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The Siloam Springs offense loses two All-State players from a year ago in quarterback Hunter Talley and of- fensive lineman Jace Sutulovich, along with All-Conference H-back/tight end Brendan Lashley. Talley had a remarkable season in 2021, rushing 185 times for 1,164 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also complet- ed 163 of 301 passes for 2,236 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Talley wound up signing as a preferred walk-on at the University of Arkansas, playing the tight end position. One of Talley's favorite targets was Lashley, who hauled in 64 receptions for 919 yards and eight touchdowns. And helping protect them on the of - fensive line was Sutulovich, who signed with the Air Force Academy. All three were starters since their sophomore years. It will be a new look on offense for the Panthers, who hit the reset button and will be counting on several sophomores during the 2022 season. Quarterback The Panthers will be turning to a sophomore at quarterback in young gunslinger Jackson Still. Still (5-foot-10, 158 pounds) led the ninth-grade team to a 5-5 record in the rugged Northwest Arkansas Conference last season, including a pair of wins over Fayetteville White. "He's very athletic and is able to make plays outside of the pocket," Craig said. "He runs the ball well, and overall he is a pretty good athlete. He was able to do a lot for our ninth-grade team through improvising or freelancing. He's able to extend plays. As an offense that's what you want, extend plays with mobility and athleticism outside the pocket." Still is still learning the playbook, Craig said, and there's a lot of mental work and film study involved. "As long as he stays focused and doesn't get frustrated he's going to have a chance to be a really good quarter - back," Craig said. Craig pointed out that it's important to remember Still is just one of many sophomores who will be playing varsity minutes. "We have to be patient," he said. "We've tried to be really patient this summer, have to remain patient and smart about his touches. We just have to do a good job of managing him and not letting him get too high or too low and helping him grow as a quarterback." Senior Nick Driscoll (5-11, 147), a starter at wide receiver and on defense, is the backup quarterback. Driscoll took lots of snaps at quarterback in the spring, but it was decided he could best help the Panthers playing elsewhere. "Nick is able to do multiple things for us, play inside or outside wide receiver, jump over and play defensive back," Craig said. "Lots of different abilities, lot of toughness and lot of leadership. Between him and Jackson, talking with Nick, he felt he could do more for our team in those positions than at quar - terback." If the Panthers go to a third quarter- back, sophomore Gio Flores (6-0, 163) would be the option. Flores will play multiple positions on offense, including slot receiver and running back. "There's things he can do that give us flexibility," Craig said. Sophomore Dane Marlatt (5-6, 147) should be the Panthers' junior varsity quarterback. Running back Junior Jed Derwin heads up the Panthers' running backs after rushing for 431 yards on 92 carries and scoring three touchdowns as a sophomore in 2021. 2022 Football Preview C2 n Wednesday, August 24, 2022 Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer 1 - Ronald Mancia 5 - Quinten Motsinger 10 - Cooper Church 16 - Anthony Sandoval 22 - Gio Flores 2 - Carlos Sandoval 6 - Jackson Still 11 - Dane Marlatt 17 - Jase Mackey 23 - Jed Derwin 3 - Silas Tugwell 7 - Brock Nall 12 - Noah Shipp 19 - Jonathon Graves 26 - Mikey McKinley 4 - Daxton Moody 8 - Nick Driscoll 15 - Carl Walters 20 - Uriel Paddila 27 - Caleb Noel By Graham Thomas Staff Writer n gthomas@nwaonline.com Youthful Panthers turn page on offense See OFFENSE on Page C4