2021 Team Preview: Gadsden Panthers

<strong>Gadsden 2021 Preview</strong> Head Coach: Dino Facio Jr. Mascot: Panthers Twitter: @GadsdenPanthers, @CoachFacio Colors: Maroon, Gold Enrollment: 1,471 (Independent) Spring Record: 0-3 Key Players: QB [player_tooltip player_id="138076" first="Tomas" last="Herrera"], RB Ricardo Rodriguez, RB Alvaro Vargas, DB Esteban Mercado, DB Kenny Parra, LB Aaron Flores. Breakout Star: QB [player_tooltip player_id="138076" first="Tomas" last="Herrera"] Overview: Gadsden will rely heavily on junior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138076" first="Tomas" last="Herrera"]</strong>, who started two of the three spring games as a sophomore. He’s a dual threat QB that led the Panthers in rushing during the spring by a wide margin, averaging 13.1 yards per carry (353 yards and 5 TD on 27 attempts). Senior <strong>Yahir Lopez</strong> could also see action at QB. The Panthers feature a talented group of running backs led by returning seniors <strong>Ricardo Rodriguez</strong> and <strong>Alvaro Vargas</strong>, so they should be able to run the football with success. Defensive backs <strong>Esteban Mercado</strong> and <strong>Kenny Parra</strong>, both returning starters, spearhead the defense. Linebacker <strong>Aaron Flores</strong> returns after opting out of the spring season. Schedule: Gadsden opens its 9-game independent schedule Friday night at San Elizario, Tex. It’s the first of four road contests to start the season. However, the Panthers play four of their final five games at home, including Alamogordo and Organ Mountain. Gadsden plays 9 straight weeks and ends its season Oct. 8. Aug. 13 at San Elizario (TX) Aug. 20 at Deming Aug. 27 at Chaparral Sept. 3 at Santa Teresa Sept. 10 CLINT (TX) Sept. 17 ALAMOGORDO Sept. 24 HOT SPRINGS Oct. 1 at Lovington Oct. 8 ORGAN MOUNTAIN Top Storyline: How will Gadsden fare as an independent in 2021? Final Thoughts: After years of lopsided losses to the Las Cruces schools in district play, Gadsden decided to go independent for the 2021 season. So, this is sort of a transition year for the Panthers. They expect to move to Class 5A when realignment for 2022-23 and 2023-24 is announced in December. The Panthers have pieced together a very manageable schedule and should be able to win some games. Coach’s Comments: “I’m excited to get our kids out there to compete and play and get a full season. . .We have some athletes. But because of the program’s lack of success over the last 15 years, few people know very much about them. We have some boys who can play. And sometimes they have to play both ways. . .[player_tooltip player_id="138076" first="Tomas" last="Herrera"] is an athlete. He has a few D1 eyes on him. He can do quite a few things for us. I’m excited to see what he puts on display this fall. It will be fun to see him continue to mature and grow and showcase  his skills. And Yasir is just as good. It’s nice to have a two-headed monster at quarterback. Teams won’t know which way we’ll go. We have to make the most of what they are able to do for us. . .We definitely have to throw the football better. We have some good skill guys on the outside, so we have to get the ball in their hands and find ways to make it happen. It will open things up across the board. . .Getting Aaron Flores back will bring some toughness to our defense.” -- Dino Facio. https://twitter.com/DDSPORTSPHOTO/status/1424090752615911427 https://twitter.com/GadsdenPanthers/status/1423335477713809414