In a 7A Region 2 matchup, the undefeated Smiths Station Panthers will travel to Prattville to face the Lions in a key region game at Stanley Jenson Field. Prattville is undefeated but hasn't played a region game yet and will get their first shot at the Panthers.
Smiths Station (3-0, 1-0) will look to continue their winning ways on the road. Smiths Station defeated Lee-Montgomery 31-14 last week to start their region play. "I think we are much improved over last season," said Panthers Head coach Jason Dukes. "Offensively, we are more comfortable with our offensive scheme. The defense is doing a good job of rallying players to the football. Keeping the ball in front of us, not giving up big plays."
The Panthers offense starts with quarterback Dalton Sinquefield. "He is really good at taking what the defense gives him, he is very confident kid with the ball," added Dukes. "He doesn't have to think a lot, the game is really slowing down for him for him to make the right play." Sinquefield has completed 40-of-69 passing for 588 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. The senior QB has 279 yards on 33 rushes with five touchdowns.
At running back, K.J. Johnson leads the way. The senior running back has 254 yards on 36 carries and two touchdowns on the season. "Solid, solid player with great vision and runs extremely hard," said Dukes. "He does a good job of taking care of the football." At receiver, Will Clanton has 140 yards on seven receptions with three touchdowns and Austin Taylor has 98 yards on 11 catches and two touchdowns.
The Smith Station offensive line has been solid so far this season. Darrell Morgan has been playing his best football right now and has been that leader in the weight room and on the field. Also, senior Tyler Wilkerson is playing well on the offensive line. Center Daulton Gunner has been a very good piece to make the right calls on the offensive line. The sophomore catcher has filled in nicely with his senior bookends. "He had done a great job of getting us in the right protections," said Dukes. "He has done a fantastic job for being a young player. When you have a smart kid that plays catcher on the baseball team, this is just a natural progression for him to play a position like center."
The Panthers defense have been giving up 21 points per game this season. "We have to control the line of scrimmage and stop the run" said Dukes. "If we do that, we can be successful. Our players are doing a great job of lining up correctly and flying to the football."
Vada King is a special linebacker making big plays for the Panthers defense. Renold Williams at corner has played all over the field in the secondary. Jacob Faver has been solid along with sophomore Deondrae Williams at defense end can rush the passer and linebacker Anthony Ortiz has been solid on the run defense.
The Panthers will need to come together against the Prattville offense with running back Kingston Davis. The Michigan commit is the lead runner for the Lions this season. The all-state back looks to continue pounding the ball for the Lions. Last season, Davis had over 1,400 yards while this season he has 249 yards on 36 carries for a 6.9 yard per carry average with five touchdowns.
At quarterback, Josh Moore is stepping in for his first full year at starter. The lefty QB has quick feet that can buy him some extra time in the backfield to make the big play on offense. Moore can run it or throw it with the best of them. Moore was only 3-of-9 passing for 34 yards and three interceptions last week against Gulfport, Mississippi. Against Stanhope Elmore, Moore completed 4-of-11 passing for 131 yards and a touchdown. For the season, he is 7-of-20 passing for 165 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. On the ground, Moore has 13 carries for 106 yards and one touchdown. Dekeith Whatley is a big weapon for the Lions. Last week, Whatley had three receptions for 47 yards against Gulfport, Mississippi.
