BETHANY — Bethany quarterback Brody McLaren doesn’t hide the fact that he likes to take off and run.

“I love it. I just like that defenses have to respect the run. That opens up the passing game for the offense, and I’m able to help my team by using my legs.”

The senior rushed for 127 yards, setting up scores in the Bronchos’ 31-7 win over Elk City Friday (Nov. 6).

Bethany’s playoff seeding was already nailed down, but Broncho coach Jon Arthur saw the run-heavy approach in Friday’s win as more evidence that his team has found their niche.

“We’ve got so many new faces in the skill positions on offense. It really was week five, week six before we knew, identity-wise, what we wanted to do,” Arthur said.

Leading 3-0, the Bronchos took command in the first quarter. McLaren pulled the ball from junior Xzavier McGee, who drew the attention of the Elk City defense. McLaren broke free and spun away from one man after eight yard and broke another tackle en route to a 37-yard run. A penalty on the Elks was tacked on and Bethany was at the Elk City 19-yard-line. Two plays, McGee scored on a five yard run for a 10-0 lead.

The next time the Bronchos had the ball, the pattern continued. McLaren weaved his way down the Bethany sideline for a 43-yard gain. He added a nine yard gain and then scored from eight yards out to give Bethany a 17-7 lead.

The Bronchos wouldn’t score again until the third quarter. McLaren rushed four times for 33 yards and McGee capped it off with a five yard score.

In the fourth quarter on the Bronchos’ final scoring drive, McLaren used his arm to help Bethany drive 70 yards on six plays. He dropped a pass between two defenders to freshman Braxton Arthur for a 36-yard completion. On the next play, McGee scored for a third time, this time from 15 yards out.

“Brody’s obviously played, but none of those skill guys had,” Arthur said. “So we just kind of had to learn what’s best for us. We’ve kind of gotten on a roll the last three or four weeks, executing a little better.”

While the Bronchos racked up 345 yards of offense (259 yards on the ground), the Bethany defense had to contend with Elk City tailback Riley Smith.

The junior rushed 43 times for 205 yards, gashing through the defense.

Elk City’s only score came after a 14-play, 80-yard drive that began late in the first quarter. The push took 6:18 off the clock. Smith broke a 32-yard run down the Elk sideline. A shoestring tackle by McLaren saved a touchdown. Much later, Smith scored on a two-yard run.

“We didn’t tackle like we’re capable of, and so that’s something you’ve got to work on,” Arthur said. “Can’t have those mental lapses against a good team and those kinds of things. We were able to kind of escape that second quarter and move the football enough offensively to be in okay shape.”

The Broncho defense set up the first points of the night. Sophomore Noah Mars intercepted an errant throw from Elk City quarterback Wyatt Taliferro. He sprinted 38 yards to the Elk City 19-yard-line. Bethany’s offense stalled but got points on a 40-yard field goal from senior Cody Martin.

McGee had nine carries for 58 yards. Junior Cruz Burleson proved to be a good “change of pace” back with a burst and 37 yards on four carries.

McLaren was an efficient 6-of-10 in the air with 78 yards. Arthur had 41 yards on two catches. Burleson added an 18-yard catch and senior Griffin Hokett snagged an 11-yard pass.

UP NEXT

The Bronchos go on the road to face former district foe Ardmore (9-1) next Friday (Nov. 13) at 7:30 p.m.

The Tigers dropped a 41-6 contest to Tuttle Friday in a contest that decided the 4A-2 championship.

For the last two seasons, Ardmore and Bethany were both in district 4A-2.

After an 0-3 start against a tough schedule, the Bronchos made it back to .500 and earned a 4-2 district record and a three seed.

“Sometimes some of our biggest playoff runs have been in years when you’re the three seed. You kind of get in a good spot on the bracket.

“But obviously, you’ve just got to go prepare for Ardmore. They’re a good team. We’ve been familiar with them in our district the last couple of years, and they’ve got a lot of the same guys. So we’ve got to go play well.”

Photographs courtesy of Kristie Escoe of Life in Action Photography.

BETHANY – Martin 40 field goal, 7:06, 1Q
BETHANY – McGee 5 run (Martin kick), 4:12, 1Q
ELK CITY – R. Smith 2 run (Cloud kick), 9:52, 2Q
BETHANY – McLaren 8 run (Martin kick), 6:57, 2Q
BETHANY – McGee 5 run (Martin kick), 2:59, 3Q
BETHANY – McGee 15 run (Martin kick), 9:12, 4Q

Updated November 6, 2026 at 10:15 PM

2026 Bethany Football

Overall Record: 5-5  ·  District Record: 4-2 (4A-1)

HOME GAMES in bold

* District game

Updated November 6, 2026 at 10:15 PM

2026 Elk City Football

Overall Record: 2-8  ·  District Record: 1-5 (4A-1)

HOME GAMES in bold

* District game

Updated November 6, 2026 at 10:15 PM