2020 Team Previews: Cheltenham Panthers (1)

Written by: David Mika on Thursday, August 13th, 2020. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Head Coach: Ryan Nase

Assistant Coaches:
Kyle Yeiter (4th Season)- Assistant Head Coach Defense
Spentley Toran (4th Season) – Tailbacks / Special Teams Coordinator
Ibrahim Fletcher (2nd Season) – Run Game Coordinator / OL
Mike Yeiter (3rd Season) – OLB / Football Operations
Paul Bryant (3rd Season) – ILB
Tauren Barker (4th Season) – DE
James Fitzgerald (2nd Season) – DT
Nii Kotei Nikoi (1st Season) – RB
Mu’min Islam (1st Season) – QB
Josh Plenski (2nd Season) – Superbacks

Team Name: Cheltenham Panthers

2019 Record: 14-2

Key Starters Lost:
Adonis Hunter – QB
Jamir Barnes – RB/CB
Sidiqq Williams – RB
Nate Edwards – WR/CB
TJ Harris – WR/S
Jon-Marc Foreman – TE/LB

Offensive Starters Returning: (5)
Sr. LT Nathaniel Felix 6’3 260
Sr. LG Joseph Thomas 6’0 300
Sr. C Nasir Carson 6’1 290
Sr. RG Darrenmeen Xayamoungkhoun 6’0 245
Sr. RT Yaseer Jenkins 5’10 250

Defensive Starters Returning: (7)
Sr. CB Sam Sykes 5’9 180
Sr. LB Zachary Gaffin 5’10 190
Jr. SS Kamden Wyatt 5’10 180
Sr. DE Darren Bennett 6’4 225
Sr. DT Joseph Thomas 6’0 300
Sr. DT Yaseer Jenkins 5’10 250
Sr. DE Darrenmeen Xayamoungkhoun 6’0 245

Special Team Starters Returning: (2)
Nathaniel Felix – Long Snapper
Zachary Gaffin – Holder

Key Newcomers:
Jr. Matthew Hoffman OLB 6’3 200
Sr. Amani Ezell WR/S 6’2 190
Sr. Tyzeem Kinney RB/S 6’0 185
Sr. Jaquan Paige WR/CB 5’10 175

2020 Offensive Outlook: There’s no denying the strength of our offense will be establishing the run. We return all 5 starters on the Offensive Line as well as dynamic back Sam Sykes who will also play slot WR. Zachary Gaffin will step in as the starting QB and is also a talented runner. We will utilize his skills with designed QB run game as well as his ability to move the pocket in the pass game. Tyzeem Kinney is a strong downhill runner who will also see a significant amount of carries. While we will have all new WR in 2020 they will feature great size (Amani Ezell 6’2, Matthew Hoffman 6’3, and Darren Bennett 6’4) and the ability to stretch the field. Jaquan Paige will also play in the slot and is extremely athletic (Varsity basketball player as well).

2020 Defensive Outlook: Much like the offensive side of the ball the strength of the defense will be up front. We have great size and depth (8 guys who have played substantial varsity snaps) and expect to utilize 5 defensive lineman a substantial amount of time. We also feel like we have physical and fast corners with Sam and Jaquan who have the ability to play man coverage. We will be very undersized at middle linebacker but all of unique ability to run laterally.

2020 Special Teams Outlook: We lose both of our kickers and dynamic return man Nate Edwards but return our Long Snapper and holder. Sam Sykes and Jaquan Paige much like TJ and Nate are dynamic in the return game and Jr. Kamden Wyatt will also return kickoffs. So. Josh Grady will take over the kicking duties. His brother was a two year all league player and Division 1 soccer player (George Washington University).