Bartlesville-area high school football landscape shaken by transfer, injury

BARTLESVILLE — Area high school football practice hasn't begun and there's already big news about a couple of forecasted returning veterans for two of the area's top eight-man programs.

Wesleyan Christian School head coach Kurt Cloud confirmed sophomore-to-be running back/defensive warrior Archer Swisher has transferred to Bartlesville. Swisher played one of the key roles in Wesleyan Christian's run to a 9-1 regular season and 10-2 overall record last season.

Meanwhile, Barnsdall head coach Kylee Sweeney said Monday night that due to injury and surgery, his returning starter quarterback Maverick Lanphear is out for the season.

Let's take a look at how this news will impact the upcoming season.

How Maverick Lanphear's injury will affect Barnsdall

Lanphear was set to be a third-year junior starter for a Barnsdall team that qualified last season for the playoffs. He suffered an arm injury during summer baseball play and underwent season-ending surgery, Sweeney said. Not only will he sit out football, but he'll miss the basketball campaign, and his status at this time for spring baseball is unknown, the coach added.

Lanphear ranked high on the E-E's list earlier this summer of area football players to keep an eye on.

"He was looking forward to a big year," Sweeney said. "At least he still has his senior year the season after."

Lanphear ranked No. 10 in the state in the 2022 MaxPreps stats for eight-man team quarterbacks. He completed 67-of-119 (.563) passes for 1,321 yards, 16 touchdowns and only five interceptions. Lanphear also made the Top 10 list in rushing with 155 carries for 1,298 yards and 14 touchdowns.

That adds up to more than 2,600 yards of total offense and 30 touchdowns for the 7-4 Panthers.

Sweeney said he's giving close consideration to Braden Byers or Lincoln Gott as the new starting quarterback -- or the possibility of alternating between the two, depending on the offensive package. Byers played well last season in spot relief for Lanphear and Gott brings a big frame to the mix at 6-foot-2, approximately 200 pounds.

Lanphear will still be fully involved with the team, including helping the new quarterbacks adjust to their roles, Sweeney said.

More of the team's offensive burden will fall on junior running back Easton Malone, who was No. 3 in the state in 2022 with 1,432 yards and 25 touchdowns rushing, to go along with good receiving numbers.

What Archer Swisher's transfer means for Wesleyan Christian

Meanwhile at WCS, the Mustangs will be without Swisher's production. As a freshman in 2022, he ranked No. 8 in the state with 983 yards on 74 carries (13.28 per attempt) and 16 touchdowns, as well as his receiving threat and work on defense.

Swisher's transfer "throws the wrench into our plans a little bit," said Cloud. "But, still returning seven of eight starters ain't bad."

Mason Jensen touched the ball several times last year at running back. He and freshman Hank Siemers (5-9, 180) are the likely candidates to share most of the carries.

"Every family has to do what is best for their family," Cloud said about Swisher's transfer. "There are no hard feelings. We wish him the best over there. I think he'll be a good asset for their team."

Swisher's father Brendon Swisher is a local dentist in town and a former multi-sport athlete at Bartlesville High.

Brendon played linebacker at the University of Tulsa for three seasons (1999, 2002, 2003) sandwiched around a two-year mission to Puerto Rico for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He gave up his fourth year of eligibility for the 2004 season in order to begin dental school.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Bartlesville-area HS football landscape shaken by transfer, injury