The annual expectations for Snider football runs so high that anytime the Panthers do not either win an SAC championship or a postseason title of any kind, we tend to wonder what is wrong.
Such is life when you’re routinely at the top.
Snider found itself on the short end of a pair of matchups against Carroll last fall – once in the regular season and again in sectional play. The offense struggled against the Chargers, as well as Warren Central in Week 1. To find itself back atop the conference and a threat in Class 6A, the Panthers need to find another gear with the offense against the best the top class in Indiana has to offer.
Seven starters are back on the offense, which had its lowest average scoring output since the 2020 campaign. The running back duo of senior Jordan Davis (776 yards, nine touchdowns) and sophomore Braylon Burton are back, along with four starting linemen, led by center Sawyer Tippmann. Seniors Leland Jen and Crosby Daniels are also back in the mix with tackle Isaiah Caldwell. Sophomores Sabastian Lewis and Connor Bandor are both big prospects and could find themselves seeing heavy action from the jump.
A preseason quarterback battle was won by junior Jaywin Harris. He will need time to grow into the role after limited playing time on Fridays last year.
Tight end Owen Dodson at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds is the leading returning receiver with just 87 yards and a score. Expect Dodson to see more targets as a senior.
On the outside, seniors Brishawn Johnson and Schimar Reddick are expected to emerge as threats, in addition to fellow senior Wade Raines Jr. Keep an eye on sophomore Kaecyn Warfield as someone who could emerge.
The defense sees a lot more to replace, especially at the second and third levels. Junior Braylin Fertil is the only returnee with starting experience at linebacker. Fellow juniors Jakari Cole, Jameson Reed and Gideon Myers give Snider a young linebacking corps that is high on potential.
The same goes for the secondary, which will see Raines, Ayden Phifer and Ramaj Totten as seniors with not much in the way of experience on the back end. Sophomore Que Hunter could start at safety to start the season, with juniors Hayden Maple, Travis Black and sophomore Jayvion Davis providing young depth.
The defensive line will be looked upon to lead the way early. Three of the four returning starters are seniors in Kenyon Conklin, Aaron Hughes and Landin Markley. Junior Jamin Portee is also back after seeing starting time as a sophomore.
One of the top kickers in the area is back for the Panthers in senior Mang Tung, who will handle punting and placekicking duties.
WHY #3?
Even with an offense that had trouble moving the ball last year, no one could beat Snider in the area outside of Carroll. While there are some big holes on paper, the Panthers’ development ensures that new guys step up every single season ready to fill a role.
The running attack will once again lead the way, but how well Harris and his receivers acclimate themselves to the offense and offer a passing threat will go a long way towards deciding just how good this team can be.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
When looking at what the Carroll offense could be, especially vertically, coupled with the amount of new personnel at linebacker and in the secondary for the Panthers, it is tough to put Snider head of its SAC rival until we see on the field that it can beat it. Overall, Snider has lost five of its last six games to the Chargers.
Snider isn’t going anywhere in terms of being a contender in the conference, but to win it, a lot of newbies will have to rise to the occasion.
CRUCIAL GAME
Week 5 vs. Carroll
Sensing a theme here?
In recent years, the rest of the SAC has looked up to two teams – Snider and Carroll. The Chargers have gotten the better of the Panthers over that time outside of the 27-24 Snider victory in 2023.
After losing twice in the series last year, the Panthers will want to set the tone on how this season is going to be with this Week 5 matchup.
There is no love lost between these two programs, and Snider knows Carroll holds the bragging rights currently. By mid-season, a lot of the new starters will have settled in for the Panthers. This will be their biggest conference test thus far.
CRITICAL PLAYER
QB Jaywin Harris, junior
Snider is at its best when it runs the ball down your throat and demoralizes you with physical, dominant line play. But the Panthers struggled a year ago when it came to big-play ability downfield. Having that threat opens things up so much closer to the line of scrimmage.
Harris doesn’t have to be a star. All he needs to be is someone who can strike when needed in the pass game. The Snider offense, and the entire team in general, will be better for it.
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