BENTON PANTHERS: New leader, new hope

Panthers look to longtime college coach to turn things around

By Eric Moore

Posted: August 30, 2009 at 6 a.m.

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TRI-LAKES AREA — 2008 was not a banner season for the Benton Panthers, as the team managed just two wins.

But a new season has brought

about changes for the squad, most

notably at the head coach position with Steve

Quinn. When the season begins in the fall,

Quinn will be patrolling the sidelines of a high

school game for the fi rst time in 16 years after

serving as head

coach at the University

of Arkansas

at Monticello. With

Quinn calling the

plays, Panther fans can expect a few changes in

the off ensive philosophy.

"We're going to try to run the football more

than they did [in the past]," Quinn said. "[Th e

transition] is going pretty smoothly and I'm

getting used to Benton."

Just because Quinn would like to focus

more on the running game, it doesn't mean that the passing game has issues. With junior Grant

Jones taking snaps under center, Quinn is con-

fi dent in the abilities of the pocket passer.

"He's done a good job of picking up the offense,"

Quinn said.

Backing up Jones will be sophomore Dylan

Harris, who is "young and still developing,"

Quinn said.

Th e Panthers will be utilizing a two-back

set, making the most of their halfb acks and

fullbacks. Juniors Ashton Roberts and Drew

McCurry, who was a "big-play guy in the

spring," should be seeing the majority of the

snaps this season. Sophomores Greg Pryor and

Tammario Beaugard will give Benton some

added depth in the running game.

While there will be some use of the tight

end in Quinn's off ense, the bulk of the passes

will go to the wide receivers. Filling the important

role of hauling in passes will be senior

Luke Braswell, who gives the quarterback a big

target to hit, and sophomore Brooks Balisterri, who "has a good set of hands," Quinn said.

Both are considered more possession receivers

than deep threats, but more than capable of

handling the amount of passes they will see this

year. Juniors Josh Martens and Ed Grode, who have improved over the spring, will give Jones

more options in the passing game.

Junior Davis Butterworth and seniors Josh Creel and Billy Tircarcio will anchor

the off ensive line this season along

with junior Trevor Forthman. Th e

fi ft h spot on the line, the left tackle

position, is still up for grabs, Quinn

said.With the amount of talent Quinn

sees on this team, he hopes to be

able to keep his players from having

to play on both off ense and defense.

With the talent he has on the defensive

line, it shouldn't be a problem.

Th e ends will be occupied by junior Classic Freeman and senior Lee Richardson,

whose eff orts in the spring have impressed Quinn.

Th e nose guard position will go to junior Tyler Gwatney who earned the spot with

his solid play in the spring, Quinn said. Junior Mauro Segura will take over the defensive

tackle position aft er playing on the off ensive line last year.

Senior Matt Wilman, junior Lucas Haley and sophomore Jacob Pringle will be the

Panthers' second line of defense this season. Haley has impressed the new head coach

with his ability to get to the football from his middle linebacker position.

Quinn has seen his secondary play physically all spring and expects that trend to

continue in the fall with cornerback Connor Calaway and safeties Madison Dixon and

Zach Davis. Th e other cornerback position is yet to be assigned.

"We've got to be a great team," Quinn said. "Th ere's not a big superstar on this team,

and we'll have to play together at our best."

Looking at the 6A-South Conference, Quinn knows there will be no easy games

and expects to be the underdog nearly every Friday night, but he has faith in his new

team. "Th ey've worked hard and adjusted to the system," Quinn said.

Tri-Lakes, Pages 2, 3 on 08/30/2009

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