Bartlesville Bruins

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Coach:

JOHN MCKEE

Enrollment:

1707

Schedule:

Aug. 31 – at Bishop Kelley

Sept. 7 – vs. East Central

Sept. 14 – at Skiatook

Sept. 21 – vs. Enid

Sept. 28 – at Sand Springs

Oct. 5 – at Owasso

Oct. 12 – at Stillwater

Oct. 18 – at Union

Oct. 26 – vs. Ponca City

Nov. 2 – vs. Tulsa Washington

Last 5 Years:

2011 – 3-7

2010 – 7-4

2009 – 9-3

2008 – 5-5

2007 – 1-9

OFFENSE

John McKee inherited the head coach position just weeks before the start of the 2011 season. One of the bright spots in the three-win season was a victory over Owasso, a team that reached the semifinals. Now with a full offseason under his belt, he looks for good things from the Bruins this fall. Injuries decimated Bartlesville last year but it did allow young players to gain valuable varsity time. Staying healthy is a must due to lack of depth at key positions, McKee said. If they do, look for the Bruins to make a playoff push in 2012. McKee came away from the Jenks team camp with optimism about the season Stephen Cochran (6-1, 180, Sr.) assumes the offensive reins at quarterback. He served as back-up to Grant Shoemaker a year ago in addition to playing

wide receiver. In filling Shoemaker’s shoes (he threw for more than 1,000 yards), Cochran will rely heavily on several returning starters at the skill positions, including running back Calan Crowder (6-1, 190, Sr.), wide receivers Garrett Hilger (6-1, 185, Sr.) and Slade Nordic (6-0, 175, Jr.) and tight end Austin Hunt (6-6, 220, Jr.) Crowder, who is being recruited by Tulsa, Iowa State and Colorado, rushed for more than 900 yards and eight touchdowns last year, averaging 5.1 yards per carry. He finished with 1,238 all-purpose yards. Slade Nordic also saw action in the backfield, rushing for 459 yards in addition to his 18 receptions for 198 yards. Hilger is the Bruins’ top receiver from a year ago with 32 catches for 434 yards. Hunt had nine catches for 79 yards. Three senior starters return on the offensive line in Jarrod Johnson (6-4, 240), Cody Rutherford (6-4, 250) and Tom Wiseman (6-1, 250). Johnson has drawn interest from Tulsa,Iowa State and Missouri.

DEFENSE

Several players will see action on both sides of the ball. Topping the list is Hilger, a three-year starter at cornerback. Several area Division II schools have expressed interest in Hilger. Slade Nordic brings blazing speed (10.7 in the 100 meter dash) to the free safety position. Hunt and Johnson will both see action at the defensive end spots and Stetson Nordic (6-0, 170, Sr.), older brother of Slade, will roam the secondary at the bandit safety spot. The linebacker spot remains a bit iffy going into the season. Finding the right personnel is a must in the 4-2-5 alignment,

McKee said. Another plus for McKee is the fact that everyone returns in special teams. Alec Gomez (6-3, 230, Sr.) returns to handle the punting chores. Also back is place kicker Ben Jacob (5-9, 160, Sr.). The return game is in capable hands as well. Slade Nordic and Crowder are the punt and kickoff return guys. The duo combed for nearly 500 return yards in 2011.