Bronchos Upend the Longhorns in the Season Opener
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Launch the media gallery 1 playerJones, OK - Bethany football took to the field in their season opener last Friday night and came away with an impressive performance to defeat the 2nd ranked team in Class 2A, Jones, 27-14. Jones, a perennial state title contender, is powered by standout Quarterback, Carson May, a University of Iowa commit. It was set to be a good matchup between May and Bethany defensive back Jocelyn Malaska, who is committed to Texas Tech.
The Bronchos took control from the start of the game with a three and out on defense followed by a great offensive drive capped by a three yard touchdown pass from Taylor Heim to Jaden Gilliland. Dax Jaggers added the extra point. The Bronchos defense would then come away with a redzone stop of Jones to get the ball back and this time Cale Wetwiska quarterbacked the Bronchos to an 11 play, 87 yard touchdown drive for a 14-0 lead. The final play of the drive was a spectacular 44 yard pass from Wetwiska to Heim. Jones would get on the board next on a two yard pass from May. The Bronchos final drive of the first half stalled and Jones was able to get back into the redzone one final time, but the defense for Bethany had a fantastic goal line stand to take a 14-7 lead into the half.
Bethany wasted no time after halftime, riding the momentum from the goal line stand, as Heim was back at quarterback to lead the Bronchos on a 64 yard scoring drive in just four plays. The big play of the drive was an option play from Heim to Jaden Gilliland for 39 yards to put Bethany in scoring position. The Bronchos scored just a play later on a two yard run by Heim. Jones quarterback Carson May wasn't done though as he found an open receiver over the top of the Broncho defense on a scramble play which resulted in a 66 yard touchdown to bring the score back to 20-14 in favor of Bethany. After a pair of three and outs by both teams the Broncho offense went down the field again and this time the scoring play was a six yard strike from Heim to Malaska in the corner of the endzone. The 27-14 lead would stand all the way through the fourth quarter. The Bronchos sealed the game with a methodical 10 play drive towards the end with Jaden and Jack Gilliland running the ball well to keep the clock moving.
On the defensive side the Bronchos got great play from many, but it was Jack Gilliland leading the way with nine tackles. Jordan Strotter was also big in leading a Bethany defense that garnered five sacks of May on the evening, two of those were from Strotter.
The Bronchos' schedule doesn't get any easier as they come home this week to face John Marshall (4A-#4).