Panthers leaning on D

Lakeside football coach Jody Grooms has no plans to shake up his entire offensive scheme because of the graduation of one player.

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But when that player is Chad Chandler, a three-year starter at quarterback and one of the program's more prolific offensive weapons, it will make Grooms think about how Chandler will be replaced.

Grooms' solution for now is to audition two young quarterbacks. Sophomore Mark Weidenaar and junior Ben Wilson will each have a shot to run the Panthers offense. Grooms said the quarterbacks have styles unique to each other and to Chandler.

"They're a lot different than Chad," Grooms said. "But Chad was a three-year starter. He didn't get rattled too much."

Grooms said both of his quarterbacks have the tools to run the same packages the Panthers ran a year ago. The Panthers had "dart" packages designed to take advantage of Chandler's running ability. Grooms said those would still be in play.

"Every time we ran it, it seemed like we got big yardage," Grooms said. "That will be a big part of our offense again. It just won't be Chad doing it."

The Panthers are ready to move forward after finishing the 2008 season 7-3 and narrowly missing a playoff bid.

Grooms might be worried about his team's relative inexperience at quarterback, but he has reason to be confident about the experience on defense.

The Panthers' linebacking corp graduated East Carolina freshman Kyle Tudor, but Grooms still thinks the linebackers will be the strength of Lakeside's defense. Seniors Chris Hartfield and Alan Marionneaux, both All-Region selections in 2008, are back. The group has added junior Kendal Parker, a transplant from Jacksonville, Fla., and brother of Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker.

"Our strong point is probably defense," Hartfield said. "If the defense plays good, the offense will play good. The defense will get the offense pumped up."

Also returning for Lakeside's defense is senior Khadi Tshishiku. The defensive back has moved from free safety to strong safety, where he expects to play a bigger role in stopping the run.

Tshishiku said last season's finish stuck with him through the offseason. Lakeside finished with a winning record, an improvement from the season before. Now the Panthers are looking for more.

"We're hoping to win more than seven games," Tshishiku said. "We're not satisfied with just seven."

PANTHERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Sept. 4 vs. Evans

Sept. 11 at Greenbrier

Sept. 18 at Glenn Hills

Sept. 25 vs. Harlem

Oct. 2 at Hephzibah

Oct. 9 at Richmond Academy

Oct. 16 vs. Cross Creek

Oct. 23 at Westside

Oct. 30 vs. Butler

Nov. 6 vs. Josey