FOOTBALL PREVIEWS: BARTLESVILLE AND AREA TEAMS PLAY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY; CANEY VALLEY (KAN.) HOSTS PLAYOFF GAME
Bartlesville High School’s Adrian Jones (3) looks to the sidelines during an earlier season game. The Bruins travel to Putnam City West on Thursday night.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
Caney Valley (Kan.) Bullpup Layne Denny (3) warms up on the sidelines during an earlier season game. The Bullpups host a playoff game against Galena on Thursday night.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
Oct. 30, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
(Note: Live play-by-play coverage of Bartlesville High football and some other select area teams is available on the Bartlesville Radio network. Bartlesville grid action can be heard on KWON (1400-AM, 93.3-FM and 95.1-FM) or seen via live stream on KWON-TV, available on the Bartlesville Radio website under the “On Demand” tab. Pawhuska games are broadcast on KPGM (1500-AM, 99.1-AM) and also available on live stream. The station also broadcasts a Game of the Week featuring another area team.)
Unless there’s another late scramble to change playing dates, about half of the area teams — including Bartlesville — will be playing on Thursday and the rest competing on Friday.
As of early in the week, area games were set for Thursday at Bartlesville at Putnam City West, Nowata at Oklahoma Union, Hominy at Barnsdall, South Coffeyville at Oaks Mission and a first-round Kansas playoff game hosted by Caney Valley (Kan.).
Games still set for Friday night action are Tulsa Central at Dewey, Pawhuska at Caney Valley and Copan at Wilson-Henryetta.
Following is the updated schedule as of Wednesday morning:
BARTLESVILLE (1-7, 1-4) at Putnam City West (1-7, 1-4) (Thursday)
Tulsa Central (3-5, 2-3) at DEWEY (3-5, 2-3) (Friday)
PAWHUSKA (6-1, 3-1) at CANEY VALLEY TROJANS (0-8, 0-5) (Friday)
NOWATA (1-7, 1-4) at OKLAHOMA UNION (1-7, 1-4) (Thursday)
HOMINY (6-2, 5-0) at BARNSDALL (5-3, 2-3) (Thursday)
COPAN (7-1, 3-0) at Wilson-Henryetta (5-2, 3-0) (Friday)
SOUTH COFFEYVILLE (3-3, 2-1) at Oaks Mission (5-2, 2-1) (Thursday)
Galena (Kan.) (3-5) at CANEY VALLEY (Kan.) BULLPUPS (7-1) (Thursday, playoffs)
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CLOSER LOOK AT MATCHUPS
6A-II-2 — BARTLESVILLE (1-7, 1-4) AT PUTNAM CITY WEST (1-7, 1-4) (THURSDAY)
Last week: Ponca City 24, BARTLESVILLE 23; PUTNAM CITY WEST 32, Capitol Hill 6
2024: Bartlesville 40, Putnam City West 9
2023: Bartlesville 31, Putnam City West 28
2022: Bartlesville 48, Putnam City West 7
OUTLOOK: All things considered, the Bartlesville Bruins should wear the favorite’s mantle going into Thursday’s showdown at Putnam City. A victory — coupled with a Capitol Hill loss — will guarantee Bartlesville a playoff spot for the fourth consecutive season, which is a team record.
It’s been a volatile season for the Bruins. Victory has been as elusive most weeks as a greased butterfly. Their record at 1-7 is not indicative of their talent or effort.
They’ve been beaten soundly only twice.
Among the Bruins’ most competitive losses have been against Newcastle, 51-34; Claremore, 29-20; and Ponca City, 24-23.
The defeat to Ponca City was especially tough — the Bruins led until the final eight minutes, when Ponca City decided to go for a two-pointer and succeeded to go ahead for good. Earlier in the game, the Bruins gave up a safety that also proved crucial.
Bartlesville — which is coached by Harry Wright — will look to bounce back to beat Putnam City West and break a tie for sixth place. The top six teams in the final district standings will earn a playoff spot. The Bruins still are in contention for fifth place if they were to win their final two regular-season games.
Bruin quarterback Michael Kent ranks among the Class 6A-II state-leading offensive weapons. He has close to 2,500 offensive yards and has accounted for 14 touchdowns as a passer or runner.
Bruin tailback Sutton Williams has rushed for six touchdowns even though he’s seen substantial action in only three games.
Bartlesville boasts one of its deepest quality receiver rotations in team history. Five of these steely targets have recorded more than 200 yards of receiving, led by Boden Roberts and Harrison Ketchum with 490 and 465 receiving yards, respectively.
Bartlesville’s defense also played very strong in stretches and features seven players with more than 20 tackles.
Landon Shaw, Sonji Ketiku, Wyatt Mathis, Landry Deaton, Davin Carter, Adrian Jones, Williams, Ivan Griffith, Cale Granger, Roberts and Shaun Thrasher have been among those to make key defensive plays in the past few weeks.
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BY THE NUMBERS
(Note: Some of these numbers are unofficial.)
BARTLESVILLE SEASON LEADERS:
Passing — Michael Kent 159-251 (.633)-1982, 12 TDs.
Rushing — Kent 103-489 (4.7 avg.), 2 TDs, Daeton Stevens 61-191 (3.1 avg.), 3 TDs; Sutton Williams 29-179 (6.2 avg.), 6 TDs.
Receiving — Boden Roberts 31-490 (15.8 avg.), 4 TDs; Harrison Ketchum 34-465 (13.7 avg.), 4 TDs; Matthew Sears 35-801 (8.6 avg.), 2 TDs; Gavin Thomas 22-289 (13.1 avg.), 1 TD; Stevens 24-210 (8.8 avg.), 1 TD.
Tackles (Note: solo tackles are in the parentheses) — Wyatt Mathis 36 (21), Sonji Ketiku 34 (12), Adrian Jones 27 (13), Landon Shaw 27 (13), Boden Roberts 22 (7), Ivan Griffith 22 (12), Christian Ketiku 21 (10), Sutton Williams 18 (7), Cale Granger 16 (7), Shaun Thrasher 15 (7).
Interceptions — Griffith (1).
Fumble recoveries — Williams (1), Roberts (1), Jones (1), Evan Goad (1), C. Ketiku (1).
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Scoring
Sutton Williams: 38 points — 6 rushing TDs (1,8,6,1,22,1), one 2-pt run.
Daeton Stevens: 24 points — 3 rushing TDs (1,8,7), 1 receiving TD (58).
Harrison Ketchum: 24 points — 4 receiving TDs (71,46,75, 62)
Dillon Burson: 19 points — 19-for-19 PATs.
Boden Roberts: 18 points — 3 receiving TDs (11,19,65)
Matthew Sears: 14 points — 2 receiving TDs (26,34), 1 2-pt reception
Michael Kent: 12 points — 2 rushing TDs (20,13)
Ivan Griffith; 6 points — 1 receiving TD (24).
Evan Goad: 6 points — 1 receiving TD (6).
Gavin Thomas: 6 points — 1 receiving TD (20).
Touchdowns by game:
Vs. Newcastle — Sutton Williams (2), Evan Goad (1), Ivan Griffith (1), Daeton Stevens (1).
Vs. Claremore — Daeton Stevens (2), Boden Roberts (1).
Vs. Collinsville — Michael Kent (1), Harrison Ketchum (1), Boden Roberts (1), Matthew Sears (1).
Vs. Sand Springs — None.
Vs. Sapulpa — Michael Kent (1), Daeton Stevens (1), Harrison Ketchum (1).
Vs. Muskogee — None.
Vs. Putnam City North — Sutton Williams (3), Harrison Ketchum (1), Gavin Thomas (1), Matthew Sears (1).
Vs. Ponca City — Sutton Williams (1), Boden Roberts (1), Harrison Ketchum (1).
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Team scoring
Bartlesville — 49-27-44-47 — 167
Opponents — 78-109–68-64 — 319
Game results
Newcastle 51, Bartlesville 34
Claremore 29, Bartlesville 20
Collinsville 47, Bartlesville 27
Sand Springs 51, Bartlesville 0
Sapulpa 41, Bartlesville 21
Muskogee 48, Bartlesville 0
Bartlesville 42, Putnam City North 28
Ponca City 24, Bartlesville 23
CLOSER LOOK:
— The Bruins have attempted to go for it on fourth down 41 times. They have succeeded 25 times (.610) and been stopped 16 times. They made their most fourth-down conversions against Newcastle (6) and their fewest conversions against Sand Springs (2), Muskogee (2) and Ponca City (2). They have failed the most time on fourth down conversions against Sapulpa (5), Sand Springs (3) and Muskogee (3). They succeeded on every fourth down conversion against Newcastle (6) and Collinsville (3). The Bruins have punted 20 times.
— Seven different Bruins have caught touchdown passes.
— Daeton Stevens is the lone Bruin with a touchdown for both rushing and receiving.
— Harrison Ketchum has averaged 63.5 yards on his four touchdown catches.
— Receiver Matthew Sears has thrown two touchdown passes.
— The Bruins have yet to score a defensive or special teams touchdown.
— Bartlesville has put together 13 drives of longer than 75 yards:
97 yards (vs. Claremore, TD)
91 yards (vs. Ponca City, TD)
85 yards (vs. Sapulpa, TD)
85 yards (vs. Putnam City North, TD)
83 yards (vs. Putnam City North, TD)
82 yards (vs. Claremore, TD)
80 yards (vs. Newcastle, TD)
80 yards (vs. Collinsville, TD)
80 yards (vs. Collinsville, TD)
80 yards (vs. Ponca City, TD)
79 yards (vs. Newcastle, TD)
77 yards (vs. Collinsville, TD)
76 yards (vs. Claremore, TD)
SERIES (since 2020): Bartlesville leads, 5-0.
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Dewey High School’s Braxton Braden (1) looks to the sidelines during an earlier season game. Dewey hosts Tulsa Central on Friday night.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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2A-I-4 — TULSA CENTRAL (3-5, 2-3) AT DEWEY (3-5, 2-3) (FRIDAY)
Last week: Sperry 12, DEWEY 12; Chandler 28, TULSA CENTRAL 0
2024: Tulsa Central 16, Dewey 13
2023: Tulsa Central 40, Dewey 7
2022: Tulsa Central 34, Dewey 12
OUTLOOK: It’s easy to slip into hyperbole when talking about how important a game is.
Truth is, each contest is vital. But the implications for this matchup reverberate back six years ago and into the future wave of success for Dewey.
With a win against Tulsa Central, Dewey could take a giant leap toward its first playoff spot since 2019, as well as steam into the offseason with a gust of confidence.
Dewey’s playoff chances are within the realm of doable. With a win against Tulsa Central, the Doggers would face Chandler the following week with a possible playoff seed on the line.
Dewey’s Easton Davis has been a stalwart on both sides. He is among the leading rushers in Class 2A-I, romping for 482 yards and six touchdowns with an average of 7.1 yards per touch. Teammate Jayden Vallen is just behind at 461 yards and three scores at a shade below seven yards per carry.
Vallen also has 162 receiving yards and one touchdown.
Dewey quarterback Braxton Braden has thrown for nearly 550 yards and rang up seven passing touchdowns in a run-oriented attack.
On the defensive side, Dewey’s Fenix Bolding owns 66 tackles (28 solo).
SERIES (since 2020): Dewey leads, 3-0.
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Pawhuska High School’s Kane Foreman (12) looks downfield during an earlier season game. The Huskies travel to Ramona on Friday to meet the Caney Valley Trojans in an area matchup.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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A-I-3 — PAWHUSKA (6-1, 3-1) AT CANEY VALLEY TROJANS (0-8, 0-5) (FRIDAY)
Last week: Pawhuska vs. Quapaw; Morrison 30, CANEY VALLEY 0
2024: Pawhuska 84, Caney Valley 12
2023: Pawhuska 82, Caney Valley 0
2022: Pawhuska 52, Caney Valley 7
OUTLOOK: The Pawhuska Huskies are still trying to lock down the No. 2 seed in the district and home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs and keep alive its hopes for a district title.
Caney Valley, meanwhile, is just trying to get better every week with an eye toward a strong offseason and a more promising scenario next season.
Meanwhile, the Trojans will be battling to catch lightning in a bottle and pull off a major upset.
Pawhuska is a formidable foe for anyone, boasting an efficient, cannon-arm field engineer in quarterback Kane Forman, a couple of explosive runners and receivers in Vann Wildcat and Jenson Snodgrass and a corps of reliable receivers. The Huskie defense also has been dominant in seven of the eight games.
PAWHUSKA LEADERS (offensive): Kane Foreman is among the state passing leaders (117-173, 1,803 yards, 2 interceptions, 26 TDs) and has rushed for 111 yards and five touchdowns. Leading Pawhuska’s rushing attack are Jenson Snodgrass and Vann Wildcat, both of which are approaching 500 yards. Wildcat also has ran in 19 two-point conversions. Corlin Cass and Wildcat are both near 400 yards receiving and each has caught four touchdowns. Jarek Edwards and Snodgrass have six and five receiving touchdowns, respectively.
PAWHUSKA LEADERS (defensive): Jimmie Wildcat has piled up an eye-raising 121 tackles — made more impressive by the fact the first-string defense hasn’t played most of the second half in several games. He also has 13 tackles for loss. Jayden Henley has made 20 tackles for loss. Vann Wildcat and Logan Cass have recorded 97 and 93 tackles, respectively. Jack Grooms has scored two defensive touchdowns, while Logan Cass and Vann Wildcat have added one apiece. Dane Jensen leads in quarterback sacks (4).
SERIES (since 2002): Pawhuska leads, 16-1.
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The Caney Valley Trojans take the field during an earlier season game. The Trojans host Pawhuska on Friday night for an area matchup.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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A-II-4 — HOMINY (6-2, 5-0) AT BARNSDALL (5-3, 2-3) (THURSDAY)
Last week: BARNSDALL 40, Afton 6; HOMINY 2, Porter 0
2024: Hominy 41, Barnsdall 6
2023: DNP
2022: DNP
OUTLOOK: Hominy is in a fierce battle to secure a district title. But the Barnsdall Panthers also are hyped to the max in their determination to earn a playoff spot.
The stark truth is a loss to Hominy would just about bury Barnsdall’s flickering hopes for advancing to the playoffs — especially if Ketchum were to pull a minor upset against Woodland this weekend.
Barnsdall has beaten Hominy once in recent years — back in 2019 during Barnsdall’s explosive season run that went all the way to the state quarterfinals. But Hominy has otherwise had the better of the series during the past several years.
A key for the Panthers will be to try to unleash their potentially devastating rushing attack against a steely Hominy defense. If the Panthers can succeed with their ground game in hammering out positive gains and keeping the chains moving, they’ll give themselves an opportunity to create a Thunderous Thursday.
Barnsdall quarterback Lincoln Gott has thrown for nearly 600 yards and seven touchdowns — and has rushed for more than 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns. He should — if he hasn’t already — surpass the 2,000 total offensive yards mark this week and close in on 30 touchdowns. All that despite missing a game and part of another due to injury.
Barnsdall defensive lineman has amassed five sacks even though he’s missed time due to injury.
SERIES (Since 2006): Hominy leads, 12-1.
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Oklahoma Union’s Joseph Lindner (4) moves the ball as Barnsdall’s Nathan Smith (20) gives chase in an earlier season game. Barnsdall hosts Hominy on Thursday, while OKU hosts Nowata also on Thursday.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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A-I-3 — NOWATA (1-7, 1-4) AT OKLAHOMA UNION (1-7, 1-4) (THURSDAY)
Last week: Pawnee 52, NOWATA 12; Tonkawa 63, OKLAHOMA UNION 16
2024: Oklahoma Union 28, Nowata 20
2023: DNP
2022: DNP
OUTLOOK: With both teams basically eliminated from the postseason, this will be a rivalry showdown with pride, progress and some momentum with which to ride into the offseason.
Also up for grabs is the bragging rights for the Battle of Nowata County.
The series has been a grueling one — during their last 10 meetings the teams have split with five wins apiece.
Both teams are coming off tough losses against two of the top three teams in the district.
Even though dealing with injury, Nowata’s Brett Malone is among the state’s tackling leaders (80), including 12 tackles for loss. Teammates Asiah Saxton and Maliki Ornder have been credited with eight tackles for loss apiece.
First-year Nowata quarterback Adrian O’Dell is among the state’s leaders in passing yards. He’s also ran for more than 400 yards. Saxton has been a dual threat rushing and receiving and is nearing — if he hasn’t already surpassed — 1,000 yards of total offense.
SERIES (since 2012): Tied, 5-5.
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Nowata High School’s Maliki Ornder (66) reacts during an earlier season game. The Ironmen travel to Oklahoma Union on Thursday for a Nowata County showdown.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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B-II-4 (8-man) — COPAN (7-1, 3-0) AT WILSON-HENRYETTA (5-2, 3-0) (FRIDAY)
Last week: COPAN 44, Webbers Falls 14; WILSON-HENRYETTA 46, Gans 12
2024: Wilson-Henryetta 48, Copan 0
2023: Wilson-Henryetta 50, Copan 30
2022: Wilson-Henryetta 76, Copan 34
OUTLOOK: For the second-straight year, Copan’s path to a district title has to go through Wilson-Henryetta. A season ago, Wilson-Henryetta handed Copan it's only district loss.
But the Copan Hornets appear to be more experienced, stronger and boasting talent diversity, especially on defense. The Hornets have given up only 11 points per game in district play, compared to 28.0 for Wilson-Henryetta.
In fact, Copan has allowed only 62 points in seven games, compared to 214 allowed by Wilson-Henryetta.
In order to compete for this crucial — and upset — win, Copan will likely have to make some defensive stops and rely on its strong offensive and special teams potential to play their part in a script for victory.
Win or lose, Copan has clinched a playoff spot and likely has secured a first-round home field advantage.
But the Hornets want to make a steely statement Friday in Henryetta to help fuel their momentum heading into November.
SERIES (since 2022): Wilson-Henryetta leads, 3-0.
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C-3 (8-man) — SOUTH COFFEYVILLE (3-3, 2-1) AT OAKS MISSION (5-2, 2-1)
Last week: Bluejacket 36, SOUTH COFFEYVILLE 22; OAKS 2, Billings 0
OUTLOOK: South Coffeyville remains firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot despite last week’s loss to the Bluejacket.
However, the Lions will have to extend their claws and go all out in order to knock off Oaks mission this week
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Caney Valley (Kan.) Bullpup Konner Paulie escapes a tackle during an earlier season game. The Bullpups host a Thursday night playoff game against Galena.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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KANSAS 2A PLAYOFFS: GALENA (3-5) AT CANEY VALLEY BULLPUPS (7-1) (THURSDAY)
Last week: CANEY VALLEY 48, Riverton 7; Baxter Springs 49, GALENA 0
2025: Caney Valley 48, Galena 6
2024: Caney Valley 46, Galena 12
2023: DNP
OUTLOOK: These teams aren’t exactly strangers. They just collided two weeks ago in a regular-season game, with Caney Valley winning, 48-6.
In that game, the CV Bullpups romped for 350 yards and five touchdowns on 37. The Pups’ defense, meanwhile, held Galena to just six yards rushing on 25 carries.
The Caney Valley attack revolves mainly around running backs Traxcyn Garton and Jace Buckley and quarterback Layne Denny. His most effective targets have been Drake Roberds and Jacob McVey.
Caney Valley is seeded No. 2 in its half of the state, which means it could enjoy a favorable second-round matchup should it take care of business effectively Thursday night.
SERIES (since 2006): Galena leads, 8-6