BETHANY BRONCHOS
Coach: JON ARTHUR
5-6
Bethany enters the 2026 season looking to turn last year’s growing pains into a step forward after a 5-6 campaign under longtime head coach Jon Arthur, who is in his 10th season leading the program and 19th overall at the school. The Bronchos return several key starters on offense, including four along the offensive line plus their starting quarterback and running back, and Arthur believes the game experience many younger players gained in 2025 will pay dividends this fall. Defensively, Bethany expects to lean on increased speed and athleticism at safety and linebacker to raise the ceiling of a unit that will feature multiple playmakers on the second and third levels.
Offensively, Bethany will operate out of 10 and 11 personnel with multiple formations built on spread principles, putting the ball in the hands of senior dual-threat quarterback Brody McLaren (5-11, 170). McLaren is coming off a breakout season in which he completed 129 of 218 passes for 1,856 yards and 18 touchdowns while also rushing for 523 yards and six scores, making him the centerpiece of the Bronchos’ RPO-heavy attack. Senior running back and linebacker Wyatt Keefer (6-0, 190) returns after rushing for 411 yards in just five games before a season-ending injury, and he gives Bethany a physical, versatile weapon who will be used in a variety of ways. Up front, the line is anchored by senior Gabe Baxter (6-2, 250), senior Micah Chatman (6-1, 300), junior Stoli Melton (6-0, 225) and junior Angel Lopez (5-7, 230), giving Arthur a veteran, cohesive group that will be critical to keeping the offense on schedule.
On defense, the Bronchos will base out of a 3-3 stack designed to get more speed and athleticism on the field, particularly at safety and linebacker. Keefer returns as a tone-setting linebacker who piled up 48 tackles in his five games last season and would likely have eclipsed 100 stops if not for injury, while senior safety Eli Mars (5-8, 170) is back after leading the secondary with 61 tackles. With five defensive starters returning and a scheme tailored to its athletes, Bethany expects a faster, more active unit that can attack downhill and swarm to the football on Friday nights. This season the coaching staff consists of Adam Forester-Assistant Head Coach, Ryan Morgan-Defensive Coordinator, Manuel Gonzales-Defensive Line, Tommy Baird-Linebackers, Terrance White-Secondary, and Payton Hunt-Quarterbacks.
8-28 – vs. Elgin
9-4 – at Jones
9-11 – vs. Guthrie
9-18 – at Shawnee
9-25 – vs. Woodward
10-2 – at Cache
10-15 – at Weatherford
10-23 – at Clinton
10-30 – vs. Douglass
11-6 – vs. Elk City
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