MAGNOLIA PANTHERS
Conference: 5A-Southwest
Head coach: Robert Day
Record last year: 9-2, 6-1
Points scored, points allowed: 366-206
Playoff appearances since 1968: 18
Last playoff appearance: 2006
Playoff record: 19-16

Key returning starters: TB Eric Jones, FB Luke Franks, WR Tyler Dunlap, OG Austin O'Donnell, DE Byron Johnson, DE Michael Johnson, DT Adrian Williams, LB Trevor Rogers, LB Wayne Highsmith, CB Shawn Alexander.

Outlook: Despite losing a boatload of experience that led the Panthers to a 9-2 record, veteran coach Robert Day is still excited about this team. Replacing quarterback Hayden Simpson, who pitched the Panthers into the state baseball championship game, will be nearly impossible. The return of versatile tailback Eric Jones should help ease the pain of losing Simpson. Jones will take on the chore of carrying the offense. Only fullback Luke Franks, receiver Tyler Dunlap and guard Austin O'Donnell return with Jones off an offense that scored 366 points last year. Defensively, Byron Johnson, Michael Johnson and Adrian Williams in the trenches while linebackers Trevor Rogers and Wayne Highsmith are back off the top defense in the conference, giving the Panthers plenty of experience along the first line of defense. Cornerback Shawn Alexander started a few games and returns as the only experienced defensive back.

Comments from Day: "We lost a ton of offense. We lost most of our skilled players. We lost all of our defensive backs and a great middle linebacker. We lost three of our four receivers, five of our five offensive linemen and a quarterback that threw for 2,800 yards. We lost seven three-year starters, but we're excited about these guys. They have a chance to be pretty good. Jones is one of the better tailbacks in the state. He had 1,500 yards last year. That was sharing the ball with a quarterback that threw for 2,800 yards, and he still had a great year. He's going to be our focal point. He's a versatile player. He's an exciting football player."