Pawhuska Huskie Dane Jensen (6) looks to the sidelines earlier this season. The Huskies host Panama in the first round of the Class A-I state playoffs Friday at 7 p.m.
Photo by Craig’s Photography
By Becky Burch
Nov. 12, 2026
BARTLESVILLE AREA SPORTS REPORT
Fresh off a 57-9 senior night win over Commerce to close out the regular season, the Pawhuska Huskies (9-1) enter the Class A-I state playoffs as the No. 2 seed from District 3 this Friday when they host Panama (5-5).
Pawhuska heads into the postseason after a dominant two-week stretch, scoring on every first-half possession and outscoring its last two opponents 97-12 before halftime. Those big early leads let first-year head coach Mark Frye rest bruised starters and get younger reserves valuable varsity snaps.
“Last Friday's game against Commerce was another solid performance by our football team in all three phases of the game,” Frye said. “Those two performances were important because we were able to hand the reins over to our younger players in the second half of both games to give those guys valuable varsity experience and help build depth for our team.”
Pawhuska’s only loss came in a 36-12 road game against top-ranked district champion Pawnee (8-2, 6-0), which hosts fourth-ranked Vian (6-4, 5-2) on Friday. Even so, the Huskies’ strong district finish locked up home-field advantage for the opening round.
Friday’s game is a rematch of last year’s postseason meeting in Pawhuska. Frye warned that Panama’s record doesn't tell the whole story after the Razorbacks opened their season 0-3 without their starting quarterback.
“We know we will have to bring our A-game,” Frye said. “Panama is a well-coached, hard-nosed football team whose record does not accurately reflect their capabilities. They were young then, and those players have grown up, gained experience, and will arrive here hungry to avenge last year's playoff loss.”
On paper, Pawhuska’s offense holds a big statistical edge, averaging 45 points and 378 yards per game compared to Panama’s 29 points and 192 yards. Quarterback Jadon Spicer averages 212 passing yards per game for the Huskies, leaning heavily on go-to receiver Tripp Walker, who hauls in 70 yards per game. On the ground, Huskie running back Jenson Snodgrass averages 57 rushing yards per game and faces a tough test against Panama dual-threat standout Aryn Seamans, who averages 91 rushing yards and 193 total yards per game. Defensively, Panama will have to deal with Huskie linebacker Jimmie Wildcat, who leads Pawhuska with 11 tackles per game.
Frye said winning the battle up front will decide whether Pawhuska’s playmakers can get loose in space.
“Our biggest challenge will be trying to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football as their offensive line and front seven defensively are definitely one of the best we have faced this year,” Frye said. “Our success rests in finding ways to get the ball into the hands of our playmakers in space offensively and hope that our line is able to open up some space for our backs to run.”
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Pawhuska’s defense lines up earlier this season. The Huskies host Panama in the first round of the Class A-I state playoffs Friday at 7 p.m.
Photo by Craig’s Photography
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The 9-1 season means plenty to Frye, a nearly 25-year fixture in the Pawhuska community who spent almost two decades as defensive coordinator before unexpectedly taking over late this summer for former head coach Matt Hennesy—who has since guided Bartlesville back to the playoffs for the first time in years. Tasked with replacing the entire offensive line from last year’s state semifinal team while dealing with midseason injuries, Frye leaned on his staff and senior class to keep Pawhuska’s eight-year playoff run going.
“Taking over this football program late in the summer was never something I necessarily envisioned for myself, and the circumstances were certainly unusual,” Frye said. “But after nearly 25 years of being part of this school, football program, and community, I am now glad I made the decision to take on this responsibility, and I believe those experiences working with all those guys in the past prepared me for this opportunity.”
Rather than trying to overhaul everything on short notice, Frye leaned heavily on the staff already in place.
“We have outstanding coaches and great kids in this program,” Frye said. “My approach has simply been to trust all the coaches that we have, allow them to do what they do, stay out of the way when necessary, and keep the ship pointed in the right direction. With the exception of the Pawnee game, I feel like we have been able to accomplish that.”
Now, with win-or-go-home football officially underway, the Huskies are focused on keeping their season alive.
“More than half the state has already put away their pads for the year and we are thankful we still have opportunities in front of us to play and we take nothing for granted,” Frye said. “We know it is win or go home and we know we must be disciplined for us to get the opportunity to do it again next week on the road.”