Bartlesville offensive lineman Jesus Ortiz (55) lifts up quarterback Michael Kent (14) after a touchdown during an earlier season game. The Bruins defeated Booker T. Washington 66-40 last Thursday on the road. The Bruins host Ponca City on Friday night for senior night and the ConocoPhillips Bowl.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Becky Burch
Oct. 22, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
A historic rivalry, high playoff stakes, and Senior Night will collide Friday when the Bartlesville High School football team hosts Ponca City in the annual ConocoPhillips Bowl.
The Bruins (5-2, 2-0) enter the matchup ranked third in the district, while the Wildcats (4-3, 0-2) sit in fifth place. A victory for Bartlesville would nearly guarantee the team a home playoff game.
"Ponca would have been a huge game no matter what the circumstances," Bartlesville head coach Matt Hennesy said. "But because a win will almost ensure a home playoff game, the game is even bigger. However, that will not be our focus. Our focus will continue to be fixing our mistakes from last week and improve in every phase of the game. It's also senior night, so we want to give our seniors a night to remember.”
The rivalry game, known as the ConocoPhillips Bowl since the mid-2010s, features a perpetual traveling trophy. Ponca City took home the hardware last season, edging Bartlesville 24-23.
Statistically, the Bruins hold a heavy advantage on the ground and through the air. Bartlesville is averaging 457.7 yards and 45.3 points per game. Ponca City enters the contest averaging 116.7 yards and 37.1 points per game.
The Bruins are riding high after a dominant offensive performance last Thursday, defeating Booker T. Washington 66-40 on the road. Bartlesville built a commanding lead early, jumping out to a 46-20 advantage by halftime at S.E. Williams Stadium.
"That was a huge win for our program," Hennesy said. "Scoring 66 points at the 'Hive' is a huge accomplishment... Our tempo wore out the bigger, more talented players from BTW, our effort was, and has been the difference maker, our attitude stayed positive all night, and our mental toughness was evident by how we never let bad plays get us down."
Junior quarterback Michael Kent led the offensive explosion. Kent completed 23 of 34 passes for 343 yards, while adding 81 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Senior Matthew Sears also completed a 27-yard pass.
Price Lusk was Kent’s top target, hauling in nine receptions for 156 yards and two touchdowns. Boden Roberts added five catches for 78 yards and a score.
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Bartlesville Bruin Price Lusk (11) recieves a kickoff during an earlier season game. The Bruins defeated Booker T. Washington 66-40 last Thursday on the road. The Bruins host Ponca City on Friday night for senior night and the ConocoPhillips Bowl.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report
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"Our players are starting to step up and lead this team," Hennesy said. "Led by all our captains, but specifically the way Michael Kent has taken control of the offense and is understanding what Coach (Mason) Fine wants. Kent and Lusk had some amazing stats, but our offensive outburst was definitely a product of all 11 guys that were out there working their tails off."
Logan Goins rushed for 51 yards on nine carries with a touchdown, and caught one pass for 27 yards. Wyatt Mathis added 21 yards on nine carries and scored once on the ground. Other receivers included EJ Belisle with three catches for 43 yards and Eman George with two receptions for 30 yards.
Defensively, George and Roberts led the Bruins with eight tackles apiece. Nizyah Abraham recorded seven tackles, and Davin Carter had six. Carter and Roberts each logged a sack, while Landen Shaw intercepted two passes to disrupt the Booker T. Washington offense. Belisle added five tackles, while Evan Goads, Kandon Benjamin, and Sonji Keitiku each finished with four.
"We played together all night, and handled the environment," Hennesy said.
Bartlesville defensive back EJ Belisle (13) breaks up a pass during a game against Sand Springs earlier this season. The Bruins defeated Booker T. Washington 66-40 last Thursday on the road. The Bruins host Ponca City on Friday night for senior night and the ConocoPhillips Bowl.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report