TRI-LAKES AREA — Two years ago, the Magnet Cove Panthers were struggling to understand a new offense. Head Coach Ronnie Efird was hoping to take a traditional option offense and reconfigure it into a Spread offense.
The Panthers missed the playoffs in 2007 while trying to implement the new system.
The labor that went into learning the new system finally began to pay off last season as Magnet Cove finished third in the district and won
its first playoff game since 2000 - a 27-7 victory over Green Forest.
The Panthers' season ended in a second-round loss to eventual
champion Charleston.
"We won the games we should have won, and the games we lost
were against tough teams," Efird said. "Last year the team had the
system down; the kids feel real comfortable with it now." That comfort with the Spread should only improve for Efird's
squad, which boasts nine returning seniors on offense and seven on
defense. However, this year's team will feature limited experience
at one key position: quarterback.
Junior Brandon Cloninger will take over under center for an
offense that threw between 15 and 20 passes per game last year. Histop target will be returning starter at wide receiver Jake Daniel, who totaled more than 1,000 yards receiving last year on only 58 catches.
The 5-10, 175-pound Cloninger will add the quarterback duties to work at free safety on the defensive side of the ball. Cloninger made the all-district team last season at outside linebacker.
"We'll move him over to safety so he won't get beat up," Efird said. We have depth there, so he probably won't have too much playing time [at safety]."
Cloninger's health is a specific concern for the Panthers. Last year, the new quarterback struggled with shoulder problems he developed from playing baseball.
"They thought he would need surgery, but he rehabbed it this summer," Efird said. "How that shoulder will hold up is going to be a concern for us."
One of the team's strongest areas is at offensive line. All of the incoming linemen have had experience, with a few set to start for a third consecutive year. The Panther's second-leading rusher last year, Tyler Strother, is an "excellent running back," Efird said. Allstate pitcher Gene Dunkin will join Daniel in the receiving corps.
Both targets are listed at 6-2, giving the pass-heavy offense much needed height near the sidelines.
Magnet Cove will feature solid experience on defense. Threeyear starter Tyger Alston and all-district standout Ernest Van Hornreturn to the line at defensive end. Joining them on the line is all-district honoree Brett Stoope at tackle. In all, eight Panthers were named to the alldistrict squad, with six of those players returning, including middle linebacker Josh Scott.
"We are a senior-dominated team," Efird said. "I'm really excited about the experience we have coming back. These guys have been there before, and I really think we're going to do well." The Panthers will face their first real test Sept. 25 when they face conference foe Bauxite at home to open their conference slate.
Another big game is the yearly matchup with rival Glen Rose on Sept. 30. Some football watchers have predicted the Panthers to finish as low as fifth this fall. Efird said he enjoys the motivation and that his team is ready for the challenge.
Tri-Lakes, Pages 11 on 08/30/2009