When last season ended for the Ridgeland Panthers in the second round of the playoffs, coach Mark Mariakis was thinking ahead. One area was sticking in his head, a crucial part of the team that could sink the team’s high hopes for 2012.
While elite playmakers Vonn Bell and Darrell Bridges would be returning, four new members of the offensive line would have to step up – or step in.
As training camp opened for the Panthers, there is still concern about the trenches, but two transfers have transformed the area into a possible strength. Dade County two-year starter Gannon Hampton and East Ridge starter Grady Matthews moved into the Rossville area, immediately improving the line’s potential and the coach’s spirit.
“Those guys are going to help us a lot,” Mariakis said. “Gannon was a two-way starter at Dade, and he moved in last winter and was able to go through spring camp with us. He’s going to help us on both lines. Grady is a big kid who can really move, though we’re just now seeing him in pads.”
Those are two of four transfers to join the program for this season, which has caught the attention of some area coaches and fans. On the heels of the issues at Signal Mountain and Dalton last year, where transfers were ruled ineligible after playing several games and the teams were forced to vacate or forfeit wins, the spotlight is bright on any program accepting new players.