By Michael Lindsay
Summer football workouts are underway this week for the Stone Memorial Panthers, who are fresh off a Region 4-4A championship and 10-2 overall record in 2022.
“It’s an exciting time of year; things are going well,” said Derik Samber, who is entering his 6th season as head coach of the Panthers. “It’s an evaluation period as far as I’m concerned. You’ve got freshmen with their first time and extended exposure to you. Position changes and scheme changes; that’s kind of what we use June for and it’s a lot of fun.”
Stone Memorial graduates multiple key seniors from 2022, including region co-MVP quarterback Hunter Heavilon and all-state receiver and defensive back Kaleb Flowers.
Despite their 2022 success, Samber and the Panthers have higher goals moving forward.
“We’ve got a tone-setting senior class,” Samber said. “All my meetings with them this offseason were ’10-2 isn’t enough.’ They weren’t satisfied and don’t want to just meet that bar; they want to exceed it.”
Senior Nick Osmun is expected to get the starting quarterback nod for the Panthers in 2023 after serving as a receiver and backup QB in 2022.
“Nick Osmun is exciting at quarterback and Isaac Pheaster has had a good offseason,” Samber said. “We’re playing Houston Woody at a lot of different positions. We’re happy to have a few speed threats, Maddox Oquendo and Chris Hannah, back from injury.”
Stone Memorial also returns linebacker/tight end Brady Lane, who was named most outstanding linebacker in Region 4-4A last season and WR/DB Bear Eldridge, who was named the region’s top defensive back.
Stone Memorial has a busy June ahead before the TSSAA dead period at the end of the month.
“We host a 7-on-7 next week and go to UT-Chattanooga in a few weeks,” Samber said. “We’re going to continue to lift and try to put some weight on these kids while working on our passing game and passing coverages.”
Stone Memorial kicks off the regular season Aug. 18 at Cookeville.
