Bethany will hit the road next week for the first round of the Class 4A playoffs.

The sixth-ranked Bronchos (7-2, 4-2) are locked into third place in 4A-2 behind Tuttle and Blanchard (the only teams to beat Bethany this season).

The Bronchos will meet 4A-1 runner-up Weatherford (7-2, 5-1) in a first-round matchup. The fifth-ranked Eagles’ lone district loss was against 4A-1 champ, Elgin. Weatherford also dropped a non-district game to 3A Pauls Valley, 19-6.

The two teams last played in 2021 when both were members of 4A-1. The Bronchos earned a 42-20 win.

Reagan Roof left the Bronchos to coach Weatherford in 2017. Roof’s last game in purple was a first-round playoff loss to Weatherford in 2016. Bethany is 3-1 against Weatherford from that point under Jon Arthur. Roof has since moved to 3A Kingfisher.

BRONCHOS RUSH IN

Arthur said last Friday (Nov. 1) after Bethany’s 48-7 win over Tecumseh, that his team’s ability to run the ball effectively early (thank in part to junior Judson Gilliland) was key.

“It is always something we want to do here. We know that’s going to be important going into the playoffs,” Arthur said via phone. “(Judson)’s been able to establish a run game.

“That’s what we hope makes us kind of tough to defend on people. Judson’s obviously a good ball carrier and tough to get on the ground. They’ve got to put guys in the box and that’s going to loosen up things on the edge for Wyatt (Geissler).”

PAYNE PART OF GEISSLER’S RECORD-BREAKING SUCCESS

Arthur pointed out the senior quarterback Jackie Payne’s role in senior Wyatt Geissler setting a new school record for touchdown catches in a career.

“It’s a credit to Jackie and then how he’s played at the quarterback spot, I think you can also credit that we’ve got other weapons around the field, so it’s hard for people to double (Geissler) and it does a great job getting open down the middle.

“I know the the kind of guy (Geissler) is. He would say that himself. He’s not the kind of guy that wants all the credit or anything like that. He just goes to work and certainly a guy that’s very deserving of it.”

BRONCHO BACKUPS GAIN EXPERIENCE

Since Bethany’s last loss, 42-19 to Tuttle, the Bronchos have won three blowouts, giving young and backup players game time.

Arthur praised the second-teamers in the Tecumseh win.

“Our young guys did a nice job of getting some first downs in the second half. They were able to score once,” Arthur said. “A lot of young guys got some good reps. They played well and did a nice job for the most part.”

GETTING DEFENSIVE

Arthur highlighted seniors Charlie Tolle and Jackson Dull.

“They were just living in the backfield,” Arthur said. We got out there with good speed and it can give those opposing offensive line troubles for sure.”

4A DISTRICT 2	DISTRICT RECORD	OVERALL RECORD	POINTS
Tuttle	6-0	9-0	90
Blanchard	5-1	8-1	48
Bethany	4-2	7-2	41
Harrah	3-3	5-4	5
Ardmore	3-3	5-4	-14
Chickasha	2-4	2-7	-44
Tecumseh	1-5	3-6	-46
Madill	0-6	1-8	-80

NEXT OPPONENT: Madill

Bethany meets Madill (1-8, 0-6) for Senior Night Friday (Nov, 8). The Wildcats’ lone win was a 35-3 non-district win over 2A Marietta.

Outside of a 26-21 loss to Chickasha Oct. 17, Madill has struggled to score and compete, being shut out four times. The Wildcats come into the game on an eight-quarter scoreless streak.

Photographs courtesy of Kristie Escoe of Life in Action Photography.