Kevin_Holden's Blog

Fox Hilites is up all night getting ready for the start of high school football season. Let's get geared up with our preseason cram sessions!

Plum19, I promised you a Pine Ridge cram session, and now Fox Hilites delivers.

So many positives to take from last year's 6-4 campaign. The '07 Panthers shut out three opponents (New Smyrna Beach, Trinity Christian, and Lyman) and came oh-so-close to a playoff berth. Fans won't want to remember last October's 42-27 loss to Lake Howell, but in this case, just missing the playoffs is giving Robert Braucht's Panthers all the motivation they need for a strong 2008.

When we talk Panther offense, it all starts with quarterback Ben Delacruz. #10 is one of those exciting dual-threat QBs, able to beat teams with his arm and his legs. Delacruz and the Panther offense hit its stride late last year, scoring at least 24 points in five straight games. Another stretch like that in the middle of district play could easily put Pine Ridge in the playoffs.

The season starts September 5th against New Smyrna Beach, but the key stretch here happens at the end of the season. Starting October 24th, Pine Ridge has district showdowns with Lyman, Lake Howell, and Hagerty, followed by the heated Battle of the Boulevard against Deltona.

OK, Pine Ridge fans... time to talk Panther football! How many wins can Pine Ridge notch this fall? Who's the toughest game on the Panthers' schedule? Blog away, and don't forget to check out Fox Hilites Friday nights during Fox 35 News at 11!