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2020 Football Preview 2C n Wednesday, August 26, 2020 Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer Offense must replace lots of production By Graham Thomas Staff Writer n gthomas@nwadg.com Replacing key players on offense is a challenge any season, but this is espe- cially true for Siloam Springs in 2020. The Panthers lost nearly 90 percent of their 3,841 yards gained from scrim- mage in 2019 to graduation, which in- cludes key production at quarterback, running back and wide receiver. The good news for the Panthers is they return three starters on the of- fensive line and hope to use that expe- rience to their advantage this season. Head coach and playcaller Brandon Craig admits the Panthers don't have a lot of varsity experience at the skill positions. "We played those kids in JV and they have some experience as far as know- ing the offense and what it looks like," Craig said. "I think we have a good core of kids." Quarterback Hunter Talley spent his 2019 season in a productive role for both the varsity and junior varsity teams, but in much different capacities. Talley was the quarterback of the JV team, but on Friday nights he played the Leo linebacker spot on defense and had a productive sophomore sea- son for the Panthers. Now a junior, Talley takes the reins of the Panthers' varsity offense, which means his defensive days are coming to an end. Talley (6-4, 212) has all the physical and mental tools to play the position, his coach says. "Hunter Talley is a very smart kid who understands the playbook ex- tremely well," Craig said. "Right now it just comes down to being able to execute the offense in a game-like situation. He got some varsity reps at quarterback, which will help make things slow down a little bit. It just comes down to getting that game ex- perience." Talley completed 3 of 6 passes for 28 yards last season. He also rushed 10 times for 45 yards and a touchdown. Prior to joining the high school team, Talley also quarterbacked the freshman team in 2018, which had a successful season in the rugged North- west Arkansas Conference. "He's shown a lot of toughness and leadership in the last year, two years as ninth-grade and JV quarterback," Craig said. "The thing about Hunter is he wants to win. He doesn't just want to play, he wants to win. You've got to have that mentality at the quarterback position." Sophomore Andrew Pilcher (5-9, 192) is getting reps at quarterback. "He's had a really exciting fall camp because he's battled injuries (the last couple of years)," Craig said. "Finally it looks like he's healthy and strong. He's got himself in great shape. His arm's coming around. He's digesting the offense and starting to learn it. He's a kid that continues to push Hunter and makes Hunter better in the long run." Senior wide receiver Gavin Henson, who got reps at quarterback as a soph- omore and junior, junior wide receiv- er/defensive back Christian Ledeker and senior running back/linebacker Camden Collins also could play quar- terback in an emergency situation. Running back The Panthers found their greatest offensive success running the football Siloam Springs Panthers 2020 schedule Date Opponent Time Aug. 28 Rogers 7 p.m. Sept. 4 at Pea Ridge 7 p.m. Sept. 11 Harrison 7 p.m. Sept. 25 Van Buren* 7 p.m. Oct. 2 at Benton* 7 p.m. Oct. 9 Greenwood* 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at Lake Hamilton* 7 p.m. Oct. 23 Mountain Home* 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at LR Parkview* 7 p.m. Nov. 6 at Russellville* 7 p.m. *6A-West Conference game 1 • Ronald Mancia Sophomore 3 • Gavin Henson Senior 4 • Daxton Moody Sophomore 5 • Camden Collins Senior 6 • A.J. Arriaga Senior 7 • Elijah Coffey Senior 8 • Nick Driscoll Sophomore 10 • Andrew Pilcher Sophomore 11 • Zach Gunneman Junior 12 - Christian Ledeker Junior 14 • Hunter Talley Junior 16 • Nathan Lee Senior 17 • Jace Mackey Sophomore 18 • Patrick Church Junior 19 • Jonathon Graves Sophomore 22 • Palvinson Phizema Senior 23 • Ayden Paroski Senor 24 • Keegan Soucie Senior 25 • David Gowin Junior 26 • Jaiden Allgood Senior See SILOAM OFFENSE on Page 4C