Preseason X Factors: Stone Memorial Football

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stone Memorial had a strong season last year, boasting a 10-2 record with the losses coming against two of the best teams in the state from mid-level classifications.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers will look to build on the success from last season and make a deeper push into the playoff bracket as the team takes another step forward with a quiet opportunity to end the year as one of the better teams in the 4A classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If the team wants to make that deep postseason run a reality, these five players will have to deliver big seasons this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2028 QB [player_tooltip player_id='1668404' first='Max' last='Warner']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Noah Potter has graduated from the program and there will be a new starting quarterback leading the offense this season. Insert [player_tooltip player_id='1668404' first='Max' last='Warner'], a rising junior that transfers in from White County with a lot of potential that he is looking to put on the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stone Memorial should have one of the top offenses in the 4A class this season and the ceiling of the combined unit will depend on the play of the new signal-caller.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There is a good combination of potential and coaching for the quarterback position and it should keep them on path to win double digit games again this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2028 RB AJ Vandever</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With any new quarterback, the running back can be his best friend and fellow junior AJ Vandever returns after leading the Panthers in rushing with nearly 600 yards and six yards per carry.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There was a rotation at the position last season, but the leader of the group is Vandever and he will have to deliver in some of the toughest matchups on the schedule that the team will see.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offensive front should be conducive to a strong rushing attack this fall, which will only mean good things for the tailback.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id='1566197' first='Parker' last='Cox']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two-way lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1566197' first='Parker' last='Cox'] also transferred into the program this offseason and will be a key piece for both the offensive and defensive lines this fall for Stone Memorial.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He is a talented offensive line prospect, having committed to a top FCS program in Mercer, and has the versatility to make an impact at every spot on the front five right now.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He will also be a mismatch problem for opponents when he works along the defensive front as his combination of size and athleticism should overwhelm offensive lines.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 WR/DB [player_tooltip player_id='1608559' first='Kadyn' last='Page']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Panthers return one of the top playmakers in the 4A classification in receiver [player_tooltip player_id='1608559' first='Kadyn' last='Page'], who is coming off a junior season that consisted of 86 catches for 1,185 yards and 14 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The receiver room has the chance to be very productive with proven commodities in Page, [player_tooltip player_id='1704649' first='Jayden' last='Lanier'] and several seniors that will rotate in. Stone will have the ability to attack defenses in a variety of ways and should put high scoring outputs consistently this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He also makes an impact on the defensive side of the ball, playing a key part in the secondary for the team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2027 TE/LB [player_tooltip player_id='1740835' first='Carson' last='McCoy']</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Stone Memorial will have a lot of high-flying playmakers on the perimeter, they will be arguably just as good in the middle of the field with the trenches and extending to senior tight end/linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1740835' first='Carson' last='McCoy'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On offense, he plays a versatile role as a do-it-all tight end that had nearly 300 yards and six touchdowns in addition to being a competitive blocker last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCoy is also a key piece of the defense, where he can make an impact as both an edge rusher and linebacker, working nicely next to fellow senior Lincoln Eldridge. The pair led the team in tackles and tackles for loss last season and have intent of slowing down in 2026.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->