By Chris Parker
Forsyth football has high expectations coming off three straight winning seasons. After going a combined 2-18 in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, the Panthers have gone 20-13 in the three years since. Last season, Forsyth finished 7-4.
The Panthers have high expectations this season with a wealth of talent returning.
Defensive success will tie directly to team success this season.
“The biggest improvement we need to make is on the defensive side of the ball,” Forsyth head coach Kris Conley said. “We gave up a lot of points last year and I think that is because we played six underclassmen on that side of the ball. Those guys took some lumps and adjusted to varsity football. I think that is where we need to take the biggest steps is on the defensive side of the ball.”
Last season, Forsyth scored 33 points per game but gave up 38.9 points per game.
The Panthers have a good place to start on defense with reigning Mid-Lakes Conference Defensive Player of the Year Rolly Fisher returning. Fisher pulled down 105 total tackles with six tackles for a loss as a sophomore.
“He (Fisher) has always been great in the weight room and always worked his tail off. He is very intelligent. He has taken steps to be a leader,” Conley said. “He is just an overall great kid and great football player. It is impressive as a sophomore to do that (win conference defensive player of the year).”
Fisher winning defensive player of the year for the conference did not go unnoticed within the program.
“When other people around the conference and the area start to see those things it breathes excitement and confidence into the program,” Conley said.
Ryder Fisher, Braxton Gross and Ayden Cleveringa will join Rolly Fisher at linebacker.
The defensive line will be stout with Jerrett Walls and Johnathan Goodwin at defensive end. Easton Siwek and Tyler Garza will be on the interior of the defensive line.
The secondary will feature Tamarkus Holmes and Mason Campbell at cornerback. All-conference sophomore Bryce Nolen returns to his safety position.
Offensively, the Panthers must replace their quarterback Aaron Gross and his 1,205 yards passing. Also gone is second-leading rusher Zack Strahan.
The good news is that the first and third leading rushers return in Braxton Gross and Rolly Fisher.
Gross led the team with 145 carries for 847 yards and 14 touchdowns. His efforts earned him third-team all-state honors in Class 2. He was one of just two underclassmen to earn offensive all-state honors in Class 2 last season.
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“He is a three-sport athlete and was all-state in two sports as a sophomore. He is just a very intelligent kid. He is one of the most competitive kids I have ever coached. He is always wanting to give it his best and always wanting to win. He has great knowledge of the scheme and what we are trying to do. He has great hands and great vision,” Conley said. “He just has it all.”
Fisher contributed 142 carries for 779 yards and seven touchdowns.
Sophomore Chris Halbrook is in line to start at quarterback for the Panthers. He has a big arm with good touch.
His top two targets on the outside will be good ones in Tamarkus Holmes and Mason Campbell. Holmes was a two-way starter last season, but broke his collarbone in camp and missed most of the season. The athletic duo will give opposing defense’s fits.
“They could be the two most athletic receivers we have had since we’ve been here,” Conley said.
Up front, four offensive linemen who earned all-conference honors return in Goodwin, Walls, Siwek and Braden Logsdon. Tyler Garza will be the fifth starter. He was a starting on the offensive line until he got injured last season. He came back later in the season on defense only.
This quintet will be the engine that makes the Forsyth offense go.
“It (the experienced offensive line) has been huge for us. We are already further ahead this year at this point than we were the previous two years we had lost four offensive linemen off the group. They understand our scheme and our calls and what we are trying to do,” Conley said.
Ayden Cleveringa and Bryce Nolen could see snaps on offense as well.
Key players graduated off the offense, but Conley thinks this year’s team could be even more explosive.
“We averaged about 38 points per game last year. I think it could be a little higher,” Conley said.
Forsyth travels to Mt. Vernon for a jamboree on Aug. 18 before opening the season on Aug. 25 at home against El Dorado Springs.
