Knox Central Panthers

 

Former Mr. Football and current Knox Central Panther head coach Scott Russell has seen his Panthers grow as a team the past two seasons, but a district championship has still eluded his squad.

 

He's hoping that will change this season thanks to a roster that is full of talented players once again.

 

Knox Central got off to a school-best 8-0 start in 2012, but didn't capture the District 6 crown and also lost to Lexington Catholic in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs, something he hopes his team hasn't forgot and can build on this season.

 

To do so, Russell and his assistant coaches has to find a replacement for last season's Mr. Everything - Jeffrey Canady, who led the Panthers in rushing with 2,012 yards and a team-best 31 touchdowns. He accounted for 194 of Knox Central's 386 points last season.

 

Look for talented tailback Jonathan Gist to carry the load in the backfield for Knox Central. He carried the ball 179 times for 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. He also had nine receptions for 83 yards. Matthew Barger will be another solid offensive threat. He led the team in 2012 with 46 receptions, 754 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Hayden Canady will get carries out of the fullback spot while Derrick Mills, Alex Sprinkles, Dee Castle and Blake Hinkle will man the offensive line.

 

Defensively, Knox Central will be strong once again with Canady leading the way with 162 tackles from last season.Barger brings a strong presence in the secondary. He led the team with eight interceptions last season while Gist, tackle Hunter McRight, linebacker Trent Tuttle, guard Tyler Hatfield and linebacker Corey Owens return on defense.

 

 

Schedule

Coach Russell has made things a bit tough on his Panthers this season, and the 2013 slate will have his Panthers ready for the post-season - that's a given.

 

Knox Central opens things at home on Aug. 23 against Atherton before playing Southwestern Pulaski on Aug. 30 during Corbin's Cumberland Falls Pigskin Classic. The Panthers will play Prestonsburg on Spet. 7 before a road date on Sept. 13 against Harlan County.

 

It doesn't get any easier from there folks.

 

Knox Central will host Bell County on Sept. 20 and Whitley County on Sept. 27 before getting into district action with home games against Clay County and Rockcastle County on Oct. 4 and Oct. 18, respectively. A road match-up with Russell County on Oct. 25 could decide the Class 4A, District 6 title while Knox Central closes out the 2013 regular season with a road game against Corbin on Nov. 1.

 

 

Players to watch

Jonathan Gist (tailback) - Gist was Knox Central's second elading rusher with 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2012. Now with the graduation of Jeffrey Canady, he will receive even more carries.

 

Matthew Barger (receiver/safety) - Barger is one of the best athletes in District 6. He led the team with 46 receptions, 754 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season and turned in a team-high eight interceptions on defense. He also finished the season with 69 tackles.

 

Hayden Canady (fullback/linebacker) - Canady returns as one of the best defensive players in Class 4A. He led the Panthers with 162 tackles last season along with three fumble recoveries.

 

Derrick Mills (offensive line/defensive line) - Mills stands at 6-3 and weighs 280 pounds. He's a top-notch player on both sides of the ball.

 

Hunter McRight (Tight end/defensive end) - McRight will be another solid threat for the Panthers on both sides of the ball.

Nice report

Thanks.

Fine job as usual, Les.

 

This is a fun schedule. After game 2, it's just one rivalry game after another. The return of old rivals Bell, Whitley, Corbin, and Southwestern added to Harlan Co. and the district games guarantee an exciting season. High risk, high reward. No question that the Panthers will be battle tested come playoff time.