Veteran Panthers lead offensive attack

The Siloam Springs offense had its ups and downs last season. The Panthers averaged nearly 280 yards of offense per game, with more than 300 yards of offense in half of their 12 games, but three times were held below 180 yards. A season-high 49 points and 417 yards of offense came in Week 10 in a victory against Van Buren. Siloam Springs turned the ball over 29 times in 12 games -- 19 interceptions and 10 fumbles lost.

The Panthers scored 258 points in 2014 and will look to improve on that this season. Here is a breakdown of the Siloam Springs offense.

Quarterbacks

Senior quarterback Chris Lampton (6-foot, 194 pounds) returns in his second season as the Panthers' starting quarterback.

Lampton, who is a threat to run and pass, showed off both of those skills last season. On the ground, he rushed 135 times for 415 yards (3.1 yards per carry) and five touchdowns. His best effort was a 104-yard performance on 12 carries in the Panthers' 26-21 win at Searcy in the opening round of the Class 6A playoffs.

In the air, Lampton completed 165 of 324 passes (51 percent) for 1,817 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also threw 19 interceptions.

Siloam Springs head coach Bryan Ross would like to see more consistency out of his senior quarterback this season.

"Chris played well at times last year and had some struggles at times," Ross said. "That happens. I think this year you'll see him be more consistent. He's looking good running the football. Mechanically he's improved throwing the football. I expect Chris to have a good senior year."

Junior quarterback Jordan Norberg (5-11, 153) is listed as the Panthers' backup quarterback. Norberg completed 2 of 3 passes for 92 yards a year ago with two touchdowns in 2013.

Ross said the left-handed Norberg had a strong offseason.

"It's nice to have Jordan Norberg," Ross said. "You know if all we were looking for was a pocket passer, he might be a better pocket passer than Chris."

Ross said the Panthers will utilize Norberg's arm at times this season.

"There are going to be times when he's on the field," Ross said. "I'd say Chris is definitely our starter, but Jordan has really come on. I have no doubt that when he goes in the game for us that we're not going to drop off."

Sophomore Luke Lampton (5-9, 170) will get some quarterback reps in the junior varsity games along with Norberg. Luke Lampton, Chris Lampton's younger brother, was the quarterback of the ninth-grade team last year and is both a threat to run and pass.

The quarterbacks are coached individually by Ross.

Running backs

The Panthers have experience returning at the running back position -- or 'T' in the offensive scheme.

Junior Ricky Hughes (5-10, 154) started the first six games at running back last season as a sophomore. When then-senior Mitchel Dolezal regained eligibility midway through the year, Hughes' time at running back ended for the most part as he moved to the defensive side of the ball at linebacker.

On the year, Hughes carried 87 times for 398 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and scored two touchdowns. He rushed 20 times for 151 yards in the Panthers' 45-23 loss at Russellville in Week 2 and had 22 carries for 128 yards in the Panthers' 24-14 win against Gravette in Week 3.

Hughes also caught six passes for 47 yards and a touchdown.

Ross said Hughes had a good offseason and will be the Panthers' primary ball-carrier in 2014.

Senior Colin Dolezal (5-9, 204) will also see some time at running back. As a junior, Dolezal had 16 carries for 113 yards (7.1 yards per carry) and caught one pass for 29 yards.

Dolezal is more of a powerback and will give opponents' defenses a different look from when Hughes is in the game, Ross said.

"Colin's not going to make anybody miss, but he's going to run hard downhill," Ross said. "It usually takes more than one guy to bring him down. It's kind of a good change-up between him and Ricky.

"There will be times this year where they'll both be in the games at the same time. We feel pretty good there about having those two."

Both Hughes and Dolezal will be playing some on defense as well.

"I do think it's important that we do develop some depth there," Ross said. "When you put the ball in somebody's hands you've got to have confidence they're going to take care of it. That's the big issue."

Juniors Cody Washington (5-7, 198) and Nate Free (5-9, 168) could see some carries in varsity action. The Panthers also have been working out senior player Keetun Pierce at running back. Pierce, who's a standout basketball player at SSHS, joined the team this summer.

The running backs are coached individually by Alan Hardcastle.

Wide receivers

The wide receiver position is one where the Panthers appear to have the most depth. However, finding a way to replace the production of All-State wide receiver Chandler Gregory, who finished last year with a team-high 67 catches for 857 yards and six touchdowns won't be easy.

Senior wideout Parker Baldwin (6-2, 198) is the Panthers' leading returner receiver after catching 17 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns a year ago. Baldwin, the Class 6A state champion in the 200-meter dash, will play an outside 'Y' spot.

"We'd like to single him up quite a bit there, see if we can get a matchup on the defense," Ross said. "Parker played off and on last year. We need him to really step up and be a play-maker on offense for us this year."

Junior Matt Downing (5-9, 169) caught one pass for nine yards a year ago before suffering a concussion and missing several games. Downing and senior Brendon Hyde (6-0, 157) are also expected to contribute at Y.

"Brendon Hyde had a good offseason," Ross said. "We think he can factor in both at Y and Z to give us some depth there. He's going to be able to help us on Friday night, too."

Zane Washington (5-10, 156) tops the depth chart at the other outside receiver position -- or 'Z.' Washington is one of the faster players on the team and the Panthers want to try and utilize his speed. He caught 22 passes for 139 yards and one touchdown a year ago as an inside receiver.

"We moved him outside this year," Ross said. "Zane's gonna play offense only. Zane runs well, so you'll probably see us do some different things with him, bringing him in motion -- him and Parker both -- and finding different ways to get them the ball because they both do run real well."

Junior Jackson Noll (6-0, 166) will also see some time at Z, Ross said. "I think Jackson will get some time Friday nights and be able to help us there," he said.

Hyde is also listed as a backup receiver at Z.

At the inside receiver -- or 'X,' -- senior Zach Davis (6-1, 177) and junior Coby Roach (5-10, 172) will see the most reps at the position.

"Essentially we've got two starters there," Ross said.

Davis caught 10 passes for 75 yards and one touchdown last season. Roach caught five passes for 39 yards.

Roach and Davis are also the top two choices to play Air Force S when the Panthers go to a four-wide-receiver format.

Junior Lance Slaton (5-9, 143) has moved from running back to inside receiver and will give the Panthers some depth at that position.

"We think he fits the receiver mold a little better," Ross said.

Sophomore Dawson Armstrong (5-9, 157) will also give the Panthers some depth at X.

"Dawson has pretty good hands, and he'll get faster as he gets older," Ross said.

Senior Chris Hodge (6-0, 176) is another wide receiver for the Panthers. Sophomore Paul Warder (5-7, 142) could also see some time at receiver once an injured collarbone heals.

The wide receivers are coached individually by Henry Janes.

Tight end

The Panthers utilized their tight end position -- or 'S' -- last season efficiently in the framework of their offense.

Senior David Goodman (6-2, 239), who might be the Panthers' top football player overall, caught 13 passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns a year ago. He'll return as the Panthers' starter at the position.

"Dave is a great high school football player," Ross said. "Obviously when we get into a set with a tight end or an H-back type, Dave's going to be in. We'll have different sets with him in.

"Dave -- when he gets his hands on it -- he's going to come down with it," Ross said. "And he's an outstanding blocker. He's going to win the block at the line of scrimmage most of the time. That gives you a real nice advantage on offense -- a guy that can both block and release and catch it."

Goodman, who also starts at linebacker on defense, will be spelled from time-to-time by another defensive starter in junior Gus Wright (6-0, 184).

"Been pleased with Gus Wright," Ross said. "Gus got a few snaps last year. Been really pleased with the offseason he had. He's been looking good. Of course he's playing defense, too. Hopefully they'll be able to give each other a blow here and there when they need it."

The tight ends are coached individually by Alan Hardcastle.

Offensive line

Along the offensive line, the Panthers must replace four senior starters from last season.

"Lot of new faces up there," Ross said. "Pretty inexperienced. I guess you can say if there's a question mark it would be up front."

However, when speaking of the offensive line, Ross quickly added, "I've been pleased with what I've seen so far in practice."

Moving from left to right along the offensive line, the Panthers are counting on senior Cole Stephens (6-o, 244) to bounce back strong from a torn ACL that forced him to miss the season in 2013. He'll start at left tackle for the Panthers.

"He's dedicated himself to getting ready to play," Ross said. "I've been impressed with what he's done."

Junior Aric Sislo (6-1, 233) -- the projected starter at left guard -- came on strong at the end of his sophomore season and carried that over into the spring and summer.

"He's had an outstanding offseason," Ross said of Sislo.

Juniors Ben Hutto (5-11, 164) and Chase Womack (5-10, 206) are also being counted on at left guard.

The biggest competition in the spring and summer has been at center, where junior Parker Hall (5-11, 233), junior Samuel Uptegrove (5-10, 203) and sophomore Conner Broyles (6-1, 197) have been battling it out.

Hall can also play tackle, while Uptegrove and Broyles can also play other positions along the line.

"You would like to find your five best offensive lineman," Ross said. "You don't want to have two or three good offensive linemen all in one spot. Coach (Jonathan) Johnson does a good job of getting those guys ready to play and finding the five best that are going to help us win football games."

At right guard, senior Justin Kleckner (5-7, 193) saw extensive playing time a year ago. Junior Colby Brown (5-10, 207) also plays right guard or left guard and had a good offseason, Ross said. Senior Spencer Hill (5-11, 222) also plays right guard.

"They're not real big, but if you play with good leverage and play harder than the guy across from you, you can be successful," Ross said.

Senior Sean Kenney (5-8, 218) is the projected starter at right tackle.

"Sean Kenney's really stepped up," Ross said. "He's lost a little bit of weight, really moving better and gotten more explosive off the ball. We're looking for him to have a really good senior year for us."

Junior Kris Green (5-10, 207) can back up at either tackle position if needed, though his main position will be on the defensive line.

Transfer Terry Phillips from Kansas, Okla., could also help at tackle.

The offensive line coach is Jonathan Johnson.

Sports on 08/27/2014