2016 Panther Preview

Quite often, when a coaching change is made, “continuity” is not what you’re looking for. It usually means things haven’t been going so well and a change of direction is necessary. But in the case of the Benton Panthers, continuity was the main idea. Things have been going great since Scott Neathery led the revitalization of the football program. The Panthers have been on the verge of a Class 6A State championship, making the finals in 2014 and reaching the semifinals in 2015.

Part of the step up to that level was, undoubtedly, the hiring of Brad Harris as the defensive coordinator before the 2014 season. Because of that and, in the name of continuity, Harris was elevated to head coach when Neathery was promoted to athletic director.

“Coach Neathery has done a great job of building the program, laying the foundation, the basic emphasis on coming to work every day and doing things the right way,” said Harris. “Of course, players dictate a lot of success but those kids bought in and I think that’s what you’re seeing. The kids are very committed here. We’re going to try to keep that going. It’s awesome when you’ve got 85 kids on the team and, at a summer workout, 82 of them are there,” he noted.

“I’m going to add my little twist to everything but a lot of things are going to be very similar. We’re going to take the approach I’ve had defensively and bring it to our entire program to be a very aggressive team. Not that we haven’t been, but my biggest deal is to get our kids to be blue-collar workers to have great work ethic and great attitudes.

“We’ll change offensive schemes a little,” the coach said. “It’s still going to be a spread-based. We’ll be a little more multiple with some tight-end packages, two-back schemes, things like that.”

As for players who figure to dictate success this year, it starts with quarterback Nate Beck who was pressed into the starting role last season when senior Cason Maertens was injured. “His first start was in the Salt Bowl,” Harris said of Beck. “This year, he’s going to have an idea of what it’s going to be like to start the Salt Bowl.”

While holding down the post, Beck led the team to six consecutive wins after the Salt Bowl loss. “He’s grown and matured over the last year so we’re expecting good things.”

Along with Beck, the returning starters on offense are 1,000-yard runner Brandon Hunter; receiver Trey Pepper; and center Brett Tittle and guard Taylor Cochran. “That’s a solid nucleus,” Harris said. “We’ve got holes to fill but we’ve got some guys that are very capable.

“Having Brandon back is big,” he continued. “He’s a guy that we can hang our hat on. I (favor) more of a balanced offensive approach than maybe we’ve been. I like to run the football when we need to—when we want to.”

Returning defensively are end Chandler Clift and nose Mel Hegwood with inside linebackers Brayden Harris and Braylon Alcorn, safety Beau Brewer and corner Preston Stone, a starter since his sophomore year.

“Chandler was an all-conference player,” Harris noted. “He’s a load up front—our anchor. Mel’s smaller, quicker, athletic. He does a really good job with his speed off the ball.”

Regarding the linebackers, the coach related, “Harris was all-conference. He led the team in tackles. We need him to step up to be the leader. We call him our hammer in the middle. He’s that enforcer. Braylon started most of the season but dealt with an injury,” the coach said. “I think he had 70, 80 tackles. We’re also looking for good things out of Beau and Preston in their senior seasons,” he added.

Elsewhere, Harris noted that Blake Edwards came on at defensive end along with Beau Belcher, John Winston and Robert Langford. At linebacker, Will White looks set at one outside spot after playing inside last year. On the other side are Nick Carlton and Parrish Ross. Dawson Morris and Bryson Krebs figure in too.

In the secondary, Junior Hendrix, a senior, has picked up the slack at the other corner. Tristen Hutchinson and Blake Smith will get time as well. “Hendrix had a really good off-season; he has really matured a lot,” the coach said. “He’s probably the fastest kid on our team. We’re looking at him as a great match-up against a team’s best receiver.”

Those competing for starting assignments on the offensive line include Jared Hastings, Kyle Mayfield, Ben Browning, Josh George, Noah McIntyre and Belcher. Brewer will help at running back along with Antonio Fuller and Zack Wallace.

“We’re going to base out of a tight-end, three-receiver personnel,” Harris stated. “At tight end, we’re looking at Clayton Maertens. He’s a bigger-bodied kid, played receiver. He’s going to be a good fit there.”

Receivers in the mix are Austin Bull, Ty Callahan and Stone. Harris also mentioned Brayden Hendrix and Michael Allison plus a move-in from Jacksonville, D.J. Sturgis. Senior Matt Warrick is back to handle kicking chores with Harris returning to punt.