2025 Preview: Pelion Panthers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Football has not gone very well for the Pelion Panthers over the last several seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With just one season above .500 in the last ten years, change was much needed and first year head coach Cory Helms is hoping to bring that.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I've been pleased with what I've seen so far this offseason," Helms said. "With this being my first year here, I didn't really know what to expect and these guys here have been leaders since day one of the offseason and we're really looking to change the narrative."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those leaders Helms spoke of are senior safety <strong>Taylor Jackson</strong>, senior defensive end <strong>Ben Stabler</strong> and junior linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1618829' first='Brady' last='Cottingham']</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"These guys have been great. We throw a lot of stuff at them and demand a lot, and they've really stepped up to the challenge and showed me their character and how much this means to them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the recent struggles, the players know that something has to change and according to Jackson (pictured above), a positive attitude goes a long way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I say the attitude in the locker room," Jackson said when asked what is being preached to the guys. "Guys are lifting each other up instead of tearing each other down and that's helped improve the work ethic."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Stabler and Cottingham, it's getting locked in not only on the field, but in the weight room as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Everybody has been grinding in there," Stabler said. "The reps are meaningful, and coach has us taking every rep serious and looking to get better every single day."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Said Cottingham: "We're going in the right direction, but we still have a way to go, and we understand that and are looking forward to the challenge."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The one message that Helms is really pushing across to his players is crystal clear and is understood perfectly by his group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Don't be like the old Pelion," Helms said. "We are capable of winning games and that is exactly how we change the narrative around Pelion football."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyshawn Caldwell</strong> WR/CB, 2026 - Caldwell is an all-around playmaker. Helms talked his speed along with his instincts and ability to make a play on the ball. Offensively, he should be one of the top two targets for quarterback Alan Moore and those two should have quite the connection throughout the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daniel Adkins</strong> TE/FS, 2026 - Adkins is a rare combo of tight end and safety, but he does both exceptionally well. He's big and physical at tight end and that translates over to the defensive side of the ball. He can also slide in and play receiver when he needed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1708197' first='Jai' last='Chuniesingh']</strong> WR/SS, 2026 - If the previously mentioned Caldwell isn't the leading receiver for Pelion this season, it will surely be Chuniesingh. He can absolutely fly and will undoubtedly be the biggest deep ball threat on offense this season. His speed translates over to defense, and it would not be surprising to see him house a couple of interceptions during the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ben Stabler</strong> DE, 2027 - Stabler may very well be the best player on the Pelion defense. He's physical and very quick for someone of his stature (6-foot-3, 235 pounds). He's explosive off the ball and can turn a game upside down with a forced fumble or strip sack in the backfield.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alan Moore</strong> QB, 2027 - Moore will enter his second season under center for Pelion and he is set for a big year. With good blocking up front and time to throw, Moore could very easily have one of the best seasons across the state. He can also use his legs when needed and is a threat in the ground game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16606714/67259b3ffd10be7e12ee15d1' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-688260ac50e4a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Michael Cottrell </strong>- Cottrell was a workhorse at both running back and linebacker last season. He was a true bruiser coming out of the backfield and he ran the ball hard and physical every time he touched it.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaleb James</strong> - James was a huge part of both the offensive and defensive line last season. His production and leadership on both sides of the ball will be extremely hard to replace.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tre Jackson</strong> RB, 2028 - Jackson will enter his sophomore season as the starter at running back and Helms has full confidence in him. He praised his work ethic and his ability to gather information and retain it. Helms believes that Jackson will have an excellent sophomore season and 1,000-plus yards is not unreasonable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Raymond Nelson</strong> RB/OLB, 2028 - Another member of the running back room, Nelson is also only a sophomore, but he will compliment Jackson nicely. Defensively, he will fill in at linebacker when needed and is more than capable of producing there as well.</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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1818888' first='Masyn' last='Wingard']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Pelion","_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-688280d65f9af"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wingard is another strong and physical member of Pelion that is going to play both sides of the ball. Defensively, he can go sideline to sideline in pursuit of the ball. Offensively, he will be a threat in the receiving game as well as being a key part of the run game with his blocking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->