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BRAINERD PANTHERS
Head coach: Martels Carter (first year)
Returning starters: 5 offensive; 5 defensive
Last year's record: 3-7 overall, did not qualify for Class 3A playoffs
Key players: Martels Carter Jr. (6-1, 180) So. WR/RB/DB, Donovan Thomas (6-5, 230) Sr. TE/DE, Jeremy Ferguson (6-0, 160) Sr. QB, Torrey Brooks (6-2, 380) Sr. DL, Cam Sanders (5-10, 170) Sr. RB/LB, Terrence Lee (6-1, 170) Jr. WR/DB
Season outlook: A change in head coaches, more players on the roster and incoming talent have combined to bring a new sense of optimism to a program just two years removed from an eight-win season.
"We've got kids who are bought in to what we're trying to build," said Coach Carter, the Panthers' defensive coordinator in 2021. "The guys who wanted to do it their way have either graduated or aren't here anymore.
"We have a close-knit family atmosphere, and these kids are willing to work hard and have each other's backs."
Individual talent has been easily recognized in the preseason. Thomas has offers from Tennessee Tech, Miami (Ohio) and Austin Peay, and Martels Carter Jr. is one of the state's top sophomore prospects.
There is good size up front, while the elusive Ferguson is a dual threat at quarterback and Sanders could break away any time he gets the ball.
"We'll put the ball in the hands of our best athletes and try to cause people some problems," Coach Carter said. "We'll be able to throw it some, but to win those close games you have to be able to run the ball, especially late. I'm curious to see how some of these young guys respond when we get hit in the mouth.
"Right now we're just working on being consistent and making sure we don't try to do too much. We've still got some inexperience in several areas, so we have to be patient and understand it'll probably be about midseason before we hit our stride."