A new era in the prairie

The Pine Prairie Panthers begin a new era in their gridiron history, as the program now has a new head coach and a brand new staff.
Taking over the Panther program is David Michael Carrell, who claimed the reigns from long time head coach Yves Prince. The veteran Prince retired after the 2019 football season.
Carrell and his staff are hoping to turn around a team that went 0-10 last season and return a number of very young players with some tough-nosed game experience.
“The biggest thing for our staff this season has been re-teaching the fundamentals of the game to the players,” stated Carrell. “Without those fundamentals, it is no use you begin installing your scheme. We want to make sure that the players are prepared as much as possible before they get out on the field. Our coaches have been working really hard to make sure that happens.”
The Pine Prairie roster is filled with a ton of underclassmen. Within the framework of their 47 man team, the Panthers only have seven senior players. The bulk of the roster is filled with sophomores and freshmen.
Despite their youth, Pine Prairie does sport a plethora of game day savvy, as a number of those underclassmen were forced into action last season. According to Carrell, even though the Panthers did not win a game last season, the cupboard is full of talented players.
“When people think of Pine Prairie football they don’t believe there is a whole lot of talent there,” said Carrell. “But, the truth is there are a number of players on this team with the talent to play this game. I just think if give them the tools and put them in the right positions, good things will happen.”
Offensively, Pine Prairie will switch gears, running a Wing-T scheme out of the shotgun formation. Carrell is hoping to get some misdirection going which will allow his Run-Pass Option game to take off.
Guiding that offense will be on of two veteran players, junior Hayden Bourgeious or sophomore Branson Fontenot. The way Carrell sees it, the competition is wide open, not only at the quarterback spot, but at every position.
“I am coming in with fresh eyes,” commented Carrell. “It’s like I told the players, I am going to play the best person at each position. Whoever comes out and shows me that they are ready to work hard and learn fast, that is who is going to start.”
Speaking of experience, the Panthers have a really exciting play maker coming back at the running back spot in Elijah George. The sophomore looks to continue the decently successful season he had his freshman year.
Seniors Wyatt Welch, John Fontenot and A’shawn Lemelle will battle for the wing back spot along with junior Dylan Bordelon.
Pine Prairie has a ton of depth at the wide receiver position. The Panthers will have the opportunity to rotate four or five players out on the perimeter, including Da’jon Lemelle, Josiah Ortis, Evan Crain and Chase Freeman.
Up front, Pine Prairie will be solid with the return of seniors Kanyon Murray and Corey Higginbotham. Depth will be an issue for the Panthers on the line of scrimmage.
Defensively, Pine Prairie will be in a 4-4 scheme, putting emphasis on making sure that the defensive line play is good enough to allow their talented linebackers free access to the ball.
Up front the Panthers are counting on some much needed senior experience, as Nick Bourgeious will drop down from his linebacking position to handle the duties at three technique. David Freeman will anchor the other defensive lineman position, while Kobe Ardoin and Laine Elliott are expected to be the players at defensive end.
As far as linebackers go, Carrell and defensive co-ordinator are counting on a trio of juniors, Lucas Ricks, Tryston Mose and Nathan Casugay to reek havoc on opposing offenses. Joining the trio will be sophomore Trace Warman.
The secondary will have just as many talented players as the front seven, including juniors Chase Freeman and Bryce Ardoin. Senior John Fontenot takes over the free safety role and brings some leadership to the defense.
Pine Prairie opens the season up with Beau Chene at home and then will get their first taste of the road when they travel to Montgomery.
The Panthers return home to take on the Port Barre Red Devils in their final non-district game of the season.
The following week, Pine Prairie begins district play at Northwest. A home game against Highway 13 rival Mamou comes the next week.
The Panthers close out the season with a trip to Iota, a home game against cross-parish rival Ville Platte and a trip to Church Point.