THE ONLY SOUND I KNOW: WHY THIS WEEK’S BRUIN FOOTBALL GALLERY IS CLASSIC BLACK AND WHITE
Bartlesville Bruin Eman George (0) celebrates with teammate Christian Ketiku (19) after a touchdown Friday against Collinsville at Custer Stadium. BHS defeated the Cardinals 36-22. (We’ll have game reports and scores from other area teams online this week.)
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Bartlesville Bruin Michael Kent (14) rushes during Friday’s game at Custer Stadium against Collinsville. BHS defeated the Cardinals 36-22. (We’ll have game reports and scores from other area teams online this week.)
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
By Becky Burch
Sept. 13, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you. This week’s Bartlesville football gallery is strictly black and white.
When stadium announcer Chris Batchelder introduced the Bartlesville High School Class of 1986 on Friday night, he did more than welcome back alumni; he triggered a wave of nostalgia that took me straight back to my roots. In 1986, I was rolling film by hand in a darkroom, breathing in a pungent cocktail of chemicals that only a photojournalist could love.
I started that journey with a manual Nikon FE. Today, I shoot with a Nikon D5. In between those two cameras, I spent three years on the sidelines shooting the NFL for the newspaper I worked for. I even contemplated pursuing professional sports photography as a full-time career after that, but I decided against it. I chose to stay home.
The truth is, I feel more at home on a high school football field under Friday Night Lights. Our local athletes are playing for the love of the game, the pride of their school, and the person standing next to them in the huddle. They aren't playing for a paycheck. When they win—just as the Bruins did Friday night in their stellar 36-22 defeat of Collinsville—the joy is absolute. When they lose, the heartbreak is devastating. Their expressions are completely genuine; you simply cannot manufacture that kind of raw emotion in editing software.
While the industry pushes toward the silent mirrorless shutters and heavy digital filters, my mechanical shutter still clicks. Hearing that sharp, physical snap lets me know a real moment was just locked into history; it is the only sound I know.
As always, these images follow strict AP photojournalism guidelines—we're just letting the story unfold in classic black and white. Enjoy this look at Bruin football the way sports were always meant to be seen: uncompromised, authentic, and timeless.
Be sure to check back with Bartlesville Area Sports throughout the week for full coverage, articles, and scores from our other area teams.
The Bartlesville Bruin defense stops a Collinsville runner Friday night at Custer Stadium. BHS defeated the Cardinals 36-22. (We’ll have game reports and scores from other area teams online this week.)
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Bartlesville Bruins Price Lusk (11) and a Collinsville player fight for a pass during Friday night’s game at Custer Stadium. BHS defeated the Cardinals 36-22. (We’ll have game reports and scores from other area teams online this week.)
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Bartlesville Bruin head coach Matt Hennesy walks back to the sideline after a timeout during Friday’s game against Collinsville at Custer Stadium. BHS defeated the Cardinals 36-22. (We’ll have game reports and scores from other area teams online this week.)
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Bartlesville Bruin Eman George (0) scores during Friday’s game against Collinsville at Custer Stadium. BHS defeated the Cardinals 36-22. (We’ll have game reports and scores from other area teams online this week.)
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Bartlesville Bruin Boden Roberts (2) breaks a tackle during Friday’s game against Collinsville at Custer Stadium. BHS defeated the Cardinals 36-22. (We’ll have game reports and scores from other area teams online this week.)
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Bartlesville Bruin fans celebrate during Friday’s 36-22 win over Collinsville at Custer Stadium. (We’ll have game reports and scores from other area teams online this week.)
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Bartlesville Bruin Davin Carter (1) shows emotion following a play Friday night at Custer Stadium against Collinsville. BHS defeated the Cardinals 36-22. (We’ll have game reports and scores from other area teams online this week.)
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Collinsville Cardinal Braylon Ruff (13) makes a catch during Friday’s game at Custer Stadium. BHS defeated the Cardinals 36-22. (We’ll have game reports and scores from other area teams online this week.)
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Bartlesville Bruin head coach Matt Hennesy talks with Wyatt Mathis (10) during Friday’s game against Collinsville at Custer Stadium. BHS defeated the Cardinals 36-22. (We’ll have game reports and scores from other area teams online this week.)
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report