Panther Creek football preview

Panther Creek Catamounts 

Last year: 2-9 (2-5)

All-Conference players graduated: LB/WR/QB Gray Mazzone

All-Conference players returning: (honorable mentions) OL/DL Tyler Bailey, DB Isaiah Johnson

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If there's a reason to suspect Panther Creek, a school which has only won three games in its two previous years of varsity football, can contend for a conference title, look no further than the playmakers on offense. And, maybe that whole "third time's the charm" thing.

The Catamounts return their starting quarterback, running back, wide receivers and best offensive lineman while also adding All-Conference honorable mention quarterback Kameron Bryant from neighboring Green Hope High.

Even where Panther Creek is young, like in the secondary and at quarterback, it's experienced.

Speaking of quarterback, coach Wayne Bragg said that the winner job will likely be determined after the team had gone through all scrimmages.

The candidates are incumbent C.J. Liley — who won the starting job late last year and didn't disappoint with a 55% completion rate and six touchdowns — and Green Hope transfer Kameron Bryant, who made honorable mention last year throwing for over 1,400 yards and eight touchdowns.

Although Bryant has good size (6'3) and speed for other positions, Bragg said he had not yet considered playing the second-string QB at another position. 

Despite only starting a few games, running back Kel Jackson scampered for 710 yards on the ground and hauled in 114 yards receiving. 

In wide receivers Graham Love and Stephen Womble, the Catamounts return 971 yards and six touchdowns. Love, a 6-3 wideout with speed, was especially dangerous and has caught the eyes of some college recruiters.

The Catamounts will be small once again on the offensive line — not a surprise if you followed their wrestling program last year, and knew they often forfeited the heavyweight class — but Tyler Bailey should lead the way.

Bailey may be asked to help out on the defensive line for the same reason. If there's going to be a glaring weakness on Panther Creek, it'll be in the trenches.

The linebacking corps will miss Gray Mazzone, but the secondary will be delighted to have cornerback Isaiah Johnson return for his junior year. Johnson has the ability to be a lockdown corner this year after making honorable mention last year.

In all, Panther Creek will be much improved from last year. Offensive firepower will not be a problem, and airing it out will be key for the Catamounts as they lack the bodies to win games in the trenches. 

A top-half finish is possible for Panther Creek, as the experience returning from the past two seasons should pay off. But that finish could be from anywhere from first to fifth, given a few breaks here or there.

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