were pushed backward by a penalty and a sack. Facing a 3rd-and-18 near their own 18-yard line, Kent kept the drive alive by hitting Lusk for a 20-plus-yard gain to the 40. A few plays later, the Bruins faced another long-yardage situation at 3rd-and-13. Kent launched a deep pass to Lusk, who hauled it in and sprinted the rest of the way for a 62-yard touchdown. Mathias punched in another two-point conversion, putting the Bruins up 16-0 with 7:52 left in the opening quarter.
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Bartlesville Bruins Wyatt Mathis tries to break a tackle during Friday’s half-game scrimmage against Bishop Kelly at Custer Stadium. The Bruins won 22-3 and open their season at home this Friday against Skiatook.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
Bartlesville Bruins Drake Ford (8) brings down a Bishop Kelly runner during last Friday’s half-game scrimmage at Custer Stadium. The Bruins won 22-3 and open their season at home this Friday against Skiatook.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
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Bishop Kelley responded later in the period, orchestrating its only successful scoring drive of the night. The Comets managed to march down into the red zone, but the Bruins’ defense tightened near the goal line, holding the visitors to a short field goal to bring the score to 16-3.
Bartlesville put the game entirely out of reach in the second and final quarter. Capitalizing on their early momentum, Kent dropped back and found Eman George in the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown pass. The subsequent two-point conversion attempt failed, setting the final score at 22-3.
Beyond the scoreboard, the opening scrimmage provided a major boost to the community's team spirit.
“The biggest positive I took from the event was the smiles on the kids' and fans' faces after," first-year head coach Matt Hennesy said. "Everyone is starting to realize that the hard work is worth it.”
Reflecting on the overall performance, Hennesy liked what he saw out of the gate, but emphasized the need for consistency.
“I thought the energy was really good," Hennesy said. "The real test will be if we can keep the energy the same when things aren't going as well. As for effort, I feel like it was definitely better. It is still not to the level of our expectations, but will be as we continue to learn what 'full speed' is.”
Looking ahead to the regular season, the coach noted a major shift in the program's culture as they prepare for the tough road ahead.
“The biggest improvement I've seen is the level of accountability," Hennesy said. "It is still a work in progress, but everyone involved in the program is starting to understand the level of commitment it is going to take to compete in 6A.”
With the scrimmage in the rearview mirror, Bartlesville is officially shifting its focus to the regular season opener when they host Skiatook Friday night.
Hennesy said he’s ready to see the whole gameday experience with the fans, band, cheer, pom and video team on the board.
“And it’s ‘Youth Night,’ so we’ll also get to meet the ‘future’ before the game,” Hennesy said.
Next week’s game will be broadcast on Bartlesville’s Radio KWON 1400 AM/ 93.3 FM, and video is available on KWONTV.com
Bartlesville Bruins head coach Matt Hennesy talks to his players on the sidelines during last Friday’s half-game scrimmage at Custer Stadium. The Bruins won 22-3 and open their season at home this Friday against Skiatook.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Bartlesville Bruins kicker Maci Alleman (25) sports the team's new helmet design during last Friday’s half-game scrimmage against Bishop Kelly at Custer Stadium. The Bruins won 22-3 and open the regular season at home this Friday against Skiatook.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
The Bartlesville Bruins cheerleaders urge on the team from the sidelines during last Friday’s half-game scrimmage against Bishop Kelly at Custer Stadium. The Bruins won 22-3 and open the regular season at home this Friday against Skiatook.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report