RIVER VALLEY and OZARK AREA — Amid high expectations and despite a new defensive system, a senior-heavy Bigelow Panthers squad recorded a perfect record in the 2A-5 conference and only two losses all season last year, including a low-scoring firstround defeat to Carlisle in the playoffs.
Though now down 12 seniors, mostly starters, a big junior class with a lot of experience is reason enough for hopes to remain high in 2009, head coach Jeff Starks said.
"First and foremost, we want to try and be the conference champions again. That's very important to us," said Starks, who is entering his 16th year at Bigelow.
Of course, nobody will turn their nose up at a state title, and Starks said a consistent message throughout the year will be going further in the playoffs, but the first step is the conference crown and the homefield advantage it provides.
"We feel like, if we win our conference, it will give us a better opportunity to go further," he said.
Leading that campaign on offense will be returning starting quarterback Spencer Langston, a junior who threw for more than 1,600 yards last year and "has done a lot to improve his speed" since. Alongside him in the offensive attack will be returning fullback DeAndre Grider, the team's leading rusher last year, and tailback Jeremy Grady, who played wingback a season ago. This year that role goes to Caleb Carter, a hardhitting junior who will also spend time at either linebacker or free safety on defense.
Protecting the backfield will be an offense line full of new faces, including four juniors: Anthony Olles, Jared Shelby, Ronnie Trice and Tye Kibbons. It's a group Starks said he expects big things from. Although not starters last year, they come from a class that won their conference title in junior high.
"They're ready to play. They've just got to get in there and get the reps," Starks said. "If we're healthy, it's not a concern. We'll be able to score some points - I really believe that."
And on the other side of the ball, things will only get better. Going into the second year of a 3-3 stack system, Starks said he expects the high pressure defense to be faster and stronger with a year of experience in the books.
"It all starts with the middle linebacker, Tye Kibbons. He's our defensive leader on the field, and our defense begins with him," said Starks, who noted him as having led the team in tackles last year with 113.
Also seeing time at linebacker will be seniors Gabe McDonald and Trent Harris and junior David Story. Rounding out the defense in the secondary will be Grady and sophomore Marcus Davie at corner.
BIGELOW PANTHERS
Sept. 4 ..................... at Perryville
Sept. 11 .................. at Danville*
Sept. 18 ..................... Quitman*
Sept. 25 ............. Mountain Pine*
Oct. 2 ....................at Two Rivers
Oct. 9 ............................ Hackett
Oct. 16 ..... at Conway Christian*
Oct. 23 ......................... Hector*
Oct. 30 .......................Lutheran*
Nov. 5 ....at Cutter Morning Star*
Special, Pages 225 on 08/23/2009