Roger Lee
Pinewood running back Chris Morgan eludes a tackle.

Senior laden Panthers out to improve

The Panthers went 1-9 in 2006, but rebounded last year to finish 6-4 in the regular season and advance to the SCISA playoffs, where they lost in the first round to Augusta Christian.

The team has 17 seniors this year and Guerard is looking to improve on last year’s campaign.

“We did okay last year, but we really didn’t have the season I was hoping for,” he said.  “It took us a while to get to know each other and for the players to learn my system.”  With so many players returning, Guerard doesn’t think that should be as much of a problem this year. One problem he does have is replacing last year’s quarterback, Ryan Steed.

“Ryan was a heck of a player,” Guerard said. “He is a great athlete, plus he has a fierce determination to win.”

Junior transfer student Bruce Haynes is the frontrunner to step up and fill the spot vacated by Steed.

“Bruce is a good quarterback, plus he has some experience,” Guerard said. “I don’t know if Bruce can run the ball quiet as well as Ryan did, but I do know he has a better arm than Ryan,”

Haynes led the Green Wave JV the past two seasons. Also working out at the quarterback spot is senior Jarin Bouie. Guerard plans to use both QBs throughout the preseason and then go from there.

“Jarin has some pretty good skills, too,” Guerard said. “He gets rid of the ball really real quick and that’s a plus.”

When the Panthers go to the ground, most of the workload will fall on senior Melvin Lesure and junior Moses Richardson. Lesure looks to be the mainstay, having amassed over 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

“Melvin is a tough player who will definitely get some looks from some colleges,” Guerard said.

Richardson gained 265 yards last year and looks to be improved this season. Backing up the starting duo will be junior Chris Morgan, sophomore Tyler All and junior Damien Simmons.

When the Panthers decide to put the ball in the air they will have a lot of options. Early in camp, the starting wide outs looked to be seniors Laquan Gilliard and Anthony Lax, who are both new to the team this year. Gilliard played for Summerville last season, while Lax started for Charleston Collegiate.

“Both of those boys are excellent receivers,” Guerard said.  “They have good hands and are good possession receivers.”

But the Panthers receiving corps doesn’t stop there. Senior Ken Keller will also see a lot of playing time.

“Ken also has great hands and has no problem going across the middle,” Guerard said.  Bouie, junior Sean Hamilton, freshman Tyler Malphurs, junior Phil Shelton, senior Chris Askins and junior Josh Glenn will also see time at the position.

The tight end spot will be filled by returning senior Justin Bishop, with freshman Michael Pendley backing him up.

The offensive line will be manned by senior Francois Gaudreault and junior Billy Bryans in the guards slots, seniors Robert White and John Davidson at the tackles and senior Kyle Smith at center.  Sophomores Micheal Lizzi, Will Rogers, MJ Pinson and Hunter Baughman will hold down the backup spots on the offensive line.  

Defensively, the Panthers will be led by senior linebacker Daniel Poaps, who was second on the team in tackles last year with 73.  Senior Nick Zuvia, who played for the Panthers as a sophomore, spent last year in California and returned to Pinewood for his senior season, will also provide experience at the position. Junior Damien Simmons and senior Anthony Lax will round out the starters. When they need a break, look for senior Chris Askins and Johnson Tapp to step in.

On the defensive line, sophomore Daniel Zuvia and senior Paul Bogensberger will be the starters at tackle. Bishop and sophomore Ethan Gaskins will man the end positions. Senior Jonathan Goodsell is scheduled to see time at the tackle spot and sophomore Cameron Fisher will spell Gaskins and Bishop at the end position.

The defensive secondary will feature the trio of junior Sean Hamilton, Bouie and junior Chris Morgan. When the Panthers go to five or six DB’s, Gilliard, Haynes and sophomore Bradley Bilsback will be called upon.  

The kicking game should be in good hands as senior Tony Artman takes over place kicking duties. Artman, the goalkeeper on the Panthers soccer team, has shown excellent leg strength in camp. Robert White will handle the long snapping and Chris Morgan will be the holder. Poaps will take care of the punting chores.  

Guerard has his full coaching staff returning this year. Bo Reeves is the defensive coordinator. Johnny Leviner will handle the linebackers. Mike Monnet is working with the receivers. Jay Rauton is the defensive line coach.

There is one new addition to the staff this year. Dann Holland has joined the staff and will handle the offensive line.

“We are lucky to have been able to get coach Holland to join the staff,” Guerard said.  “He has already made a big impact on our offensive line play.”

Holland, who will also be a history teacher, coached at Orangeburg Prep for several years before joining the Panthers.

The schedule makers did not do the Panthers any favors this year. Aside from their normal region foes, the Panthers will have to make road trips to take on defending champion The Hammond School and state runner-up Augusta Christian. Despite the schedule, Guerard is still optimistic.

“I believe we have a good bunch of kids,” he said.  “I know they will give a 100 percent every game. With that kind of effort and the talent we have, I think we will be alright this year.”