By CHRIS HOBBS
HobbsDailyReport.com
2019 SCHEDULE
(all games 7:30 p.m.)
Aug. 23—at N. Buncombe
Aug. 30—R-S Central
Sept. 6—at McDowell
Sept. 13—Freedom
Sept. 27—FRED T. FOARD
Oct. 4—at DRAUGHN
Oct. 11—E. BURKE
Oct. 18—at W. IREDELL
Oct. 25—W. CALDWELL
Nov. 1—BUNKER HILL
Nov. 8—at HIBRITEN
PATTON PANTHERS
Conference: Northwestern Foothills 2A
Head coach: Jonathan Browning (6-6, 1 year; 6-6 at Patton, 1 year)
Last season’s records: 6-6 overall; 4-2 Northwestern Foothills 2A, third place
Last season’s results: at Hunter Huss, L 0-49; at R-S Central, W 23-7; at McDowell, W 35-13; at Freedom, L 6-49; E. Rutherford, L 7-34; at FRED T. FOARD, L 12-21; DRAUGHN, W 17-7; at E. BURKE, W 29-7; W. IREDELL, W 23-7; at BUNKER HILL, W 30-9; HIBRITEN, L 0-44. Playoffs: at Wheatmore, L 0-24
SCHOOL FOOTBALL HISTORY
Last season in state playoffs: 2018, 2A
Last state playoff victory: 2017, d. N. Surry 26-10, first round
All-time state playoff bids: 6
Conference titles (or shares) since 1980, last: None
BY THE NUMBERS
OVERALL
Returning starters: 11
Returning lettermen: 20
OFFENSE
Set: Power I/Flexbone
Returning starters: 6
Leading returning rushers: Bryson Ratliff, 5-11, 195, Sr. (154-764, 6 TDs); Weston Fleming, 5-10, 185, Sr. (135-335, 9 TDs)
Leading returning passer: Weston Fleming, 5-10, 185, Sr. (37-85-10, 304 yards, 2 TDs)
Leading returning receiver: Jackson Vance, 5-10, 170, Sr. (2-6, no TDs)
Players to watch: Ben Varsamis, RT, 6-1, 215, Sr.; Ryan Shehan, RG, 5-8, 215, Sr.; Nathan Supernor, LG, 5-10, 225, Sr.; Bryson Holsclaw, TE, 6-5, 215, Sr.; Demetric Greene, TB, 5-11, 205, Sr.; Shawn Moody, WR, 6-1, 195, Sr.
Top newcomers: Max Short, TB, 6-0, 205, Jr.; Easton Wilkins, OL, 6-1, 355, Jr.; Daniel Rector, C, 6-0, 250, Jr.; Trent Stroupe, WR, 5-8, 155, Sr.
DEFENSE
Set: 4-4 flex.
Returning starters: 5
Players to watch: Rico Barrino, DT, 6-1, 275, Sr.; Will Cain, NG, 5-3, 375, Sr.; Alex Flores, LB, 5-1, 195, Sr.; Ben Varsamis, LB, 6-1, 215, Sr.; Jackson Vance, LB, 5-10, 170, Sr.
Top newcomers: Easton Wilkins, DL, 6-1, 355, Jr.; Trent Stroupe, DB, 5-8, 155, Sr.