The 2010 Park Hill South football season was one of change for the Panthers. They had a new head coach in Mark Simcox, a new program, and, to their satisfaction, new results. Their district championship sent them to the state playoff appearance for the first time since 2004. They went on to advance to the state quarterfinals before falling in a low-scoring game Staley, 7-3. It didn’t take long for South to buy into Simcox’s philosophy after the 7-4 season that produced those type of results, making it that much easier for them to get back to work this fall.
“We’re so much further ahead than we were last year, it’s not even comparable,” Simcox said. “I was still learning names and the system was new, but because of the camps and everything we’re way ahead now. It won’t do us any good if we don’t continue to progress, but I feel good with where we’re at.”
While South returns six players with varsity experience on the defensive side from last year, it will be the offense where they’ll need production to improve the most. The memory of not scoring a touchdown against Staley in their final game last season still lingers in players’ minds.
“Not being able to score a touchdown in that playoff game against Staley kind of sticks in your throat a bit,” Simcox said. “Lot of different ways we could have won it, but bottom line is we couldn’t find a way to score and didn’t stop them when we needed to.”
Only two starters return on offense including guard-turned-center, Jon Holden, and wide receiver Craig Scott who will cause some problems for opposing secondaries. Evan Martin, Cody Kildow, and Seth Cline will join Holden on the offensive line with Myles Hammonds behind them as the top tailback. The person taking the snaps at quarterback though, has yet to be determined, but among those vying for the position is senior Eddie Sola, an all-conference safety. At the moment, Simcox says Sola will likely take half the snaps to start the season while two younger quarterbacks, sophomore Carson Reid and freshman Shaefer Schuetz, will compete for the other half and possibly take over as a full-time starter.
“We’re just going to let it work itself out,” Simcox said. “We’ve got a senior that runs really well. His strength is his legs and he’s fast. We’d like to not have to play him all the time because he’s an all-conference player on defense as well.”
Speaking of defense, the players caught on real quick to the new scheme that Simcox brought with him last year.
“You can call it a 5-2 or a 3-4, it all adds up the same,” Simcox said. “Defensively, it was a little easier because once you get lined up you’re running to the football no matter what. It allows us to play pretty solid against a tight end and people that run the ball.”
Up front the Panther defense will be experienced and tenacious with three year starter Ron Anderson returning at nose guard with fellow tackle Aaron Gray. Robert Lane and Nick Gillespie will play important roles because of their versatility at any one time to be lined up as defensive ends rushing into the backfield or as outside linebackers looking to break-up the pass. Sola will also be a big part of South’s secondary defense at safety.
An overall theme that Simcox wants to continue to emphasis is an increased physicality in the way they play. The 2011 team won’t outsize very many of their opponents, but their speed and toughness should be a way to counteract any disadvantages they may see.
“Probably more than anything else, we want to continue what we started last year by being a more physical team. As small as we are, we also have to be fast, smart, and tough,” Simcox said.
Park Hill South will face two early tests with Blue Springs South in week two and Park Hill in week three along with a much anticipated rematch with Staley in week seven.
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