If there was ever a time for West Lowndes to get over the hump, this year is it.

The Panthers are coming off a 7-6 campaign that saw them reach the Class 1A North State Championship and have high hopes of not only going back to that game but taking the next step.

“We are trying to build off last year. We have 12 seniors on the team this year and they are going to try to lead us back to North State,” said West Lowndes coach Anthony King. “We’ve got guys that can get the job done and the key is to hopefully have a better start to the season than last year.”

West Lowndes has six starters back and will lean on a veteran offensive line that will be anchored by Trence Robertson, Eli Sanders and Jarquist Cunningham. Quarterbacks Jaylen Ellis and Kadon Burton will both see time under center and King is hopeful one will separate himself to lead the offense. Running back Chris Elder will lead the ground game, while Kylan Ellis, Antonio Brown and Denarian Smith will also be key factors at receiver. In 2024, the Panthers averaged almost 35 points per game, and scored more than 50 four times.

“Playing two quarterbacks early is kind of an experiment and as they learn the offense more and one can lead we will be ready to roll. The entire offensive line is back except one, so they are very experienced,” King said. “We have got to be more balanced this year. Last year we were so one-dimensional that teams just stacked the box, so now we have to be able to open up the passing game.”

Defensively, West Lowndes has nine starters back on a unit that will be anchored by linebacker Jakylan Lucious, defensive end Tylan Brewer and Cunningham at defensive tackle. Defensive back Mehki Staples along with Elder and Imani Beeks will lead the secondary. West Lowndes allowed a shade over 25 points per game last season, including a shutout against Smithville.

“Defensively, Jakylan is back and led us in tackles so that’s big and we have a lot of guys that had a lot of playing time on that side of the ball,” King said. “Need those guys to be leaders. We’re probably in the toughest region in 1A, so we better be ready once district play comes around.”

As for the Panthers’ new region home, King might be right. After the recent round of MHSAA realignment, West Lowndes – who stayed in 1A – is now grouped with Calhoun City, Vardaman and Okalona in Region 3.

West Lowndes kicks off the season Aug. 29 with a home game against familiar foe Biggersville. The teams have split their all-time series, 9-9, but the Panthers’ last beat the Lions in 2016.