CLASS 3A REGION 6
WEAVER BEARCATS
WALTER WELLBORN PANTHERS
What appeared to be a
detriment to the Wellborn
Panthers in 2014 is turning into
a blessing in 2015. Last season,
during the team’s deepest
playoff run since 1995, the
Panthers lost a host of starters
the week of their third round
matchup. That loss of players
forced new faces to step into
big shoes on a big stage. Today
they’re hoping that experience
will shine. Free safety/wingback
Jordan Montgomery (6’ 1” 180)
has gotten most of the attention
in the off-season. The senior
has a strong shot at playing on
the next level.
The 2015 season offers hope
for the Weaver Bearcats. After
a 4-7 season, including a berth
in the playoffs, the team returns
key players at pivotal positions
in their run for a region title.
Paul Hubbard makes his return
under center for the third season.
Hubbard has anchored the
Weaver offense with his abilities
as both a passer and a runner.
Head coach Daryl Hamby says
Hubbard has made great strides
and improvement since the spring
game.
Delo Forbes and Tyrik Hall also
give the Bearcats experience and
talent on both sides of the ball.
Malik Arnold (TE/DE) was a bright
spot for Weaver during the spring
jamboree. TJ Thompson (WR/DB),
Cody Ortiz (WR/MLB), and Craig
Copeland (TB/DB) will also serve
big roles on the Weaver offensive
and defensive units. The team
will also get a boost from Dalton
Hamby (FS) who is back on the
field after suffering a broken bone
in his leg in the Bearcats first
round playoff game.
Fellow senior DJ Rhoden
returns at fullback for a third
straight year. The offensive
line is experienced with Gabe
Gallahar, Dalton Epps, Ethan
Beadles, Chandler Cupp and
Taylor Borders. A pair of
sophomores round out the
offense with Pat Harris at
fullback and Austin McQueen
getting his first taste of being
the number one quarterback.
Jake Thrasher is a leader on
defense from his linebacker
spot. Austin Tucker and
Quindarrious Moore round
out the backfield. One of the
better stories from The Hill is
that Kedd Harris, the younger
brother of the late Tootie
Harris, is expected to start this
year for the Panthers.
Weaver’s offensive line will be
young overall, but will have some
size and a lot of potential. Matt
Elston (LT/DE), Cheyenne Wolfe
(RT/MLB), Andrew Gonzalez (LG/
DT), Caleb Alliston (RG/DT), and
Connor Uesry (Center) will be the
unit that will look to dominate the
line of scrimmage.
The Bearcat’s inspiration comes
from their own locker room.
Dalton Summers will suit up for
Weaver after a long battle with
cancer. The senior wide-receiver
and linebacker returns to the
gridiron after beating stage four
Hodgkin’s lymphoma. “The kid
has never missed one workout.
You talk about a guy that fought
cancer and all he wants to do is
play football,” Daryl Hamby said.
“It says a lot about his character.
We look up to a guy like that, not
just the players, but the coaches,
too.”
PAUL HUBBARD
Quarterback
SCHEDULE
8/28 Jacksonville...............Away
9/04 Pleasant Valley...........Home*
9/11 Ashville....................Away*
9/18 Walter Wellborn..........Home*
9/25 Saks........................Away
10/02 Ohatchee..................Away*
10/09 Westbrook Christian.....Away*
10/16 Glencoe....................Home*
10/23 Piedmont..................Home*
10/30 White Plains..............Home
COACH DARYL HAMBY...
“The thing I really like about
this team is their work ethic
and their competitiveness.
I’ve been pleased with their
effort and they way they fight
through everything. They are
a great bunch to coach.”
AUSTIN MCQUEEN
Quarterback
SCHEDULE
8/28 Saks....................... Home
9/04 Glencoe................... Home*
9/11 Pleasant Valley.......... Away*
9/18 Weaver.................... Away*
9/25 Moody..................... Away*
10/02 Westbrook Christian.... Home*
10/09 Piedmont................. Away*
10/16 Ashville................... Home*
10/23 Ashville................... Home*
10/30 Open
COACH JEFF SMITH
COACH JEFF SMITH...
“Our line should be
much improved. We’ve
got four of the five
starters back from last
year. I feel really good
about the line.”