Ed Johnson, the head coach of Newberry High School’s football team, reflects on a 2025 campaign that began with three straight losses before finishing with a 5‑6 record. The Panthers’ season was marked by early setbacks and a late push that left the coach hopeful for a turnaround.
The offseason brings sweeping changes: the team lost 19 seniors, among them starting quarterback Kobe Johnson, and was reassigned from Class 2A District 5 to a smaller District 4. This realignment forces the Panthers to adjust both schematically and socially as they rebuild around younger talent.
Quarterback Battle Heats Up
The competition for the quarterback slot is already intense, with sophomore Zaden Wilcox, junior Kieran Whitesides and Zach Chong‑you vying for the starting role. Whitesides, who transferred from Santa Fe and logged 59.6 yards per game last season, has emerged as an early favorite, though Wilcox and Chong‑you are expected to push him throughout preseason.
With the roster trimmed to 38 players, Newberry’s athletes are expected to wear multiple hats on both sides of the ball. The coaching staff emphasizes stamina and mental toughness, instituting mandatory weight‑room sessions and conditioning drills to prepare the team for the rigors of a long season.
Senior Darius Debose, a vocal leader in the locker room, says the current group feels more prepared than any predecessor, citing experience gained from the previous year’s trials. The ultimate goal, he adds, is to set a new standard for the program and chase the school’s first-ever state championship in 2026.