Al Bundy Posted September 18, 2009 Report Posted September 18, 2009 Panthers wary of winless Bulldogs By Nathan Hague The Baytown Sun Published September 18, 2009 ANAHUAC — The Anahuac Panthers are looking to start a winning streak tonight at 7:30 p.m. when they host Hitchcock at Kyle White Stadium. But Panther head coach Darrell Barbay knows that won’t be easy, despite the Bulldogs’ 0-3 record. “They are probably the most talented team we’ll play all year until the playoffs,†he said. Barbay says with any luck, Hitchcock could be 2-1. “Their first game of the year got cancelled because of lightning and their game against Stafford got called as well,†he said of games stopped by the weather. “Their quarterback Morris Tuck has played three years and their running back Darius Dotson is the real deal. The offense throws probably 80 percent of the time and their defense is real aggressive.†The two teams didn’t play last year because of Hurricane Ike. This is the Panthers’ final tuneup before the start of District 23-2A play next week. Anahuac’s offense is led by junior Cody Johnson, who’s in his first year as the starting quarterback. He is averaging 110 yards per game passing and has five TD passes. “He’s a very good athlete,†Barbay said. “He’s one of the starters in basketball so the other kids know him well. He’s probably top five in his class. He’s a hard worker who leads by example. He does what you ask him to do as long as you ask him to do it.†Senior running back Dewan Childress has rushed for 368 yards and three scores. “Childress is another good athlete,†Barbay said. “I don’t tolerate fumbling and he protects the ball. You can give it to him 50 times and he’ll run with it 50 times.†Barbay referred to receiver Braxton Mayes as the team’s go-to-guy. “He has great hands and makes big plays,†he said. “He’s been starting since his sophomore year and we can throw him long passes down the field he’ll be sure to catch.†Mayes is averaging 26 yards per catch. Four of his nine receptions have gone for six points. Also lining up at wide receiver is Colton Laskoskie who has surprised a few people, including his head coach. “We didn’t even think he would make the depth chart and now he’s a starter,†Barbay said. “He’s really a great role player.†Junior linebacker Cameron Mitchell, senior safety Zach Smith and Thaddius Johnson all help lead the way for the defense. “He (Mitchell) averages 10 tackles a game. Zach has gone above and beyond our expectations. Thaddius Johnson has made great strides and is a lot more physical upfront than last year.†The Panthers must play without sophomore defensive back Justin Albritton, who suffered an ankle injury this week. The team is hopeful on getting him back soon. Until then, Mayes may have to fill in on the defensive side of the ball. “He’s very capable of doing that but we didn’t want him to have to go both ways,†Barbay said. Barbay knows his Panthers are in for some work tonight. “I don’t think we can completely stop them,†the coach said. “We have to make them drive the length of the field and cause turnovers. We can’t give them short fields. We need to protect the football.†One thing going in the Panthers’ favor is homefield advantage. “Our kids like playing at home. The fan support has been very good and it makes the kids want to perform better. No one wants to be embarrassed at home,†Barbay said. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
et531303 Posted September 18, 2009 Report Posted September 18, 2009 Good luck to the Anahuac Panthers!
Recommended Posts