Ridgeland Panthers Hope Same Formula Produces Better Results This Fall

Last year Ridgeland had a bruising backfield to go along with a defense that collected a bunch of turnovers, and yet the Panthers won only four games.
This season Ridgeland hopes a similar formula will produce better results.
Ridgeland coach Wesley Tankersley admits it was strange winning just four games last year and still making the playoffs.
Said Tankersley-“Yeah, definitely it would have seemed kind of weird. I don’t think you ever want to win just four games.”
One reason the Panthers had a losing record was their play at home.
Reporter-“Ridgeland did not win a single home game last year.”
Said defensive back Markeith Montgomery-“No sir. We didn’t win a home game.”
Ridgeland lost four games last season by just one touchdown.
Said Tankersley-“We really made a lot of mistakes and beat ourselves in a lot of those occasions, whether it was a turnover or a penalty.”
Added Montgomery-“Last year we weren’t disciplined or finishing. I was thinking like what if we would have run an extra run or a did an extra play. We just loss by simple stuff.”
Tankersley says bruising running back Chris Henderson is out this year with an injury, but the Panthers will still be loaded at running back.
Said Tankersley-“We almost have too many running backs if that can be an issue. We feel like we’ve still got a great group of backs coming back. Jalyn (Shelton) had almost 14-hundred yards last year.”
And those Ridgeland running backs may be bigger than their offensive line.
Said offensive lineman Will Hodges-“Our line maybe averages 200-pounds. We only have one guy that’s probably pushing 220. But I think all the guys are physical on the line. We like to run the ball, and we like to shove it down people’s throats.”
Reporter-“How big are you?”
Hodges-“I’m about 180-pounds or 185-pounds.”
Reporter-“You play offensive guard?”
Hodges-“Yes sir.”
Reporter-“Is that a challenge?”
Hodges-“If you stay low, it’s not too bad. If you get up high with those big boys, it can be rough.”