16 Aug 2017 GREENBRIER: Panthers battling atop 5A West

Conference: 5A West
Coach: Randy Tribble
’16 Record: 8-3

The Greenbrier Panthers mounted another successful 5A West run in 2016, earning the No. 2 seed and punching a return trip to the 5A playoffs.

“Last season was bittersweet in that we had a chance to win the conference late in the season, but lost to Alma,” said Coach Randy Tribble, who earned his 65th win at Greenbrier last fall. “The year was different than most in that we got a forfeit win versus Morrilton after losing to them by a score of 28-27. That changed the dynamics of the rest of the year.

“Our biggest win of the year was against Harrison. Finishing 8-3 was an accomplishment we were proud of for the number of injuries we had, but we were not satisfied.”

One of the Panthers’ key strengths on offense is all the experience returning at running back in senior Spencer Sutterfield and junior Seth Howard. Senior Grant Brown returns at inside receiver, and senior Joseph Shaw is the lone returning starter on the offensive line.

Other projected offensive starters include: Jeremy Kendall (quarterback); Reese Hammontree, Logan Beaird and SaCari Reese (receivers); and Logan Palmer, Landen Mazur, Asha Barrell and K.J. Jones (offensive linemen).

Tanner Vinacco, Nick Allen, Christian Hogan, Jones and Shaw rotate on the defensive line. Sutterfield, Tristan Rodriguez and Ryan Barnard lead the linebackers. The Panthers return their defensive secondary intact: Hammontree (corner), Beaird (corner), Brown (safety), Gage Hogan (safety) and Howard (safety).

“We have more questions than answers right now,” Tribble said. “Summer is going very well. Players have a great attitude and work ethic.”