Cabot Panthers 2026 Team Outlook

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Overview: Class 7A Central</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cabot Panthers are approaching the 2026 football season with renewed energy and a fresh vision, following a disappointing 2025 season and a significant coaching change. Last year, the team finished with an overall record of 4-7 and a conference record of 4-3, culminating in a first-round playoff loss to Springdale. Now, the program is ready to turn a new leaf under the leadership of new head coach Lance Clark.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Clark is a rising coach in Arkansas, leading 6A Marion to a 35-23 record over five seasons. His achievements include three appearances in the quarterfinals and one in the semifinals, as well as developing multiple Division 1 prospects.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 Results</strong>&nbsp;<strong>(4-7 Record – 7A Central)</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td>@ Fayetteville</td><td>L 66-24</td></tr><tr><td>Bentonville West</td><td>L 52-14</td></tr><tr><td>Ruston (LA)</td><td>L 63-28</td></tr><tr><td>@ Little Rock Christian</td><td>L 56-31</td></tr><tr><td>Little Rock Southwest</td><td>W 38-0</td></tr><tr><td>@ Conway</td><td>L 57-28</td></tr><tr><td>@ Pulaski Academy</td><td>W 42-35</td></tr><tr><td>Bryant</td><td>L 49-3</td></tr><tr><td>@ Little Rock Central</td><td>W 42-21</td></tr><tr><td>North Little Rock</td><td>W 41-24</td></tr><tr><td>Springdale**</td><td>L 52-31</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">**Playoffs</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Panthers to Watch:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1353999"],"_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-6a5bb07181600"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1353999' first='Tyce' last='Fletcher'] comes into the season with high expectations. The quarterback has D1 potential if he continues his path of development. He can dissect full-field reads. Fletcher demonstrates the ability to utilize his eyes to throw off playside safeties and attack tight windows after progressing with good velocity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/TyceFletcher/status/2069927579394490796?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TyceFletcher/status/2069927579394490796?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1592920"],"_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-6a5bb07181655"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1592920' first='Bronson' last='Elizandro'] is a rising and underrated safety with a strong football IQ, recognition, and awareness in the deep thirds. He displays solid read-and-react ability, often arriving at the catch point on time for a PBU or INT. Elizandro is lengthy and can tackle in space in run support. He's going to garner more attention this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/BronsonnnE/status/1989722419892756482?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BronsonnnE/status/1989722419892756482?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1858788"],"_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-6a5bb07181697"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1858788' first='Chase' last='Unruh'] is a breakout candidate for the 2026 season. Unruh impressed during the spring and so far during summer workouts. Unurh displays solid hand-eye coordination and body control to adjust at the catch point. He's a reliable target who catches everything thrown his way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Chaseunruh1215/status/2028343756605239667?s=20","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Chaseunruh1215/status/2028343756605239667?s=20 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">MORE TO MONITOR:</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1687195' first='Brady' last='Poe']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1666929' first='Gavin' last='Hart']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 DB [player_tooltip player_id='1719432' first='Carlos' last='Lozano']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1401098' first='Jayden' last='Terry']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2028 WR [player_tooltip player_id='1357959' first='Landyn' last='Youngblood']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2029 DL [player_tooltip player_id='1325046' first='Channing' last='Moore']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 Schedule:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"className":"is-style-regular"} --> <figure class="wp-block-table is-style-regular"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">08/28</td><td>@ Jonesboro</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">09/04</td><td>@ Bentonville West</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">09/18</td><td>Little Rock Catholic</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">09/25</td><td>Little Rock Christian*</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">10/02</td><td>@ Fort Smith Northside*</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">10/09</td><td>Conway*</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">10/16</td><td>Pulaski Academy*</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">10/23</td><td>@ Bryant*</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">10/30</td><td>Little Rock Central*</td></tr><tr><td class="has-text-align-left" data-align="left">11/06</td><td>@ North Little Rock*</td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">*Conference</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT'S NEXT?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a rebuilding year with legitimate upside. Under Clark's leadership, the Panthers should improve on their 2025 record and compete for a playoff spot, with the ceiling depending heavily on Fletcher's development and how quickly the young roster buys into the new culture. Expect a more disciplined, physical team that plays with joy and grit. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cabot fans have reason for optimism. The foundation of a proud program remains, and with Clark at the helm and Fletcher leading the charge, the Panthers are positioned to climb back toward the upper half of 7A Central in the coming years. The 2026 season marks the start of an exciting new chapter in Cabot Panther football.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Notes/History:</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>HEAD COACH: Lance Clark (0-0 at Cabot, heading into 1st season)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Year: 4-7, 4-3</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>State Championships: 2 (Last in 2000)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Conference Championships: 19</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Outright Conference Title: 2015</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Playoff Appearance: 2025</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Total Playoff Appearances: 38</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playoff Record: 17-21</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->