By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

YOUNGTOWN

As he heads into his second season with the East program, head coach P.J. Mays feels his team is on the right track, even after suffering through a 1-9 campaign last year and being outscored 375-180.

“If we expect to win this season then we have to run the football effectively, create big plays with our passing game and find a way to get big chunks of yardage in order to sustain drives,” Mays said. “We also have to improve our run defense because last year we were young and just not physically as strong as we needed to be in order to compete.”

Seven starters return on each side of the ball, but key losses include: receiver Jawuan Jones, who is currently on the Youngstown State football team; Delane Brown, who started the season at quarterback and was a starting defensive end; and running back Kevone Elkins.

“In the offseason, we got stronger in the weight room because we learned how to lift and prepare. We increased our football IQ during that time and that has been the key,” Mays said.

“We have talented players, but needed to increase their football IQ and that has been a big plus entering the season. We have senior depth at some positions, but a lot of younger players will still see action and they in turn will gain valuable experience from their time spent on the field.”

OFFENSE

The Panthers have two quarterbacks who are expected to see considerable time under center with Bobby Jefferson and Brandon Jackson the combatants.

They’ll showcase a new backfield with Jawalyan Shaw the feature back and Isaiah Donley and Jonathan Gregory, both letter winners, also seeing time.

Mays’ brother, Ravonn, is the center with tackles John Fitzgerald and Alex Romeo anchoring the line.

Trevon Fite and Isaiah Nuckles are tight end targets. Leandre Green and Marquiose Gurley should be productive wide receivers.

DEFENSE

Newcomer Artrell Ford is a leader at tackle with noseman Larry Reed and end Amos Haynes solidifying the Panthers’ defensive front.

Jackson and Nuckles are the outside linebackers with Nick Ford, Tabrian Donlow and Jonathan Gregory set for inside duty.

The secondary consists of Shaw, Leon Bell, Gurley, Green, Imoni Donadelle and Isaiah Donnelle.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Fite is expected to handle the punting chores, Donnadelle the placekicking duties with both Donnadelle and Traylor Johnson breakaway threats as punt returners.

OUTLOOK

Offensively and defensively the Panthers have improved from a season ago, but special teams could decide exactly just how successful they will be this fall.

“We survived last year and this season we have a group that now knows how to approach the game and exactly what it takes to win. They’re a confident group ready to play football,” Mays said.

“Last season we didn’t know much about the players heading into the season and they didn’t know us very well as a staff. This year, we have a better game plan and approach to the game.”

Roster

1Isaiah DonleyRB-DB5-8155So.

2Brandon JacksonQB-LB6-2172Sr.

3Jonathan GregoryRB-LB6-0180Jr.

4Jamell North Jr.WR-DB5-10146Sr.

5TaBrian DonlowTE-LB6-2215Jr.

6Lawrence ReedRB-LB5-6184Jr.

7Bobby JeffersonQB-LB6-0188Jr.

8Jawalen ShawRB-DB6-0191Sr.

9Marquoise GurleyWR-DB5-11152Sr.

10Isaiah NucklesTE-LB6-0175Sr.

11Imoni DonadelleWR-DB5-9155Jr.

12Curtis CooperRB-DB5-8149Sr.

13LeAndre GreenWR-DB6-0155Sr.

14Kendrick MickelQB-DB5-10155Sr.

15Trevon FiteTE-DE6-2211Sr.

16Lamar ReedQB-DB5-7129So.

17Anfeny CarterWR-DB5-5119Jr.

18Rayshawn WynnWR-DB5-11153Jr.

19Marquale WalkerWR-DB5-10140Sr.

20Brandon HunnicuttRB-DB5-10180Sr.

21Richard McBrideWR-DB5-5141Jr.

22Robert AllenRB-LB5-6163So.

23Jermaine WilburnRB-LB5-5168So.

24Mark LynchWR-DB5-10167Sr.

25Juan DavisWR-DB5-4120Sr.

26Stephon McQueenWR-DB5-7132So.

28Damon GreenRB-LB5-9189Sr.

29Mark HerronWR-DB5-5110So.

31Mykell WilderTE-DB6-3200Jr.

32Nick FordTE-LB5-11180Sr.

33Jonathan GrahamRB-LB5-10170So.

34Traylor JohnsonWR-DB5-10163Jr.

37Twaine ShannonWR-DB5-4132Jr.

50Taywaun SharpOL-DL5-8241Sr.

51Michael StevensOL-DL6-0175Jr.

52Alex RomeoOL-DL6-1248Sr.

53William RobinsonOL-DL5-11275So.

54Victor CruzOL-DL5-5186Jr.

55John FitzgeraldOL-DL6-0270Sr.

56Amos Haynes IIIOL-DL6-0220Sr.

57Jquan DawsonOL-DL5-6270Sr.

58Artrell FordOL-DL6-0284Sr.

59Braylin BellOL-DL5-9200Jr.

62Jerry MerchantOL-DL5-10226Sr.

64Dezaun FranklinOL-DL6-1203Sr.

72Leontre’ Floyd Jr.OL-DL5-3202Sr.

75RaVonn MaysOL-DL5-10319Sr.