Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Can the Panthers capture the region crown and return to the state playoffs? By MICHAEL THOMPSON Since 1998, when the Starrs Mill Panthers first began playing a varsity football schedule, they have consistently fielded top-notch teams that compete for their region title every year. Entering his ninth season as the head coach of Starrs Mill, Mike Earwood is quick to shift the success he has had to his assistant coaches. Coach Glenn Griffin has done a great job with the defense, and Offensive Coordinator Chad Phillips continues to do wonders with the offense, said Earwood. For the Panthers, duplicating the success of the 2004 10-2 season will be difficult, with only six starters- three on offense, three on defense- returning from last year. This season, the Panthers will need those coaches to help prepare 16 new starters for action on the playing field. On offense, quarterback Robby Davis will once again lead the attack, in the familiar Wing-T set. The junior ran for 341 yards last year and scored four rushing touchdowns, and passed for 766 yards. He threw 11 touchdown passes compared to only four interceptions. Senior running back Antonio Brown returns to the backfield, after a splendid junior season. He averaged 133.3 all-purpose yards a game last season, while rushing for 1110 yards and 12 touchdowns. Brown is also the leading returning receiver, having caught seven passes last season for 158 yards and a touchdown. At fullback will be senior Trevor duPont. He will be an integral part of the offensive schemes, and will be looked upon to carry the ball 10-15 times a game. Receiver Sirbrian Roberts and tight end Lewis Parks received minimal playing time last year, and will be used more frequently this season. The offensive line will be anchored by tackle Tony Barr, who is being recruited heavily by numerous Division I schools. Seniors Joey Chadoin and Bryce Petty will also are pegged as starters on the offensive line. The defense looks to be a strong point for the Panthers, which will be anchored by a massive defensive line. Running the 4-3 set, Starrs Mill will see seniors Bradley Connor and Jeff Partlow at defensive ends, both returning starters. They both had impressive junior years and will be one of the reasons opposing teams will work extra hard on protecting their quarterbacks. In the interior, senior Andrew Thompson, who holds the record as the strongest Starrs Mill football player in the history of the school, will join senior Tony Barr on the line, who will be playing both ways. Our defensive line is going to be fun to watch, said Earwood. We have some strong kids returning at defensive end and some quick guys on the line. Partlow, Connor and Thompson are poised to have big years and should plague offensive backfields all season long. According to assistant coach Lee Belknap, this will be one of the main strengths of the team. With the loss of all of last years starting linebacker unit, the Panthers have to break in three new starters. The linebacker senior trio of Austin Watts, Daniel Beaman and Phillip Fevella will look to have big years. Beaman was able to get some valuable playing time at the end of the season last year, and he enters the 2005 with the most expirence at the position. In the defensive backfield, cornerback Branden Lewis is the only returning starter. Rounding out the secondary will be senior Chad Glower, who will be playing free safety. Coaches expect big things from him this season. A number of the starting positions for the Panthers arent set yet, and battles continue to see who will fill those spots on defense. On special teams, both PK Keegan Hanie and punter Erick Murphy return for their senior years. Hanie connected on 42 of 44 extra point attempts last year, but made only 3 of 9 field goals. He also is the kickoff man for the Panthers, and more than 50 percent of his kicks were touchbacks last season. Murphy had an average of 36 yards per punt last year, including a long of 62 yards. Special teams was a sore point for us last season, as we lost a couple of games because of missed extra points, said Earwood. This year, we should be on the right track kicking game wise. The Panthers open the season on Saturday, Aug. 20 in at 8:30 against No. 7 McEachern at the Georgia Dome. |
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