By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
For the Midlothian Panthers of 2008, the expectations to make the playoffs could be a very big reality. After a 2007 season, which saw a strong start to the season in pre-district play and then disappointment at the end of the season during district play, the Panthers are aiming to change the tone in district play. If the Panthers are going to make the playoffs, youth up front will need to step up big and the skill position players will have to find a level of consistency that brings positive results.
Taking a look at the offense, the Panthers bring back five from last year's squad including quarterback Bryce Petty. Petty comes back to the Panthers as the team's returing leader in both passing and rushing. Filling the void at the running back position left by Caleb McEachern
will be vital to Midlothian playoff chances. Junior Rob Gray will be the key to not only Petty's offensive produuction, but the ability of the young receivers and linemen to grow into their positions and roles.
Senior Dylan Fowler returns after a 2007 season that saw 41 receptions on 663 yards and seven touches into football's promised land. Look for Fowler to get more looks in 2008 and become the key leader in the Panther receiving core. Midlothian's other three main targets on the outside including three juniors in Eddie Johnson, Sterling Graves and Mason York. If Johnson, Graves and York find a way to grab consistent and balnced production, the air attack in Midlothian could be much more dangerous than what some could expect.
Production out of Petty, Fowler and Gray could hinge on the success of how quick the youth of Robby Clark's offensive line can get used to the daily grind and acclomades of protecting the skill players in one of the state's tougher and more traditional power districts in the state. The most experienced offensive lineman returning is that of senior R.J. Hunt. The loss of Garrick Smitherman, Alan Hale and Clint Mantel may be a big key to Midlothian's early season plans.
Defensively, the Panthers return five starters from last year's squad, just as they do offensively. Look for Landon Freeman and Dante Floyd to have very big senior seasons out of the linebacker and defensive back spots respectively. But spliting time at the end of the trenches and on the outer fringes of the linebacker slot will be newcomer Alonzo Newton. Up front, Netwon will be joined by sophomore Blake Lunday, Alex Poole and Phillip Lockwood. Poole and Lockwood are expected to rotate with Newton occasionally at the end position.
In the middle of the field and in the backfield, the Panthers will see the strength of the team be the keys to Midlothian's playoff hopes. Freeman, who returns to the team after gobbling up 109 tackles in his junior campaign, will have the services of Dante Floyd and Marcus Simmons to help increase the stability and success of the Panther defense. And although, youth may be a factor, experience and fundamentals could be the key benefit to Midlothian's chances. Among the newcomers on the defensive side of the ball, Robby Clark's "Diamond In The Rough" could be junior Blake Chandler at the defensive back position.
And if the games are close, the ever improving prospect and top special teams prospect in Vince Frawley could come calling into the clutch situation and end of the game to put Midlothian over the top. Frawley in 2007 went 10 of 16 from field goal range and 25 of 30 on extra point attempts. As a punter, Frawley averaged 35.5 yards a punt on 30 total punts in his junior season.
Four Downs, Four Keys
1st Down >> Rebuilding the trenches early cruicial to late season push
2nd Down >> Rushing game and Rob Gray to step up to the plate
3rd Down >> Talented youth in receiving to give Petty new life in 2008?
4th Down >> Ignoring the press clippings and intimidation of opponents
|
Team Information |
2007 Records |
| Varsity |
5-5 |
| Junior Varsity |
4-6 |
| Sophomore |
NA |
| Freshman A |
NA |
| Freshman B |
NA |
Offensive Information |
Jerod Rye |
Spread |
Defensive Information |
Craig Carpenter |
3-4 |
By The Numbers |
| Returning Starters |
| Offense |
5 |
| Defense |
5 |
| Lettermen |
| Returning |
29 |
| Lost |
20 |
|
