Together as Family: Sterlington Panthers lean on team bond to get back to Dome

STERLINGTON, La. ( KTVE/KARD ) — The Sterlington Panthers are coming off a successful season—seeing them finish 11-2 with an appearance in the state semifinals.

But last year—is in the past and the clock has reset for the 2024 Panthers.

Now, there are a ton of words to describe what helps the Panthers get back to that point–hungry, determined, focused.

But there is one word in particular that will all the success on the field fall right in place.

“Family,” said Doty. “I think we are closer than a lot of teams we’ve had. I think these kids love each other already. I just think they are all a unit and all a team and people on this team are not worried about stats or all-district awards. They are just ready to go play football.”

“It’s just interesting watching us come together, said Roach. “We are truly family, and we really do love being around each other and spending time with each other. It’s a great community up here.”

The Sterlington Panthers were on an 11-game winning streak last season before falling in the state semifinals to St. James just a season ago.

But it didn’t break this group down—in fact—it brought them closer together and made them hungrier than ever before.

“Last year, we got out in the fourth round, and we are just trying to get there, late December,” Parker. “We are always trying to play in the Dome. The mindset this year is bond. We want to have real bond. Last year with great seniors, we were really bonded together and this year I think we are going to do the same thing. We have great seniors, great coaches and a lot of new coaches too.”

Once again—the Panthers will lean on experience to put themselves back at the top.

Starting with an offense who averaged 32.5 points per game—none of it possible without the work from the big men up front.

“We are coached very well,” Roach said. I’ve said that before. You have to give all the credit to them. They sit there and really focus on getting us right and when we are able to get things right and we’re able to get the ball to those people in the backfield, I mean, numbers show for themselves. We averaged about 300 yards rushing and we are very prideful of that, and that credit goes to all the people I am up there next to.”

The Panthers return many key pieces to that high-powered offense—both on the o-line and skill group–including a back who rushed for 451 yards and four touchdowns just a season ago and is due for a big year.

“The guys we are bringing back is our tailback Hagen Herrin,” said Parker. “He had a great year last year, the whole year. Roach. Roach is one of our best offensive linemen, if not the best. He is a great leader. He is the leader on this field. Gavin. He is our fullback. He’s great.”

When it comes to the quarterback position—there will indeed be a new face.

But that is what high school football is—new puzzle pieces year in and year out.

No matter whose number is called week one—the Panthers have full confidence and know there will be plenty of support around.

“Well, we still have a couple of guys that are working for the starting quarterback role, but we had a new starting quarterback last year. We had a new starting quarterback three years ago. We had a new starting quarterback five years ago,” Doty said. “We go through it every year or every other year. We are ready to roll, and we will coach the ones we have.”

“Well, he’s going to have to rely on the veterans because there are people like me, Michael Bozeman, Nathan Riordan. I mean we are veterans; we have been here forever now, and that quarterback can’t be held completely responsible. We are going to be held just as reliable as he is if something happens. We can’t fix an interception, but if he didn’t get the check in, then we are just as reliable.”

On the defensive side of the ball, it is a unit who understands the standards.

Play fast—and make plays.

“When we’ve had guys on defense who will run to the ball and will tackle, we’ve always been pretty good,” Doty said. “I think this group of guys know they have it in them and we just have to dig deep and get it out of them. Like I said, we have to line up right, run to the ball and make the tackle.”

As the Panthers know—it takes all three phases of the game to win football games and they are pleased with their special teams unit heading into the year.

A group who returns a majority of guys from last season—including 5-star kicker and punter Aidan Parker.

This group will be the difference maker when they hit the field.

“The year we went to the Dome, our previous kicker won the game,” Parker said. “He had three field goals. Coach Doty is always emphasizing special teams. We do at least 35 minutes of special teams each practice, punt, field goal, kickoff, everything.”

“Special teams wise, we really haven’t lost anybody. We have our snapper, a brand-new sophomore snapper. He is going to be really good this year and our quarterback will be our holder.”

“Well, it’s huge, especially when you have a Division-I kicker and punter like we do,” Doty said. “We put a lot of time and a lot of effort into it. We have a coordinator that does most of that for us, Coach RJ and I think we will still be good on special teams.”

The goal is always the same for the Sterlington Panthers—making their way to New Orleans.

For this senior group—this is their last chance, and they believe their preparation will see them right where they want to be.

“Last year we had a really good year and we had really good seniors lead us and I think that’s what we want to do as seniors,” Roach said. “We just want to come out and be able to lead this team and we just expect to be put into, if you will, the Sterlington Hall of Fame. We want to meet expectations. We want to be the team.”

“It’s just the little things. The little things in the weight room, on the field,” said Parker. “The Dome. That’s what our whole goal. State.”