BARNSDALL PANTHERS
Coach: KYLEE SWEENEY
6-5
OFFENSE
The Barnsdall Panthers made a nice transition last year from eight man to 11-man football by making the first round of the Class A playoffs which is nothing new for coach Kylee Sweeney. Entering his 10th year as the head man of the Panthers, he’s coached his teams to the playoffs in seven of the previous nine seasons he’s been there. But he acknowledges there will be some holes to fill going into the 2025 season. “We graduated a talented senior class, so we’re excited to see some new faces step up that have a good deal of experience.” The shotgun/pistol offense will be managed this year by Lincoln Gott (6-5, 215, Sr.), a big, rangy multi-sport athlete and VYPE Top 100 selection who has played fullback the past two years .He’ll operate behind an experienced line made up of Cayden Adams (6-0, 270, Sr.), Haydon Collins (6-4, 195, Jr.), Braxten Willis (5-10, 225, Jr.) and tight end Andrew Cole (6-1, 205, Sr.). The Panthers will be a run-first offense with Blaine Miller (5-10, 170, Sr.) who had 700 yards rushing last year returning at running back while Sweeney says several players will fight it out for the receiver spots.
DEFENSE
An experienced front seven will make things tough on opposing offenses for the Panthers. One of the guys up front will be Collins who led the team in tackles for loss and sacks last year with 16 and six respectively. “Haydon is a gifted athlete who has great numbers in the weight room and does well in the classroom too,” said Sweeney. Joining Collins up front will be Kaydon Francis (6-1, 200, Sr.) at nose tackle who will also see some action at tight end this year along with Adams (a gifted guitarist who will perform the national anthem prior to a game this year) at the other tackle spot. Linebacking will also see an experienced crew with Gott, Wood and Miller who led the team with 115 tackles last year. Bryce Byers, Derek Robbins, Tripp Barbee and Tanner Wells will be among those battling for starting spots in the secondary in Sweeney’s 4-3 defense.
8-29 – vs. Caney Valley
9-5 – at Oklahoma Union
9-12 – BYE
9-19 – vs. Nowata
9-26 – vs. Fairland
10-3 – at Woodland
10-10 – vs. Ketchum
10-24 – at Afton
10-30 – vs. Hominy
11-7 – at Porter
