Pigskin Roundup 2016 | Page 74

SOUTHSIDE PANTHERS Class, Region: Class 6A, Region 7 Head Coach: Ron Daugherty PANTHERS! PANTHERS! 2015 Record: 5-5 2015 Playoffs: None 2015 Rewind: Southside began the season by winning 5 of the first 7 games, but dropped the final three contests (all region counters) and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2012. Key Losses: The losses were heavy at Smokeneck as the Alaric Williams Panthers lost 24 seniors including four-year Pigskin Roundup Running Back All-Star Hunter Armstrong at linebacker and punter. Free safety and quarterback Greyson Daugherty also graduated from last year’s team. Southside lost both offensive tackles and starting linebackers Austin Brewer and Dakota Harcrow. Players to Watch: One of the most watched skill players in the state will be senior running back Aleric Williams (6’2,200). The Auburn commit and Pigskin Roundup All-Star will be one of the top backs in the Alabama. Tristan Shaw (6’0, 200 Sr.) started most of last season at quarterback. Massive junior tight end Gavin Orr (6’3, 255 Jr.) will also play some at noseguard as well. Center Drake Stewart is a great senior leader who started the last 2-3 games of 2015. Others to watch on offense include fullback Baylon Fry (6’0, 210), speedy running back Kenneth “Cat” Bothwell, and transfer lineman Jordan Kilgo (6’4, 260). The defense will be led by returning safety Austin GO Winningham (6’2, 175 Sr.) and junior lineman Tyler Abernathy. 2016 Roundup: Head Coach Ron Daugherty expects the offense will have to carry this Panther team until the defense if able to catch up. Daugherty reports that Southside has some guys that have never played, but are talented and just need some valuable playing time. Overall the Panthers return eight starters on offense and just three on defense. Southside has another large senior class and the numbers are still very impressive as the Panthers expect 85 players for fall drills. Did You Know? Southside will have 7 home games this season including a visit from Fairley of Memphis, Tennessee coming to Barney Hood Stadium. The Bulldogs are a charter school in the Memphis City School system and will actually come down to Etowah County and spend the night before the game. Fairley will visit Southside again in 2017. 72 | 2016 Pigskin Roundup the Magazine MAYOR WALLY BURNS & SOUTHSIDE CITY COUNCIL PLACE 1 - KEVIN STEPHENS PLACE 2 - JOHN HATLEY PLACE 3 - JOEY JONES PLACE 4 - DON STEWARD PLACE 5 - RANDALL TALLENT PHONE: (256) 442-9775 2255 HIGHWAY 77 • SOUTHSIDE, AL 35907 WWW.CITYOFSOUTHSIDE.COM