The Panthers of Southside High School finished last year with just one win.

This year, Southside head coach Lem Jones believes his team can make the jump from a one-win team, to a playoff contender.

“I think this year we have a playoff team out here,” Jones said. “We have some good kids that have come out and a lot of people that are returning with some experience.”

The Panthers spent Thursday afternoon going over the plays in shorts and shoulder pads as a part of the teaching process that is spring practices.

“You have to go back to fundamentals during this time,” Jones said. “You go back to blocking and tackling. No one comes into the spring ready to play 4A football, so we are developing them into the players that we need to compete at that level.”

Southside’s team will see a quality mixture of returning players and some fresh talent.

The quarterback spot, this year manned by upcoming senior Rajadavia Phillips, is one that has some of that experience due to injuries last year providing Phillips with valuable playing time.
“We had a couple of people get hurt last year,” Jones said. “(Phillips) was able to step in and play and learn. This year he has been working hard in the winter to get better as a quarterback and is continuing to do that this spring.”

Phillips will also have a couple of skilled wide receivers to connect with in Torrence Smith and Zollie Glover.

“Those two out there are about as skilled as it gets in the state,” Jones said. “I feel like if you put them on any team they would be able to start. I certainly wouldn’t trade them for anyone.”

The Panthers will have the opportunity to test their progress next Friday when they play Francis Marion High School at home.