PRZNY Team Previews: Sweet Home Panthers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Last Season (3-6)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After winning their first Sectional title in 10 years in 2024, Sweet Home went in to 2025 riding high. However, it was well-known that they were losing several key pieces from their title run. And the proof was in the pudding as the Panthers had an overall record of 3-6 with 2 divisional victories over Niagara Wheatfield and Frontier. There is some optimism at Sweet Home as they are bringing up some young talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Top Prospect</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1513373"],"_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-6a5677a160612"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Last offseason, I had Hawkins pegged as a stud athlete for Sweet Home that will be a dominant force on both sides of the ball. But he transferred to Canisius where he earned 2nd team All-WNY DB honors. Lucky for the Panthers, he is back at Sweet Home this season. Jaylen has excellent ball skills, great intuition and his closing speed is phenomenal. He has the capabilities to be Sweet Home's leading rusher as well as their top Safety.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Three X-Factors</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2123771"],"_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-6a5677a16077f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Between 2024 and 2025, Sweet Home has lost one top tier WR after another. Which is where VanDusen comes in. There aren't many players on Sweet Home's roster with varsity experience but Joseph was their second leading receiver last season. While his future most likely lies on the Baseball diamond, his athletic abilities will be greatly needed for the Panthers to have success this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2237092"],"_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-6a5677a16088f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Theodore played primarily defense last year at Safety and displayed good open field tackling with solid technique. He has excellent awareness and could be counted on to be used at WR as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2237095"],"_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-6a5677a160988"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Humphrey is a name that is new to me this offseason. He is a versatile player with experience at RB &amp; LB but most of the film I have seen on him is at DT. He is aggressive at the point of attack, keeps his pad level low and penetrates the OL well. He will probably be needed at several different positions so how he progresses in his senior year will be fun to watch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Breakout Player</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1702286"],"_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-6a5677a160a48"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">For the second straight year, I am putting Waller's name out there as Sweet Home's breakout player of the year. He did not get called up to varsity for his sophomore season but his JV film is so impressive that his athletic abilities cannot be denied. He has fluid hips and can breakdown to make solid tackles. He is a good zone corner but excels in man-to-man. He is also listed as a WR. Although I have not seen film of him at that position, the opportunities will be there for him to contribute on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Names to Know</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Position</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Class</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td>DB</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1708137' first='Jaishaun' last='Johnson']</td><td>2027</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>Jai'Den Bonner</td><td>2027</td></tr><tr><td>OL/DL</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1886310' first='Alexander' last='Theodore']</td><td>2028</td></tr><tr><td>LB</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='2045287' first='Alonzo' last='Hunt Jr']</td><td>2028</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1757470' first='William' last='Grunzweig']</td><td>2028</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='2045515' first='Matthew' last='Terrana']</td><td>2028</td></tr><tr><td>QB</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1883944' first='Preston' last='Redding']</td><td>2029</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Losses</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:table --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table class="has-fixed-layout"><tbody><tr><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Position</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Player</span></strong></td><td><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">Commitment/Contributions</span></strong></td></tr><tr><td>DB</td><td>Jajuan Williams</td><td>Thiel College</td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>Mitchell Shiel</td><td>Big Body OL</td></tr><tr><td>LB</td><td>Amarion Dixon</td><td>Class A Defensive MVP</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>Quinten Wilhelm</td><td>Played every part of the game as RB/WR/LB/S/K/P</td></tr><tr><td>DB</td><td>Marshawn Washington</td><td>Erie Community College</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 Schedule</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":2247935,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/07/Sweet-Home-2026-Schedule.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2247935" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2026 Outlook</strong><strong></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Current Head Coach:</strong> Jeremy Zimmer</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2026 schedule is not a favorable one for Sweet Home as they are opening the season with 7 straight Class A Opponents including perennial contenders in Will North (9/10), West Seneca West (10/2), Clarence (10/9) and a former Class AA powerhouse in Orchard Park (10/16) before closing out the season against crosstown rival, Amherst from Class B.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The entire Class A division is a wide open competition and if Sweet Home's players can play to their potential, they may be able to turn some heads this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->