SOUTH PANTHERS

A 12-man senior class a year ago means South has some holes to fill under first-year coach Kevin Sparks, but the Panthers have the depth to do so capably.

“Expectations are high and should be with this group,” Sparks said. “They feel this is the year to do a lot of big things in the city, conference and sectionals.”

There are plenty of building blocks for that task, starting in the back with junior goalkeeper Doug Terrill, who saw some time last year filling in for an injured Cory Underwood. He will be backed up by freshman Luke Crowe.

In front of Terrill are returning defenders Billy Head and Jake Kabrick, wile Scott McClary is back to direct things in the midfield.

Seniors Drew Barlow and Sterling Jones give Sparks both size and speed on the front line.

“Our strong point is the possession game,” Sparks said. “It’s been very strong from what I’ve seen so far, moving the ball very quickly.

“We do need to work on our defending, our defensive shape and things like that.”

There’s time for those things to come around as the Panthers don’t open up until the Washington Classic on Aug. 20, starting with Northview, then the host Hatchets.