DEWEY GRABS HALLOWEEN TREAT; PAWHUSKA, NOWATA AND CANEY VALLEY BULLPUPS ALL POUNCE ON VICTORIES
Dewey High School’s Nate Sloan (21 and Will Lawrence (60) react after a Bulldogger score against Tulsa Central last Friday in Dewey. Sloan returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the last minutes of the game to give the Bulldoggers the lead. Dewey won 19-14.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
Pawhuska High School’s Corlin Cass runs the ball against Caney Valley last Friday in Ramona. The Huskies won 68-7.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
Nov. 3, 2025
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Following are reports of last weekend’s area football games.
DEWEY 19, TULSA CENTRAL 14
A white-knuckle thriller broke out last Friday night at the Bulldogger Stadium.
The Dewey faithful — who already dealt with a devastating close loss earlier this season at Checotah — feared victory might be snatched from them in the final minute.
But an incredible defensive stand — after Tulsa Central had reached the one-yard line with first-and-goal — rescued the win and kept Dewey (4-5, 3-3) within the realm of a playoff possibility.
That was only part of the high drama for Dewey in the final two minutes — 120 seconds of explosive twists and turns that not even Rod Sterling of “Twilight Zone” fame could have dared imagine or write.
“It was crazy,” said Dewey head coach Scott Sapulpa. “It was one of the most exciting games I’ve ever been a part of.”
With about 1:50 left, Central’s Demarius Jordan swept six yards into the end zone to cut Dewey’s lead to 13-12. Moments later, Jordan also ran in the two-point conversion as Central claimed its first lead of the night, 14-13, with 1:44 left.
It appeared as if Dewey was headed for another heartbreaker. The Dogger offense had mostly stalled in the second half and the prospect of driving the ball downfield for a winning field goal or touchdown seemed none too certain.
But on Central’s ensuing kickoff, Dewey’s Nate Sloan took matters into his own hands and legs.
The jet-quick Sloan cut and swerved through initial interference while he weaved toward the right (home) sideline, delivered a steel-rod stiff arm to fend off a would-be tackler and sprinted the remaining 40-or-so yards to paydirt with 1:32 left.
That score put Dewey back ahead, 19-14. But the two-point pass failed.
To make it even more nerve-racking for Dewey, the kickoff went out of bounds, giving Central possession at its own 32-yard line and 90 full seconds (but no timeouts) to try to score the winning touchdown.
Three plays later, Central moved the ball quickly to the Dewey 15-yard line, on a 14-yard reception and a 15-yard penalty on Dewey.
Two downs later, Central ran the ball down to the Dewey one-yard line — with several seconds remaining.
On the next play, Dewey swarmed into the backfield to make a tackle for a one-yard loss to the two-yard line.
Central was then called for illegal substitution — moving the ball back to the seven-yard line — with 10 seconds left.
The officials signaled the clock to start running. On the snap, the quarterback took the snap and bolted forward toward the end zone. But Dewey tacklers swarmed to him and took him down inside the five-yard line just before the time expired.
Dewey had won.
AND WHAT A WIN!
The Doggers have recorded four wins for the first time since the 2019 team — which also is the last time the squad earned a postseason berth.
All that stands now between Dewey and the playoffs is a win — by at least a six-point margin — this week against Chandler (6-3, 4-2).
But hopes for making the playoffs would have been dashed with a loss to Central.
The game started out with Dewey putting together a touchdown march of 56 yards on its first possession. The key play was a 14-yard pass from Braxton Braden to Kavery Weathers down to the Central 3-yard-line.
Moments later, Jayden Vallen burst into the end zone and the PAT sailed through the uprights to put Dewey ahead, 7-0.
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Dewey High School’s Eddie Rice (5) makes a play on the ball during last Friday’s game in Dewey. The Bulldoggers won 19-14.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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“They’re (Tulsa Central) so big up front, it had to be the outside game for us,” Sapulpa said.
Central muffed the ensuing kickoff and Dewey started on the Central 28-yard line — but had its drive thwarted by a red zone interception.=
Dewey would throw another first-quarter interception. But, each time the Dewey defense stepped up to shut down Central.
The teams also traded fumbles and turnovers on downs in the first half. Dewey’s secondary made some big plays to prevent receptions, and the Dewey front stymied Central’s short game.
The half ended with Dewey still ahead, 7-0.
To open the second half, Central went on a time-consuming seven-minute 50-yard drive — only to turn the ball over on downs.
Dewey then finally got back on the board when Vallen stampeded to a 62-yard touchdown run. The PAT failed and Dewey led, 13-0.
On Central’s next possession, Dewey’s Mason Spears intercepted the ball. But a few plays later, Central got the ball back on a pick.
That set up Central’s first touchdown drive, covering 65 yards, the last 21 of it on a touchdown run. The two-pointer failed and Dewey led, 13-6, with about eight minutes left in the game.
A long punt return — set up by a lateral — led to Central’s final touchdown, scored with 1:44 left and putting in motion the wild-and-wooly finish.
For Dewey it was a happy night.
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Pawhuska High School’s Jimmy Wildcat (5) catches a toss from quarterback Jenson Snodgrass (1) during their 68-7 win over Caney Valley in Ramona last Friday night.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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PAWHUSKA 68, CANEY VALLEY TROJANS 7
Pawhuska (8-1, 5-1) — which is coached by Matt Hennesy — took care of business quickly and put itself in position next week to clinch second place in the District A-I-3 standings — which means a home playoff game the following week.
Pawhuska didn’t turn in a whole lot of offensive plays — only 33 — to reach 60 points for the fourth time this season.
Starting quarterback Kane Foreman launched only eight passes and completed seven of them for 125 yards and three touchdowns — two to Corlin Cass and one to Logan Cass. Corlin Cass also returned three punts for a touchdown.
Tripp Walker grabbed two two-point passes.
Pawhuska ran for just 86 yards, led by Grayson Reeves with 26 yards on seven totes and Levi Hendren with two carries for 24 yards and a six-pointer.
Jenson Snodgrass also ran for a touchdown. Jimmie Wildcat rushed for three two-point conversions while Leighton Shaw and Jaxon White each tallying one two-point run.
Caney Valley (0-9, 0-6) continued to battle through a grueling schedule in perhaps the toughest district in Class A-I. The developing Trojan program — led by first-year head coach Derrick Hammer — has one opportunity remaining to build momentum going into the offseason — and perhaps get its first win — when it plays host new Friday to Quapaw (3-6, 2-4) for Senior Night.
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Caney Valley High School’s quarterback looks to hand off the ball during Friday night’s home game against Pawhuska. The Trojans, who play in one of the toughest Class A-1 districts in the state, fell 68-7.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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PAWHUSKA LEADERS
Passing — Kane Foreman 7-8-0-125 (3 TDs), Levi Hendren 7-9-0-60, Jenson Snodgrass 2-2-0-6, Logan Cass 1-1-0-4.
Rushing — Grayson Reeves 7-26, Hendren 2-24 (1 TD), Jenson Snodgrass 1-11 (1 TD), Logan Cass 1-10, Jimmie Wildcat 3-9.
Receiving — Jarek Edwards 1-43, Logan Cass 4-43 (1 TD), Corlin Cass 2-34 (2 TDs), Aiden Bounds 1-22, Dakarali Stewart 2-21, Will Cass 2-13.
Tackles — Reeves 8, Jayden Henley 6, Leighton Shaw 6, Jimmie Wildcat 6, Jack Grooms 6.
Fumble recoveries: Jimmie Wildcat 1, Grooms 1.
Interceptions: Stewart 1.
Tackles for loss: Shaw 5, Henley 3.
Sacks: Reeves, Henley 1, Grooms 1.
Defensive touchdowns: Grooms 1.
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Caney Valley (Kan.) Bullpup Traxcyn Garton (27) runs the ball last Thursday during a home first-round playoff game against Galena, winning 44-12. The Bullpups host Riverton this Friday in the second round of playoffs.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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CANEY VALLEY (KAN.) BULLPUPS 44, GALENA (KAN.) 12
A 354-yard running differential made all the difference for red-hot Caney Valley.
The Pups left cleat tracks all over the Galena defense in the first round Thursday of the Kansas 2A playoffs. Next up, Caney Valley (8-1) advances to the regionals to face Riverton.
Riverton (5-4) defeated Cherryvale, 26-0, in another playoff game. Caney Valley defeated Riverton, 48-7, in a regular-season game on October 24.
The Pups appeared to be unstoppable against Galena, romping for 307 yards rushing on just 38 carries (8.1 yards per carry). The Caney Valley defense, meanwhile, crumpled, mutilated, and spindled Galena’s rushing attack. The Bulldogs lost ground — literally — finishing with minus-47 yards on 24 ball carries.
Caney Valley running backs galloped to six touchdowns — two each by Jace Buckley (10, 72) and Traxcyn Garton (13, 5) and one apiece by quarterback Layne Denny (7) and Konner Paulie (1).
Buckley also ran for four two-point conversions.
A fumble inside the five-yard line cost Caney Valley another golden chance to score.
By halftime, Galena had kept it fairly close, holding Caney Valley to a 10-point lead, 16-6.
But Caney Valley unleashed its running attack in the second, pounding out 130 yards in the third quarter and 89 more in the fourth while outscoring Galena, 28-6.
“We made some changes and used some audibles,” Caney Valley head coach Criss Davis said.
Meanwhile, Galena’s offense produced only 140 total yards.
“My defensive front five and two linebackers played really well against the run,” Davis said. “We had some breakdowns in pass coverage and let some guys get up on us. But all in all, our defense played pretty well again.”
Next up, Caney Valley will look to rev it up against Riverton, with the focus being on advancing to the sectionals.
Galena: 0-6-0-6 — 12
CV: 8-8-16-12 — 44
First quarter
CV — Jace Buckley 10 run (Buckley run), 2:30.
Second quarter
CV — Traxcyn Garton 13 run (Buckley run), 9:38.
Gal — Isaiah Farfan 40 pass from Cottrell (kick fail), 7:35.
Third quarter
CV — Garton 5 run (Buckley run), 7:59.
CV — Layne Denny 7 run (Buckley run), 0:34.
Fourth quarter
CV — Konner Paulie 1 run (kick fail), 10:43.
CV — Buckley 72 run (kick fail), 7:59.
Gal — Kenyon Washon 8 pass from Cottrell (kick fail).
TEAM STATS
First downs: CV 12, Gal 8; Rushing: CV 38-307, Gal 24-(-47); Passing: CV 0-2-1-0; Gal 15-22-1-187; Totals yards: CV 307, Gal 140; Penalties: CV-4-20, Gal 4-24; Punts: CV 1-30, Gal 6-192 (32.0); Fumbles-lost: CV 2-1, Gal 0-0.
CANEY VALLEY BULLPUP LEADERS
Rushing — Jace Buckley 11-153, Traxcyn Garton 20-117, Layne Denny 2-21, Bradley Vargas 1-17.
Interceptions — Drake Roberds.
Sacks — Benton Spillman 2, Boone White 2, Jace Wren 1.
Tackles — Angel Martinez 6.5, Spillman 6.5, Buckley 6, Wren 5.5, Garton 4.5, White 4.
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Nowata High School's Dameion Capshaw (20) wraps up an Oklahoma Union runner last Friday. The Ironmen defeated OKU 56-28.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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NOWATA 56, OKLAHOMA UNION 28
Other than powering to its second season win, the other happy news is the Nowata Ironmen (2-7, 2-4) are set to return a chunk of experience for next season.
Oklahoma Union, meanwhile, scored a season-high four touchdowns but probably saw its best chance for another district win slip away.
Nowata came out strong and kept on pushing — likely trying to leave the fog of a disappointing season behind.
“I was happiest just how we started the game and consistently executed at a level like I wanted us to all season,” veteran Ironmen head coach Chance Juby said. “Our offense kept executing at a high level. We’ve got to carry that momentum … against Pawnee.”
First-year Nowata quarterback Adrian O’Dell continues to grow more powerfully into his role.
Against Oklahoma Union he found Davionn Downing and Asiah Saxton for touchdown passes of 65 and 60 yards, respectively, and also rushed for two scores.
On the defensive side, Brett Malone performed like he had a big “S” stamped across his chest — 18 tackles, two sacks and nearly a half-dozen tackles for loss.
Draven Swalley and Spencer Atkins each contributed an interception.
In looking to next season, Juby noted how this year’s team has fought through inexperience and gotten tougher through growing pains.
“We’re starting three freshmen on the line right now,” he noted about the youth movement. “We’ll miss the seniors we have and some of them will be very hard to replace. Collectively, if everyone sticks together, ideally we should have a little bit better overall team next year.”
Oklahoma Union also has been hoping its players would take a quick track on the learning curve.
Senior Jensen Anderson — who recorded a pick-six against Nowata — hadn’t played since his freshman year, Joseph Lindner moved from tight end last year to running back, Aiden Talbott has been a first-year starting quarterback and Colten Wickham played in some games last year, Oklahoma Union coach Bruce Munden noted.
“We have kids having to play other positions than they were used to,” Munden added.
Lindner ran for two touchdowns against Nowata and Eli Johnson ran for the other.
“We scored one our very first offensive play,” Munden noted. “They got the ball and scored in five plays.”
Oklahoma Union then secured the onside kick, leading to another score.
But Nowata displayed a little more firepower in getting to the end zone.
“We drove the ball really well between the 20’s,” Munden said.
Penalties stalled out some of the Oklahoma Union drives. Responding to getting behind the sticks has been a struggle all season, he added.
Oklahoma Union (1-8-1-5) closes out the season by taking on playoff-bound Pawnee (7-2, 5-1).
Nowata will travel to Tonkawa (8-1, 6-0) to take on the district champs.
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Copan High School’s Weston O’Rourke (4) runs the ball during an earlier season game. The Hornets fell on the road to Wilson-Henryetta 62-36.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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WILSON-HENRYETTA 62, COPAN 36
Take away five major miscues — three offensive turnovers, a lost kickoff return and giving up an onside kick — and the Copan Hornets might have spent the weekend celebrating a district title.
As it is, Copan is still just one away from clinching the No. 2 seed and guaranteeing a home game to open the playoffs.
Copan (6-2, 2-1) got a big boost against Wilson-Henryetta (6-2, 4-0) on a special teams play. Teegan Caron blocked a punt in the end zone and Slayton Brewington fell on the ball for a touchdown.
The Hornets piled up their other points on three rushing touchdowns by Caron and a scoring pass to Shooter Brewington.
“We were able to get it to within 14 points,” said Copan head coach Trenton Kallenberger. “We had a hard time corralling their quarterback. If we could have minimized our turnovers it would have been much closer.”
Next up, Copan plays host Friday night to Arkoma (3-6, 1-2). With a victory Copan will be home the following Friday to open the Class B-II playoffs.
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Barnsdall High School’s Tripp Barbee (10) carries the ball during an earlier in the season game. The Panthers fell to Hominy 38-14.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
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HOMINY 38, BARNSDALL 14
Two other area teams collided in a rivalry scrap.
Hominy (7-2, 6-0) took advantage of some Barnsdall bad luck to build a 24-6 halftime lead and kept its foot on the pedal.
But the Barnsdall Panthers gave it a quality effort.
“We moved the ball a lot,” said Barnsdall head coach Kylee Sweeney. “I thought we played our toughest we’ve played in a while this season.”
Panther quarterback Lincoln Gott — a prolific prodigy — rushed for 180 yards on 41 carries and threw for another 105 yards.
Gott also scored one of the Panther touchdowns. Blaine Miller ran in the two-point conversion.
Tripp Barbee ran in Barnsdall’s other touchdown, off a 19-yard run on a jet sweep.
Other offensive highlights included Barbee and Nathan Smith running for 50 and 40 yards, respectively. Andrew Cole came up just shy of scoring another Barnsdall touchdown.
On another drive, Barnsdall was stopped inside the one-yard line.
Defensively, Miller racked up approximately 10 tackles. Among the other tackling leaders was Hayden Collins with five.
The loss torpedoed Barnsdall’s hopes for a playoff berth while Hominy secured the district title.
Barnsdall (6-4, 3-4) could still finish in a fourth-place tie with Ketchum (5-4, 3-3). But Ketchum owns the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Hominy (7-2, 6-0), meanwhile, clinched the district championship.
“I’m proud of (Barnsdall player) efforts,” Sweeney said.
He noted how his seniors helped achieve a 27-13 record and multiple playoff appearances during their four years in the program.
Sweeney is hoping to find one more game for his team. Porter has already forfeited next Friday’s game, which means Barnsdall’s season is officially completed.
But he’s hoping to find a replacement opponent for Week 10 in what would be an unofficial contest. Possibilities are junior varsity teams from area big school programs.
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OAKS 52, SOUTH COFFEYVILLE 12
South Coffeyville (3-4, 2-2) fell to the No. 4 seed in its district, but still will be headed to the playoffs in two weeks.
Oaks (6-3, 3-1) is battling against Bluejacket (6-3, 3-1) for the No. 2 seed. These teams will clash next Friday.
South Coffeyville, meanwhile, will host district champion Medford (7-2, 4-0).