HEAD COACH: Korey Mobbs, 1st season ♦ CAREER RECORD: 66-34, 10th season ♦ 2022 SEASON: 3-7 ♦ REGION: 8-6A
If it’s all in the numbers, Jackson County may be poised for a special season in 2023 -- and maybe beyond.
The Panthers, under first-year head coach Korey Mobbs, have seen a significant jump in interest and participation coming into the fall as more than 150 have suited up, including 55 freshmen.
“The turnout has been unbelievable,” Mobbs said. “Back in the spring we averaged around 95 for our Morning Mayhem program, and it’s picked up in the summer. And there is a lot of talent out here as well.”
Back is All-AccessWDUN 1st-team selection MJ Spurlin (132 car., 748 yards, 9 TD), who will also man one of the linebacking spots on defense. Seniors Jayden Hibbet and Elijah Ling should lead the receiving corp, giving the Panthers their top three returning pass-catchers, including Spurlin, from last season.
The only question mark on offense will be at quarterback where last year’s backup, Zack Scott, a junior, will be taking the reins. Scott saw limited action in 2022 (3-of-14 passing, 15 yards, 2 INT).
“Zack has improved every week,” Mobbs said. “Just getting him varsity experience is the key. Our non-region schedule will be big for him to get that experience and get ready for a tough region schedule.”
Defensively, the Panthers return seven of their top eight tacklers, including Spurlin (41 tackles, 12 TFL, 2 sacks). Senior defensive end Peyton Scott (6-1, 275; 92 tackles, 10 TFL, 4 sacks) may be one of the more under-rated players in the state.
The linebacking group will be stout with Spurlin, Luke Mobbs (81 tackles, 10 TFL), senior Daniel Stites (81 tackles, 6 TFL), and another senior in Abbott Plank-Miller, who was injured last season but has emerged during the summer.
“MJ is probably in better shape than ever before. You can sense the urgency in him and the other seniors about this being their final season,” Mobbs said.
Despite a 3-7 finish in 2022, talent was not the problem. Closing out games was. Mobbs said that has been a driving force during the summer leading into the fall.
“A big focus for our staff has been to help these kids build their confidence,” he said. “The talent was there. The big thing was they just needed that confidence. Learning to finish, especially in the fourth quarter, has been a big priority. There’s no magic formula. Just having that confidence that you can do it.”
“Our goal is to make the playoffs. We’ll have to take it one game at a time against a pretty good schedule, but if we continue to improve every day, every week, I like where we are.”
GRADUATION STINGS
Chase Berrong (transfer), WR Markel Oliver, DE Jesse Combs, OL Holden Gilstrap, OL Dylan Starnes
STAYING THE COURSE ON OFFENSE
The Panthers employed a spread attack in 2022, and Mobbs is bringing his style to it as they will go four and five wide. But with three experienced guys returning up front in sophomore center Wren Kinner (6-foot-3, 245 pounds) and senior guards Blake Burge and Ethan Matthewson, Mobbs is expecting his offense to also be physical with Spurlin providing the bulk of the ground game. They can go “seven or eight deep” as junior tackles Lance Holder and Cole Jackson also saw action on the line in 2022.
DOWNRIGHT DEFENSIVE
If you take out the 51 points Gainesville scored on the Panthers in the season finale, Jackson County allowed just 19.7 points/game last year. Mobbs built some great defenses in his time at Lanier and has plenty to work with in Hoschton. Expect them to be bigger and more physical in 2023 with Spurlin and Peyton Scott leading the way.
STRENGTH BEHIND THE LINES
Linebackers, RB — Spurlin is a load and with an experienced and deep line paving the way, he and the rest of running backs should be a formidable group and expand on their 5.0 yards/game average from last season. The linebacking group will be stout with Spurlin, Luke Mobbs (81 tackles, 10 TFL), senior Daniel Stites (81 tackles, 6 TFL), and another senior in Abbott Plank-Miller, who was injured last season but has emerged during the summer.
LEARNING TO FINISH
The Panthers were 0-5 in games decided by 11 points or less and 0-4 in games decided by 7 points or less in 2022. They led in the second half in two of their four Region 8-6A losses and in five of the seven losses overall. If they can flip that stat in 2023, they could challenge not only for a playoff spot but perhaps a region title.
CHALLENGING SCHEDULE
And about that, after opening region play on the road against North Forsyth -- one of the games they led in the second half only to surrender the lead -- they finish the season with the other three playoff teams in Shiloh, Lanier, and Gainesville in the season finale at City Park.
WHAT’S TRENDING
After making the playoffs in 2021, the Panthers slipped back last year. However, with increased numbers and talent, they could be ready to begin a period of sustained winning. The only thing missing is the key wins in a tough region. Look for them to make progress on that front in 2023 and challenge for a playoff spot.
