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RIDGELAND PANTHERS
Head coach: Kip Klein (7-11 here and overall)
Returning starters: 6 offensive; 5 defensive
Last year’s record: 1-7, did not qualify for playoffs
Key players: Ashton Turner (6-0, 220) Sr. RB/LB, Chase Watkins (6-0, 190) Jr. RB/LB, Judd Anderson (6-6, 200) So. QB, Jacob Klein (6-7, 320) Sr. OL, Jakobe Turner (6-3, 190) Jr. DB, Ethan Waters (6-1, 165) So. DB
Season outlook: If the mulligan was a part of prep football, the Panthers would gladly have accepted one for the 2020 season. Expected to at least challenge for a playoff spot, they battled constant COVID-19 challenges (including two forfeits) and a woeful defense (it allowed 40 points per game) to post the program’s worst season in nearly two decades.
“None of the guys – or the coaches – liked what happened last year, and you can tell how much better this spring and summer have been,” Coach Klein said. “Let’s just say the players will not accept last year as being the type of program we have here.”
To that end, he and his staff are implementing new schemes. The offense will be a “hybrid wing-T,” which will be based out of the shotgun. The goal is to maintain the program’s strong running game behind Ashton Turner, Watkins and a veteran line led by Jacob Klein while also taking advantage of super sophomore Anderson, whose work behind center this spring and summer caught the eye of programs such as Clemson and Auburn.
“We’ve got some talented backs and receivers and a talented quarterback,” Coach Klein said. “If we can give them space and time, we can have an offense that moves the ball and controls the ball. We’re meshing a lot of what we’ve done in the past with some new things.”
The defense, which was uncharacteristically pushed around last year, is switching to a 3-4 alignment to take advantage of an athletic back eight that includes both Turners, Waters, Watkins and linebacker Jonathan Woodall.