Caney Valley (Kansas) football player Josh McVey (16) tackles a Jayhawk-Linn ballcarrier during a first-round playoff game Thursday in Caney, Kansas. The Bullpups defeated Jayhawk Linn 66-6 and host Royal Valley on Friday at 7 p.m.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
A Caney Valley (Kansas) cheerleader cheers on the Bullpups during a first-round playoff game Thursday in Caney, Kansas. The Bullpups defeated Jayhawk Linn 66-6 and host Royal Valley on Friday at 7 p.m.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
By Becky Burch
Nov. 4, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Caney Valley (Kansas) capitalized on an early offensive surge and a stout defensive performance last Thursday to defeat Jayhawk Linn 66-6 in a home playoff opener.
The Bullpups (433 total yards) established control from the opening kickoff, scoring 32 points in the first quarter. Jace Buckley opened the scoring with a 44-yard touchdown run less than four minutes into the game.
Traxcyn Garton followed with rushing touchdowns of 8 and 5 yards, before quarterback Layne Denny threw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Konner Paulie to extend the lead to 32-0.
Caney Valley maintained its pace in the second quarter, scoring three times in less than three minutes. Boone White began the period with a 63-yard touchdown run, followed by a 1-yard scoring plunge from Garrett Eytcheson. Just 16 seconds later, Paulie intercepted a Jayhawk Linn pass and returned it 34 yards for a touchdown, bringing the score to 52-0 at halftime.
The lead allowed Caney Valley head coach Criss Davis to substitute extensively. The Bullpups began mixing in replacements before halftime, ultimately playing all 47 players on the roster over the course of the game. Among the depth players finding room on the ground, Gabe Prince contributed 22 rushing yards on two carries, while Hayden Fields added 18 yards on three attempts.
"Our younger kids are getting valuable experience and have played quite a bit all year," Davis said.
Gunner Franklin added a 32-yard touchdown run for Caney Valley in the fourth quarter. Jayhawk Linn got on the scoreboard late in the game when Landon Burk ran for a 73-yard touchdown, but the Bullpups' defense limited the visitors to just four first downs on the day.
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Caney Valley (Kansas) football player Konner Paulie (30) breaks up a pass intended for a Jayhawk-Linn player during a first-round playoff game Thursday in Caney, Kansas. The Bullpups defeated Jayhawk Linn 66-6 and host Royal Valley on Friday at 7 p.m.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
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"I thought we played well defensively and caused turnovers," Davis said. "Defense wins games this time of year. It's crunch time."
[RELATED]: Championship Bound: Undefeated Caney Valley (Kansas) Beats Galena: Hosts Thursday Playoff Opener
The undefeated Bullpups (9-0) remain at home Friday to host Royal Valley in the next round of the Class 2A East playoffs, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Panthers (5-4, 2-3 district) finished eighth in their district but advanced on the east side bracket after defeating Baxter Springs 32-14 last week. Royal Valley relies heavily on a ground game that averages 310 rushing yards per game compared to just 17 yards through the air, spearheaded by running back Manny Oliveira, who averages 188 rushing yards per game.
"They're big, they have big size upfront and like us, they run the wishbone," Davis said. "We need to be more physical and ready to come to play... read our keys and fill."
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Caney Valley 66, Jayhawk Linn 6
Jayhawk Linn 0 0 0 6 — 6
Caney Valley 32 20 7 7 — 66
First Quarter
CV — Jace Buckley 44 run (Garton run), 8:54.
CV — Traxcyn Garton 8 run (White run), 7:06.
CV — Garton 5 run (Denny pass to Roberds), 3:32.
CV — Konner Paulie 46 pass from Layne Denny (Denny pass to McVey), 1:03.
Second Quarter
CV — Boone White 63 run (Lane Wheatley kick), 11:43.
CV — Garrett Eytcheson 1 run (Wheatley kick), 9:23.
CV — Paulie 34 interception return (kick failed), 9:07.
Third Quarter
CV — Garton 15 run (Wheatley kick), 6:56.
Fourth Quarter
CV — Gunner Franklin 32 run (Wheatley kick), 7:50.
JL — Landon Burk 73 run (pass failed), 4:09.
Caney Valley (Kansas) Bullpup Konner Paulie (30) dives for a touchdown during a first-round playoff game Thursday in Caney, Kansas. The Bullpups defeated Jayhawk Linn 66-6 and host Royal Valley on Friday at 7 p.m.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Caney Valley (Kansas) Bullpup Boone White (33) breaks a tackle during Thursday’s first-round playoff game in Caney, Kansas. The Bullpups defeated Jayhawk Linn 66-6 and host Royal Valley Friday at 7 p.m.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
