FRESHMAN FUEL: ZIMMERMAN, YOUNG DEFENSE KEEP COPAN PERFECT AT 6-0
Copan Hornet Cael Taglialatela (13) runs the ball during an earlier season game. The Hornets (6-0) defeated Kremlin-Hillsdale 53-8 last Friday on the road. They host Depew tonight in a homecoming district matchup.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Becky Burch
Oct. 9, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
The Copan Hornets extended their undefeated streak to 6-0 last Friday with a dominant 53-8 road victory over Kremlin-Hillsdale, powered by a relentless 336-yard rushing attack and a stellar emergency performance from freshman quarterback Presley Zimmerman.
With starting quarterback Zane Sticklin sidelined to rest ahead of district play, Zimmerman—typically the team’s third-string running back—stepped under center after only one week of practice reps. He delivered a masterclass performance, rushing for 109 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries, while guiding an explosive offense that found the end zone nine times.
"Zimmerman has not been the backup quarterback nor taken reps at QB until last Monday due to some unforeseen changes to our roster," Copan head coach Trenton Kallenberger said. "So for him to come in and play the way he did was big time for our team! I felt like the leaders of the team really rallied around him this week."
Sticklin, who has been playing through injuries since Week 1, sat out the final non-district matchup to heal.
"I felt like we needed the opportunity to rest him before district play starts this week," Kallenberger said. "Typically we’d had a bye already, but we had to pick up Yale when Wesleyan did not field a team. So, we made the decision to hold him out... and see if we could get him closer to 100%."
The Hornets' ground game was unstoppable, averaging nearly 13 yards per carry as a unit. Raydn Martin eclipsed the century mark, rushing for 103 yards and a touchdown on nine carries, while adding a massive 66-yard reception. Eljah Evans maximized his touches, turning two carries into 52 yards and a score, while Cael Taglialatela contributed 62 rushing yards on four carries. Gavin Barnes and Jared Purkey each added rushing touchdowns to round out the scoring barrage
Defensively, Copan was just as overwhelming, stifling Kremlin-Hillsdale and allowing only a single long passing touchdown. The Hornets trusted a remarkably young secondary, starting three freshmen in the defensive backfield: Zimmerman and Ruger Virden at corner, and Taglialatela at safety.
"Defense only allowed one lone pass play to result in a score," Kallenberger said. "Couldn't be more proud of where we are as a program to be able to bring in underclassmen and not just try to survive the night—our guys are coming in and contributing to the team right away. Great senior leadership, I believe, is a huge part of that as well."
Barnes anchored the defense with a team-high 10 tackles and a sack, followed closely by Slayton Brewington with eight tackles. Keeghan Smith recorded six stops, while Rocky Greenfield and Virden each notched five tackles and an interception. Evans added four tackles and a sack, matching the four-tackle performances of Lane Willig and Zimmerman. Purkey and Taglialatela each logged three tackles, and Ashton Jeffers added two to complete the total defensive lockdown.
Copan returns home tonight to face Depew for a highly anticipated homecoming matchup and district opener.
Copan Hornet Elijah Evans (13) runs the ball against during an earlier season game. The Hornets (6-0) defeated Kremlin-Hillsdale 53-8 last Friday on the road. They host Depew tonight in a homecoming district matchup.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports Report