Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

CHESAPEAKE — Halloween is coming early for Chesapeake Panthers’ head coach Andy Clark.

Clark is facing a frightening situation heading into Friday’s season opener at Oak Hill. The Panthers are replacing almost all their offensive and defensive lines and playing on the road isn’t helping disguise the program.

“It’s the first game and we have a whole bunch of new starters on both sides of the line. That’s scary,” said Clark.

Chesapeake rolled in the season opener last season with a 56-6 win over the Oaks. But Brendan Meadows is the lone returning interior lineman which makes it understandable why Clark is getting chills down his spine.

“First of all, you don’t know how they’ll react in their first game and it’s on the road. Secondly, Oak Hill is tough to beat at home. They’re solid and don’t do things to beat themselves.”

Oak Hill is virtually the opposite of the Panthers. The Oaks return four of five interior offensive linemen but have a lot of new faces in the backfield.

“They’re pretty good up front. It’s going to be kind of an adjustment game. I don’t know what to expect.,” said Clark.

Junior Caleb Johnson (5-10, 225) takes over at quarterback. “He’s not a bad passes,” said Clark.

The running game is by committee with senior Troy Moore (6-0, 180) the fullback and the leading running back contenders are junior Zach Fisher (5-10, 180) and sophomore Walker Smith (5-9, 145).

The tight end is junior Hanning Cole (6-1, 185) and the split end is senior Wes Mullett (6-2, 175).

“Cole is a nice target. Mullett is pretty good and pretty aggressive on offense and defense,” said Clark.

Anchoring the line are senior Todd Moore (6-0, 250) and junior Ramsey Sites (5-10, 260).

Defensively Moore and Sites are also strong up front with Mullett and Moore the ends. Sophomore Bayley Clutters (5-7, 170) is the top linebacker.

“The front seven is pretty good on defense. The defensive line is aggressive and the inside linebackers are pretty solid,” said Clark.

“Our skilled players are good and experienced, but you have to play well up front or it doesn’t matter.”

Kickoff is 7 p.m.

Friday’s Games

Ironton at Wheelersburg

Coal Grove is Open

Rock Hill at Minford

Chesapeake at Oak Hill

South Point at Roane County, W.Va.

Portsmouth West at Fairland

Paden City, W.Va. at Symmes Valley

Manchester at Green

Meigs at Gallipolis

Sciotoville East at South Gallia

Ports Notre Dame at Southern

Southeastern at Northwest

Waverly at Piketon

Raceland, Ky. at Ashland, Ky.

Thursday’s Game

Portsmouth at Lucasville Valley

Saturday’s Game

Russell, Ky. at Greenup County