Plenty has been made about Snider’s historically-bad season of a year ago. The seven losses. Just the three wins. Two losses to rival Northrop that ended the Bruins’ long losing skid to the Panthers.
But a new season brings optimism. In Snider’s case, it also brings a home field advantage for the first time in the program’s history.
From 1965 to 2025, the Panthers had to play away from campus. Every home game somewhere else. Now, Snider has its own field – Russ Isaacs Stadium – named after the iconic coach who won 194 games and the 1992 state championship leading the program.
A new era is upon the Panthers, and they are using it to bury memories of a year ago.
Coach Kurt Tippmann’s team returns 10 starters on defense, including six of its top seven tacklers from a year ago. The linebacker corps returns intact, with three-year starter Braylin Fertil, who was honored with the coveted Snider No. 1 jersey in the preseason, leading the way. Fellow seniors Jakari Cole, Jameson Reed and Hayden Maple all are back with starting experience, in addition to junior Cole Baumgartner, who led the team in tackles last year with 73.
Two defensive linemen return with starting experience in seniors Darien Clopton on the interior and Jamin Portee on the edge. They will need to receive some help from some newbies, but it will be imperative for the first line of defense be effective. Snider was a sieve against the run last fall, allowing 192 yards on the ground per game.
Wade Raines Jr. has moved on, but the Panthers have the rest of their secondary back intact with seniors Travis Black and Jayce Quarles and junior Que Hunter. Hunter could emerge as one of the SAC’s best all-around defenders by the end of the season.
Max Johnson, who saw considerable playing time as the starter in the second half of the season last year, will begin the year at QB1. He can scramble too, as evidenced by his 301 yards rushing and three touchdowns as a sophomore.
Braylon Burton has seen varsity time since he was a freshman, and the junior is expected to be the lead running back. Senior Omari Buchanan will be in the mix as well.
A trio of seniors at the wide receiver spot are short on experience but are talented enough to potentially be the key to the offense. Keaton Robinson saw some time as a junior, while Nathan Reiter and Josh Neal will look to emerge. The tight end spot has a trio of juniors in Liam Holden, Carter Bell and Sammy Roberts.
The offensive line returns just two starters in juniors Sebastian Lewis at guard and Connor Bandor at tackle. Senior Colton Igney will man the center spot, while classmate Bryson Burton will see action at guard. This is a relatively young offensive line core, with even the returning starters just juniors. Fellow juniors Edwin Teeters and Adriel Milton are in the mix, as well as sophomores Mason Reader and Revan Holler.
For the second-consecutive season, the Panthers will begin the year with Warsaw and East Noble. Last season, Snider lost to both while allowing 67 points. It was a sign of things to come.
We know that Week 2 against East Noble will be rocking in the first game at new Russ Isaacs Stadium. Does the homefield advantage give Snider a boost? Splitting the first two contests of the year would be a good start. Last year’s Week 1 game with Warsaw was a back-and-forth affair. The Tigers are now also a sectional opponent.
WHY #7?
There is possible scenario where Snider doesn’t rebound from last year, right? Last season’s senior class left a lot to be desired in the leadership department, but there was also a clear lack of physicality and determination that the Panthers traditionally showcase year after year.
New year. An actual home field. Clean slate. That’s the approach entering 2026. The defense brings a lot back, but also needs to show that they have improved considerably from last season. This year’s senior class seems locked in and determined to not have a repeat of 2025. That’s enough for us to expect Snider to bounce back this fall.
WHY NOT HIGHER?
The absence of difference-making plays on both sides of the ball was telling last year. Snider only had four sacks and four interceptions all season, and it was consistently dominated in the trenches.
When a program like Snider struggles, it is a shock, because the perennial power simply does not have bad seasons. So we thought, anyway. The schedule is not easy, and the back half of the regular season with Northrop’s emergence is loaded with land mines.
If Snider can find some playmakers on offense, and Max Johnson can take a step forward in his development, command the unit and make some plays, the Panthers will have a shot at a winning season.
CRITICAL GAME
Week 5 at Carroll
This is the game that really exposed Snider’s flaws last year. A 47-14 drubbing at the hands of the Chargers began a four-game losing streak, all by at least 21 points.
The Panthers don’t have to necessarily win this game, but if it can be competitive and battle Carroll for four quarters, it will show just how much Snider’s 2025 game is in the rearview.
Carroll has become the standard in the SAC. All programs are compared to how they match up with the Chargers. Snider belongs up at the tier of Carroll. We will see Week 5 if it is truly back to the Snider we all know and love.
CRUCIAL PLAYER
OFFENSIVE LINE
Snider averaged just 15 points per game a season ago. The running game feasted on inferior foes, but really struggled against the upper-echelon teams that Snider played.
A mix or returnees and newbies are going to need to command the line of scrimmage up front. That is what we are accustomed to seeing out of the Panthers in the trenches – pure dominance. Snider thrives when it can pound the ball down an opponents throat and keep them on their heels by mixing in some pass. It starts with the five guys up front.
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