Fall 2017 Preview: Forsyth Football

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Building a new program always carries peaks and valleys, and the introduction of football in Forsyth is no exception.

The Panthers move to a full varsity schedule for the first time in 2017 with locals such as Ava, Lockwood, Pierce City, and Lighthouse Christian highlighting the schedule.

Softball coach Tommie Anderson is at the helm of the program and has already adapted the offensive system more than once to suit his players.

“It was a learning curve for everyone, myself included,” he said. “Going to a spread attack was not something I had coached at my previous stops. We were always iso or option and going away from that got me out of my comfort zone, but it’s been the best thing for the kids we have.”

Playing a slate made up of entirely junior varsity opponents did not help the turnout coming into this year, though Anderson hopes the roster will be in the upper 40s by the season opener at Northeast Kansas City.

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“Getting them experience was the biggest thing. The number of games under our belt will not be comparable to anybody else. Our seniors, as freshman, did not think they would be able to play. They did not start out playing football and I think it’s been hard to get our numbers up in that grade because of that.”

“I just hope we can stabilize things because our junior class is huge, so two years from now is the concern.”

The Panthers sport just four seniors, starting with Micaiah Rocha at quarterback. His tallest target will be fellow senior Anthony Stanford at wideout.

Rocha will be also be a key factor at linebacker along with Matt Vrionis and Johnny Mayhew. Anderson also praised Mayhew for what he will bring to the Forsyth backfield.

“He is really good getting downhill and knows all the positions on offense. He is a very instinctive player. He does things without even having to think about it which, given our experience, we don’t have a lot of.”

Forsyth will be an independent for one season before joining the Mid-Lakes Conference for football only in 2018. They will also enter the season as a Class 2 program, but without a district to call home. Still, district points will still be at stake for their opponents.

In the meantime, Anderson said that at this point in camp, his words will only go so far. Live action against varsity opponents will be the ultimate eye-opener.

“I know at a certain point they’re going to tune me out with what I’m saying until they actually believe that we’re going to be seeing teams that are faster and more physical and that we’ve got to adapt our play.”