BRAINERD PANTHERS
Head coach: Tyrus Ward (7-24 in three years here; 13-38 overall)
Returning starters: 8 offensive; 8 defensive
Key players: QB Xiyeer Lattimore (5-11, 175); RB Jaylan Dupree (5-8, 160); OL Demetrius Locklin (6-3, 312); OL Akeem Cosme (6-0, 285); NG Torrey Brooks (6-5, 331); DB Talijah Witt (6-0, 180), LB Xavier Wood (5-11, 190); OLB Allen Ware (5-10, 185).
Team strengths: Although the roster is thin on overall numbers, just about every player who steps on the field has game experience and can be counted on to contribute. The team’s chemistry is also solid.
Team concerns: The lack of depth – especially against a very tough schedule – could take its toll.
Staff photo by Robin Rudd / Brainerd’s Xiyeer Lattimore shakes the tackle of McMinn County’s Parker Manney during the Times Free Press Best of Preps jamboree on Aug. 17, 2019, at Finley Stadium.Breakout candidate: Lattimore is the team’s unquestioned leader. His coaches have tried to protect him from potential injury by limiting his carries and his number of plays on defense, but knowing he is their best overall player, he will no longer be held back. That could result in some impressive stats on both sides of the ball.
Season outlook: The schedule, particularly the first half, is brutal. The first four opponents all won eight or more games last season, and the first two games are on the road. That’s a tough hurdle to overcome for a team with an already thin roster and needing some early success to build confidence.
There are enough athletes capable of providing big plays to keep the Panthers in contention against most opponents, but they will need to avoid the type of mistakes – turnovers, penalties – that would make their situation even more difficult.
Coach Ward has said he plans to “turn Xiyeer Lattimore loose,” which should mean more big plays for the offense. Whether the Panthers can find other consistent offensive contributors will go a long way in determining how the season goes.