What a difference a year makes.
Last year at this time Chattahoochee County High School’s football program was just getting started under the direction of new head coach Drew Fowler. A revolving door of coaches had brought team morale and participation down.
The 2016 season might not have been a winning season with a record of 3-7 (3-6 region), but there is good reason for Panther fans to be hopeful. Coach Fowler and his program have come a long way since last year and there is a buzz about the future of Panther football.
“We progressively improved throughout the season and will be returning many starters who have had a year to understand and buy into what we are wanting to accomplish,” said Fowler.
By comparison to some other schools in the area, ChattCo is well ahead of the game when it comes to returning starters. Seven offensive starters and eight defensive starters are returning.
On offense, the Panthers will be seeing a lot of running back Malic Bonner. A team leader in rushing (234 carries for 1438 yards) and scoring (12 touchdowns in 2016), Bonner also plays in the DB position for his team. A college prospect, Bonner is 5’11” and 175 lbs., and very quick on his feet, running the 40 Yard Dash in 4.5 seconds.
Also returning on offense are Jonathon Haley (OL), 6’3” and 210 lbs., Chris Robinson (OL), 6’1” and 250 lbs., Kedrick Harvey (OL), 6’2” and 285 lbs., Richard Sims (OL), 6’0” and 210 lbs., Deandre Masten (QB), 5’10” and 200 lbs., and Antonio Brown (RB), 5’9” and 205 lbs.
For the Panther defense, returning starters include the 2016 team leader in tackles Jamon Hoyte (DL), who had a total of 58 tackles on the season and the interception leader, Zac Farrow (DB), who snagged three interceptions. Hoyte, 6’0” and 200 lbs., and Farrow, 5’8” and 170 lbs., are both pretty quick on their feet. Farrow runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds and Hoyte in 4.9 seconds. They are joined by Billy Wischnewsky (DL), 6’2” and 200 lbs., Martez Shelton (DE), 6’0” and 185 lbs., Jontavus Walker (DE) 6’2” and 175 lbs., Michael Brown (LB), 6’2” and 205 lbs., Cecil West (DB), 5’10” and 165 lbs., and Terrence Doyle (DB) 5’10” and 170 lbs.
Hoyte and Sims tie as top academic athletes on the team with 4.2 GPAs. In addition to Bonner, other college prospects are Farrow, Harvey and Doyle. Also considered to be college prospects are Ty Lucas (RB/LB), 5’9” and 195 lbs., and Nakia Delaine (DB), 5’9” and 170 lbs.
It is a promising team who are excited about the upcoming season. Last year was an adjustment for just about everyone involved in the Panther football program, including the head coach.
“I learned a lot last season and look to continue with what was successful and not make the same mistakes that were made last year,” said Fowler.
The greatest strength for the Panthers will be experience of players who are in their third and fourth years of play at the school. Fowler points out that the majority of the athletes in his program have not been part of a winning team at the school. He wants to grow the confidence of his players so there is an expectation of success, which will lead to becoming more competitive.
That competitive spirit can be seen each weekend during football season when fans turn out in force in the small community of Cusseta. This year, the Panther Nation should be on their feet celebrating more wins if all goes well with Fowler and his team. It starts off with their first game that has bragging rights on the line.
“Marion County, even though it is not a region game, it is our first game and they are our rival,” Fowler said.
Columbus Valley/Fall football preview/August 2017
Chattahoochee County High School
Cusseta, Georgia
By Beth Welch
