When it comes to football, commitment and motivation are significant ingredients to being successful. The results are not always immediate.
“You just have to be patient,” Phillips said. “We have a lot of first-time starters and we just have to go through the process and respect the process.”
This year’s Panther offense will be led by junior Logan Inagawa, senior Dorsey Benefield, and senior Anderson Cardoza on offense and defensive players junior Jared Moore, senior Pete West, and junior Evan Bartek. The secondary will be rebuilt, with returning players sophomore Erik Lundstrom and senior Will Clem looking to lead the team.
The team started the season off with a scrimmage against Union Grove last Thursday. The starting defense showed strength during the first half of the game. Halfway through the second half, Union Grove had not moved the ball past the 50-yard line.
“Our first half was our starters, and we were 20 to nothing and the defense gave up 28 yards,” head coach Chad Phillips said.
The Wolverines capitalized on Starr’s Mill pulling its starters late in the game. Experience won out, as Union Grove defeated the Panthers 28-26.
With the senior starters graduating this spring, Phillips looks to the younger potential on the team. He has high hopes for the offensive line this year as juniors Dominic Buck, Carter Daniel, Ben Anderson, and Blake Cutter will be taking control of the field.
Inagawa has played an important role on the team as well and will continue to do so this season along with junior Gino-John Paul, who will be the successor to senior Anderson Cardoza.
“The future is bright. We’ve got some good young players who are respecting the process, paying their dues, and going to work every day,” Phillips said. “It’ll pay off for them in the future.”
Phillips is also looking forward to sophomores rising to the occasion on the field. Sophomores Andrew Spitznagle and Erik Lundstrom are shown to be promising key players to the team.
This Saturday, the Panthers play against East Coweta in the Fayette-Coweta Kickoff Classic. Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m.