Heating Up: Palmetto Panthers

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Having followed Palmetto's football fortunes through the years, it is not surprising that head coach Mike Manasco has been able to come in and rejuvenate the program.

At a time when many standouts are leaving the schools that gave them their start, behind, the Panthers have found a way to limit the big time football players from leaving what they are trying to build.

What Manasco gives this football team is plenty of stability; and the belief that this team can make some major strides in 2016 – even when the district comes loaded with quality teams.

"If you have followed high school football down here for any length of time, you will find that Palmetto has always had a number of football talents that has made an impression," Manasco explained. "This year, I think that the team we will send out will be a more mature and experienced."

With offensive playmakers such as senior quarterback Hugh Lowson and lineman Cyress Girtman; as well as junior running back Trey Flowers, and receivers Joe Hardy and Ivan Thomas, these are those athletes that you can win with.

Lowson will be a three-year starter – while Flowers, Hardy and Thomas give this program an opportunity to really close the gap.

Defensively, there are some true playmakers that have a chance to make this a special season. Prospects such as Ken Spiller, a linebacker who has really flown way beneath the radar screen the past three seasons. He is one of those players who makes a program better. So is defensive lineman Danny Olgetree, who has made huge strides during the spring and summer.

Also, linebackers Henry Martinez (2017) and Eddie Williams (2019); and defensive backs Christian Pierre-Louis (2017), Fred King (2018) and Cuevas Russ are those game-changers Manasco spoke about.

"At this level, mostly everyone has a depth problem," Manasco pointed out. "If our playmakers and leaders can stay healthy, I have to think we will surprise some people."

OTHERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON
2018 – Jeff Charlemangne, DB
2017 – Travis Flowers, OL
2018 – Malcolm Hyppolite, DB/WR
2017 – Nick Jensen, OL
2017 – Javier Rodriguez, RB
2017 – Kevin Schwartz, WR
2018 – Chris Wright, LB