Panthers on the prowl

Robert Wilson doesn't want to call 2008 a rebuilding year, even though Maxwell High's football team is virtually starting over with mostly a new cast of players.

"I don't want to say 'rebuild.' Maybe reload," said Wilson, who is entering his eighth season at the helm of the Panthers.

"Personally, for me it's a new challenge," Wilson continued. "We're going to have to work a lot harder this year to be a contender."

Wilson should know. In his previous seven seasons, he has guided Maxwell to 63 wins. The Panthers have either been champions or co-champs in the Evergreen League the last three seasons, and last fall, Maxwell fell in the Northern Section Div. V championship to Fall River, 14-13, to end a streak of 19 straight wins that also included a Section title in 2006.

"In the past we've been blessed with a lot of good athletes," Wilson said. "But we've had two classes back-to-back where there has not been a lot of boys."

Wilson said there are only six seniors on this year's squad, and because of the low numbers overall — there will be 20 players on the varsity squad — he has had to bring up four sophomores.

"All four will be impact players," Wilson said.

They are Steven Perry, who will start at safety on defense and will either play quarterback or receiver on offense; Derek Mench, an inside linebacker and offensive lineman; Kent Leber, an outside linebacker and tight end; and Aaron Wilson, a center.

There is another sophomore who is "the fastest kid in school," Wilson said. "I wanted him to move up and play running back, but he wanted to play receiver so he stayed down. We'll have him for the playoffs, if we make it there."

Another telltale about why Maxwell is "reloading" this fall is, of the 20 players on the varsity squad, "three have never played a down of football before," Wilson said. "That means we have just 17 players with football experience."

There are six returning players who will form the core of the Maxwell squad. Leading the way are John Davis, a senior offensive lineman and inside linebacker who was all-league last season, and Gerardo Parra, an all-league tight end as a junior last season who will be moved to running back.

Other key returnees include Shane Cabral, a senior lineman, Eddie Hernandez, a senior safety who will also play tailback, quarterback Jarrett Ottenwalter, who did not start as signal-caller but got some snaps, and senior Avyn Yang, a senior receiver/defensive back who brings quickness.

Among newcomers expected to contribute a lot are junior offensive lineman and defensive end Joe Miller, who missed most of last season with a knee injury, Charlie Garcia, a two-way lineman who will give the Panthers some size at 6-feet, 270 pounds, Alex Venegas, a slot receiver and defensive back who brings some speed, and Dorian Medina, a receiver and defensive end.

"I expect our defense to be our strength," Wilson said. "We are solid everywhere. We have a lot of guys who are very versatile and can play a lot of different positions."

Wilson said if the sophomores contribute as he anticipates, the Panthers should again contend for a league title.

"We just have to stay healthy," he added.

The Evergreen League has a new look to it in that Westwood, Dunsmuir and Greenville all dropped out, opting to play eight-man football, Wilson said. In their place are University Prep and Mercy.

Maxwell has a tough pre-league slate. The Panthers open against Portola, which Wilson said is expected to vie for the Division IV Section title. Following are Williams, a playoff team last season, Colusa, "which is a lot bigger school than us," and nemesis Fall River.

"It's going to be a real challenge," Wilson said. "If we can go .500 in those four games, I think we'll be in pretty good shape."

The Appeal-Democrat will preview Williams High on Tuesday, followed by Biggs on Wednesday.

MAXWELL HIGH PANTHERS

Head coach: Robert Wilson (8th year, 63-19)

Last year: 11-1; lost to Fall River in Northern Section Div. V championship game

League: Evergreen League

Key returners: John Davis, Sr., OL/ILB; Shane Cabral, Sr., G/DT; Gerardo Parra, Jr., RB; Eddie Hernandez, Sr., TB; Jarrett Ottenwalter, Sr., QB; Avyn Yang, Sr., WR/DB

Key newcomers: Joe Miller, Jr., OL/DE; Charlie Garcia, Jr., OL/DL; Dorian MEdina, Jr., WR/DE; Alex Venegas, Sr., WR/DB

Offense: Pro-set I

Defense: 4-4 basic

Strength: Defense; the Panthers are solid everywhere

Weakness: Inexperience; only 17 of 20 players on the team have played a down of football

Outlook: If the Panthers can go .500 in a their first four pre-league games, they should be all right and contend for another league title

2008 SCHEDULE

Date Opponent Time

Aug. 29 PORTOLA 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 5 WILLIAMS 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 12 at Colusa 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 19 at Fall River 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 26 at Stone Ridge 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 3 BYE

Oct. 10 ELLIOT CHR. 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 17 at Uni. Prep* 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 24 MERCY* 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 at Tulelake* 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 7 HAYFORK* 7:30 p.m.

* Evergreen League