After the 2011 season, the Panther Creek football team knew that 2012 would be a rebuilding season. A new coach, new quarterback, and a small senior class meant that not only would players have to adjust to the coaching staff and their system, but many young and inexperienced players would get to play. In fact, very few seniors played in 2012, as the starting lineup consisted mostly of sophomores and juniors.

While 2012 was a rough season for Catamount football, it paid off in 2013. The team returned fourteen starters, and went from the conference’s most inexperienced team in 2012 to the most experienced team in 2013. All eleven of the Catamounts’ defensive starters in 2013 had started in 2012, including ten returning starters for Panther Creek (defensive back Jordan Betts started for Apex in 2012). The plethora of returning talent for Panther Creek led them to a 9-2 regular season record and a 6-1 in the SWAC – good enough for a second place finish in the conference.

After stumbling in its first game of the season, the Catamounts rebounded by pounding Heritage, who made the playoffs this season, 44-0. That game would jumpstart a five-game win streak. The Catamounts peaked in the middle of the season-best streak by defeating local powerhouse Leesville Road 34-21 after having fallen behind 18-0 in the first half. Senior running back Dorrel McClain ripped off 229 rushing yards, 214 of which came in the second half along with four of his five rushing touchdowns and a 91-yarder. McClain was one of the Catamounts’ top performers this season, finishing with 1562 yards on the ground and twenty-six rushing touchdowns.

Junior quarterback Brenden Magner compiled 1945 yards through the air accompanied by nineteen passing touchdowns. Magner drastically improved from a season ago, and was one of the keys to the Catamounts’ turnaround this season. Magner thrived this season, in part, because of his wide array of receivers to throw to. Senior Alec Slusser, Panther Creek’s leading receiver, provided a big and consistent target for Magner to throw to throughout the season. Andre Payne developed into one of the best pass-catchers on the team. Tre Sullivan and Javontay Rhodes were the quicksters in the receiving corps, breaking away from defensive backs on short passes for large gains.

On the defensive side of the ball, there was a wide array of all-conference-worthy talent. The Panther Creek defense finished first in the SWAC in points allowed and total defense. Seniors JT Wise and Matt Powell lead a formidable front seven. Linebacker Terrence Laster, who is committed to play Division I football for the Naval Academy, provided a solid pass rusher on the edge. Seniors Justin Byers and Rony Nasrallah were also key contributors. In the secondary, cornerback Juwan Byrd shut down opposing receivers, while safety Jordan Betts used his versatility to prevent long passes and bring potential big runs to a hault.

The third element of the Panther Creek football was special teams. Kicker Philip Stone was consistent all season long, rarely ever missing a field goal. One of the more pleasant surprises this season was punter Justin “Boomer” Eisner. Eisner was able to pin opponents deep in their own territory, often inside their own ten yard line; Eisner even managed to pin opponents on their own one-yard line on more than one occasion.

Overall, Panther Creek had a terrific season. The Catamounts were able to put their rough season opener behind them and win five straight games. Panther Creek went 3-0 against their rivals – Apex, Cary, and Green Hope – winning by a combined score of 117-39. The team recorded three shutouts, including a 44-0 throttling of eventual playoff team, Heritage. The Catamounts averaged thirty points per game, while only allowing fourteen points per game. Coach Crocker and Coach Sullivan, the heads of the offense and defense, along with their staff, did a terrific job this season in giving Panther Creek a special season.