Copan Hornet Presley Zimmerman (2) reacts after scoring against Depew on Oct. 9. Zimmerman took over at quarterback for starter Zane Stricklin, who was injured during the game. The Hornets lost to Depew 44-38 and host winless Cave Springs on Friday.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Caney Valley (Kansas) Bullpup Jace Wren (67) brings down a Cherryvale runner on Oct. 9. The undefeated Bullpups won 46-0 and defeated Riverton 62-14 last Friday. The Bullpups host Galena Friday.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
By Becky Burch
Oct. 23, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Copan is looking to bounce back from its first district setback of the season when it hosts winless Cave Springs on Friday night.
The Hornets enter the matchup as heavy favorites, boasting a high-powered offense that averages 43.9 points per game. By contrast, Cave Springs has struggled to find the end zone, averaging just 4 points a contest.
The Hornets are coming off a bye week following their initial district defeat, a 44-38 loss against Depew on Oct. 9 at Sheets Field in Copan. Starting quarterback Zane Stricklin left the game with an injury, putting freshman Presley Zimmerman back into action. The week before, Zimmerman had an impressive showing against Kremlin-Hillsdale after head coach Trenton Kallenberger gave him the nod to start.
If Stricklin is unable to return Friday night, Zimmerman will bring two games of varsity experience and a full bye week of preparation into the matchup.
Despite the district-opening loss, the Hornets (6-1, 0-1) remain in the driver's seat to secure a playoff berth. Copan currently sits in fourth place in Class B-II, District 3, but a victory this week would give the team its first district win of the season. Meanwhile, Cave Springs is still searching for its first win of the year.
Following Friday's matchup, Copan closes out the regular season against Pond Creek-Hunter and Welch. Those final two contests will heavily impact postseason seeding for the Hornets, who are looking to climb from their current spot in the district standings.
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Copan Hornet starting quarterback Zane Stricklin (1) scrambles toward the goal line against Depew on Oct. 9. Stricklin was later injured on the play. The Hornets fell to Depew 44-38 and host winless Cave Springs on Friday.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
Copan Hornet Raydn Martin (10) picks up yardage against Depew on Oct. 9. The Hornets lost to Depew 44-38 and host winless Cave Springs on Friday.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Jacob McVey (16) of Caney Valley (Kansas) breaks through a pair of Cherryvale defenders on Oct. 9. Following the 46-0 shutout, the undefeated Bullpups defeated Riverton 62-14 last week and host Galena on Friday.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
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CANEY VALLEY (KANSAS) BULLPUPS
The undefeated Caney Valley (Kansas) Bullpups welcome a winless Galena squad to Caney on Friday. The Bullpups are first in their district and ranked No. 12 in Kansas. Caney Valley averages 52.4 points per game, while Galena's offense averages 7 points per contest.
Last Friday, Jace Buckley rushed for three touchdowns and added a pair of two-point conversions to anchor a dominant Caney ground game in a 62-14 victory over Riverton.
Caney’s relentless rushing attack racked up 392 yards on 37 carries, fueling a total offensive output of 499 yards. Riverton was held to just 143 total yards, struggling to find traction against a suffocating defense that forced eight punts.
Buckley set the tone early for the visitors, opening the scoring with a 6-yard touchdown run at the 8:01 mark of the first quarter before adding his own two-point conversion. Less than six minutes later, Buckley found the end zone again on a 12-yard sprint to extend the lead to 16-0.
The Bullpup air attack took over in the second quarter. Quarterback Layne Denny connected with Conner Paulie on a 33-yard touchdown pass to make it 24-0. The duo struck again minutes later, as Denny found Paulie for a 22-yard touchdown strike. A successful conversion run by Traxcyn Garton pushed the margin to 32-0.
Riverton answered late in the second quarter with a touchdown, though the ensuing conversion pass failed. Caney Valley (Kansas) quickly countered before the break, as Denny threw his third touchdown pass of the half, finding Drake Roberts for a 34-yard score to send the teams into the locker room with Caney leading 38-6.
The onslaught continued in the second half. Boone White extended the advantage with a 1-yard plunge early in the third quarter. Buckley then capped his spectacular night with an 18-yard touchdown run, followed by a Garrett Eytcheson conversion run to make it 54-6.
Riverton found the end zone one final time in the fourth quarter on a 28-yard touchdown pass and a two-point conversion.
Caney Valley (Kansas) added a final exclamation point when Lane Wheatley broke loose for a 55-yard touchdown run, followed by a Rigdon conversion run to cap the 62-14 final.
Denny finished the night 4-of-9 passing for 107 yards and three touchdowns. Riverton’s passing game was limited to 84 yards on 6-of-15 passing with one interception.
On Oct. 9, the Bullpups shut out Cherryvale 46-0 at home.
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OKLAHOMA UNION
Oklahoma Union is still searching for its first win of the season as it prepares to host Hominy (3-4, 2-2) on Friday night.
The winless Cougars face a tough defensive challenge. Hominy enters the matchup averaging 26.3 points per game, while Oklahoma Union averages 5.4 points per contest.
Last week, the Cougars dropped a Thursday matchup to undefeated Ketchum, falling 47-0.
Following Friday's home game, Oklahoma Union will close out the regular season with consecutive road trips to Afton and Barnsdall.
CANEY VALLEY (OK) TROJANS 63, Cornerstone 0
The Caney Valley (OK) Trojans improved to 3-5 on the season with a 63-0 shutout of Cornerstone on Thursday night.
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Afton 22, BARNSDALL 7
The Barnsdall Panthers fell to Afton 22-7 on Thursday night. Afton picked up its first victory of the season, while Barnsdall (4-4, 1-4) dropped its fourth straight game after starting the year 4-0.