Panthers Preview

“He’s done that the past couple of years, wildcat packages and stuff like that.” players — among five Panthers returning from last season on that side of the ball — seem eager to lead in any way, shape or form possible.

Senior Egan Rains is an All-Region defensive lineman who also starts on the Panthers’ offensive line.

As a leader, “I try my best to be vocal,” Rains said. “I try to focus on practicing what you preach, if you will.”

Though saying he’s naturally “a little more in the background when it comes to being loud, I’ve had to force myself into that position and go against my nature a little bit to be a successful leader on the team,” the senior added.

As a result, “I’m going to talk, I’m going to be loud,” he said. “I’m also going to lead by example and do what I’m pushing others to do.”

Senior linebacker/fullback Dalton Dukes also was a First Team All-Region honoree who earned Defensive Player of the Week honors.

“Dalton had about 97 tackles last year,” Duggan said.

About his responsibilities on defense, “I view it as a ‘quarterback of the defense,’ very much a leading position,” Dukes said. “Going after it, stopping the ball.”

As for slowing down the opposition, “especially on stopping the run, I think we’ll do very well at that,” the senior said. “We’ve got some good guys up on that line.”

The coach said Rains and Dukes “have stepped up as leaders in our program.”

“But our secondary, we’re not lacking their, either,” Dukes added.

In fact, junior free safety Trey Wilhite “will run our defense on the back end,” Dugger said. “He knows what we want to do in the secondary.”

McCord will be alongside Dukes at linebacker. “He had a good spring playing outside linebacker for us,” Dugger said of McCord.

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Helping on offense, also

The coach said Wilhite “will play some quarterback for us when we get into some more conventional spread sets. We’ll do some jet motion, power-read type of stuff, and Trey will be athletic enough to do that stuff in the backfield.

In describing himself offensively, Dukes said he’s “very much a blocking fullback” who will carry the ball in “short yardage” situations.

~ Alan Sloan

Lenoir City is a family friendly, progressive community with a Mayor and City Council focused on positive and sustainable growth. We offer several amenities such as The Venue at Lenoir City, The Claire Donahue Aquatic Center, Greenway Trails, access to water recreation, and many other possibilities for activities and experiences.

* Denotes Division I-3-5A Region game