MABANK PANTHERS
STEP INTO NEW SEASON
Mabank is ready to make the most of the upward swing the program has taken under coach Zach Hudson .
Coming off a 6-4 season and moving to District 8-4A Division 1 , Hudson thinks his team is in a good position to take a step forward in 2022 .
“ I ’ m excited to see the new team ,” Hudson said . “ We have a lot of kids who ’ ve taken a lot of snaps . The kids did a great job last year and I think they will only get better .”
Coming into fall practice the Panthers expected 17 offensive and 18 defensive lettermen back , with six offensive starters and four defenders .
Last year , the Panthers finished 2-4 in district after two thrillers to end the season . The first was a seven point win over Henderson in overtime and the other was a 42-35 loss in Athens that denied them a playoff berth .
Hudson added some new staff members over the summer and likes the new coaches he has on hand .
“ I think the staff has improved some every year ,” Hudson said .
Now that his program has had four years to take root the schemes have become second nature to his veterans .
“ They understand the expectations and know what brand we ’ re going to play ,” he said .
The new Mabank district will take some introduction .
“ There ’ s not a lot we ’ ve seen before , even on film ,” Hudson said .
They did get a little look at Kaufman because they faced a common opponent , Lindale , a year ago .
Hudson said the new district opponents may have their hands full with Mabank ’ s Slot T offense . It ’ s fairly rare in the Texas high school ranks and presents a difficult set of problems defending it .
“ We ’ re the only ones in the district running it ,” Hudson said . “ We ’ re very ball control oriented .”
The Panthers are returning a lot of speed this year . Hudson said several players will bear watching in 2022 . Safety Carson Manning returns , having logged three years as a starter . J . J . Flores is another experienced defensive back .
We ’ re the only ones in the district running it . We ’ re very ball control oriented .
— Zach Hudson
ZACH HUDSON HEAD COACH
Running Back Cody Chapman figures to carry much of the load in the Slot T .
The Panthers have an experienced hand in the offensive line in Raul Carrasco .
Non-district opponents include the opener at home against Bullard Aug . 26 and a Sept . 9 date with Brownsboro at Panther Stadium .
They also stage an all Van Zandt County war with Canton , Sept . 16 .
District favorites , according to Texas Football are Paris , Kaufman and Anna .
Hudson plans to present a team that the loyal Panther faithful will enjoy watching each week .
“ We appreciate their support ,” he said . “ The crowds get bigger every year .”
Hudson came to Mabank in 2018 , after coaching at Howe . He had reportedly turned down several before the step up to the Mabank spot became available .
His five years at Howe ended with a winning 30-28 record at a school that had struggled through back-to-back 2-8 seasons before his arrival .
MABANK PANTHERS
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THE MISSION
The Panthers were picked last in their district last season , but were a tough out throughout the season . They whipped Palestine and Henderson to set up a shot at the playoffs in the season finale . After knocking on the door they ’ re aiming for a playoff entrance in 2022 .
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DON ’ T MISS …
It ’ s an important game for Mabank on the district schedule and it ’ s got to be fun when the Panthers travel up US 175 to On Oct . 21 to meet the Kaufman Lions . The two schools with students in Kaufman County last met in the 2017 season .
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2022 SCHEDULE |
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8 / 26 |
Bullard |
7:30 |
9 / 2 |
OPEN |
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9 / 9 |
Brownsboro |
7:30 |
9 / 16 |
at Canton |
7:30 |
9 / 23 |
at Waxahachie Life |
7:30 |
9 / 30 |
Quinlan *** |
7:30 |
10 / 7 |
Anna * |
7:30 |
10 / 14 |
Sulphur Springs * |
7:30 |
10 / 21 |
at Kaufman * |
7:30 |
10 / 28 |
Community * |
7:30 |
11 / 4 |
at Paris * |
7:30 |
* District 8-4A contest , Division1 /** Homecoming |
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66 | Fanfare 2022 |
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