By the numbers: 5 key Bartlesville-area football games on tap this week
That gigantic crash you might hear Friday from eastern Osage Country could originate at the Ormand Beach Field in Pawhuska.
That will be the site of a potentially thunderous clash between the host Pawhuska Huskies and Hominy Bucks — one of the most explosive high school football matchups this week in the state.
This showdown highlights a slate of five key area grid contests this weekend.
They are:
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1 — HOMINY (2-0) at PAWHUSKA (2-0)
There are multiple storylines that enhance the raucous rivalry tradition of this encounter.
For one thing, Hominy stunned Pawhuska last season — one of just three regular season losses since 2019 for the Huskies.
Second, Pawhuska is focused on running the non-district table for the third time in four seasons.
Third, both teams are 2-0 with lopsided victories.
Fourth, these are two Osage County programs whose history against each other goes back decades. The towns are less than 20 miles apart.
KEY PAWHUSKA PERFORMERS: Pawhuska QB Todd Drummond has thrown for roughly 600 yards the first two weeks. Tyrel Richardson has run for more than 100 yards in each of the first two games. He also recorded more than 100 yards receiving last week. John Reed has posted back-to-back 18-tackle games. Noah Willson is one of the two-way stars and scored last week. Devon Bighorse is one of the leaders on the line.
2 — BARTLESVILLE (1-0) at SAPULPA (1-1)
Bartlesville is coming off its fourth opening week win in five seasons.
But, there’s another interesting fact — Bartlesville hasn’t opened the season at 2-0 since 2015. In fact, the Bruins have been 2-0 only five times since 2000.
The Bruins knocked off Claremore, 20-9, last week; Sapulpa lost to Sand Springs,35-21, in zero week and defeated Tahlequah, 39-35, last week.
THE SERIES: This will be the 19th meeting since 1986 between the teams. Sapulpa owns a 10-8 series lead and has won the last four meetings. Bartlesville recorded its last win against Sapulpa in 2017, 9-2, the Bruins’ only win that season.
BRUINS KEY PERFORMERS: P.J. Wallace rushed for 194 yards last week, including several of the stick-your-nose-in-the-pile-and-pick-up-three-or-four-yards variety. Sophomore QB Nate Neal passed for more than 200 yards in just his second varsity start. Damian Niko recorded 72 yards receiving and a touchdown, and recorded a pick-six. Austin Zink had a scoop-and-score on defense. Brett Eaves picked off a pass in the red zone. Another six or seven players could be named.
HOW BRUINS CAN WIN: Bartlesville made three turnovers against Claremore, one near the goal line going in for a score. Sapulpa is averaging five touchdowns per game, so the Bruin defense will need to build on several big stands last week.
3-VINITA (1-0) AT DEWEY (1-1)
Dewey and Vinita won by almost identical scores last week — Dewey 47, Nowata 14, and Vinita 45, Jay 14. Beyond that, this is a fierce rivalry. The teams have met 38 times since 1982, with Vinita owning an overwhelming advantage,31-7. But, Dewey has broke even with the Hornets, 3-3, in the last six encounters. Dewey outscored the Hornets during that stretch, 166-164.
DEWEY KEYS: The Doggers have proven a dynamic scoring connection between senior quarterback Trenton Muninger and senior receiver Colby Miller. Logan Alspach contributed four sacks and 20 tackles last week. Other defensive standouts that stepped up last week included Zaiden Masters, two interceptions; Dixon Adams, pick-six; and Gavin Lackey, scoop and score.
IMPORTANT STATEMENT: Dewey fell last season to Vinita, 32-0, which set a tough tone going into district games. A strong showing by Dewey, win or lose, would add momentum to the Doggers.
4-FOYIL (0-2) at COPAN (0-2)
Both teams are big need of success in the non-district meeting set for Thursday instead of Friday. Copan’s roster has been slightly deeper than in recent years, but their grades for intensity have been mixed. They competed hard in a loss to Barnsdall, but coach Marhsall Foreman felt they played flat last week against Welch. Copan is a young team, relying on several freshmen in key roles. Competing fiercely against Foyil could boost the confidence of Copan’s younger players and offer an emotional catharsis on which to build and also energize the community.
COPAN KEYS: Jarrett Shambles made a long interception return against Welch. Quarterback Kane Foreman threw for a touchdown against Barnsdall. Teegan Caron has caught a scoring aerial in each of the first two games, including one from Carson Woodworth last week. Copan made seven turnovers last week.
5-CANEY VALLY (Kan.) PUPS (1-0) vs. HUMBOLDT (Kan.) (1-0)
The two rivals are coming off lopsided wins — Caney Valley downed Erie (Kan.), 28-0, and Humboldt humbled Fredonia, 52-18. Caney Valley has owned the best of the series in the most recent meetings.
CANEY VALLEY KEYS: The Bullpups completely dominated Erie — 328 yards rushing to 15, and 95 passing yards to zero. That added up to 433 total yards to 15. Jackson Griffin tallied two rushing TDs for Caney Valley, while Afton King and Ben Matthews both rushed for one. On the defensive side, Tyler Cunningham intercepted a pass, Mitchell Duncan caused a fumble and Greg Stapleton recovered it. Caney Valley head coach Criss Davis said his team had plenty on which to improve.
OTHER AREA FRIDAY GAMES
Barnsdall (2-0) vs. Summit Christian (0-1)
Caney Valley (0-2) vs. Wyandotte (0-1)
Chelsea (1-0) at Nowata (0-1)
Commerce (0-2) at Oklahoma Union (0-1)
Claremore Christian at WCS (0-1)
This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Key Bartlesville-area prep football games this week
