2025 Team Preview: South Medford Panthers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The South Medford Panthers enter the 2025 campaign with plenty of experience, stability, and a legendary leader at the helm. Head coach Bill Singler, now in his 28th season guiding the program, has built South Medford into one of the most consistent contenders in southern Oregon. The Panthers are coming off an 8-5 season, highlighted by a run to the Alternate State Championship (formerly the Columbia Cup), where they fell to crosstown rival North Medford. Despite that loss, Singler believes the foundation has been laid for another strong year: “Our expectations are to compete for a conference championship and take each game one at a time; hopefully improving each and every week. Then reset after the regular season and hopefully make some sort of playoff run,” he said.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Medford has been busy preparing to meet those expectations. The Panthers' offseason has been marked by steady growth and intense competition. “The offseason has gone well,” Singler shared. “Lifting and conditioning in the winter and spring, spring practices in June culminating with a five-team camp with North Medford, Crater, Summit and Thurston. July was mostly lifting/conditioning with some 7-on-7 and line drills.” The structure and consistency reflect the culture Singler has long established, and his players have responded by building chemistry and sharpening fundamentals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers will need to overcome the loss of several key all-conference players, particularly in the trenches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>The Panthers All-Conference Departures:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>RB <strong>Bridger Foss </strong>- 2nd Team</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>OL <strong>Brody McHenry</strong> - 2nd Team</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>LB <strong>Dasan Jackson </strong>- 2nd Team</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>DB <strong>Michael Duclos </strong>- 2nd Team</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>OL <strong>Jesus Flores </strong>- Honorable Mention</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>OL <strong>Andres Rojas-Cortez </strong>- Honorable Mention</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>OL <strong>Jacob Dalton </strong>- Honorable Mention</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>OL <strong>Landon Hull </strong>- Honorable Mention</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>DL <strong>Grady McQuillan </strong>- Honorable Mention</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>LB <strong>J.T. Dalton </strong>- Honorable Mention</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>DB <strong>Ajani Ingram </strong>- Honorable Mention</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Here are 6 Key Panthers to Watch in 2025 from Coach Singler:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["770005"],"_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-68ae127261e1f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Senior quarterback Brown returns as the centerpiece of South Medford's offense. At 6'1, 190, Brown is a true dual-threat who earned Second Team All-SCC honors a season ago. He rushed for 440 yards and scored 8 touchdowns with his legs, and his ability to extend plays will be key for the Panthers' success. Coach Singler believes Brown's experience and versatility give the offense a significant boost: “Makana is going into his senior year with great confidence. He can hurt defenses with both his arm and his legs.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1286959"],"_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-68ae127261e7b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In the backfield, Lefebvre will once again shoulder the load after an outstanding junior campaign. The 180-pound senior rushed for 1,125 yards and 12 touchdowns last season, earning Second Team All-SCC honors. Singler praised his consistency and toughness, saying, “Kellen has been a workhorse for us. He can grind out yards but also has the explosiveness to break a big run.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1345259"],"_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-68ae127261ec1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another senior leader is Boyd, who brings physicality on both sides of the ball. At 5'10, 205, Boyd is a downhill runner and a force at linebacker, where he led the Team in tackles as a junior and earned Honorable Mention all-conference recognition. Singler called him “a tough, physical football player who sets the tone for our defense.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1585706"],"_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-68ae127261f0e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In the trenches, De La Torre is as tough as they come. The 5'11, 260-pound senior is fresh off winning the 6A state heavyweight wrestling championship, and that power translates directly to the football field. Singler highlighted his physicality, noting, “Isa is one of the strongest kids in our league. He brings an edge to both sides of the line.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Jaeden Thonstad","_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":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"175","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2442","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"South Medford","_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-68ae127261fb4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Special teams will be a major weapon for South Medford with Thonstad returning. At 6'3, 175, the senior kicker/punter averaged 38 yards per punt last season and converted 6 of his 7 field goal attempts, earning Second Team All-SCC honors. “Jaeden gives us a huge advantage,” said Singler. “He flips the field with his leg and has been very consistent in pressure situations.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- 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":"Jedi Robertson","_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":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"260","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"South Medford","_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-68ae12726203f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Finally, Robertson is set to be one of the top linemen in the South Central Conference. At 6'2, 260, Robertson brings size, toughness, and leadership up front. Singler was clear about his value: “Jedi will be a top lineman in our league. He has the experience and the strength to control the line of scrimmage.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a veteran core and proven leadership, the South Medford Panthers enter 2025 confident in their ability to contend in the South Central Conference. While they'll need to replace several all-conference performers, the return of playmakers like Brown, Lefebvre, and Boyd, combined with the strength in the trenches provided by De La Torre and Robertson, gives the Panthers a solid foundation. Coach Singler summed it up best: “The last two years we have played a combined total of 26 games winning 17 of them.” That experience, combined with strong offseason preparation, makes South Medford a team to watch this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->