Pigskin Roundup 2015 | Page 76

CLASS 6A REGION 3 PELL CITY PANTHERS After leading the Pell City Panthers into the playoffs in 2014, Head Coach Brooks Dampeer wants more this fall. Coming off of a 6-5 campaign, the Panthers will once again face some stiff competition in Region 3. “It’s a fight every week just to get in. This region is the toughest I’ve ever played in,” Dampeer said. Region opponents feature perennial powerhouses Opelika and Benjamin Russell, arch-rival Oxford, along with Chelsea, Chilton County and Valley. Dampeer is hoping for more punch in the offensive attack. “We need our explosive players to make explosive plays. We want to be able to score from anywhere,” Dampeer said. Look for a pair of quarterbacks to lead the offense in Hudson Hughes and Jeremiah Ross. Hughes is a talented QB with a strong arm. Ross is an elusive playmaker who can hurt the opponent with his arm and feet. One luxury that both will have is lining up behind three-year starting lineman Dylan Wiley. Six Panthers return on the defensive side of the football. Highly-touted Elijah Shepard returns at linebacker. CHRIS LYNCH Running Back SCHEDULE 8/21 Walker.....................Away 8/28 Lincoln.....................Home 9/04 Chilton County............Away* 9/11 Opelika....................Home* 9/18 Benjamin Russell.........Away* 9/25 Huffman...................Away 10/02 Open 10/09 Oxford.....................Home* 10/16 Chelsea....................Away* 10/23 Valley......................Home* 10/30 Oak Mountain.............Home The senior holds a handful of college offers with more expected this fall. Shepard will line up alongside Luke Brazier and Gabe McKinney forming a strong corp of physical linebackers. Tori Odem leads the secondary in his third season as a starter. Pell City will open up the 2015 on the road at Walker on August 21. COACH BROOKS DAMPEER... “It’s a fight every week just to get in. This region is the toughest I’ve ever played in,” 74 | 2015 Pigskin Roundup the Magazine