2024 Preview: Lake City Panthers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lake City was dealt a devastating blow just a few weeks before the start of preseason camp in 2023. The team bus was involved in a crash returning from a camp at South Carolina State. Head Coach Ronnie Baker suffered the most serious injuries, costing him the entire season. Four players were also injured, leaving the team and the town to try to put things together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As expected, the results weren't what they desired. The Panthers limped home with a 4-7 record that included a first-round loss in the Class AAA playoffs. But the unwavering support was there, and leaders emerged among the tragedy.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“The kids have been working hard, showing up and making things happen, which is all we can ask,” coach Jamison Estep said. “The main thing is we're trying to keep our numbers together. We have some great leaders, and our young guys are coming along. That is creating some expectations after the events of last season that left our season short.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Linebackers <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013114' first='Antwain' last='Jones']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1253928' first='Torrance' last='Wilson']</strong> (pictured) were two of the injured players. Jones missed the entire 2023 season while Wilson rebounded to be the second leading tackler. Those two lead a group that should be a strength for Lake City this season. Throw <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254131' first='Messiah' last='Brayboy-Singletary']</strong> into the mix and the Panthers are loaded at linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The secondary will again be solid with the return of <strong>Shakeem Epps</strong>, <strong>Quez Witherspoon </strong>and all-around athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464893' first='Treshon' last='Burgess']</strong>. <strong>Conner Lane</strong> will be a key on the defensive line. <strong>Antonio Singletary</strong> will play on both the defensive and offensive lines. <strong>Rakeem McCray</strong> will also be counted on up front.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilson has liked what he's seen over the spring and summer workouts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We've tried to bring everybody together and make a family out of it,” Wilson said. “Last year was tough on everyone. This year, everybody is together like a family and working for one specific goal. We feel like we're getting back to where we want to be.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, the Panthers only return four starters so preseason camp will go a long way in determining several positions. <strong>Amari Hanna</strong> is back after a season of starting experience at quarterback. <strong>Blayne Edwards</strong>, another of the injured players in the bus accident, returns at receiver and Lane is back on the offensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Burgess was the second leading rusher last season with Wilson also contributing out of the backfield.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1254131' first='Messiah' last='Brayboy-Singletary'] </strong>LB, 2025 – The linebacker group should be a strength for the Panthers and Brayboy handles things in the middle well. He finished last season with 81 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1013114' first='Antwain' last='Jones']</strong> OLB/DE, 2025 – Jones is a big-time hitter that isn't afraid to get near the line of scrimmage to make plays. He's physical and can get into the backfield or drop back and provide coverage. He missed all of last season with injuries from the bus accident but is ready and eager to get going in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Conner Lane</strong> OL, 2025 – Lane is 6-foot-2, 295 pounds and pushes his away around on both lines of scrimmage. He plays guard on offense and he's adept at blocking straight ahead or getting out on the edges for a sweep play. He clogs the line on defense, freeing up a talented linebacker group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1253928' first='Torrance' last='Wilson']</strong> RB/LB, 2025 – Wilson is a ball of muscle and plays that way. He was the second leading tackler last season with 83 stops, 13 tackles for loss, two sacks and two fumble recoveries. He reads and reacts to plays quickly and has a burst in pursuit. He added 328 yards rushing and two touchdowns on offense. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464893' first='Treshon' last='Burgess'] </strong>ATH, 2025 – Burgess is the prototypical athlete who does a little bit of everything. Just looking at his stat line from last season backs that up. He finished with three special team touchdowns while adding 570 yards rushing with five TD's. Then he doubled down on that with 34 tackles, one interception and six pass breakups in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15155739/6544f6be578d2204746537b6' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ae28c9e0d67"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSS(es)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jeffrey McFadden </strong>– Jeffrey McFadden was the team's leading rusher with 647 yards and nine touchdowns. He also added a kick return for a score as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andre McFadden-Pressley</strong> – All Andre McFadden-Pressley did was create havoc. He finished with 104 tackles, 22 tackles for loss and three sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Antonio Singletary</strong> OL/DL, 2026 – Singletary is a spark plug at 5-foot-7, 235 pounds but he mixes it up and holds his ground against much bigger players. He will be counted this season on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"RJ Matthews","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"155","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lake City","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66ae28c9e32ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Matthews is going to factor into the secondary plans in 2024. He's 5-foot-10, 155 pounds with great coverage skills. He rotates his hips well and plays the short pass or can keep track with receivers on the deep ball as well. He will alos play wide receiver. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->