Prep football previews: Week 4 looms key for 9 area teams
Mike Tupa
Following a rash of bye weeks in mid-September, all area high school football squads are set to blast back into action this weekend.
On Thursday, Copan (0-3) was slated to play at Bluejacket (1-2) in a District C-3 opener in eight-man football.
The remainder of the squads in the Bartlesville E-E coverage area will cleat it up on Friday.
Following are brief previews for each matchup:
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Class 6A-II — Bartlesville at Bixby
Five years ago, an upstart Bruin team stunned the Bixby Spartans, 50-33, on their homefield. But, that was a Bartlesville team that was riding the momentum of a 4-0 record and would go on to finish at 10-2. This year's team is still attempting to develop that potential and take a 1-2 record into the fray.
But, Bartlesville could easily be 2-1 if just one play had gone differently last week at Collinsville. Collinsville won with a touchdown in the final 25 seconds, 34-30.
Bixby takes a 2-0 record — and 27-game winning streak — into tonight's clash. The Spartans are coming off an unplanned bye-week, however, when their scheduled game last week against Stillwater was cancelled.
Through two games, the Spartans appear to be fairly balanced offensively — 354 yards and four touchdowns rushing, and 415 yards and seven touchdowns passing.
Senior Mason Williams has thrown every pass for Bixby and has been intercepted just once in 65 tries. Junior Braylin Presley appears on paper to be Bixby's most versatile skill player. He has rushed for 300 yards — on just 36 carries — and has caught 18 passes for 148 yards. His offensive touchdown total is seven, an average of 3.5 per game.
Bartlesville's three main offensive weapons through the first three weeks have been senior quarterback Paxton Bradford, senior runningback Dylan McCoy and junior receiver Gage Keaton.
Bradford's unofficial passing stats are 27-of-49 for 285 yards and four touchdowns. He passed for 200 yards and three scores last week.
McCoy is coming off back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. His unofficial numbers are 360 yards on 51 carries.
Keaton caught three touchdown passes against Collinsville. His unofficial stats are 12 catches for 190 yards and four touchdowns.
Two other Bruins — seniors Caleb Perry and Caden Davis — turned in 100-yards-plus rushing games earlier this season but didn't suit up last week due to injuries.
An 'X' factor for Bartlesville could be its defense, which last week held an explosive Collinsville team scoreless in the second half until the final minute.
Friday's Bartlesville vs. Bixby game also opens District 6A-II-2 play.
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Class 3A — Caney Valley (Kan.) hosts Cherryvale
The Caney Valley Bullpups enter this district opener with a perfect (3-0) non-district record, while the Cherryvale Chargers are 1-2.
But, in addition to the playoff implications of tonight's clash, this is also a rivalry game between two schools located just a few miles apart.
Caney Valley head coach Criss Davis has found success rotating Brec Williams and DaRon Davis at the quarterback spot. Tanner Rose also has developed into a indomitable ballcarrier. Baylor Thornton is another human thunderstorm with a football in his hands.
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Class 2A — Dewey at Adair
This matchup has not exactly been a fun one for Dewey during the past four seasons. Adair is 5-0 against the Bulldoggers during that time, including a 58-6 playoff win last season. But, Dewey did take the Warriors to the wire, basically, last year in a 32-14 regular season decision.
Dewey head coach Trent Turner obviously is hoping for a similar effort, especially in Friday's district opener.
Dewey is 2-1 going into the game, including a hard-fought road win at Miami, 52-42. Adair also is 2-1 and coming off a 36-0 victory against Locust Grove.
During the first three weeks Dewey has been led by senior quarterback Tate Lewis, a first-year starter that has displayed at times a cannon for a arm. Trent Muninger is Turner's second option at signal caller. Muninger has scored several touchdowns, most of them in short field situations when Turner inserts him under center.
Tailback Corbin Buford is a dangerous weapon when healthy, but suffered a preseason injury. Dewey's running game has been more by committee, although Buford ran strong against Miami.
Jack Davis has been one of the hearts and souls of Dewey's rugged spirit and success, especially on defense.
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Class 2A: Nowata at Sperry
A young and rebuilding Nowata Ironmen team and its first-year head coach Graham Snelding don't catch a whole lot of breaks this season. The Ironmen finished 0-3 in the preseason while playing a slate of three playoff contenders.
It doesn't get easier with Sperry, the state champion in 2018 and a state quarterfinalist last year.
But, Sperry is off to tough start at 1-2, including a 52-0 loss last week to Wagoner of Class 4A.
Broden Monroe has been Nowata's starting quarterback. Some other key performers have been Eli and Bear Savala, Emmett Sells. Daygan West and others.
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Class A: Pawhuska at Commerce
The Pawhuska Huskies (3-0) eye a Commerce team that generally is a Class A powerhouse. Commerce is 1-2 coming into the district opener, including a close loss to Sarcoxie (Mo.), 28-21. Pawhuska averaged scoring 62.5 points per game in non-district play.
Quarterback Bryce Drummond is the focal point of the Huskie offense and two of his primary weapons are receivers Mason Gilkey and Dalton Hurd. Jack Long is a potent force on defense and the returning state leader in sacks last season.
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Class A: Caney Valley at Woodland
Caney Valley (2-1) already has brushed an elephant off its back by posting a winning non-district mark.
Next up, the Trojans will be fighting Friday to record their first district win since 2017. But, it will be a tall task.
Woodland is 3-0 going into district play.
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Class A: Afton at Oklahoma Union
The Oklahoma Union Cougars are coming off a bye week, during which head coach Steve Trammell hoped to find a way to rev up the run game following non-district losses to Woodland and Tulsa NOAH, both close decisions.
The Cougars finished 1-2 in non-district play, while Afton went 1-1.
Mason Seigel has been a three-year starter at quarterback for the Cougars and guided them last year to a 7-4 record. Oklahoma Union is attempted to qualify three-straight years for the playoffs.
Mason Pittman has been another warrior with plenty of bite for the Cougars.
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Class C: Wesleyan Christian School hosts Welch
Wesleyan Christian (0-3) has dropped two winnable decisions and turned in a competitive effort at Webbers Falls. Welch (0-3) put up 28 points last week, but only a total of 28 the first two games.
WCS has two main options at quarterback, Tyrel Cloud and Parker Francis. Cloud appears more developed in the passing attack while Francis injects a running component and strong presence at receiver. Parker Francis is WCS' leading rusher.
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Class B: Barnsdall hosts Claremore Christian
Barnsdall saw a streak broken last week in its 34-30 loss at Summit Christian. For the first time in five seasons, the Panthers (2-1) didn't start the season out at 3-0.
But, fortunately is was a non-district battle and another important test for the Barnsdall Panthers as they — and their head coach Kylee Sweeney — adjust to their first-ever year in eight-man football.
Barnsdall hammered its first two opponents by a combined score of 106-22.
Claremore Christian should provide another needed non-district measuring stick for Barnsdall. The CC Warriors are 4-0 and their closest margin of victory has been 28 points.
Barnsdall is led offensively by Keegan Marin at quarterback and veterans Josh Weber, Bryce Shores and Carson Auschwitz, as well as explosive newcomer Hunter Auschwitz.