Brainerd Panthers look to build on playoff run

Brainerd's Xiyeer Lattimore (3) looks to pass against Signal Mountain at Signal Mountain Middle/High School on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018 in Signal Mountain, Tenn.
Brainerd's Xiyeer Lattimore (3) looks to pass against Signal Mountain at Signal Mountain Middle/High School on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018 in Signal Mountain, Tenn.
photo Brainerd quarterback, Xiyeer Lattimore (3) scrambes as Howard's Eric Johnson (4) closes in. The Howard Hustlin Tigers defeated the Brainerd Panthers 18-0 in a game completed at Howard on Saturday, August 18, 2018, after weather suspended the Friday game.

Head coach: Tyrus Ward (6-15 in two years here; 12-29 overall)

Returning starters: 4 offensive; 4 defensive

Key players: QB Xiyeer Lattimore (6-0, 165); OL Jerimiah Hendrix (6-3, 295); ATH Jaylan Dupree (5-9, 160); DL LaDarrian Cooper (6-3, 315); WR LaDarrian Freeman (6-4, 190); DE Rashawn Davis (6-2, 220); SS Kenneth Starling (5-10, 190); RB Allen Ware (5-10, 180).

Team strengths: Lattimore is entering his third season as the team's starting quarterback and not only showed great improvement last season but has made strides toward becoming the team's leader, including showing up early before practice to watch video with coaches this summer.

Team concerns: With so many players being counted on to play significant snaps on both sides of the ball, injuries once again will be a key to determining the season's success.

Breakout candidate: Dupree is the most versatile player on the team and likely will get his hands on the ball in a variety of ways.

Season outlook: In only his second season of coaching his alma mater, Ward guided the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time in seven years. The confidence gained from last year's postseason run carried over into offseason workouts, and Ward believes this is the closest group of players he's had to work with.

"The strength of our team is the team itself," Ward said. "This is a group of kids who work hard together and know we don't have to rely on just one guy. Everybody knows they have to do their job for us to be successful."

Lattimore's experience and ability make the offense dangerous on any snap, but he has plenty of help surrounding him. That includes Ware, a physical runner, and Freeman, whose height makes him an ideal target, as well as Dupree.

The schedule will test the Panthers, particularly the first half of the season as they open against Baylor and rival Howard before consecutive road games at Loudon and East Nashville. The nonregion schedule also includes perennial playoff power Tyner and a road trip to Knoxville rival Austin-East.

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