Perryville football team's cupboard far from bare

    Facing a more challenging schedule without several key players who led the Perryville football team to two straight undefeated regular seasons and a couple of deep playoff runs, one might think the Panthers are due for a down year.
    To quote ESPN college football analyst Lee Corso, "Not so fast my friend."
    Coach Chris Johnson (25-2 in two seasons) says the Panthers are capable of beating everyone on their schedule.

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    Quarterbacks Elijah Johnson and Cam Cunningham both return and will once again take snaps from center. "They are both very talented," Chris Johnson said. "We will try to get them both on the field (one at another position) at the same time."
    Elusive speedster Ethan Griffin returns at running back. Tony Smith, a transfer from Havre de Grace, will play a key role and both Toby DiMauro and Kyle Savick will contribute.
    The backs will run behind a mammoth offensive line. "This group has the potential to be the best I've coached," Johnson said. "It's the biggest I've coached."
    Jeff Pollard will play left tackle with Nate Presberry beside him. Joe Rinehart takes over at center with Logan Kelly moving to right guard and Steven Duty at right tackle.
    Kaine Delancey, Cody Hicks, and Clayton Bines are each expected to see time at tight end.
    Junior Tyrell Hollingsworth adds a special dimension at wide receiver. "He has the opportunity to be one of the best receivers in the state," Johnson said. "He catches the ball even with everyone around him like (former Ravens and current 49ers receiver Anquan Boldin).
    Savick is also capable of playing receiver.
    Presberry, Pollard, Duty, and Donnell Whittington are slated to see plenty of action on the defensive line. Bines, Delancey, and Kelly add depth and will rotate into the lineup.
    Kelly Biddle, DiMauro, and Cunningham will play defensive end. Hicks, Smith, and DiMauro will see action at  linebacker. Griffin, Johnson, and Hollingsworth will comprise the secondary.
    Strong-legged Josh Bargsten is back to handle the punting and kicking chores.
    The Panthers moved up to the Chesapeake Division where they will play the league's top teams for the first time since the inception of the UCBAC.
    "This is a different team," said Johnson. "But I'm glad we're playing the toughest teams. We're not going to look past anyone. North East and Bo Manor are much improved and Rising Sun will be much improved." The Panthers do not play Elkton.
    "Our potential is way up there," Johnson said. "It comes down to needing to keep working and refining some things to get to where we were last year."
    Perryville has averaged 38 points a game the last two seasons. Part of that, of course, is because of talent, Johnson says. But there is another key component – execution. "Little things mean everything," he said. "We are not quite there yet but we have the potential. I think we're capable of winning every game."