2015 Panther Preview

After the 14-14 tie score between the Benton Panthers and the Bryant Hornets at the 2014 Salt Bowl, here’s where the Panthers were, according to head coach Scott Neathery:

“We were upset with all the mistakes we made in that ballgame but we did feel good about our team. I knew at that point that our defense was pretty stinking good. And I knew at that point, that I had a team that would just keep fighting no matter what, would not give up, would face adversity and overcome it. That was huge.

“We continued to get better as the season went on, offensively, defensively, all the way around,” he added. “We got a little confidence out of the deal, I’d say. Not that we were happy we tied. We really felt like we should’ve won the ballgame but we felt like we had some of those intangibles that we hadn’t had in the past.”

In fact, there were a lot of things on the horizon that the Panthers hadn’t had in the past. For instance, an undefeated regular season, an unbeaten conference mark and a run to a State championship game. There were some incredible moments along the way.

Because the team was mostly underclassmen, the confidence and momentum figures to carry over to this year’s Salt Bowl and the entire 2015 season.

“We have several returning starters on defense and that’s exciting,” Neathery acknowledged. “My senior class excites me. It’s a good hard-working class. It’s a class that’s been a big part of our program for three years now. A lot of them were starters as sophomores and, last year, I had tons of juniors playing. They’ve been a big part of the success of Benton football.”

A key member of that senior class, however, will be missing. Quarterback Cason Maertens tore an ACL in May and is rehabbing from surgery in hopes of returning before the end of the season.

“Coming into the deal, I had four (offensive) linemen coming back that have started ballgames. I had Drew Dyer, my H back/running back type guy, coming back and I had Cason coming back, my quarterback who threw for 3,400 yards and all-everything,” Neathery noted. “We were going to have three new wide receivers. We were going to be able to deal with that but now we’re going to have three brand new wide receivers and we’re going to have a brand new quarterback.”

That brand new quarterback is junior Nate Beck, whom Neathery asserted he has a lot of confidence in. The wide receivers include senior Colton Nix who sat out last year after suffering a concussion but was a top receiver as a sophomore.

In addition, Neathery said, “Grayson Morrow is solid. Hunter Howe will be in the mix and Trey Pepper will too.”

Along with Dyer, a two-year all-conference player, the backfield will include Ty Callahan, Dylan Murphy and speedy Brandon Hunter.

“Dyer is very, very solid,” the coach noted. “He knows the offense. I could play him at any position, fullback, tight end, receiver, running back. He does everything.”

With a new quarterback and new receivers, the security blanket is an experienced offensive line. Roy Blalock is a college prospect at tackle, Neathery noted. Preston Madison returns, moving from guard to center. Selleck Childress is another returning starter at guard as is Jacob Cooper. Those stepping in to get playing time include Caleb Cochran, Chandler Tillery and Jared Hastings.

“We’re not blessed with that kind of line year in and year out,” Neathery said. “Here at Benton, we’ve got small kids usually so it’s hard to get a good-looking offensive line there. This year, it feels good.”

The coach’s enthusiasm for his defense is understandable with so many positions manned by players that either started or played a lot last season. “And they like to hit,” he asserted.

Will (Bill-Bill) Williams returns at noseguard after recovering from a knee injury. Mel Hegwood, who stepped in when Williams was injured, returns as well. The ends will be a rotation of John Penn, Chandler Clift, and Jeremiah Bowling with help from Joe Nalley.

At linebacker, Murphy is a three-year starter and all conference. Braydon Harris is working in the middle enabling Murphy to work some on the strong side. Will White, Braylon Alcorn, Dawson Morris and Troy Quinn are working inside as well.

Ben Brasuell is back at an outside linebacker spot as well as Kyler Nitschke who’s moving from inside to outside.

The secondary will be anchored by Preston Stone who didn’t start much last year but, Neathery said, often played more than the starter at safety. Dontae Winston, who played corner last year, has been moved to safety. Simeon Watson is back at one corner with Junior Hendrix at the other.