DEWEY OPENS NEW TURF FRIDAY; AREA FOOTBALL TEAMS TUNE UP IN SCRIMMAGES
The Dewey Bulldoggers will be playing on new turf this season. Dewey will host a “Meet the Doggers” event on Thursday and a four-way scrimmage on Friday. All area schools have scrimmages on Friday. Football season opens up next week.
Photo courtesy of Sierra Dunkle Media Co.
The Dewey Bulldoggers will be playing on new turf this season. Dewey will host a “Meet the Doggers” event on Thursday and a four-way scrimmage on Friday. All area schools have scrimmages on Friday. Football season opens up next week.
Photo courtesy of Sierra Dunkle Media Co.
By Becky Burch
August 20, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
After months of preparation through spring practices, summer workouts, 7-on-7s, conditioning and fall practices, Friday Night Lights will finally be turned on across Washington, Nowata and Osage counties. Area teams will hit the field this Friday night for scrimmages before regular season action officially kicks off next week.
Following is a look at upcoming football scrimmages:
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DEWEY BULLDOGGERS
The Dewey Bulldoggers will host a four-team scrimmage Friday, just one week before kicking off their season on brand-new turf featuring a fresh logo.
The scrimmage will feature Nowata, Hominy and Rejoice Christian. The opening half-game between Rejoice Christian and Hominy is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Dewey’s half-game against Nowata will follow at approximately 7 p.m.
Before hitting the field, Dewey will host its "Meet the Doggers" event Thursday at Bulldogger Stadium from 6 to 8 p.m. Players and coaches will be available for autographs and photos, and all football, cheer and band members from youth to high school levels will be introduced. Admission is a donation of laundry detergent, stain remover, a case of water or a case of Gatorade.
Head coach Scott Sapulpa recently announced additions to the coaching staff, bringing on assistant coaches Ken Zachary and Gary Joice to the sidelines this season. Zachary is a former Oklahoma State running back who went on to play in the NFL.
Dewey opens its regular season on the road Aug. 27 against Vinita.
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Copan Hornet Zane Stricklin weaves through the defense during a game last season. The Hornets host a scrimmage Friday.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report file photo
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COPAN HORNETS
The Copan Hornets, led by second-year coach Trent Kallenberger, host a scrimmage Friday night with Bluejacket, Foyil and Destiny. The event starts at 6:30 p.m.
The Hornets are aiming to host a playoff game for the third straight season. For Week 0 on Aug. 28, Copan travels to New Heights Christian Academy in Joplin, Missouri. On Sept. 4, the Hornets travel to South Coffeyville.
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OKLAHOMA UNION COUGARS
First-year coach Josh Middleton and the Cougars will host a scrimmage Friday against Choteau.
OKU opens the regular season at home against Drumright on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.
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NOWATA IRONMEN
The Ironmen also have new leadership this year, with first-year head coach Scott Martin. Nowata will participate in a four-way scrimmage in Dewey on Friday that includes Hominy, Rejoice Christian and host Dewey. The Ironmen and Dewey will play at approximately 7 p.m.
Nowata opens the regular season on the road at Warner on Sept. 4.
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CANEY VALLEY (OK) TROJANS
The Trojans will host a scrimmage on Friday with Foyil, Ketchum and Wyandotte. Head coach Derrick Hammer is in his second season. The junior high starts at 5 p.m., followed by high school at approximately 6 p.m.
The Trojans host Barnsdall at home in Week 0 at 7 p.m. On Sept. 4, they travel to Choteau.
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SOUTH COFFEYVILLE LIONS
Led by head coach Rich Giesen, the Lions are coming off a 4-7 season where they secured their first playoff appearance in eight years.
The Lions face Graham-Dustin on Sept. 4 for their season opener.
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BARNSDALL PANTHERS
The Barnsdall Panthers, led by head coach Kyle Sweeney, will host Mounds for a preseason scrimmage this Friday night.
Barnsdall held a “Meet the Panthers Night” on Monday.
The Panthers open their regular season next week when they travel to face Caney Valley for a Week 0 matchup on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.
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PAWHUSKA HUSKIES
The Pawhuska Huskies, under the guidance of new head coach Mark Frye, will host Salina for a preseason scrimmage this Friday night. The action begins with Varsity and JV sessions at 6 p.m., followed by a simulated half-game at approximately 7:30 p.m.
The Huskies went deep into the playoffs last season under former head coach Matt Hennesy, who is now the head coach at Bartlesville.
The Huskies will officially open their regular season the following week when they host the Fairland Owls for a Week 0 matchup on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.
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CANEY VALLEY (KS) BULLPUPS
The Bullpups, under the leadership of veteran coach Criss Davis, will hold their Coffeyville/Independence Jamboree on Friday at 7 p.m. Their first regular-season game is Sept. 4 at Eureka at 7 p.m.
Caney Valley (Kansas) went deep into playoffs last year, hosting three playoff games, before falling to Osage City. They ended their season 9-2 and 4-0 in districts.