Solid Panther team sees successful season
The 2003 Lakeside Panthers' season was deemed a huge success.
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Lakeside running back Blake Goolsby runs through Butler High defenders during an Aug. 11 scrimmage.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
That might seem odd considering the Panthers went 4-6 last season. In 2002, however, Lakeside went 0-10.
"We went 4-6 last year, but we could have just as easily went 7-3," said Lakeside head coach Randy Hill. "We made too many dumb mistakes and that killed us in a few games."
The Panthers started the season 3-0 with wins over county foes Evans and Greenbrier, but lost steam over the last seven games.
Depth was a concern as the season came to a close last year and it will be a concern this fall as well.
The Panthers had only 42 players dress out for the first practice in July. Although that number has increased to more than 60, Hill didn't seem to care.
"We might be a few players short, depth-wise, but all the guys we have are ball players," Hill said. "There are no weak links."
Lakeside's strongest link figures to be the strong play of incumbent quarterback Jimmy Johnson.
"Jimmy might be the best quarterback in the CSRA," Hill said. "He worked unbelievably hard over the summer. His arm strength has increased considerably."
Lakeside running back Blake Goolsby runs through Butler High defenders during an Aug. 11 scrimmage.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Johnson's work in the off-season will allow Hill to employ a more unpredictable version of the triple option.
More versatility will be needed because two-thirds of the wishbone backfield graduated. Gone are Philip Sadler and Tosin Fawibe, but Carl Burrow returns. Burrow will be needed to shoulder some of the burden, and he says he is ready.
"I embrace the extra workload," he said. "I want more responsibility."
Arthur Marshall, Kyle Hill, Reggie Porter and Blake Goolsby will fill the void created by the two graduates.
"I think the new guys will work out nicely," Burrow said.
Burrow will follow guard Donovan Lowe, the vocal leader of the offensive line.
The defensive effort is spearheaded by Porter, a linebacker.
The quiet teen could be the county's best senior linebacker. He still has a lot to learn, but will make a ton of plays for the Panthers.
Lakeside head coach Randy Hill says this year there are no weak links.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Paul Miller and Jermel Bennett will anchor the defensive front that created havoc in a scrimmage against Butler. Miller sacked the Bulldog quarterback twice on the game's opening series.
Chris Drayton and B.B. Bradenburg will man the secondary for Lakeside. Bradenburg isn't a physical imposing player, but he can tackle as well as any other cornerback in the county.
"We have a bunch of solid players on both sides of the ball," Hill said. "They have played together for a few years, so continuity shouldn't be a problem. If we can avoid mistakes and injuries, then we will surprise some teams this fall."