PRZNY Team Previews: Sweet Home Panthers

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Last Season (6-3)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sweet Home took a major leap forward in 2023 after going 2-7 in 2022. Following a successful regular season where The Panthers went 6-2, they were upset in the first round of the Sectional Playoffs by West Seneca West.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Top Prospect</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["527730"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a1eb2ae8d76"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I have [player_tooltip player_id='527730' first='Rocco' last='Panepinto'] pegged as the #2 QB in WNY. His 6'4 frame and incredible athletic ability makes him a force. He has excellent poise in the pocket to deliver a strike or he can roll out and throw on the run. He is a leader and will be an essential part of Sweet Home's success in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Three X-Factors</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["806358"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1347683,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a1eb2ae8de8"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='806358' first='Nyzere' last='Richardson'] is heading back to to where it all started. A transfer from Canisius High School, Richardson is a playmaking Safety with excellent intuition that will give the Panthers Defense an extra spark. Nyzere has already received collegiate offers so a big senior year will go a long way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["648809"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1347685,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a1eb2ae8e5c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another transfer, [player_tooltip player_id='648809' first='Damari' last='Yancey'] is a quick and elusive utility player. He gives Sweet Home that electrifying dynamic on offense. He can play WR and be that stud target for Panepinto or he can line up in the backfield and be a great compliment to starting RB, [player_tooltip player_id='1283620' first='Daquan' last='Stone']. This is a player that can be moved around and used in several different packages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1283620"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1347687,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a1eb2ae8eae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Not too often in High School are you going to have to go up against a 6'2 220 lb. Running Back. But that is what Sweet Home has in [player_tooltip player_id='1283620' first='Daquan' last='Stone']. He is a big, bruising back with deceptive speed. Stone's presence will be crucial in controlling the game and taking the pressure off of the passing attack.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Breakout Player</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["606268"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66a1eb2ae8eee"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Still yet to play in a varsity game, [player_tooltip player_id='606268' first='Jajuan' last='Williams'] is an excellent candidate to breakout this season. He has sound technique and plays the Cornerback position well. He is fast and has a high football IQ. 2024 will show if his JV success will transfer to Varsity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Names to Know</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"hasFixedLayout":false} --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><thead><tr><th>Position</th><th>Player</th><th>Class</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>ATH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='806352' first='Niear' last='Patterson']</td><td>2025</td><td>Phenomenal Kick/Punt Returner last season that may emerge as a top passing target in 2024</td></tr><tr><td>DB</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1344772' first='Quinten' last='Wilhelm']</td><td>2026</td><td>A quintessential Strong Safety with good instincts and physical play</td></tr><tr><td>DL</td><td>Kahlik Mellerson</td><td>2025</td><td>A high motor D Lineman that recorded 59 tackles as a junior</td></tr><tr><td>DL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1364035' first='Alexander' last='Bacon']</td><td>2027</td><td>Standing at 6'4 as a freshmen, Bacon is a prototypical DE that can make an impact this season </td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1513373' first='Jaylen' last='Hawkins']</td><td>2027</td><td>A Breakout player candidate, Hawkins is an incredibly fast corner that can play the run as well as the pass</td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>Mitchell Shiel</td><td>2026</td><td>A two-way starter on JV last season, Shiel is a lineman to watch out for</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Key Losses</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>LB</td><td>Nakir Kirkland</td><td>Gannon</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>Ilias Day</td><td>St. John Fisher</td></tr><tr><td>WR</td><td>Steven Butler</td><td>Prep School - Leading receiver</td></tr><tr><td>LB</td><td>Jon Jones</td><td>Erie Community College - Leading tackler</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>Hakim Williams</td><td>Versatile playmaker at WR &amp; DB</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Schedule</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":1347689,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Sweet-Home-2024-Schedule.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1347689" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Outlook</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Head Coach:</strong> <strong>Jeremy Zimmer</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sweet Home lost two regular season games last year and both of those teams are on their 2024 schedule. The first is their home opener against Orchard Park. Last season's barn burner saw Sweet Home lose 43-35, despite big outings by [player_tooltip player_id='527730' first='Rocco' last='Panepinto'] who accumulated 293 yards of offense and 3 TDs and [player_tooltip player_id='1283620' first='Daquan' last='Stone'] who had a 100 yards rushing and 1 TD. This game will be "Must-See TV." Another game Sweet Home will be looking to get retribution for will be October 18th at home Vs Starpoint. A game where nothing seemed to go right for them. The Panthers will be looking to right those wrongs this year. The rest of their schedule are against teams they had relative success with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>3 Things Going For The&nbsp;</strong>Panthers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A highly rated QB in [player_tooltip player_id='527730' first='Rocco' last='Panepinto'] (Ranked 13th in NYS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The additions of [player_tooltip player_id='806358' first='Nyzere' last='Richardson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='648809' first='Damari' last='Yancey'] will make Sweet Home very tough to game plan for</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sweet Home has extraordinary playmakers. Aside from Richardson and Yancey, the rising stars of [player_tooltip player_id='606268' first='Jajuan' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='806352' first='Niear' last='Patterson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1513373' first='Jaylen' last='Hawkins'] will allow the Panthers to put points on the board</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>1 Area of Concern</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebackers. The loss of Jon Jones and Nakir Kirkland can be detrimental if the Panthers can't find replacements. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Last Word</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 1 will be a great indicator of how their season will go. If Sweet Home beats Orchard Park, it will be a statement game and will put Class A on notice. That game aside, I really like Sweet Home's chances this season to not only make the playoffs but go far. They have excellent weapons and a top-tier QB. Their young up-and-coming Class of '26 and '27 players are some of the best in Section VI.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->