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2017 Football Preview 8 n Wednesday, August 23, 2017 The Herald-Leader/Westside Eagle Observer Knudsen will rotate in on defense, but "we can't afford to lose him on offense," Ross said. At the right tackle position is senior Jackson Knight (6-3, 298), who has come on strong in the offseason. Knight didn't play as a sophomore two years ago, but came back out last year. "He's worked hard to get his feet quicker," Ross said. "He's got great size. If he gets his hands on you, he'll get you blocked. He needs to keep improving his footwork. We've all got things we've got to get better at, but he's proven he wants to play." The Panthers don't have a lot of depth in the trenches but they like the guys they do have. Alejandro Munoz (5-10, 194) can play a guard position. "He's undersized, but he has stayed with us and we like his work ethic," Ross said. "He's a kid that we love to have around." Junior Isaiah Molina (5-9, 217) also helps at guard, while Dakota Leroy will play some at tackle. Sophomore Marco Salcedo (5-4, 299) helps at center, and then there's sophomore Andrew Gutierrez (6-4, 373), who backs up at left tackle. "Andrew Gutierrez is the biggest hu - man I have ever coached," Ross said. "He's making improvements. He's going to be able to help us. He's got to get quicker feet, but when he gets on you in the run game it's hard to get off of him. He's improving every day." OFFENSE Continued from Page 7 Bryan Ross Head coach/ offensive coordinator Jonathan Johnson Offensive line/ head ninth grade Henry Janes Wide receivers Dwain Pippin Co-defensive coordinator D-line/assist. ninth-grade Robert Staggs Running backs & tight ends /assistant eighth grade Tony Coffey Co-defensive coordinator/ inside linebackers Cole Harriman Secondary/ head eighth grade Ehldane Labitad Outside linebackers/ assistant ninth grade Drew England Volunteer assistant Dalton Coffey Volunteer assistant Panthers, coaches adjusting on defense Siloam Springs' defense gave up an average of 410 yards and 43.3 points per game in 2016. Heading into 2017, the Panthers have had several changes on the defensive side of the ball, mainly on the coaching staff. Marc Jones, who was defensive coordinator the last three seasons, suf - fered a stroke in March and is currently out on medical leave while he recovers. Defensive line coach Jeff Bowerman took over as defensive coordinator in the spring, but he left after spring ball to join Billy Dawson's staff at Fayette- ville, and secondary coach Houston Pruitt is no longer in the district. The Panthers' administration was quick to address the coaching situation and made several hires in June. Siloam Springs hired former Green Forest assistant coach Tony Coffey to coach linebackers and be co-defensive coordinator along with Dwain Pippin, who is moving back to the defensive side of the ball to coach the defensive line. Pippin was defensive line coach for several years before moving to the offensive backs when Bowerman was hired in 2015. He's also been defensive coordinator before, too. Cole Harriman, the son of former Siloam Springs head coach Ken Har - riman (1998, 1999) was hired to coach the secondary. With the change in personnel hap- pening so late in the spring, the Pan- thers have tried to keep Jones' defen- sive system in place for the most part. "Obviously we've had to make some changes, but we've tried to keep as much of it as possible," Ross said. "We want to make it as simple for the kids as possible. So much on defense is being able to react to what the offense is do - ing. If you're having to think too much, it can be difficult. Hopefully that will allow us to play fast." The Panthers will operate out of a three-man defensive front, which is what they've done the last several years. "This year we've really committed to going all out to the odd front," Ross said. "We think it will help us with our personnel. Plus teams that see a lot of spread (offense), more and more of them are going to an odd front because it's easier to adjust to a spread. It takes a lineman off the field and gets another skill player on there. Obviously, that helps. We think it's in our best interest with the new coaches; they've got a background in it. I think it's a good fit for us." Defensive line Adversity struck the Panthers' de- fensive line before the season's even begun. Senior captain Kameron Greenlee, who is penciled in to start at nose guard, was injured in a fireworks accident early in August. The injury required the amputation of his pinkie finger on his right hand and a rod to be placed in his ring finger. Ross said Greenlee (5-foot-10, 265) is expected to miss about six weeks from the time of the accident. "He had worked really hard and looked good so far," Ross said. "Hope - fully when he gets back he'll be ready to go." Junior Corbin Collins (6-2, 273) and senior Isaac Knudsen (6-2, 237) will both rotate in and out on the defensive line at the outside tackle positions. Both start on the offensive line and their priority will be on offense. "The biggest thing with Collins and Knudsen playing offense is that we're going to have to get them some rest," Ross said. "Coach Pipp does a good job of rotating those guys in and out." Collins recorded 69 assisted tackles and 13 solo tackles and five tackles for loss last season. "Collins is a huge kid that moves well," Ross said. "That's what you want on either side of the ball. I just wish we had a few more like him. By Graham Thomas Staff Writer n gthomas@nwadg.com See DEFENSE on Page 20