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6 THE NEWS-ENTERPRISE FOOTBALL 2012 THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012 ELIZABETHTOWN PANTHERS The 2012 Elizabethtown Panthers ORGANIZING COMMITTEE TRAINING SITE: Elizabethtown. POPULATION (2011-12 school year): 786 (Grades 9-12). TEAM COLORS: Northwestern purple and old gold. HOME FIELD: Doug Smith Memorial Stadium (capacity 3,000). 2011 GAMES: 0-11. LAST MEDAL ROUND: 2011 (lost to Bell County, 66-0 in first round of Class 3-A playoffs). LAST MEDAL WIN: Defeated Frankfort Western Hills, 8-3 in first round of Class 3-A playoffs in 2010. TEAM ELIZABETHTOWN HEAD COACH: Adam Billings (second season at Elizabethtown, 0-11). ASSISTANT COACHES: Scott Mooney, Quentin Brown, A.J. French, Jeff Smothers and Al Mather. ATHLETES: 59 (Grades 9-12). TOP STATISTICAL RETURNEES Rushing: Josh Williams (65 att., 209 yards, 0 TDs). Passing: Nathan Cleary (1-for-4 for 0 yards and 0 TDs). Receiving: Josh Williams (72 catches, 543 yards, 1 TD). MEDAL HOPES ■ Elizabethtown senior Josh Williams shifts from wideout to tailback in the new offensive scheme. He should bust out this season and be an Area Offensive Player of the Year candidate. ■ Junior Brandon Cochran and senior Dalton Swank will anchor both lines. ■ Senior Austin Campbell didn’t play any quarterback last season. ELIZABETHTOWN PANTHERS MEDAL CHASE 2012 SCHEDULE Aug. 17 FORT KNOX Aug. 24 Louisville DeSales # Aug. 31 CENTRAL HARDIN Sept. 7 at North Oldham Sept. 14 BARDSTOWN Sept. 21 at Beechwood Oct. 5 at Louisville Central Oct. 12 at LaRue County Oct. 19 HENRY COUNTY Oct. 26 GLASGOW Home games in all caps BOLD indicates Class 3-A, District 3 game # denotes Swope Nissan/First Citizens Bank Bowl at Central Hardin 2011 RESULTS Lost to Fort Knox, 41-21 Lost to Grayson County, 48-21 Lost to Central Hardin, 53-6 Lost to North Oldham, 62-28 Lost to Bardstown, 67-20 Lost to Beechwood, 65-22 Lost to Louisville Central, 76-14 Lost to LaRue County, 57-44 Lost to Henry County, 57-27 Lost to Glawgow, 62-7 Lost to Bell County, 66-0 PAST GAMES 2011: 0-11 2010: 4-8 2009: 5-7 2008: 10-3 2007: 7-5 GOLD MEDALS One: 1969 (2-A). 2006: 7-4 2005: 4-6 2004: 11-2 2003: 12-3 2002: 7-5 2012 ROSTER No. Name Position Height Weight Class 2 Seth Anderson WR/DB 5-2 101 Freshman 3 Devaughn Miller WR/C 5-10 165 Senior 4 Hunter Sullivan WR/DB 5-9 152 Freshman 5 Jack Wilson QB/ILB 5-10 192 Freshman 6 Khalid Said WR/DB 5-8 122 Freshman 7 Koran Mitchell WR/DE 5-10 163 Freshman 8 Dalonza Cates FB/OLB 5-3 132 Freshman 10 Thad Humphrey WR/C 5-8 166 Sophomore 11 Cole Fulkerson QB/ILB 5-8 205 Junior 12 Trevon Marshall WR/DB 5-2 100 Freshman 14 Tevin Lucas RB/OLB 5-6 137 Sophomore 15 Austin Campbell QB/DE 5-9 232 Senior 16 Knox Isham WR/DB 5-3 110 Freshman 17 Peyton Payne WR/DB 5-7 148 Freshman 18 Nathan Cleary WR/DB 6-2 165 Senior 20 James Washington FB/OLB 6-1 180 Junior 21 Josh Williams RB/S 5-8 172 Senior 22 Berneil Cecil RB/ILB 5-8 168 Freshman 23 Casey Gramman WR/DB 5-5 128 Freshman 24 Mikey Doolittle WR/C 5-6 120 Freshman 25 Timothy Sessoms WR/C 5-2 110 Freshman 28 Daniel Elder TE/OLB 6-1 162 Sophomore 30 Nyrobi Dornan WR/DB 5-7 125 Freshman 32 Jaque Abrams FB/ILB 5-9 220 Senior 33 C.J. Holbert WR/DE 5-7 142 Freshman 34 Malachi Kennedy G/DE 5-8 162 Freshman 36 Tyler Adams TE/OLB 5-9 172 Senior 40 Cole Denton WR/DB 5-8 140 Freshman 42 Collin Fulkerson FB/OLB 5-6 130 Freshman 43 Daniel Manuel WR/OLB 5-8 135 Freshman 44 Austin Cox FB/ILB 5-4 125 Freshman 48 David Walls TE/DE 6-3 185 Freshman 49 Akiim Sessoms WR/DB 5-10 130 Senior 50 Sean Barfield G/ILB 5-8 198 Sophomore 52 Jaylen Nixon T/ILB 5-8 227 Junior 53 Grant Stephens G/DT 5-6 162 Freshman 54 Trey Tefft C/ILB 5-11 225 Senior 55 Jesse Guzman C/DT 5-9 176 Sophomore 56 Brandon Cochran T/DE 6-1 242 Junior 57 Deante Hogan WR/DB 5-4 111 Freshman 58 Nasir Sims G/DT 5-7 177 Freshman 60 Ethan McDougal G/DE 5-9 197 Sophomore 62 Justin Davis T/DT 5-6 207 Freshman 64 Jackson Roederer G/DT 5-7 185 Sophomore 65 Jacob Moore G/DT 5-10 268 Senior 66 Deuce Stokan T/DT 5-10 262 Sophomore 68 Rossmann Walker T/DT 6-3 281 Sophomore 69 John Rachlin C/DE 5-11 212 Sophomore 70 Austin Correll G/DT 5-10 247 Junior 71 Roscoe Walker T/DT 6-4 337 Senior 72 Dalton Swank T/DT 6-2 263 Senior 74 Chris Greene G/DT 5-7 166 Freshman 77 Grant Ouellette T/DT 5-11 203 Sophomore 78 Aaron Prather T/DT 5-10 231 Freshman 80 Tyler Wright WR/DB 5-10 150 Sophomore 81 Chase Chapman WR/C 6-0 160 Senior 82 Evan McKinley WR/OLB 6-1 172 Senior 86 Kennedy Simon TE/DE 6-3 228 Senior 88 Darnelle Glover WR/DB 6-2 163 Senior PROJECTED STARTERS OFFENSE QB: Austin Campbell, 5-9, 232, Sr. — Played in only three games last year – none at QB. TB: Josh Williams, 5-8, 172, Sr. — Coach says he could approach 2,000 all-purpose yards. FB: Jaque Abrams, 5-9, 220, Sr. — Played in all 11 games last year, mostly as a blocker. XWR: Devaughn Miller, 5-10, 165, Sr. — Had more than 275 receiving yards in 2011. ZWR: Nathan Cleary, 6-2, 165, Sr. — Was the backup QB last year. TE: Kennedy Simon, 6-3, 228, Sr. — Was second-team All-Area last year at TE. SST: Brandon Cochran, 6-1, 242, Jr. — Was last year’s Area Offensive Sophomore of the Year. SSG: Dalton Swank, 6-2, 263, Sr. — Also started at guard last year. C: Trey Tefft, 5-11, 225, Sr. — Bigger role after playing in just two games in 2011. WSG: Austin Correll, 5-10, 247, Jr. — Returning starter at guard who played in every game. WST: Jaylen Nixon, 5-8, 227, Jr. — Played in four games last season, but mostly on defense. K: Austin Campbell, 5-9, 232, Sr. — Kicked three extra points last year. DEFENSE SSDE: Brandon Cochran, 6-1, 242, Jr. — Had 9.5 total tackles in 2011. WSDE: Kennedy Simon, 6-3, 228, Sr. — Had 12.5 total tackles last year. T: Dalton Swank, 6-2, 263, Sr. — Had 18 total tackles in nine appearances in 2011. NG: Austin Correll, 5-10, 247, Jr. — Two-way starter had two total tackles last year. SSOLB: Tyler Adams, 5-9, 172, Sr. — Was second on team in total tackles in 2011. ILB: Jaque Abrams, 5-9, 220, Sr. — Two-way starter had 19 total tackles last year. ILB: Jaylen Nixon, 5-8, 227, Jr. — Made four total tackles in four games in 2011. WSOLB: Daniel Elder, 6-1, 162, So. — Sophomore of the Year candidate made 10 appearances in 2011. CB: Devaughn Miller, 5-10, 165, Sr. — Two-way starter is returning interception leader – with one. CB: Nathan Cleary, 6-2, 165, Sr. — Two-way starter had 8.5 total tackles last year. CB: Josh Williams, 5-8, 172, Sr. — Two-way starter led the team in total tackles (40.5) last year. P: Austin Campbell, 5-9, 232, Sr. — He’s handling anything throwing or kicking related.

THE NEWS-ENTERPRISE FOOTBALL 2012 THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2012 7 ELIZABETHTOWN PANTHERS The Redeem Team Panthers want to put last season behind them and focus on the future By NATHANIEL BRYAN The News-Enterprise After an 0-11 season, the Elizabethtown Panthers are leaving the past – and the pass – in the past. Second-year coach Adam Billings has scrapped the spread for a pro-style I-formation power run game that focuses around getting explosive and athletic senior Josh Williams the ball as much as possible. “Last year is done and we’re not looking back at that,” said Dalton Swank, a senior strongside offensive guard and defensive tackle. “Every aspect of E’town football has changed since then. Attitude, hard work, everything.” There are plenty of changes to be had as the Panthers look to end the 12-game losing streak they find themselves heading into Friday night’s season-opener against area rival Fort Knox. It could be the final meeting between the teams at Doug Smith Memorial Stadium as the Panthers hope to play on an oncampus turf field in 2013. There have been many assistant coaches to come and go. The roster size has more than doubled, which is nearly unheard for a struggling team. The coaches’ office has been redone, players have matching practice uniforms and practices are now being taped and rewatched at 6:30 the next morning. “It’s not fun, don’t get me wrong, but we know it’s necessary and it’s helped out a lot,” Swank said of the early mornings. “Nobody likes getting up at 6:30 in the morning, but I’m thankful to have a coach that does that for us.” Billings is thankful to be heading back to his tried-and-true offense, which he used with great success as a coach in Wisconsin and North Carolina before taking over the pass-happy Panthers. “Regardless of what scheme you use, you have to have disciplined players,” Billings said. “On defense, you’ve got to have guys flying to the football. You look anywhere in the country and you’ll find all sorts of successful teams that run different systems. So it’s really not about the system, but it’s more about getting your kids the discipline enough to know what they’re supposed to be doing when they’re supposed to be doing it and playing hard on Friday night.” That much was evident during last week’s home scrimmage with Louisville Moore as the Panthers bounced back from an early two-touchdown deficit to tie the Mustangs, 21-21. It was also good for the Panthers because the Mustangs came out and stuck nine players in the box to stop Elizabethtown’s running game – partly because Moore coach Eric Dick is a buddy of Billings who had spent all year listening to his friend talk about the Panthers’ offensive changes. Williams, who had more than 700 yards combined rushing and receiving last season, is ready to accept the pressure that goes along with being the featured back in a run-oriented offense. “Our whole team is pretty much depending on me to run the I-formation since it’s all running backs, so I’ve got a big job to do,” said Williams, who also led the team in tackles last year as a safety. “Coach comes to me to be a leader, so I have to help the team out and stay on them and keep them in shape. I’m going to do what I can to help my team.” Williams has plenty of help around him. Seven other starters – senior fullback Jaque Abram, senior X NEAL CARDIN/The News-Enterprise Elizabethtown seniors Josh Williams and Dalton Swank don’t want a repeat of last season. receiver Devaughn Miller, senior Z receiver Nathan Cleary, senior tight end Kennedy Simon, Swank, junior strong-side tackle Brandon Cochran and junior weak-side guard Austin Correll – are back offensively. Simon was the second-team All-Area tight end last year, while Cochran was the Area Offensive Sophomore of the Year and an All-Area honorable mention. Senior Austin Campbell, who takes over at quarterback for the graduated Kyle Todd, said switching to the I-formation from the spread hasn’t been that rough. “It really wasn’t that bad and the pressure’s a whole lot different,” Campbell said. “In shotgun, you have a whole lot more time after getting the ball from the center instead of getting the ball right off and having to drop back. You can feel more of a rush, but I trust my line. Dalton Swank and Brandon Cochran are a big part of my line and I trust them.” The defense was among the worst in the state last season, allowing 386.5 yards and 59.5 points per game. The Panthers hope to drastically change those numbers with a more-aggressive approach coupled with experience. Nine defensive starters return in Williams at safety, Miller at cornerback, senior Evan McKinley at outside linebacker, Abram and junior Jaylen Nixon at middle linebacker, Swank and Correll at the tackles and Cochran and Simon at defensive end. “We’re a lot hungrier and once we get that first victory, we’re getting on a roll. It will be over,” Cochran said. “We look at this season as a winning season. We’re going to be good. We’re going to win.” Those wins might not be immediate, but Billings is confident the team’s luck will change as long as it sticks together, believes in the changes and keeps working hard. “Losing is not fun,” he said. “But you can have fun and not win the football game. You can still lose and walk off the field and go, ‘Man, that was a great game and I’ve got no regrets, so let’s get better next week.’ That’s what we want to do this year. We want to have fun on Friday night. We want to get after people. We want to put a product on the field that everyone wearing an E’town shirt is proud of.” Nathaniel Bryan can be reached at (270) 505-1758 or nbryan@thenewsenterprise.com. The United States swept men’s and women’s basketball, winning gold in both for the second consecutive Summer Games. The All-Around Josh Williams will be asked to do a little of everything for the Panthers this year By NATHANIEL BRYAN The News-Enterprise Adam Billings, although not entirely serious, has said he may stake his coaching job on the performance of a single teenager this season. That’s how strongly the Elizabethtown Panthers’ second-year coach believes in Josh Williams. “Let’s put it this way: If he’s not injured and he doesn’t have 2,000 all-purpose yards, I probably won’t be coaching high school football very long,” Billings said of the senior running back and safety. “If he stays away from injury but doesn’t have a great year, then we’re not having a great year, either.” In the Panthers’ spread offense last year, Williams averaged more than 12 touches (rushes and catches) per game. He had 209 yards on 65 carries and 72 receptions for 543 yards and one touchdown. “You look at Josh Williams and when you go back and look at his highlight tape and you’re like, ‘Man, that guy was on our team last year,’” Billings said. “He made some phenomenal plays.” This season, Williams’ number of touches should be at least 20 and possibly upward of 30. “He’s going to make things happen this year,” Billings said. Williams, who is also a Elizabethtown senior Josh Williams will start on both sides of the ball. basketball player and a bodybuilder, relishes the workhorse role. Especially in the I-formation. “I’m more comfortable in it and I like it a lot more than the spread,” Williams said. Last year, Williams was the Panthers’ No. 3 option offensively behind quarterback Kyle Todd and receiver Matt Morgan. Todd threw for 27 touchdowns and 3,028 yards, while Morgan caught a state-leading 103 passes for 1,630 yards and 18 touchdowns. “I feel like people overlook me because of all of Matt’s and Kyle’s accomplishments,” Williams said. “But it’s a new year and we’re going to play ball.” The Panthers are playing ball – hopefully a winning version this time – with Williams leading the charge. Senior Dalton Swank loves Williams’ running ability, but admits Williams doesn’t make things easy on the linemen blocking for him. “It’s hectic at times because you never know which way he’s going to cut and stuff. So that makes my job a little bit stressful, but I love it because he can bounce off one or two tackles and all I have to do is make my one block and then he’s gone. He’s the JILL PICKETT/The News-Enterprise type of kid that just does that,” Swank said. “He’s real important to our team. He’s the key player.” Billings returns several linemen and he’s instilled in all of them to play disciplined and maintain their blocks. After that, the onus is on Williams to produce. “Josh is the type of kid who we want to get to the safety level and we’re not blocking teams’ safeties,” Billings said. “The safety goes unblocked and we’re hoping to get him to the safety because if he gets to the safety, there’s not a whole lot of teams who will have fun dealing with him.” Williams is in his third season as a two-way starter. Resting him would be nice, but the Panthers can ill afford to lose him on either side of the ball. Williams didn’t have any interceptions last year, but he led the team in total tackles (40.5) and solo stops (30) while being the last line of defense. He’s athletic enough to track down any long pass and stick with just about any receiver on his schedule. However, Williams has been cautioned about getting too aggressive. “The way you’ll beat him deep is when he comes up on you,” Billings said. “Josh will stick somebody, but we have to work on his keys on the play-action pass. He’s ready to play a 12, walk up to 10 and come screaming up and make the tackle 40 yards down the field. That’s great, but only if he makes that tackle. It’s not great if a tight end goes buzzing by him for six (points).” Williams agreed he needs to be a defensive quarterback first and an enforcer second. “I’ve got to control everything even though I like to come out and help on the run game,” Williams said. “I kind of get bored sometimes. That’s when I come up. But I’ve just got to stay back there and help my DBs out and still help out the run game too. I’ve got to become a complete player.” Playing on a team that has been overhauled in several aspects, Williams is ready to get the season started. For a program that struggled every week last year, that’s not the easiest thing to bounce back from. “We have nothing to lose. I mean, we didn’t win a game last season,” Williams said. “It’s all or nothing this time. We’ve got everything to gain and nothing to lose. Practice is totally different now. We’re sprinting around and not just jogging around. Our shirts are tucked in. Our whole team has totally changed.” Nathaniel Bryan can be reached at (270) 505-1758 or nbryan@thenewsenterprise.com.

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