The Skinny
The Jackson County Panthers reached postseason play for the 2nd consecutive season and for the fourth time in six years. Coach Brandon Worley also guided the Panthers to their second best finish in twenty-five years. But like many teams across the state, graduation has taken it’s toll on the Panthers.
So what is one of the biggest challenges that the Panthers face going into this season?
“Experience on the field,” Coach Worley said, “We will be young in many positions.”
The Panthers do return Fullback L.T. Pecht and Lineman Jonathan Fountain. The run game should get a boost from Elijah Pierce and potentially Tyler Payne. All-Region selection Tyler Wester, who plays both ways, should provide some experience at receiver. (Although last season, the Panthers were a run dominated offense.) Andrew King and Nate Vincent are a pair of tight ends who may also step in and fill some voids for Coach Worley.
On Defense, the Panthers return All-Region selection Justin Key on the defensive line. Key led the team in tackles (48) and was second in sacks (7) last season.
Key will be joined on defense by linebacker Rayshun Dorsey, who led the team in sacks last season with 9. And of course, the aforementioned Wester returns to the secondary. Wester was tied for the team lead in interceptions in 2017 with 2 picks to his credit.
We asked coach Worley if there were any games that were circled on the calendar.
He said, “None, the next game is the most important.”
Coach Worley explained to us how success would be defined for his team and the program.
“10 years from now when we see what kind of husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, and friends they become. Wins and losses will fade, but relationships will last forever,” he said.
With that said, we are certainly pulling for the success of the Panthers program
