After a slow start, Bethany’s offense piled on the yards and the points in a 49-28 win over Tecumseh last Friday (Oct. 31). Junior quarterback Brody McLaren and senior wide receiver Seth Greiner were a big part of the onslaught.

McLaren completed 10-of-13 passes for 206 yards and a score. Greiner caught seven of those passes for 164 yards. McLaren and Greiner connected on a 71-yard pass play in the win.

The passing total marked the third straight week Bethany has topped 200 yards in the air. The Bronchos have surpassed the 100-yard mark in every game this season with the exception of the loss to Tuttle Oct. 10.

McLaren also used his legs, rushing for 80 yards with three touchdowns on 10 carries.

Bethany coach Jon Arthur knows McLaren’s running ability adds an extra dimension to the Bethany offense and that establishing the running game was key in the Harrah win.

“(Brody is)  obviously one that can make plays with his feet.”

Sophomore Xzavier McGee added 81 yards and a score on 12 rushes.

Senior Baren Tehee also scored on the ground with seven carries and 73 yards. Greiner got into the act as well with two carries, 31 yards and a touchdown.

In total, the Bronchos rushed for 265 yards and six touchdowns.

Bethany has only been held under 100 yards on the ground twice this season, in the loss to Tuttle and a blowout loss to Shiloh Christian (Ark.). The Bronchos have now rushed for over 200 yards in two straight games.

UP NEXT

The final game of the regular season Friday (Nov. 7) for the Bronchos will look more like a Week 17 of the NFL season where starters play less or get rested. Because Bethany will likely rout winless Madill (0-9) and the contest will not figure into the district standings, the contest might look a little different.

Madill forfeited a district game this season. Because of that, the Wildcats aren’t eligible for the playoffs and any district game against them doesn’t count in the district standings.

While there is a chance Bethany could finish third in 4A-2, Arthur thinks the Bronchos might land in fourth place. Tuttle has first place locked up and Ardmore is in second place.

Third and fourth places are where things might get messy.

In the unlikely event that Harrah upsets Tuttle Friday, the Bronchos would finish fourth. If Blanchard falls to Chickasha on the road, Bethany would be in fourth (and have a playoff spot).

If Harrah loses and Blanchard wins, it goes to district points.The Bronchos can’t add to their point total because of the non-district nature of their final game.

While it might seem unfair that the Madill game doesn’t count, both Blanchard and Harrah’s wins over Madill earlier in the season didn’t count either.

Blanchard (2-3 in district play) currently has the advantage with six district points. Bethany (3-3) is at -1 and Harrah (3-2) is -10.

There is a chance in this scenario that the Bronchos finish fifth and miss out on a playoff bid. However, a possible Tuttle rout of Harrah would only worsen the Panthers’ point situation.

Photographs courtesy of Kristie Escoe of Life in Action Photography.