21 Sep 2016 Rednour honored to represent Magnet Cove
by Levi Gilbert
It’s been a rough non-conference schedule for the Magnet Cove Panthers, but senior Zac Rednour is nowhere near ready to throw in the towel this season.
“Our first three games this year have been rough,” Rednour said. “We played three great teams and couldn’t pull out a win.”
Rednour and the Panthers have been in this spot before. In 2015, Magnet Cove started 0-5, but after winning four games down the stretch, the Panthers secured a playoff spot and won their first-round matchup. Having experienced this before, Rednour knows things can still turn around once 5-2A play kicks off this week.
“[We want to] compete every game to the best of our ability,” Rednour said. “To go far in the playoffs would be great. Everyone wants a title and a district championship. Why not us?”
Despite struggling in the non-conference schedule, ultimately, none of that matters for the Panthers’ playoff hopes. The real season begins this week against England. The Panthers will have a tough test to start off 5-2A play. England blasted Magnet Cove last year, 51-7.
“I am looking forward to playing England this year,” Rednour said. “England will have a stout team, and I want to upset them. Also, I’m looking forward to our rival game against Poyen in Week 5. I want to go out and beat Poyen my last year.”
Rednour was selected to this year’s 501 Football Team — 26 players representing all 11 counties of the 501. The team, sponsored by First Security Bank and First Service Bank, boasts the best the 501 has to offer both on and off the field. Rednour, a wide receiver/defensive back, was nominated by his head coach, Ronnie Efird.
“He never comes off the field and plays every play like it is his last,” Efird wrote in his nomination. “He will battle you to the very end, and then shake your hand. He’s loyal, very friendly and will help in any way.
“I expect him to lead the team to a conference championship, and lead the team in receiving yards and interceptions. I just love this kid because he never takes a play off and is a ‘yes, sir/no, sir’ kid.”
In 2015, Rednour earned all-conference honors with 28 catches for 226 yards and four touchdowns. This year, he has his aim set on scoring five touchdowns, and defensively, his goal is to record 50 tackles and five interceptions.
“I’ve had to overcome learning new positions this year on both sides of the ball,” Rednour said. “I am starting at a new receiver spot, and I’m learning for the first time at free safety. I’ve always been under sized at 5-foot-9, 145 pounds. I always love proving people wrong. I work to overcome the people that say you can’t do something. You have to have great confidence in yourself that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.”
Rednour is a multi-sport athlete at Magnet Cove. He also plays basketball, track and baseball. Off the field, he’s a member of Future Farmers of America, Beta Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“I feel honored to represent the Magnet Cove community,” Rednour said. “I want to thank all our fans who come out to support us. I want to thank all my coaches who have coached me through my whole life. My teammates have selected me as captain, and I am honored for them choosing me as a leader on this team. I want to thank my mom, dad, sister and my biggest supporter, my Gramps. He has helped me so much throughout my whole sports career.”
Magnet Cove kicks off 5-2A play this Friday playing host to England.
