Photo by Ryan Kerwin, JTV Sports
Parma Western Panthers
Last season’s record: 6-4
Returning starters: 4 on offense, 2 on defense
First Game: Aug. 26 at Grosse Ile
Offensive keys:
There is no shortage of talent for the Panthers on the offensive side of the ball, especially at quarterback.
Steele Fortress, who started half the season under center last year and passed for roughly 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns, is back at the spot to lead the group.
“We plan on being pretty balanced between the run and the pass,” coach Dave Mifsud said. “The big key is the development of the offensive line. We have to protect Steele.”
Luke Raczkowski will be a key player as a slot back who can run the ball and catch it.
Luke French “is also a playmaker we’re excited to have,” Mifsud said.
Defensive keys:
While the offense has some key components back and in place, the Panthers’ defense has just two starters back in the mix.
Fortress and Raczkowski, those two guys, will lead the group.
“But really, it all comes down to how fast we mature as a defense,” Mifsud said. “We have nine new kids that have to get acclimated quickly.”
Mifsud said guys like Dawson Minder and Jimmy Anderson at linebacker will have to be strong.
As for the maturation previously alluded to?
“It has to be quick,” Mifsud stressed. “We can’t wait to get good. We have to be good right off the bat.”
Coach’s outlook:
“We don’t have a ton of depth, so health is going to be key,” Mifsud said. “I think a lot of what we are able to do or not do this season is going to come down to those tight games. We’re going to be in those games where anybody can win it. Now it’s on us to find a way to do so.”
Something to think about:
Western made the playoffs for the first time in program history last year, mainly by taking care of business in games the team should have won.
The Panthers even came close in doing so as an underdog, narrowly falling to Lumen Christi 12-7 in Week 6.
If the Panthers want a return trip to the field of 256, the same recipe has to follow.
Of the nine teams Western is set to face this fall, only three finished 2015 with winning records.
