AREA GRID PREVIEW ANALYSIS: Barnsdall tries to lock up playoffs, other teams hope to improve seedings
Dewey High School's Easton Davis (10) looks for room during earlier season action. The Bulldoggers travel to Chandler on Friday (Nov. 9).
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
By Mike Tupa
Bartlesville Area Sports Report
Even though not all area playoff teams will be competing for playoff spots — or to improve postseason seedings — this week, each of them will be out to end the season on a happy note.
Following is a closer look at the matchups Thursday (Nov. 7) and Friday (Nov 8).
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Friday: DEWEY BULLDOGGERS (2-7, 2-4) at Chandler Lions (6-3, 5-1), District 2A-I-4
Last week: Tulsa Central 16, Dewey 13; Chandler 54, Sperry 7
Last meeting between teams: Chandler 41, Dewey 7 (1995)
Last Dewey win in series: Dewey 43, Chandler 23 (1994)
Even though the playoffs are only an evaporated dream, the Bulldoggers still have a chance to make a bellowing noise of conquest in the district jungle.
Dewey is hoping to have the impact of catnap — putting the Lions asleep — to nab what would be a stunning upset and siphon off some steam from Chandler’s impending safari into the playoffs.
The Doggers have been winners in two of their four games — and came up just three points shy last week.
But Chandler is a formidable foe — the Lions have won four in a row by a combined score of 212-45.
Dewey is no tongue-tied wall-flower, however. The Doggers have displayed plenty of smash-mouth will power in the second half of the season
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Friday: Morrison Wildcats (3-6, 3-3) at PAWHUSKA HUSKIES (7-2, 5-1), District A-I-3
Last week: Pawhuska 84, Caney Valley 12; Morrison 33, Quapaw 0
Last meeting between teams: Dewey 20, Morrison 12 (2019)
Pawhuska likely has its hopes aimed for a strong postseason run —but the Huskies are keeping their eyes fixed firmly on the next challenge, this week’s regular season finale against Morrison.
Morrison will come in with true intent — the Wildcats are embroiled in a three-way fight for the final two playoff spots in district.
Morrison currently is tied for the No. 4 seed — the final one available. If Morrison loses Friday and Nowata (3-6, 3-3) were to beat Tonkawa (5-4, 4-2), then there would be a three-way tie for third place.
On the other hand, if Morrison were to upset the Huskies, it would assure itself of a postseason reservation.
An unlikely scenario is if Oklahoma Union (3-6, 2-4) knocks off Pawnee (6-3, 6-0), which would discombobulate the district landscape and playoff seeding.
Regardless of all the mathematical postseason stew, Pawhuska is determined to fricassee the Wildcats and build its momentum heading into what it hopes will be a lengthy playoff journey.
In addition to quarterback Canyon Hindman — who has ruled the skies with his laser-sharp aerials — some other Huskie offensive heroes included Chase Eaves with nearly 600 yards receiving, Lane Kyler with 11 touchdown catches and more than 500 yards and Logan Cass with 331 yards receiving.
Pawhuska and Nowata High School's clash in earlier season action in Nowata. Pawhuska hosts Morrison and Tonkawa travels to Nowata on Friday (Nov. 9). Pawhuska and Nowata both have playoff berths
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports
Friday: Tonkawa Buccaneers (5-4, 4-2) at NOWATA IRONMEN (3-6, 3-3), District A-I-3
Last week: Oklahoma Union 28, Nowata 20; Pawnee 52, Tonkawa 0
Last meeting between teams: Might be first meeting since prior to 1982
Nowata has risen above many challenges this season. This week’s test is as imposing as any they’ve faced.
The prize for winning is simple — a clear-cut path to the playoffs.
Tonkawa goes into the game alone in third place in the district, while Nowata is tied for fourth place, although technically fifth place, due to district points.
By winning this one, Nowata could rise all the way to No. 3 — depending on whether Morrison (3-5, 3-3) upsets Pawhuska (7-2, 5-1).
Last week, Nowata squandered a 20-8 halftime lead, being outscored in the second half, 20-0.
The Ironmen might be doubly motivated to get rid of that bitter taste by recording a sweet victory against Tonkawa.
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Friday: Pawnee Black Bears (6-3, 6-0) at OKLAHOMA UNION COUGARS (3-6, 2-4), District A-I-3
Last week: Oklahoma Union 28, Nowata 20; Pawnee 52, Tonkawa 0
Last meeting between teams: Pawnee 62, Oklahoma Union 7 (2023)
Last Oklahoma Union win in series: NA
It wouldn’t exactly require a miracle for Oklahoma Union to win. But, to do would likely be only a baby’s eyelash shy of impossible.
Pawnee has been blasting everybody in its path like a dinosaur stampede.
But Oklahoma Union is 2-1 in its last three games — and fell by only four points in the one loss.
The Cougars likely haven’t yet put together their best game. With no hopes of making the playoffs, the Cougars should be relaxed to go out and play with abandon with only victory at stake.
Pawnee, meanwhile, will focus on extending its win streak to seven straight.
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Friday: CANEY VALLEY TROJANS (1-8, 0-6) at Quapaw Wildcats (2-7, 1-5), District A-I-3
Last week: Pawhuska 84, Caney Valley 12; Morrison 33, Quapaw 0
Last meeting between teams: Quapaw 47, Caney Valley 6 (2020, playoffs)
Last Caney Valley win in series: Caney Valley 6, Quapaw 0 (1986)
The hard-luck Trojans have one final opportunity to write a happy chapter in what has been mostly a volume of woe.
Like Caney Valley, Quapaw has been excluded from playoff contention.
The Wildcats have dropped three decisions in a row being shut out twice the last three outings.
No doubt both teams eye this week’s showdown a chance to channel in another district win.
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Thursday: Porter Pirates (3-6, 2-4) at BARNSDALL PANTHERS (5-4, 3-3), District A-II-4
Last week: Hominy 41, Barnsdall 6; Porter 40, Afton 8
Last meeting between teams: Barnsdall 40, Porter 6 (1993)
Paced by senior quarterback Maverick Lanphear — who has already surpassed 3,000 yards of total offense — the Panthers can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Fairland (3-6, 3-3) loss to district champion and state championship favorite Woodland (9-0, 6-0).
Barnsdall — which has been beset by a plague of injuries to starters, including Easton Malone who likely would have led the state in rushing — has scrapped and battled all season to put itself in playoff contention.
The scenario appears positive the Panthers will be back in the postseason saddle.
During head coach Kylee Sweeney’s tenure since 2016, Barnsdall has qualified for the playoffs six times in the last eight seasons. Sweeney’s overall regular season record, including this season, is 56-33 (.629). His overall mark, including playoffs, is 58-39 (.580).
If the Panthers were to go two rounds deep in the playoffs we would reach his 100th career game as Panther head coach.
In addition to Lanphear (passing: 46-106, 921 yards, six touchdowns; rushing: 164-1,206, 18 touchdowns), some other powerful Panther paladins included Blaine Miller (rushing: 80-553, five touchdowns), Braden Byers (receiving: 13-408, two touchdowns) and James Johnson (receiving: 26-581, six touchdowns).
Lincoln Gott is another dangerous versatile knight for the Panthers.
These and several other Panther players also are part of an engulfing defensive force.
NOTE: According to available information for this website, the Panthers and Porter Pirates haven’t collided since 1993.
Barnsdall High School's Lincoln Gott (14) finds running room during an earlier season game. The Panthers host Porter on Thursday (Nov. 7) and have a chance to earn a playoff spot.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
Friday: COPAN HORNETS (7-2, 3-1) at Arkoma Mustangs (5-4, 1-3), District B-II-4
Last week: Wilson (Henryetta) 48, Copan 0
Last meeting between teams: Copan 45, Arkoma 0 (2009)
When it comes to winning the district crown Copan will have to wait until next year.
But the Hornets still have much for which to play this season.
Having already clinched homefield advantage in the first round of the playoffs, Copan eyes an opportunity to make a strong playoff run, no doubt incorporating some of the lessons from last week’s loss.
A win against Arkoma would elevate Copan to eight regular season wins for the first time since 2008 and also add more momentum and confidence heading into the postseason wars.
Arkoma is led by Scout Smith, who has passed for 506 yards and rushed for another 575, while accounting for 15 offensive touchdowns. Dakota Lanham is averaging more than 10 yards per carry and scored six times. Cody Morales is a threat on both the ground and as a receiver.
No updated stats were available for Copan, which is energized by its High Voltage Quintet of juniors Kane Foreman, Weston O’Rourke, Shooter Brewington and Teegan Caron, and senior Karson Woodworth.
Several other Hornets — including some rugged linemen — have helped bolster the powerhouse season.
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Friday: WESLEYAN CHRISTIAN MUSTANGS (2-7, 2-2) at Wilson (Henryetta) Tigers (7-1, 4-0), District B-II-4
Last week: Wesleyan Christian 50, Gans 0; Wilson (Henryetta) 48, Copan 0
Last meeting between teams: Wilson (Henryetta) 26, Wesleyan Christian 12 (2023)
Last Wesleyan Christian win in series: Wesleyan Christian 69, Wilson (Henryetta) 20 (2022)
Perhaps the best feel-good story of the season revolves around the Wesleyan Christian School Mustangs.
One would require a thousand words to describe the challenges facing this year’s team, including the devastating graduation/transfer departure of some of the greatest athletes in school history and the huge infusion of inexperienced players, some of whom had no previous football experience, or at least hardly any.
As one might expect, the Mustangs absorbed a hailstorm of lumps throughout the first several games. It seemed possible at one point as if they might not taste victory this season.
But starting two weeks ago, the Mustangs put together back-to-back wins to qualify for the playoffs. Aiding their quest was the fact they play in a six-team district that sends four teams to the playoffs, rather than the standard eight-team districts throughout most of the rest of the OSSAA.
Whatever the path, the Mustangs have done what they needed to extend the team’s streak of qualifying for the playoffs to five-straight seasons.
In looking at this week’s matchup, the Mustangs are going to require an incredible performance to knock off the district champion Wilson Tigers.
Like they have all season, the Mustangs will practice hard, suit up and give it their best.
Wesleyan Christian School's Hudson Baker (12) is tackled during an earlier season game against Copan. The Mustangs travel to Wilson Henryetta on Friday (Nov. 9), while Copan heads to Arkoma.
BECKY BURCH/Bartlesville Area Sports