20 minute read
Pelham
PANTHERS
Pelham ended last season with wins in three of its last four games after a 0-6 start to the season. Now, heading into the 2020 season, the Panthers and going into the sixth year under head coach Tom Causey and seem ready to carry over that momentum from the end of last season.
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Last year’s squad was a young one with several sophomores and freshmen getting playing time, forcing many players to play a year ahead of where they normally would have been. While that led to some early struggles last season, it paid dividends late last year and has this year’s squad more prepared for a strong season.
The Panthers only lost 13 seniors last year, while bringing back 19 for this year’s team with a strong junior class as well after starting 13 combined freshmen and sophomores last season.
On paper, this looks like a playoff team if they can figure out their new region and remain healthy throughout the season.
MEET THE TEAM
QUARTERBACK
Former quarterback Xavier Lankford has now graduated after throwing for 1,166 yards and rushing for another 591 last season with a combined 16 touchdowns. But younger brother Will Lankford looks poised to fill his shoes. Will has grown to 6-foot-2, 170 pounds in the offseason and brings back playing experience as well as the experience of having learned from his brother. He’s an athletic quarterback that has been working hard on his passing ability in the offseason. Drake Hickox is player who will push Will for the job though. A sophomore, Hickox is 5-foot-11, 180 pounds and is a great runner of the football with great physicality.
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CLASSIFICATION
AHSAA Class 6A, Region 3
2019 RECORD
3-7 (2-4)
HEAD COACH
Tom Causey
RECORD
17-34 (Sixth year)
ASSISTANT COACHES
Mike Talbert, Kevin Lesueur, Craig Hall, Sean Anderson, David White, Randall Reeves, Nathan Fordham, Josef Lauderdale, Nathan Collins, Ronnie Clemens
LAST REGION TITLE
2006
LAST PLAYOFF GAME
2018
Will
Lankford
Gabe
Gamble
RUNNING BACK
Easily the most exciting position unit for the Panthers heading into the season, they’ll have Dylan Peterson back for his senior season and Gabe Gamble back for his junior season. Peterson was injured early on last year, which led to Gamble becoming the starter last year and reeling off 1,051 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 153 attempts. Entering his junior season, Gamble is now 5-foot-8, 185 pounds. But having Peterson back as a 6-foot-1, 212-pound back will be crucial for Pelham. He is a collegiate-type back who ran for 538 yards on 83 carries as a sophomore with seven touchdowns, and was set to have a major season last year. He could easily top 1,000 yards this season if healthy, especially with the threat of Gamble back there as well. Freshman Markell Bell is another playmaker who has the coaching staff excited about the future because of his quickness.
2020 SCHEDULE
Aug. 21: @ Mortimer Jordan Aug. 28: @ Oak Mountain Sept. 4: @ Calera* Sept. 11: Stanhope Elmore* Sept. 18: @ Helena* Sept. 25: Chelsea Oct. 2: @ Wetumpka* Oct. 9: Benjamin Russell* Oct. 16: Bye Oct. 23: Chilton County* Oct. 30: Homewood
*Region game
RECEIVERS
The receiver position will also be a positive for Pelham this season with leaders at all four spots back this season. Senior Walker Lyles will return to hold a slot position this season and will be a leader, while sophomore Jake Fox will return to the X position after playing as a freshman. Christian Pritchett will also return as a starter to the Y position after finding his groove near the end of last season to total 322 receiving yards on 20
Will Lankford, QB
The younger brother of last year’s starting quarterback Xavier Lankford, Will should be poised for a big year as a playmaker both in the pocket and on the run.
Dylan Peterson, RB
Peterson was injured the majority of last year after coming into the season as a threat to top 1,000 yards following a strong sophomore season. He’ll be determined to make up for that this year.
Gabe Gamble, RB
Replacing Peterson last year, Gamble totaled 1,051 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.
Walker Lyles, WR
Lyles is a true athlete who returns 239 receiving yards and 131 rushing yards with a combined five touchdowns.
Brayden Marlowe, LB
As a sophomore, Marlowe totaled 89 tackles with eight tackles for loss and four sacks. He’ll lead a strong unit at linebacker.
KEY DEPARTURES
Xavier Lankford
After starting off and on for two years, Lankford ended last year with more than 1,600 all-purpose yards, which will be tough to replace at quarterback.
Phillip Duke
Duke totaled 60 tackles last year with three tackles for loss in just eight games played.
Matthew Plummer
Plummer was the team’s second leading tackler last year with 71 tackles despite playing in just eight games.
Cody Ferguson
Along with Duke, Ferguson will be missed in the secondary after totaling three pass breakups and 31 total tackles.
DYNAMIC DUO Pelham couldn’t ask for a better situation at running back this season. Not only do the Panthers return their leading rusher and one of last year’s best running backs in Gabe Gamble, who totaled 1,051yards on the ground, but they’ll return Dylan Peterson. Injured last year, Peterson also has the potential to be a 1,000-yard back who will play at the next level. With an experienced offensive line, those two should have big seasons, and defenses will have to respect their game-changing ability. With that, Will Lankford will be helped at quarterback with open passing lanes. If everything goes as expected, this year’s offense could be one of Pelham’s best because of that dynamic duo.
GO DEEP In addition to what the Panthers will return at running back, they’ll also return several athletes at receiver. Walker Lyles not only returns 239 receiving yards but 131 rushing yards and is a threat in space. He’ll be joined by Christian Pritchett, who was last year’s leading receiver with 322 yards. In addition to those two, J.D. Wilkins adds a deep threat as a returning starter. With the threat of the run game, the receivers may find themselves in single coverage often, which could make this year’s offense dynamic.
YOUTH TURNED EXPERIENCE
Last season, Pelham was an extremely young team. Now they’ve gotten some wins under their belt, and they’ll return starters to every position this year with the exception of quarterback. While they had growing pains last year, that should pay dividends this season. receptions. The staff is excited about his potential this season, and J.D. Wilkins will handle the Z receiver position after starting almost every game last year. Isaac Brechin and Gaeton Rellah will both add depth at the position, while sophomore Darius Copeland could also have a breakout year in the slot. Sophomore Jamaal Miles could emerge as well.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Closing out the offensive side of the ball is an exciting offensive line thanks to the return of three starters and a fourth who played a lot of snaps last year. Returning starters include sophomore Jackson Davenport as well as juniors Caleb Newell and Jesus Luna. Davenport is back at left tackle and has gotten bigger at 6-foot-4, 255 pounds. Newell will take on the left guard position as a three-year
starter at the position now standing at 6-foot2, 300 pounds. Luna played all over the line last year, but will return to the right tackle position this year with a frame of 6-foot, 220 pounds. Chris Quintana, a 5-foot-11, 220-pound senior, played a lot last year and will start somewhere on the line as well. Center is the main position they are looking to fill. Moises Munoz is a player who could help there, while Oscar Aguiar, Brian Terry and Brody Layton are all going to help somewhere as well.
DEFENSIVE LINE
On the defensive line, the Panthers will see more key returning players as well. Mason Duncan, a senior, and B.J. Maxena, a junior, both played in every game last year and will return. Duncan has played inside and outside and stands at 6-foot-1, 250 pounds, while
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Maxena is an inside guy standing at 6-foot-1, 265 pounds. Jake Ingram, who got a lot of experience as a sophomore last year, will take on a defensive end position with a size of 6-foot-2, 200 pounds. Keon Brooks, a 6-foot-5, 190-pound sophomore, will also tackle a defensive end position after buying in. Vincent Lewis, a senior and second-year player, will get some time at defensive end with a frame of 6-foot, 230 pounds, while junior Andrew Fields, a 6-foot-1, 280-pound transfer from Missouri, and Augiar could both play key roles as well.
LINEBACKERS
This will be one of the team’s strongest units with a lot of reps coming back, including depth as well. Brayden Marlowe, a junior standing at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, will be playing outside and has stepped up as a leader with returning starter experience. He totaled 89 tackles, 3
2019 7
2018 5
2017 2
2016 1
2015
EDITOR’S 2020 PREDICTION (6-4)
If Pelham had last year’s schedule again this year, I’d feel more comfortable making the Panthers at least a seven-win team. Breaking down the schedule, it’s going to be tough to find back-to-back wins, while the possibility of a 1-3 start due to their most difficult games in that stretch is scary. That said, the Panthers could start better than that and should have a strong second half of the season. The talent truly is there for this year’s team to be one that could win seven or eight games, but coming off a 3-7 season, they’ll have to prove it on the field.
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In Action
Tune in for live game coverage every week on The River 93.3 FM. And, head over to Applebee’s to join Pelham players, coaches, and community for the live radio broadcast of the Panther Pulse coaches' show on Tuesdays at 6 pm.
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NO. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 NAME Darius Copeland Jamal Miles Drake Hickox Chase Christian Isaac Brechin Trey Corkill Bishop Rellah Steven Parker Jon White William Lankford Ethan Hill Salvador Jimenez Clayton Mains Jylen Tate Zach Verner Mykell Prince Jake Fox Brock Isbell Markell Bell Dylan Peterson Walker Lyles Gaeton Rellah Cody Bethers Kesean Griffin Kris Carter Marshall Watts Fabian Calderon Cameron Parker Will McGough Parker Pruitt
2020 Pelham Roster
POSITION
Slot
DB
QB
DB
Slot
WR
DB
WR
DB
QB
Slot
K/P
QB
DB
LS/DB
Slot
WR
WR
RB
RB
WR
Slot
DB
DB
DB
WR
DB
DB
DB
DB
YEAR
10 10 10 12 12 10 9 11 12 11 10 12 9 11 12 10 10 9 9 12 12 11 11 9 12 9 11 11 9 11
NO. 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 60 63 NAME Cohen Lee Brayden Marlowe Christian Johnson Gabe Gamble Nicholas Higdon Michael Grayson Ra-Sen Martin Nicholas Bamberg Carson Dill Seth Branham Will Felton Nico Ramos Luke Pukstys Jaxson Drake David Pukstys Christian Pritchett Zack Rushton Tony Mancuso Eddie King Brian Terry Isaac Cruz Brodie Martin Jaden Williams Mason Dunkin Vance Barker William Palacios Aaron Bice Troy Jones Caleb Newell Moises Munoz POSITION
LB LB WR RB DB RB DB DB WR LB DL LB DB LB DB Slot LB LB DB OL DL DL DL DL OL LB LS LB OL OL
YEAR
10 11 10 11 11 9 10 10 9 10 9 11 10 11 9 11 12 9 12 10 11 9 9 12 9 11 11 10 11 12
NO. 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 72 73 74 75 76 77 79 80 82 85 87 88 89 90 91 92 94 95 96 97 98 NAME Chris Quintana Brian Salazar BJ Maxena Corbin Sanders Isaiah Byrd Jonny Pena Brody Layton Cash Tatum Andrew Fields Oscar Aguiar Jackson Davenport Mikey Ramos Tyler Mason Jesus Luna Zechariah Bowens Kaden Bowen Ethan Jowers Hunter Dezenzio Matthew Chaux Evan Pate Gerardo Lopez Cason Tyler Aaron Silva Vincent Lewis Keon Brooks Travis Kirkland Chris Hernandez Jake Ingram POSITION
OL DL OL OL LB LB OL OL DL DL OL OL OL OL LB WR Slot LB Slot WR DL DL DL DL DL DL DL DL
YEAR
12 9 11 9 10 11 10 9 11 11 10 10 9 12 10 9 9 12 9 12 9 12 12 12 9 10 9 11
Brayden
Marlowe
eight tackles for loss and four sacks as a sophomore. Seth Branham, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound sophomore, will also play outside linebacker with Marlowe, while Zach Rushton, a senior, will play inside linebacker after starting every game last year. He holds a frame of 5-foot-11, 210 pounds and has had a great offseason. Jackson Drake will join him at inside linebacker for his junior season, while Cohen Lee played in just about every game as a freshman last year. Both of those players stand around 5-foot-10, 190 pounds. Hunter Desinzio, a senior, will add depth at outside linebacker, as will Nico Ramos, while Johnny Penta will add depth at an inside position.
SECONDARY
The secondary will also return three players with a lot of reps, including Chase Christian, Chris Carter and Jamaal Miles. Christian played safety last year and will be a 5-foot-10,
3Pelham was able to pick up three wins last year and all three of those wins came in the last four games. That number is key going into this season because of the confidence it should give the Panthers early this season. If they can come out and continue that success with most of the same players early this season, they’ll be on their way to a special year.
KEY NUMBERS
1,000 With the return of running backs Gabe Gamble and Dylan Peterson, the Panthers have two backs with the potential of topping 1,000 yards. There’s a strong possibility at least one reaches that mark and possibly even both depending on how heavily they are used. Peterson ran for more than 500 yards as a sophomore before getting injured, while Gamble just topped 1,000 yards last year.
13 Last season, the Panthers started 13 freshmen and sophomores. Early, that was difficult to handle. But it didn’t take long to start to see the benefit of it as the players showed improvement throughout the season and ended the year looking like veteran varsity players. This year, that only helps. Along with 19 seniors and a strong junior class, this year’s team should feature a nice level of experience.
5The schedule is going to be the most difficult hurdle for Pelham. The panthers will play three consecutive road games to open the season and five of their first seven games on the road. Moving to Class 6A, Region 3, they’ll also have five matchups with teams that had a winning record last year, including three with nine wins.
GOOD LUCK Panthers!
Calera L Bibb County L Homewood L @ Minor L Chelsea L @ Oak Mountain L Carver-Birmingham W @ Jackson-Olin W @ Northridge W @ Helena L 20-27 17-19 21-42 7-35 38-64 7-21 31-20 38-7 14-13 20-62
2019 STATS
Offense Total points: 213 Per game: 21.3 County rank: 11
Defense Points allowed: 310 Per game: 31 County rank: 7
Walker Lyles
170-pound senior this season, while Carter is also a senior who runs well and brings a frame of 5-foot-8, 150 pounds to the table. Miles had a great freshman season last year and has improved more than anyone in the last year according to the coaches, while hitting a growth spurt to now stand at 5-foot-11, 170 pounds. Those players will all tackle a cornerback position, while Jaylen Tate will add depth. John White and Fabian Calderon both played valuable snaps at safety last year and will return that experience this year, while some sophomores will add depth too.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Salvador Jimenez is back this year to handle kicking duties and has worked hard in the offseason. Moises Munoz will also help with some kicking. They can do all three kicking duties. Zac Verner will be the team’s long snapper, while the return game has plenty of options from several talented athletes, including Lyles, Gamble, Peterson and Copeland.
Ready to run
Gamble, Peterson prepared to lead Pelham’s backfield
Written by ALEC ETHEREDGE | Photos by KEITH MCCOY
FOLLOWING A 500-PLUS YARD, seventouchdown performance as a sophomore for the Pelham Panthers, Dylan Peterson entered his junior year with eyes set on 1,000-plus yards and 10-plus touchdowns. But two weeks into the season, that outlook changed drastically.
Early in a week-two matchup with Bibb County, Peterson went down after his leg got tweaked. He hopped up thinking he could walk it off, but then fell right back to the ground in pain.
“At first, I didn’t think it was that bad,” Peterson said. “I didn’t think much of it until I went to the doctor. They said it was a rare injury and didn’t know exactly what was wrong.”
The doctors eventually figured out it was a fractured tibia just under the knee.
While Peterson shifted into rehabilitation mode to fight his way back, sophomore running back Gabe Gamble stepped innto the starting lineup.
Another young player on an already young team, Gamble was forced to take control of the backfield with no starting experience.
“I felt a lot of pressure,” Gamble said. “I felt like I had to do more than what I needed to. But once I finally calmed down and realized as long as I was doing my job, it will be alright, it all felt easier.”
The game where it clicked for Gamble came against Chelsea on Sept. 20. The Panthers dropped the game 64- 38, but it marked the most points they scored all season and Gamble totaled 153 yards on 19 carries, including an 89-yard touchdown run.
“That’s when it slowed down. I realized if I do my job and others do theirs, I would be fine,” Gamble said.
Gamble was the starting back the rest of the year, and in that span, he totaled 1,051 yards and seven touchdowns,
while leading the Panthers to three wins in a row late in the season once he and several of the younger players gained experience.
“Some guys that were younger were able to get that high school point of view,” Gamble said. “Coming from middle school and having to go straight to varsity for many was tough when you’re going up against seniors that had been doing it for four years. But we got experience and now we’re hoping to pick up where we left off at the end of last season.”
Aside from their starting quarterback and three defensive players, the Panthers will return a large portion of their team this season, including both Gamble and Peterson.
Not only do both enter the season with the goal of topping 1,000 yards on the ground with different playing styles, the two should have similar snap counts and will likely be used on the field at the same time in many situations, meaning it’s very plausible the Panthers do have two 1,000-yard rushers this season.
Peterson will be coming off the difficult injury, but through his rehab and hard work, he was actually able to play in Pelham’s final game of last year against Helena. It was limited time, but he recovered in a little more than six weeks and is now getting back to his old self.
“The injury hurt me a lot,” he said. “I couldn’t do much for a while, but I didn’t have to have surgery, which was good and now I have mobility back. I’m excited to get back on the field and prove everybody wrong and prove what I’m still capable of. I can’t wait to get back out there and just play.”
Head coach Tom Causey trusted Peterson as a sophomore to be the starting tailback after the team lost three-year starter Nic Blackburn. That gave Peterson quick confidence and he hasn’t lost it yet.
The same can be said for Gamble, who will now be going into his junior season with a year of starting experience under his belt.
“I feel a lot more prepared this year,” he said. “When Dylan first went down, there was a lot of pressure as a sophomore
having such high expectations for myself. It was tough. But now I understand the speed and I’m prepared. Sitting back and watching film, I’ve been able to see where I made mistakes and now know what to do if those situations arise again.”
Gamble got better each week last season and holds himself to the same high standards going into this season.
“I want to accomplish big goals,” he said. “I want to continue helping the team and myself, but I have to improve week to week doing the little things that I know I struggle with so I can become an all-around better back.”
He also credits Peterson with helping him transition into the starting role last year as a player that was in the same role a year earlier.
“Dylan and I chatted all the time about how he would react and view things,” Gamble said. “I combined his and mine and pieced it together to see what they were like together. He’s been a great role model and I’ve used some of his styles and critiques to help better my game.”
Now the two will get the opportunity to play healthy at the same time as proven backs.
Peterson is a back that can do a little bit of everything, but brings a taller more powerful body to the table at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, while Gamble has smaller frame at 5-foot-8, 185 pounds and can be both shifty and powerful.
Those different frames will help the two complement each other on the field this season.
“We lean on each other. We needed him big time last year and he played a huge role in helping the team get some confidence,” Peterson said. “To have him is special. He helps me as much as I help him. We push each other in the weight room and on the field.”
Now both hope to work together to get to the end goal of a championship this season.
