BY THE NUMBERS4 - Returning starters on offense, though the Panthers do benefit from a pair of key line transfers.27 - Major college football scholarship offers for Vonn Bell, rated one of the top safety prospects in the country by scouting services.31 - Combined wins last year for Ridgeland's first three opponents, including the opener with defending Class AA champion Calhoun.SCHEDULEAug. 31 at CalhounSep. 14 River RidgeSep. 21 CedartownSep. 28 at Pickens CountyOct. 5 Dalton*Oct. 12 at Southeast Whitfield*Oct. 19 at Northwest Whitfield*Oct. 26 LaFayette*Nov. 2 at Heritage*Nov. 9 7-AAAA play-in game* Region 7B-AAAA game
RIDGELAND PANTHERS
Coach: Mark Mariakis (52-36 in eight years here, 69-69 in 13 overall)
Stadium: Bowers and Painter Field
Address: 2478 Happy Valley Road, Rossville, GA 30741
RECENT HISTORY
The Panthers have made the GHSA playoffs six consecutive seasons and before last season had won three region championships in succession in Class AAA. The program has yet to advance past the second round of the playoffs. Here's a look at the regular-season win total the last five years:
2011 ------(6)
2010 ---------(9)
2009 ---------(9)
2008 --------(8)
2007 -------(7)
THREE STRENGTHS
1) Vonn Bell. The Panthers' senior receiver/safety is one of the premier game-changers in the country. Last season he scored on runs, receptions, special teams and defensively.
2) Led by Bell and running back Darryl Bridges, the Panthers will be able to out-athlete most teams this year. The coaching staff hopes once region play begins the new starters will add precision to their athletic ability and the Panthers will peak.
3) If the Panthers have a secret weapon it's kicker Evan Courtney, a three-year starter who's been through some tight games.
THREE CONCERNS
1) The lack of a reliable passing attack has hampered the Panthers in recent seasons when they play elite defenses, and the coaches are concentrating this summer on working with Trevor Long, who started the last half of last year.
2) The Panthers return one offensive line starter from a year ago, though Dade County transfer Gannon Hampton and East Ridge transfer Grady Matthews will help right away. Depth in the trenches is a problem.
3) As good as the Ridgeland skill players are, the team isn't equipped to deal with injuries in those areas.
THREE QUESTIONS WITH DANIEL JOHNSON
(Senior linebacker)
Q: Looking back to last year, how were you guys able to regroup from a slow start to have a good season, and how will that benefit you this year?
A: We had a bunch of newer kids last year and they didn't know the Ridgeland Panther way. We didn't really have a bunch of leaders, either. We came together after the Dalton game, and the juniors stepped up in leadership roles. That experience will benefit us going into this season.
Q: You have been a part of three consecutive playoff teams. Has that raised your expectation level, and if so, how much?
A: Most definitely. First, you're hungry for a playoff appearance. Then you want a region championship. We've been through those first two stages and now we're hungry for something bigger - a state championship or at least a [Georgia] Dome appearance. We're hungrier for that experience.
Q: Academics are a high priority for you. How do you juggle academics and athletics?
A: You've got to put academics first because you can only play football for so long, no matter how good you might be. With that being said, when you're not doing academics you've got to focus on athletics. If you're going to do something, as my dad said, you've got to do it right. Give it your all and there will be no regrets.
ROSTER
2 Sharone Porter - Senior
3 Trevor Long - Senior
4 Tracy Miller - Junior
5 Evan Courtney - Senior
6 Bradley Stailey Junior
7 Vonn Bell Senior
8 Dillon Peterman Junior
10 Darrell Bridges Senior
11 Hunter Kaufhold Junior
13 Austin Bowen Sophomore
14 Jacob Russell Sophomore
15 Shaqualm McCoy Senior
16 Devartay Turner Freshman
17 Trey Stubbs Junior
18 Tarian Bridges Freshman
19 TristinBethune Freshman
20 Trevor Mcclure Junior
21 Caderius Word Freshman
22 Zach Weathers Sophomore
23 Dayton Jackson Senior
24 Nate Strickland Freshman
25 Terry Bell Freshman
26 Marquise Bryant Junior
27 Joshua Bess Freshman
28 Noah Cooper Junior
29 Shaun Sryock Junior
30 Jeremy Masley Freshman
31 David Peterman Freshman
32 Josh Smith Sophomore
33 Chase Crawford Sophomore
34 D.J. Chesney Sophomore
35 Dustin Peterman Freshman
36 Jordon Bentley Sophomore
37 Jamie Berry Freshman
38 Ian Hayes Sophomore
39 Chandler Carver Freshman
40 Tyrell Smith Senior
41 Kory Pearson Freshman
42 Larry Turner Sophomore
43 George Johnson Junior
45 Cody Davis Senior
46 Jerome Smith Junior
47 Josh Masley Junior
48 Alex Williams Junior
49 Nathan Morgan Freshman
50 Gannon Hampton Senior
51 Troy Minchew Senior
52 Sam Cobb Sophomore
53 Malik Couch Junior
54 Noah Nelson Junior
55 Daniel Johnson Senior
56 Cody Wilbanks Senior
57 Jacob Byrd Sophomore
58 PJ Gardner Sophomore
59 Josh Skates Junior
60 Damian Moore Sophomore
61 Dakota Pace Sophomore
62 Adam Davis Freshman
63 Justin Allen Freshman
64 Hunter Shirley Junior
65 Tre Daniels Junior
66 Dustin Davis Senior
67 Justin Bess Freshman
68 Mason Low Junior
69 Cameron McGill Freshman
70 J.D. Defrieze Junior
71 Grady Matthews Senior
72 Kasey O'Shields Freshman
73 Hunter Presnell Junior
74 Zack Robertson Sophomore
75 Brett Byrd Junior
76 Joby Pickett Freshman
77 Stephen Hurst Freshman
78 Austin Burns Junior
79 Michael Trew Sophomore
80 Samuel Akins Freshman
81 Eric Perry Junior
82 Sam Hutchinson Junior
83 Tyler Collis Sophomore
84 Justin Whitecotton Junior
85 Will Boydsten Freshman
86 Gannon Harris Senior
90 Brandon Poteet Freshman
91 Michael Baxter Freshman
92 Stephen Byrd Freshman
93 Jermane Conyers Junior
94 Justin Bolton Sophomore
95 Garrett Brown Freshman
96 Akil Bentley Sophomore
97 Logan Wattenburger Freshman
98 Tim Graham Freshman