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2019 Football Preview 22C n Wednesday, August 28, 2019 Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer "For us, pressure and movement are going to be a big thing because we're better at moving and tackling in space," Craig said. "We'll be a lot like we were at the end of the year last year. We'll be a three-man front, but we've got a couple of kids that are hy- brid-type kids that can put their hand on the ground." The Panthers must replace All-Con- ference linebackers Chase Chandler and Matt Avery and All-Conference defensive back Primo Agbehi. Defensive line With coach Dwain Pippin moving to the junior high staff, Craig takes over the assignment of working with the defensive line, and he'll have a good group to start with there. "We have some really good kids there," Craig said. Senior defensive end Kolby Fesler (6-3, 254) has made big strides in the offseason, Craig said. Fesler had 27 total tackles, five sacks and two fumble recoveries in 2018. "He's gotten a lot bigger, moves really well," Craig said. "He's got a motor and is being looked at by several colleges. As long as he stays healthy he's going to be a big impact player for us." Jordan Stewart (6-1, 215), sopho- more Sheldon Wilson (5-11, 211) and senior Dustin Mitchell (5-9, 215) also are getting looks at defensive end. Junior Hunter Dorsey (6-0, 184) has made strides at nose guard. "He's gotten himself in good playing shape and moves a lot better," Craig said. "He's really coming along as a defensive lineman." Sophomore J.P. Wills (5-7, 219) will get action at nose guard as well as Har- rison Mehlburger (5-10, 177) and soph- omore Adam Ballesteros (5-6, 200). "J.P. Wills is a sophomore that has shown some signs and he'll get some playing time," Craig said. "He's a real strong kid, loves football, works real- ly hard, has great attitude and effort every day. I love the way he goes at it every day." Senior Mariano Dominguez (6-0, 255) will start at defensive tackle and is the heart and soul of the Panthers' defense. Dominguez is a three-year starter since he was a sophomore. "I can't say enough good things about Mariano," Craig said. "He's a leader on and off the field. A lot of kids look to him. He has an outstanding motor, plays with a lot of energy. Just a great kid to coach." Dominguez had 25 total tackles and one sack last year. Juniors Asa Mojica-Loftin (5-11, 219), Jonah Blossom (5-6, 201), Walter Cor - tez (5-8, 185) and sophomore Anthony Tanner (5-5, 146) are also getting looks at defensive tackle. Outside linebackers The Panthers can morph into a four- man front with their LEO position, which isn't exactly a lineman or a line- backer spot. Senior Levi Masters (6-0, 202) works that spot for the Panthers. "(Masters) is another guy that's worked extremely hard in the offsea- son," Craig said. Sophomore Hunter Talley (6-3, 206) also plays the LEO as does sophomore Justus Locke (5-10, 196) and sopho- more Quintin Wilkie (5-10, 186). Thad Wright (5-11, 218), who is injured, could be an option there later in the season. The Panthers can employ a Nickel LEO in passing situations. Senior Jose Valencia (5-6, 182) has limited varsity experience but has helped on special teams and the Pan - thers are hoping he can step up. "He's put a lot of time and effort in," Craig said of Valencia. "He's going to be a good player for us." The SAM (strongside) linebacker will be junior Camden Collins (6-2, 174), who was named to the Arkansas Dem - ocrat-Gazette All-Sophomore Team last year after recording 73 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, four sacks and three interceptions. "We knew (Collins) was going to be a good football player," Craig said. "He turned out to be a great football player. He's a prospect. He's a kid people are looking at. We just expect another great season from Cam." Sophomores Ty Lewis (5-10, 156) and Tyler Johnson (5-8, 157) are getting looks at the SAM. The Panthers could also use Valencia there. Inside linebackers With the graduation of the thump- ers, Matt Avery and Chase Chandler, junior Keondrea Westbrook (5-10, 261) moved from defensive line to lineback- er out of necessity. He'll play the MIKE (middle) linebacker spot. "We're real thin at middle linebacker so we moved him there," Craig said. "He's an athlete that has a nose for the football. He moves really well for a big guy." Senior Esquin Bocanegra (5-9, 187) will man the WILL (weakside). Bo - canegra has limited varsity experience but got lots of reps at team camp and in 7-on-7. Sophomore Caden McHaney (5-8, 186) can back up at both positions. "He's a sophomore who loves foot - ball," Craig said. "He shows up every day and works hard. He's got a good football brain." Sophomores Brendan Lashley (5-11, 187) and Zach Hull (5-5, 169) also work at the inside linebacker spots. Cornerback The Panthers will play two corner- backs, a field corner and a boundary corner. Senior Armando Munoz (5-7, 161), who plays field corner, has been a standout. "He's a kid that's really bought into the offseason," Craig said. "He's one of the strongest kids in the room. He's 160 pounds, but he can throw around weight. I think he's going to do a great job this season. We want him to." Senior Oren Stafford (6-2, 179), who also plays wide receiver, is among the other top corners. "Oren's a kid who is long and lean and can really run well," Craig said. "He's really pushed himself to be the best he can be physically. We're excited to see him get an opportunity to get on the field and do something for us." Juniors Palvinson Phizema (5-6, 135), Gavin Henson (5-9, 128), A.J. Arriaga (5-8, 162) senior Chase Mills are all working at corner along with sophomore Malachi Taylor (6-0, 136). Safety The Panthers will deploy two safeties to patrol the middle of the field. Junior Elijah Coffey (5-9, 145) plays the bandit position, which is like the quarterback of the defense. "He's going to get everybody lined up and help in run defense." Coffey started on defense as a soph - omore last year and did a good job, Craig said. "He has a good feel for the position and a good nose for the football," he said. "Last year he was a corner and we're hoping he can play bandit and stay healthy." Senior Tate Criner (5-10, 150), soph - omore Jake McDaniel (5-8, 141) and junior Zane Bland (5-9, 168) also work at bandit. Junior Keegan Soucie (6-1, 173) mans the free safety spot. "Keegan has really had a great sum - mer," Craig said. "When you see him out there, he looks like a true free safe- ty. He's a long, tall kid that can run and go get the football. We're hoping to see great things out of him." Sophomore Christian Ledeker (5-9, 170) also plays free safety. The Panthers can also turn to senior Jackson Nor - berg (6-1, 173), who had 69 total tack- les at free safety last year, but they are hoping to use him mostly on defense. Special teams On special teams, the Panthers re- turn senior Harrison Losh, who took over the placekicking duties in the third week of the season after Chris- tian Marroquin went down with a foot injury. Losh went on to convert all 20 of his extra point attempts and hit two field goals in three tries. He also handled the kickoff duties. "Harry is going to be a deep threat as far as kicking the ball," Craig said. "He's gained a lot of strength. He's going to have a breakout year as a kicker and punter." Keondre Westbrook also showed the ability to place kick, hitting nine of nine PATs. Tate Criner and Elijah Coffey are the likely holders for PATs and field goals. The Panthers lost punter Colin Evers after he moved out of state in the spring. Evers averaged more than 42 yards per punt on 21 punt attempts. Pool will be the primary punter, while Losh and Christian Ledeker may get some opportunities to punt. Marco Salcedo, Jace Sutulovich, Kolby Fesler and Judd Kelly have been working at deep snapper. Kick return could be Gage Weaver, Chase Mills and Coffey, and Coffey also is the most experienced punt returner. DEFENSE Continued from Page 9C