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KHQA/ADVANCE PHYSICAL THERAPY BARNSTORM TOUR

STOP #9- PALMYRA PANTHERS

2009 RECORD: 2-8

RETURNING STARTERS: 6 on Offense, 6 on Defense

STRENGTHS: Running Backs, Defensive Backs, Austin Hinkle, Youthful enthusiasm

CONCERNS:  Strength of Schedule, Offensive and Defensive Lines, Stunning lack of Upperclassmen

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: Concern, in that I could not find either Austin Hinkle or Blayne White in the practice mix. Hinkle switched positions from Quarterback to Fullback. White was late getting clearance on a physical after shoulder surgery.  Jacob Bross also did not dress for opening practice after having his wisdom teeth removed. Jason Keilholz also had a pair of potential starters opt not to come out for football this season. On the plus side, the Panthers have a really large and promising group of sophmores and freshmen in play.   

A SOBERING MOMENT: Assistant Coach Kent O'Laughlin ended practice on Monday by asking the seniors and juniors to the front of the team huddle. The sum/total: just nine total "upperclassmen."  Translation: you freshmen and sophomores better grow up in a hurry. And if you are good, you have a chance to play plenty this season on the varsity.

LEAVING A LEGACY: After two very "un-Palmyra" like final records, the remaining seniors have made it their goal to leave a legacy this season as the group that helped get the program turned back around. In that spirit, those team leaders have lived up to the mantle and done a phenomenal job trying to teach the younger kids around them the right way of doing things. The hope is that these lessons echo with the frosh and sophomores for years to come and eventually put the Panthers back at the top of the Clarence Cannon Conference.

THE PLAYER YOU ALREADY KNOW: Austin Hinkle gets to make the move from Quarterback to Fullback this season, making him perhaps the happiest "conversion" product in Tri State Football. Bottom line, Austin never liked playing quarterback or having to throw the football. He is, however, an exceptional threat with his feet and proved to be incredibly difficult to bring down (see also his tour de force effort against Louisiana last fall) in space or between the tackles. He is also one heck of a good linebacker. While Hinkle is considerably quicker afoot than your average high school fullback, he still packs considerable power and pop and should give P-town a very nice change of pace option on the interior in concert with...

THE PLAYER YOU NEED TO KNOW BETTER: Chad Englehardt can flat go and he has "breakout" campaign written all over him. He and Jacob Bross (who will likely play on the edge as a receiver but who could see time in the backfield) infuse a breakaway element that will command that Palmyra opponents respect the Orange and Black Offense to the outside. I am already on record projecting big things ahead for Offensive/Defensive Lineman Blayne White, provided his shoulder has completely healed. He has great feet and uncommon athleticism for a kid his size. Palmyra needs him to be an impact player up front and I think with his long arms and smarts, he will do just that.  

THE PLAYER WE DISCOVERED THIS MORNING:Let the Cameron Nutt era begin at Quarterback. The sophomore will step under center this season (no relation to former All Stater Jonathon Nutt, by the way) and assume the mantle of trigger man for the Panther Offense for what will likely be a three year run. The coaching staff is very high on his intangibles, his ability to buy time in the pocket with his feet, and with his intelligence and poise. His delivery is still a work in progress, from what little I got to see him throw, but he does a really good job of locating the football (even if doesn't always arrive at its target in perfect spiral fashion.)  He has a bright future and the confidence of the upperclassmen and he is working hard with former South Shelby QB Luke O'Laughlin after practice to soak up all the knowledge he can headed into the new season