Ridgeland

Head coach: Craig Pritchett (first year here; 47-34 overall)

Returning starters: 4 offensive; 5 defensive

Last year’s record: 1-9 overall, did not qualify for GHSA Class AAAA playoffs

Key players: Chase Watkins (5-11, 220) Sr. QB/LB, Darrian Burks (6-0, 174) Sr. WR/DB, Parker Metcalf (6-2, 190) Jr. RB, Jakobe Turner (5-11, 170) Sr. DB, Hayden Kerr (5-11, 220) Jr. OL, Dominic Groce (6-0, 270) Sr. OL, Jordan Montgomery (5-9, 250) Jr. DL, Aiden Russell (6-0, 180) So. RB

Season outlook: Pritchett’s return to his alma mater comes at a time when the once-proud program needs a savior. The Panthers, winners of seven region championships in a 12-year span, are coming off a disastrous two-year stretch when they won two games and were outscored 738-186.

For Pritchett, who played and later coached under Mark Mariakis, consider it challenge accepted.

“I do like a challenge,” he said. “I think any competitive person likes to be pushed. That was part of the reason I came back, but the biggest part of it is that this is home. I felt I could come back and pour into these kids who walk the same halls as I did everything I’ve learned and get them back to where they were.”

Pritchett admits it won’t be a quick fix. There are three areas outside of athletic performance he’s concentrating on first.

“The first is confidence,” he said. “They’ve got to understand who they are and what they’re capable of. The records the last couple of years hurt, and they need to look beyond those numbers.

“The other two are accountability and discipline. It starts in the weight room for me, which was the first thing I worked on. They also need to be champions in the classroom. When they don’t meet those standards, they have to be held accountable. They are learning quickly that players don’t run the program.”

On the field, the Panthers will maintain a run-first mentality and have the pieces to be successful out of the pistol formation. Quarterback Watkins is a strong runner, and a group that includes Russell, Demetree Bates, Braylon Pritchett and freshman Bryson Donald will provide plenty of breakaway ability out of the backfield to go with Burks’ elite speed at receiver.