Bridge Creek Bobcats 2023 Football Team Preview – Presented by First National Bank & Trust Co.

BRIDGE CREEK BOBCATS

Coach: LARRY SPANGLER

2-8

OFFENSE

It’s a new day at Bridge Creek High School as head coach Larry Spangler continues to implement his system putting the program back on track. Since 2014 the most successful season for the Bobcats came in 2019 when they won three games. That is about to change. “Last season we were a very young team with only two seniors, played in a very tough 4A district. We have increased our numbers coming out by 20-plus more athletes, have had a tremendous offseason as we have seen our players getting stronger, bigger, and faster. Last year coming in with myself and a new staff, we hit the ground running and really didn’t have much spring football, no 7-on-7, or team camps. We will get to experience all of those this year, which will only make us better. We are excited to see what this season brings for the Bridge Creek Bobcats,” said coach Spangler. Parker Vansycle (6-0, 185, Sr.) is back and will share time at quarterback and wide receiver. Beu James (6-1, 180, Jr.) will call signals as well giving the Bobcats two different looks at quarterback. Caden Morrow (6-1, 190, Sr.) is expected to play the H-back/tight end spot. Ryan Place (5-10, 195, Sr.) and Dylan Shirley (5-10, 185, Sr.) are a pair of running backs looking to punish would-be tacklers while picking up first downs. Shirley is a VYPE Top 100 nominee. Bryce Benson (6-4, 200, Sr.) is a big-bodied receiver who will tower over most DBs he will face this season.

DEFENSE

The Bobcats will play a 4-2-5 set allowing them to get all of their athletes on the field at the same time according to coach Spangler. Place and Shirley will start at linebacker with Morrow switching between defensive end and linebacker depending on the call. EJ James (5-11, 165, Sr.) will help shore up the secondary with Kameron Carlton (5-10, 170, Sr.). Tristan LaBlanc (5-11, 195, So.) will play opposite Morrow at end. The X-factor for the Bobcats is basketball player turned football player, Jacob Ojeda. Ojeda drilled some nice kicks last season, but has continued to improve his craft and is now on the radar for several next level schools. Ojeda is another part of the historic turnaround the Bobcats are poised to make. Assistant coaches include Jay Chase, Cody Weaver, Jerry Wallis, Ryan Spangler, Drew Wortham, Christian Dedmond, and Curt Mueller.

SCHEDULE

8-25 – vs. Lexington

9-1 – at Elk City

9-15 – vs. Western Heights

9-22 – vs. Classen SAS

9-29 – at Bethany

10-6 – vs. Newcastle

10-12 – at Tuttle

10-20 – at Blanchard

10-27 – vs. Tecumseh

11-3 – at Harrah