Bixby rallies past Mustang, 46-20, to open district play

MUSTANG | Bixby had to earn this one.

Top-ranked Bixby trailed Mustang in the third quarter Friday night at Bronco Stadium before finishing strong for a 46-20 win in the Class 6A-I District 1 opener for both teams, according to the Tulsa World.

The victory keeps the Spartans unbeaten at 4-0 overall and 1-0 in district play, per MaxPreps. It also stretches Bixby's winning streak to 17 games, counting last season's 13-0 run to an eighth straight state title. Mustang fell to 2-2 and 0-1.

A familiar fight from the Broncos

This was not a surprise to anyone who watched last year's meeting. The Tulsa World's Barry Lewis noted that Mustang gave Bixby its toughest test before the 2025 state title game, and the Broncos pushed the Spartans again. His story credited quarterback Isaiah "Q" Butcher IV with rallying Bixby past the Broncos.

Butcher came into the night as Bixby's leading rusher, with 463 yards and six touchdowns on 63 carries through three games, according to Ron Holt's preview on the Bixby Spartan Football website.

A full box score and scoring summary had not been posted publicly as of Saturday morning, so quarter scores and individual stats from Friday are not included here.

Bixby has now won the last three meetings in the series. Holt's preview noted a 64-35 Spartan win in 2024 and a 38-22 win at Mustang last season in a game delayed nearly two hours by weather.

The program kept its own postgame message short. "Starting district play with a W," Bixby Spartan Football posted on Facebook.

Friday's captains

Bixby's captains for the trip, as announced by the program, were seniors Nathan Hobbs (TE/LB), Kaeden Penny (OL/DL), Ben Puckett (TE/LB) and Logan Haddon (LB).

Through the first three games, Puckett led the Spartans with 33 total tackles, including 21 against Jenks, and Hobbs had 17 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble. Haddon had an interception, per Holt's preview. Penny, an Oklahoma commit, was described by Prep Redzone as "the foundational piece of this Bixby offensive line."

What it means in District 1

Bixby coach Loren Montgomery made the stakes clear before kickoff. "These are extremely important games because the top two teams in the district get a first-round bye and homefield advantage," he told Holt.

After one week, Bixby, Broken Arrow and Westmoore are each 1-0 in district play, according to MaxPreps standings. Broken Arrow beat Norman North 55-21, per FOX23. The Spartans host Broken Arrow on Oct. 30.

What's next

Bixby returns home to face Westmoore at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2. The Spartans then travel to Edmond Memorial on Oct. 9 and host Norman North on Thursday, Oct. 15. Mustang visits Southmoore on Oct. 2.

After a bye week and a hard-earned road win, it will be good to have the Spartans back in Bixby. See you in the stands.

Gear up for the district run

Heading to the Westmoore game? The Bixby Spartans Football Tee and Bixby Spartans Football Hoodie are easy picks for game night, and the Blue Spartan Logo Rally Towel is made for waving in the student section. Browse the full Football collection for more Spartans game-day gear.

Sources: Tulsa World (Barry Lewis); MaxPreps game, schedule and standings pages; Ron Holt's preview on BixbySpartanFootball.com; Prep Redzone; The Oklahoman; FOX23; Bixby Spartan Football on Facebook.