2026 Preview: Pelion Panthers

When Pelion finished off the 2025 season with a 5-6 record, the Panthers faithful thought they were ready to turn a corner. That was the first time since 2014 that Pelion had reached the five-win plateau and with Cory Helms just completing his first season as head coach, the expectations were beginning to grow.   A few weeks later, Helms left to take the head coaching job at Class 5A Chapin. Enter Mathew Bennett. The first-year coach has jumped right in and earned the player's trust.   Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1820308' first='Alan' last='Moore'] - who is moving from a predominately passing offense to the Wing-T - has seen the transition up-close and personal. He thinks the changes will fit the Panthers just fine.   “We went from last year being a big passing team to more of a Wing-T program this year. It's adapted to our program well,” Moore said at the Prep RedZone Media Day held at Gilbert last week. “We can pass it; we can run it. We feel like we can do whatever we need to do. It's going to help us a lot. Plus, Coach Bennett is a great guy. We all love him.”   Moore is coming off a season in which he threw for more than 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns. He's lost his top three receivers so the switch to the Wing-T might be welcomed. [player_tooltip player_id='1818894' first='Tre' last='Jackson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1618829' first='Brady' last='Cottingham'] will play a role in the backfield as well on defense. The offensive line will count on senior [player_tooltip player_id='1820315' first='Levi' last='Brown'] and junior [player_tooltip player_id='1822827' first='Cooper' last='Hartley'] to lead the way.   Defensive Coordinator Aaron Cottingham was filling in for Bennett at Media Day, and he witnessed the players rally around the new coach and become a cohesive unit.   He's going to have [player_tooltip player_id='1618829' first='Brady' last='Cottingham'] (his son), back at linebacker and [player_tooltip player_id='1822824' first='Johnathan' last='Davis'], a speedster, back to headline the linebacker corp. [player_tooltip player_id='1816590' first='Will' last='Green'] will help hold down the secondary. [player_tooltip player_id='1822828' first='Eric' last='Maltby'] Sawyer Berry and [player_tooltip player_id='1818886' first='Nehemiah' last='Green'] will anchor the defense in the 3-4 scheme.   “Having a head coach leave is a big stressor when he was only here a year, but it made everyone tighter as a team,” the elder Cottingham said. “His offense seems to fit our personnel really well. The transition has been smooth.”   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1818894' first='Tre' last='Jackson'] WB, 2028 – Jackson was the feature back last season and accounted for more than 1,110 yards and nine touchdowns. He's going to be one of the wing backs and he's adjusted to the new offense extremely well. He's a slasher type and can make defenders miss but he's also not afraid to lower his head and fight for the extra yardage. He's going to also start at one of the outside linebacker spots.     [player_tooltip player_id='1822824' first='Johnathan' last='Davis'] LB, 2027 – It's going to be an understatement to say Davis has speed to burn. He won the Class 2A 100-meter dash state championship in the spring with a 10.84 time. He finished fourth in the 200-meter event. The coaching staff will tell you he's not the biggest outside linebacker they will have but because of his quickness, he makes plays all over the field. Plus, he's a big hitter that can cause some damage.       [player_tooltip player_id='1816590' first='Will' last='Green'] DB, 2027 – Green is experienced in the secondary and brings a calmness to his teammates due to his preparation. He had 52 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries a season ago. He's rarely out of place and adds another dimension to the run defense while also being a solid cover safety when needed. The defense is experienced with Green quarterbacking things, they could be improved from a season ago.   [player_tooltip player_id='1820308' first='Alan' last='Moore'] QB, 2027 (pictured) – Moore has a rocket of an arm and can make all the throws. He had a legitimate go-to receiver last season but with the change in offense and graduation to the receivers, it's more than likely that he will spread the ball around more. Everyone admitted the switch to the Wing-T had some challenges early but as Moore has gotten more comfortable, they seem to be clicking in summer workouts. If Moore can direct the offense with precision and protect the ball, the Panthers could average more than 25 points a game they did last year.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1618829' first='Brady' last='Cottingham'] LB, 2027 – Cottingham is an old-school type that will be on the field for a lot of snaps on both offense and defense. He's a bruising downhill runner that has adjusted very well to the new offense. He does have speed to go the distance once he breaks into open field. He plays inside linebacker on defense and is physical at the point of attack. He's another coach on the field but his biggest attribute is his size and the way he moves at 6-foot, 205 pounds. He led the defense with 92 stops and could top the 100-tackle mark this season.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Jai Chuniesingh WR/DB – Chuniesingh was putting up 100 yards and at least one receiving touchdown almost every week last season. He averaged 99 receiving yards per game and finished with 13 receiving touchdowns.   Andrew Northcutt LB – It's always tough when you lose one of your leaders in the middle of the defense and Northcutt fit that bill very well. He was second on the team last year with 85 tackles.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Corbin Crawford DB/QB, 2030 – Crawford is not listed as a starter currently but don't be surprised if the freshman doesn't find his way to playing meaningful minutes, especially on the defensive side of things. He's a quarterback by trade but Moore is entrenched as the starter there. The coaching staff raves about his athleticism and the calmness he brings to the table even though he hasn't taken a varsity snap yet. He's lengthy and not afraid of contact. Expect Crawford to find a way into the lineup, it's just unclear in what capacity.   Matthew Snipes LB/WB, 2029 – The Panthers are deep at linebacker and running back but Snipes should factor into the rotation in some capacity. He's good at the point of attack and will benefit from a year of not having to be the go-to option at either running back or linebacker. He's going to provide quality depth at both positions and he's good enough to make an impact wherever he lines up on the field.    Hartley became a starter as a sophomore and before the season ended, he had developed into one of the best linemen on the team. He played center and was able to make calls and adjustments for the interior of the line.   Hartley is physical and plays until the whistle on each play. We watched his film and when he got a solid hold of the defender in front of him, he was strong enough to turn him in the direction he wanted him to go.

When Pelion finished off the 2025 season with a 5-6 record, the Panthers faithful thought they were ready to turn a corner. That was the first time since 2014 that Pelion had reached the five-win plateau and with Cory Helms just completing his first season as head coach, the expectations were beginning to grow.