Bixby ready to reload after moving up to 6AI following successful stint in 6AII

By Patrick Kays

Over the next few weeks, SBLive Oklahoma will break down high school football teams from the four largest classifications in the state in anticipation of the upcoming 2022 season. Here's our look at the Bixby Spartans. 

HEAD COACH 

Loren Montgomery

RETURNING STARTERS

4 offense; 4 defense

2021 AT A GLANCE

Overall record: 13-0

League record: 7-0, 1st in District 6AII-2

Playoffs: Won 6AII title, 63-14, against Edmond Deer Creek

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The Hasz Twins, Luke (TE) and Dylan (WR)

Luke Hasz is coming off of 33 catches for 436 yards and two touchdowns in his junior campaign.

The Arkansas commit is expected to be one of best weapons in the Bixby offense. His 6-foot-3, 227-pound size makes him a big target and his physical strength clears paths for his teammates.

One of those teammates is his twin brother Dylan, who has an Arkansas offer in his pocket as well.

The 6-foot, 180-pound senior caught 24 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns last year and made his presence known on defense with 28 tackles, 17 solo, one tackle for loss and 12 pass breakups

RB Jett Turner, 5-10, 160, Jr.

Transfer from 6A foe Jenks, Turner is a shifty, speedy, smaller running back who will look to give the Spartans some flash at that position. His preseason footage shows him being a key piece in a passing attack for the Spartans.

Connor Kirby QB, Cale Fugate WR/DB, Jakeb Snyder WR

As for the man under center, Kirby (6-2, 190, Sr.) will take over at quarterback this year for Bixby and will have the Hasz twins at his disposal, along with seniors Fugate (5-11, 185) and Snyder (5-10, 175), who are all expected to have a big season this year.

Fugate also is a huge part of the Spartan secondary. His 2021 campaign included 61 tackles and an interception.

LB Jersey Robb, 5-10, 210, Sr.

Defensively, Montgomery will have a key player in senior Robb at linebacker, who finished last season with three sacks and made 22 tackles, seven for loss.

OUTLOOK

The Spartans don’t bring back a lot of starting experience, and they're moving up to Class 6AI after having won the last four state titles in 6AII. However, when head coach Loren Montgomery has done some ring shopping seven out of the last eight postseasons, reloading is a known practice in Bixby.

The biggest strength for the Spartans seems like it will be in the secondary. They return four there, but will rely on many new key pieces.

A new-look Spartan squad - winners of a new state record 49 straight ballgames - will open the season in a huge rivalry matchup against Owasso Aug. 25 at the University of Tulsa. An interesting storyline will feature the Spartans' other option at quarterback, Austin Havens, who transferred from Owasso this season.

Another big ballgame for Bixby will be its regular-season finale, as primary rival Jenks is now a District 6AI-1 rival. The winners of last season's titles in both 6A divisions will collide on Nov. 3 in Bixby in a game that will be televised on the ESPN family of networks.

Bixby has significant experience against 6AI talent, so this transition shouldn’t be too difficult and the Spartans should be expected as a front-runner to hoist the gold ball. 

COACH SAID

"We have a lot of competition at different spots, especially on the (offensive) line and (defensive) line, and it's good because those guys are getting after it, and I think it's helping everyone to work hard and be focused. We've got a bunch of guys that are capable of getting on the field and want to get on the field." - Loren Montgomery