Canton Academy Panthers show spirit at state

By Courtney Warren 

The Canton Academy (CA) Varsity Panthers took on the Greenville Christian School (GCS) Saints last month for the MSAIS 3A State Championship in a David-and-Goliath-style football game.

Due to COVID policies and the new ability to bring in players from neighboring districts, GCS was able to create an unstoppable team, finishing their season on a nine-game winning streak. The Saints outscored their opponents 536-144.

With all of that in mind and knowing the stats for their opponent, the sidelines were not what one might expect from a team well aware they are outmatched.
The Canton Academy Varsity Panthers might have lost a football game, but what they did not lose was heart.

The Panthers started the game with a twelve-play, 39-yard drive that took nearly eight minutes off the clock. Unfortunately, it ended on a failed 4-and-12 outside the red zone.
With the stands having only standing room as they were packed to the brim with Panther fans, the boys continued to cheer one another on.

When the opposing Goliaths got mouthy, the Panther men kept their heads high and their words positive as they focused on the brotherhood that brought them to the state championship in the first place.

Senior Taylor Pratt, kicker for the Panthers, said, “If someone told me last year that this team was going to a state championship, I would’ve laughed in their face. When the new coaching staff arrived, they told us that they have a vision, a vision of going to a state championship. A ring is cool and all, but nothing is ever going to beat the brotherhood and bonds that we made this year.”

 “We went to the state championship as a team. I have to say, do not take anything for granted, ever.”

Coming back from the locker room prepared to give it their all once again, the defense put the Panthers on the board in the second half behind senior Marcus Goodloe’s 15-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown.

Junior stunner Daniel Ford, one of the largest Panthers on the team, came off of the field after a long drive and said, “They’re good. These guys are good football players, but we aren’t going to quit. We’re brothers, and we’re going to go until the clock runs out.”

The idea of brotherhood began from the summer months all the way until that exact moment,  when the clock ran out. While many teams would have accepted defeat, given up, or even racked up personal fouls out of anger and frustration, the boys in black and gold did none of that. The sidelines were nothing but encouraging words, dabs and teamwork.
As the buzzer sounded and the Panthers saw the final score of 46-6, they shook hands with their opponents, some even friends outside of the gridiron.

“Remember this moment. These boys deserve some respect. This is a great team, and you would much rather play them then some of the teams you’ve played this season,” said MSAIS Director of Athletics Chris Chance as the Saints and Panthers circled up to pray at the end of the game. Mumbles of agreement were heard from around the large huddle.

After the game, senior Barnes Wadford said, “The best thing to me about being a part of a team is watching my teammates succeed and celebrating with them when they do. Going to the state championship is any athlete’s dream, and we did it together. There is no one on my team who doesn’t give their all when they take the field. These guys will always be my brothers.” 
Wadford had the opportunity to play with his younger brother, Samuel Wadford, a junior on the team.

As the Panthers accepted second place, tears on the cheeks of the seniors who were standing on the field for their final time, junior Bert Goodloe shouted into the huddle, “Remember this moment. Remember this feeling. We are brothers. We’re going to be back on this field to play for state again. Remember how we feel right now. We can do this.”

Surrounded by his family, Chaney Hale also had his little brother on the sidelines. Rhett Hale served as ball boy for the varsity Panthers and attended every game.

Whether blood relation or not, Hale said playing with his team is a memory he will cherish.

“It was one of the best moments of my life. Even though we came up short, we got to where we wanted to be. I wouldn’t want to have done it with any other group out there,” said Hale.

“It was an honor to have such a great team behind us. Over the summer and through the season, we grew to become this brotherhood,” said senior Holden Chandler.
The Panthers fell short with a final score of 46-6, ending their season with a 10-3 record under first-year CA Head Coach Gage Posey. 

All good things must come to an end, and, while the Panthers would have loved a ring, they have a winning season to hang their helmets on.

“Our senior season went by too fast. Never be scared to just stop and take it all in, because you never know when it’s going to come to an end,” added Pratt.

With nothing but a bright future and several superstar starters returning to the field next year, the Panthers anticipate a successful road to the state championship once again.