Palmetto Pigksin's Carolina Forest Preview
In their second season after going winless, the rebuilding process is close to complete at Carolina Forest. Drew Hummel sees a team that has matured and continues to make great strides. “We’re a better football team for sure,” said Hummel. “We’re bigger, stronger and faster. We have a chance to be really good.”
The Panthers spread formation offense should definitely see improvement as Robert Gray enters his junior year, and his second season as the Panthers starting QB. Gray threw for almost 1400 yards last season, and led the Panthers to an emotional 21-20 victory over South Florence. “His arm is bigger and stronger, he can throw the ball well,” Hummel said. “His accuracy is good, but it has to get better. He needs to get his reads down and make check downs quickly.”
Just by watching passing league games, it’s obvious Gray’s receiving corps has spent a lot of time this summer working on their pass-catching ability. That should help Gray in his junior season. The Panthers have plenty of returning players on defense. The entire linebacking corps is back, and two starters on the defensive line return as well, Zack Beattie and Alex Flucker. Hummel is also excited about his secondary, which he believes is very athletic and has a chance to be one of the team’s strengths.
But depth is an issue. “We have people in places where we want them,” added Hummel. “We cannot afford injuries because we just don’t have the depth at this point. That is easily our biggest concern.” Carolina Forest did not schedule any 4A schools for their non-region schedule. If the Panthers are as improved as Hummel believes they are, they could go into region play at 4-1. If that’s the case, Hummel’s goal of a winning season and a playoff berth would be attainable.
