PRZMD Team Previews: Patuxent Panthers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 RECAP</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patuxent went 10-3 last season. They defeated Fort Hill 35-28 in the MPSSAA Class 1A state championship game. It was a back-to-back state championship run for the Panthers (they defeated Dunbar 8-6 in the 2024 Class 1A state championship game).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2026 Schedule (Home games in bold)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/8 @McDonogh (scrimmage)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>8/28 Wise</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9/4 Westlake</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/10 @ Thomas Stone</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>9/18 St. Charles</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>9/25 @ North Point</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10/2 Huntingtown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/9 @Northern</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>10/15 Leonardtown</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/24 @ Calvert</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>10/30 @ Great Mills</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Losses</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Isaac Baugher (OL), Teagan Cox (OL), Jahkiye Dixon (OL), [player_tooltip player_id='2240799' first='Peyton' last='Johnson'] (WR), Evan Jones (WR), Nate Sands (LB).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On one hand, Patuxent lost 3/5's of their offensive line and their top two receivers to graduation. On the other hand, the person who led the offense is back ([player_tooltip player_id='1894417' first='Brayden' last='Watson']). They also return a lot of experience in their defensive front eight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Returners</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1894417"],"_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-6a4a9b01a464d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Class 1A East First-team offensive selection. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In his first season as a starter, Watson helped lead Patuxent to the MPSSAA Class 1 championship. What can he do for an encore? Last season, he completed 199-of-274 passes for 2,600 yards, 31 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He has to be one the best pure passers in the state regardless of class. Watson makes quick decisions and the ball really fires out of his hands. He loves pushing the football downfield, especially on the outside. But don't read too much into that, he can work the middle of the field if need be. Watson's rushing stats won't blow you away but he is mobile and capable of making throws on the run and under duress. It's going to be scary again for opposing defenses this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2241595,"_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-6a4a9b01a46c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 1A East First-team defensive selection. (5-10, 230)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Green made 75 total tackles (51 solo, 13 tackles for a loss) last season as an edge defender. He is thick and compact, making him hard to deal with once he gets rolling. I love the energy he plays with and he's always moving upfield. Explodes off the football, uses his hands well, and doesn't stay engaged for too long. Not the biggest height wise but he generates a lot of force when he makes contact. His initial get-off is fast and helps him defeat bigger lineman 1v1, whether it's a pass or a run. Capable of fighting double-teams as well. Usually wins the leverage battle against offensive lineman. Tree-trunk legs give him a strong base, he's not budging. Very disruptive. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1631172"],"_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-6a4a9b01a470c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Class 1A East First-team defensive selection. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tyler made 64 total tackles (40 solo) last season as an edge defender. His highlights from the 2025 season are good, but I think Tyler will be even better this season. He passes the eye test from a physical standpoint. Despite his height, plays with an effective low pad level. Tyler is great at chasing down plays from the backside and making tackles either near or behind the line of scrimmage. Very effective at taking on blocks and still setting the edge, doesn't get displaced. If he can make more explosive plays that he can put on film this season, I think Tyler's recruitment would go up another level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":2241599,"_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-6a4a9b01a4751"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Class 1A East First-team defensive selection. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hayes was second when it came to total tackles last season (101, 61 solo). Has a nice short-area burst once he recognizes where the play is going. Solid closing speed in the box and usually meets tacklers near the hole or behind the line of scrimmage. I love his lateral quickness, he often beats blockers to the spot. Strong tackler, wraps up the ball carrier and finishes with force. Plenty of examples of him navigating through traffic to make the play. Efficient zone defender against the passing game as well. Another relentless player on the Panthers' defense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1709820"],"_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-6a4aa56d9a8d1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sullivan made 105 total tackles (63 solo, 10 tackles for a loss) and sacked the quarterback 4.5 times. He and Hayes are just alike, except Sullivan is taller and more wiry. He takes long strides and it enables him to clsoe on ball carrier quickly. Also a disruptor in the backfield. Reads his keys and goes full speed to make the tackle. Not a thumper but he's a sure tackler and has excellent lateral movement. Shows gret timing when it comes to shootign the gap and making a play behind the line of scrimmage. The production is obvious. Would love to see more explosive plays from him on film this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Others to watch</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Antoine Wilkins | RB | 5-9 | 160 | 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wilkins carried the football 127 times for 581 yards and two touchdowns last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1709674' first='Xavier' last='Gross'] | 5-9 | 170 | Cornerback | 2027</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gross caught 27 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns and made 33 total tackles (26 solo), deflected 8 passes last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->