A new schedule with new teams means new opportunities for the varsity football team. After a disappointing end to the 2023 season, the team fell just shy of the playoffs. The football coaches and players are looking forward to bouncing back and making a playoff run.
“As a team, we need to be getting ready for the season. Be ready to run for the district championship and get better each day,” offensive coordinator Scott Elliott said
Even with the loss of 22 seniors on the 7-3 squad, the team returns key seniors Ethan Elliott, Aaron Andrews, Ryder Grabner and Bode Cox. Going into the season there is a QB battle between Cox and Porter transfer Aaron Gilliam. Both quarterbacks have been working together and pushing each other. Cox, who previously sat behind and watched 2024 graduate Jaxson Sims, learned a lot as last year’s backup.
“Just to lead by example,” Cox says. “I think [Sims] did a really good job of that. He was a very smart quarterback. Listened very well. I think as long as you do that at the quarterback position, it’ll push others to be similar.”
Gilliam has focused on learning the new signals and plays for the upcoming season.
“I heard the coaching was a lot better over here, and I wanted to improve my game,” Gilliam said. “It means a lot to be able to compete for the starting job. The previous school I was at, really didn’t have competition. They already knew what they wanted, and being able to have an opportunity to win the job means a lot.”
Both quarterbacks said the coaching from Elliott has been key.
“He’s my position coach, he has been pushing us, not just me but as a group, to be better, leading us and walking us through everything,” Cox said. “He’s been very crucial to hopefully what is going to lead to our success.”
The quarterbacks, led by coach Elliott, have impressed their teammates during the preseason. Ethan Elliott, who will play halfback and linebacker this season, said the team is coming together as its season opener nears. He likes what he has seen from his teammates in practice and preseason action.
“We have a good offense and a dominating defense,” Ethan said. “Adjusting to new quarterbacks has been fun. We have two very skilled quarterbacks that I think we can use both. No matter who plays or who plays more, we’ll have a great person leading our offense.”
Coach Elliott has spent a lot of time with both quarterbacks and the offense in general. He looks forward to seeing what can be accomplished with them on the field and how the quarterbacks will lead on and off the field.
“I think the biggest thing is they’re both seniors,” Coach Elliott said. “They are both competing for one spot. So it’s going to become, whoever’s our starter knows that they’re ready to be the starter. Whoever’s our backup knows that they’re one play or one injury away from being a starter. And that’s going to be important for them both to have a positive mindset that’s going to push them both, but yet keep them together as a group.”
The team has been rolling with the punches and been getting better despite limitations with the heat and other challenges. The Panthers open their season against Montgomery High School at Turner Stadium on Aug. 31.
“I think that they [fans] should come out and support their Panther team because it’s going to be exciting on offense, defense and special teams,” Coach Elliott said. “We have a lot of senior leadership, which is going to be great to see. But we also have a lot of young kids and it’s going to be fun to see them growing up.”
