All posts by Katie Scott

Feature

Students quar-entertained with streaming services

by Diego Hernandez Staff writer

  In the midst of the current Covid-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus, families are stuck at home as the lockdown is still in effect. As students are stuck at home, new hobbies have become aware of us in helping ease the physiological suffering of isolation. These have included baking, art, and spending time with family. Sophomore Samantha Mendoza shared that streaming services have been her salvation in these hard times. 

  “Netflix has been my go-to if I need something to numb myself during this period of self-isolation. I’ve mainly been obsessed with Tiger king and Netflix since it is the only place I can view it,” Mendoza said. 

  These hobbies have been of help for a number of weeks now, with the confirmed cases still high and businesses are still minor functioning. Those who have chosen to use streaming services as a source of aid have ranged their assessment from minor to large in the week to monthly period. Sophomore Dillon Cervantes states he may be brief in technical logging in, but is not turned off for a lengthy period of time. 

  “If I could give an amount per week I’d say I go on them for about 7 days because each day I turn on the TV. Once that’s done I leave it on for the rest of the day wall I do homework or just relax,” Cervantes said.

  The national knowledge of Covid-19 existed in the previous months before the NISD spring break took effect. Students entered the week’s worth of vacation time knowing to be cautious of those they encounter and where they choose to be. However, school delays for the district came for the following week. Sophomore Thai Carlton shares his adjusting to the new absence of school.

  “It hit me the first week of official school suspension, the week after spring break, how much I’d depend on them. Especially Disney Plus because it has all the Star Wars films, I’m a big Star Wars geek,” Carlton said.

  As we have grown, movies and television shows have impacted our lives and taught lessons on how to encounter worldly matters, these trying times are no different. By being home and now having virtual learning, we are able to revisit the movies of our youth by using physical DVDs or streaming services. Junior Haidon Sills states his views on how movies are beneficial during these times.

  “Movies are really impactful because they give us an entertaining reason to stay home. By doing this it ultimately helps the situation we’re in right now and gives us hope for when it’s over,” Sills said. 

  With safety precautions becoming a necessity for the safety of individuals and populations, we are thrust into seeing only those who live in our homes. Parents or older siblings try to look out for each other and assist the younger family members in comfort. Streaming services act as a group gathering ideal for the allowance of families to come together for an hour and a half to two for a digital story. Sophomore Raina Briscoe shares who she spends her movie experiences with.

  “When not alone in my room I spend time with my little niece watching her movies. She seems really scared right now and I want to make sure I can help her in any way possible,” Briscoe said.

  The home being of itself is known to be a sanctuary from the world around us. In this time, even with a mask and hand sanitizer, the world is considered considerably more dangerous for the risk of the interaction with unknown cases of the virus. Sophomore Mitchell Wasmus states where in his house he feels most safe. 

  “I usually choose to watch them in the living room. Mine is open and has a lot of natural light, with the movies it gives me a nice feeling and makes me calm,” Wasmus said.

  Although we may be in a worldly crisis, we can make use of the time we have at home to make memories and experiences that will last for us to tell our children and grandchildren. For teens to experience binge-worthy shows or for families to come together, streaming services provide the atmosphere that gives us the hope that a day for relief will come. Other ideas besides those with technology could include taking a brisk walk around your neighborhood or learning how to further skills in a field such as art. These can create a joyful experience that will help you through this crisis. 

 

Senior Goodbyes

Senior farewell: co-editor-in-chief reflects on experiences

By Faith Collins co EIC

As much as it pains me to admit, high school was useful in more than a few ways. These four years have helped me accept change as it pops up out of nowhere and ruins every plan I ever had for the future. They definitely taught me something about surprises and unprecedented challenges that occur out of the blue, or so it seems. It’s fitting that the class of 2020 would get this type of goodbye. In my opinion, it almost confirms the theory that we’re all living in a simulation, but that’s beside the point. The point is; change can come in all sorts of ways at any time in our lives, most often when we least expect it. What matters is how we adapt and adjust our mindset so that all change can be a positive change and not something that holds us back. Although this isn’t what anyone pictured their senior year to look like, it brought so many more blessings than misfortunes. It just takes a change of perspective for them to be revealed to us.

I joined the newspaper in my sophomore year with the intention of pursuing a career in journalism. The news channel interests me and I love to write, so I figured it was the best option for me. In elementary school, it seemed like all my classmates wanted to be doctors, nurses, lawyers, cops, firefighters, or other prestigious and highly respected careers. I thought I was the only second grader who wanted to be an artist when I grew up. Were my dreams too small, or was I just lazy? Was I not ambitious enough? I knew artists don’t exactly receive lucrative pay-checks, and unless they’re particularly successful they’re definitely not as respected as other careers out there. But it was something I could see myself doing in an apartment somewhere surrounded by plants and succulents looking over a skyline ten years in the future. I imagined myself stress-free and happy, wondering what my next project would be. Obviously this was before I could comprehend the concept of money and my dreams have changed since then, but I still don’t care much for science and that will never change. 

Even though high school sparked my anxiety over the future, it also made me realize that I wasn’t the only one who had no clue what will happen after graduation. I still know people who are going into college with an undecided major, which is a lot more common than I thought. There was no reason to be so worried about where I would end up because most of my classmates were in the same position. Luckily, through an organization called Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) which allowed me to become one of the leaders for all four years, I created social media posts with fun designs and bold fonts to announce our next events. It was simple and easy, but it introduced me to the possibility of a future in graphic design because it was so much fun for me. Getting to create the flyers and announcements while also working on newspaper design was an incredible opportunity I’ll always be thankful for. 

I struggled to work up the motivation to write this article because everything seemed so pointless. The class of 2020 didn’t get to make as many memories as other senior classes because we thought we had more time. I knew I would eventually have to write this goodbye, but I wasn’t prepared to have nothing to write about. I wanted to be able to spread hope and positivity to everyone surviving this pandemic, but I couldn’t do that if I didn’t have any of my own. So eventually I came to the realization that if you look at a close-up of a walnut, it will look like a brain, or even the eye of a fly. But if you zoom out, you see that it was really just a walnut in the first place. Perspective is everything, so do what it takes to see the bigger picture in everything. There will always be new beginnings, so don’t accept 2020 as a year of failure, but as a year of personal growth and necessary change.

Entertainment

Disney Mulan premieres July 2020

Staff writer Madison Menchaca
The inspiring, courageous Mulan was to open in theatres on March 27, 2020, due to the coronavirus Disney announced it will premiere July instead. This remake directed by Niki Caro will focus more on the culture of China and the realness of the Northern Wei Era, it sadly will not be a musical. The remake will also have a love interest but not Li Shang. People who loved the original have different opinions about the changes that are going to be in the new movie.
“Honestly I don’t want to see the new movie because it’s not going to be like the original but I do get that they’re trying to focus on the culture of China,” Amy Guerra said.
“I didn’t know it wasn’t going to be a musical, now that I think about it it’s not going to have the same aspect and feeling that the original one had,” Ace Ortiz said.
Some fans think the new movie will be interesting and are excited about what the 2020 remake has to offer.
“I am really looking forward to the remake because I loved the original when I was younger and I would live to see what they are going to do to remake it,” Charlie Schellin said.
“I feel that even though it’s not going to be a musical it will still be an interesting movie to watch,” Brandon Fine said.
In an interview with “Film is now” Director Niki Caro reveals that there might be a possible love interest.
“Maybe, there is certainly the opportunity for romance”.
This story is about a young girl who joins the Imperial Army by disguising herself as a male so her father won’t have to join and battle the Northern invaders of China. Some fans of the original movie are upset because the remake won’t have a Mushu who was brought to life by the help Eddie Murphy who voice acted as Mushu in the 1998 film.
“I like Mushu because he is iconic and a god. He messes everything up and no one hates him for it,” Sarah Garza said.
Mushu’s goal at the beginning of the movie was to gain respect from the Fa family’s ancestors. Throughout the movie, Mushu assists Mulan through her journey during her time in the imperial army. In a recent interview with “Film Is Now” the director Niki Caro revealed why she chose Liu Yifei to play Mulan.
“She couldn’t sleep at all. She turned up to me for a two-hour audition because I really needed to know if she was the right person for Mulan so she did five scenes one of them being a dialogue scene and English was not her first language after that I sent her to a physical trainer and she did a growling physical assessment for an hour and a half. The reason I knew she was right for this movie was not just because she’s a brilliant actress and smart, strong, kind human being but because she never complained once and what I learned on that day was that she was a warrior”
Liu Yifei informs young people what they can learn from Mulan in an interview with “The Hollywood Reporter.”
“To really dig deep into who you really are and be true to yourself have the courage to really be yourself and figure out what your dream is.”

Entertainment

Grammy award winner Billie Eilish

Staff Writer Madison Menchaca

Singer, songwriter Billie Eilish age 18 recently won five Grammys. She won Album of the Year, the Song of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Record, and Pop Vocal Album of the Year. She credited her brother with helping inspire her to make her music. In a recent interview with Jimmy Fallon Billie’s brother confirmed that he and Billie were chosen to write a new song for the upcoming James Bond movie.
In Eilish’s songs, she expresses feelings and reflects on relationships. The meaning of “idontwannabeyouanymore” expresses how Eilish feels about herself. Throughout the song, the words are directed towards her. In a video with Genius she states how she feels, “You wanna be me ?”, and “I look over at the mirror, over here. I don’t wanna be you.” Her words also communicate she knows others are trying to help, “As many people can try to help me and talk to me and whatever but it doesn’t change anything.”In the lyrics “was I made from a broken mold” she is referring to when she was a child and she would make candles. When she would take the candles out of there mold it would sometimes break.
In the song “Everything I wanted” Eilish reflects on her relationship with her brother. In an interview with future sounds (with Annie Mac) she says why she wrote the song). She wrote the song because she had a dream that she killed herself and no one cared. But she knew her brother would always be there for her.
In the song “Lovely” ft. Khalid she talks about the feeling of being trapped in one’s mind with overwhelming depression. This song was created to raise awareness about mental health issues. Being teens both artists have dealt with mental health issues. In a video interview with Genius Khalid said, “Me being a teenager and seeing my friends deal with mental health issues and mental health problems myself, you know, I felt like it was necessary for me to step up.” The song was also featured on the 13 reasons why season two soundtrack.
In the song “Xanny”, Billie wrote this song because some of her friends are addicted to drugs. Throughout the song, she expresses how she feels about being around them. The lyrics “what is it about them,” she is trying to understand why her friends aren’t doing anything to quit. She feels as if her friends are unable to interact with one another because they are always surrounded by drugs.
Eilish has been recognized for her style as well, usually wearing oversized baggy clothes. The reason she does this is she doesn’t want people shaming or sexualizing her body. This way no one can have an opinion about her body. She has stated, “I never want the world to know everything about me.”
Billies brother Finneas revealed where he and Billie get their inspiration from in a recent interview with Jimmy Fallon. They get inspiration from random sounds they find. For example Billie recorded a sound of her dentist using a drill to shave down her teeth and put it into her song “Bury a friend”. Another sound they used was the sound the telescopic pole (crosswalk) makes in Australia when it tells them they can cross, they put that sound in “Bad guy”.
Billie Eilish inspires millions of fans around the world.
“I love her because when I first started listening to her I was going through a tough time and then she helped me get over it with her music and I also just fell in love with her unique and one of a kind voice,” freshman Brandon Fine said.

News

Pandemic impacts students, school closures

Staff writer Kace Schermerhorn

  The coronavirus has made life very hard; I’ve tried to keep my distance from other people because you never know who is actually infected. I’m stuck in my house all day with nothing to do besides… well nothing. People, like me, stay up until 5 in the morning, and sleep in until about 1 in the afternoon. That’s been my schedule since the first week off of school. And I find that many of my other friends are following that same schedule, because there’s nothing that we have to wake up for, like school.
  Northside ISD announced on March 13, 2020, that they would close all schools within the district until March 23. Then, on March 17, they announced all schools would be closed until April 6. The most recent update was Governor Abbott closing all schools until May 4, 2020. All UIL and sporting events have been closed or postponed until further notice; people are forced to stay in their homes; as of March 24th, 2020, at 11:59 P.M., the San Antonio Mayor ordered a “Stay home, work safe” decree. Along with that, the supply of toilet paper and hand sanitizer is decreasing as the demand for them increases. It’s a crazy time to be alive.
  The “Stay home, work safe” order added an amendment to include people age 10 and older are required to wear masks in public including grocery stores effective April 20 in Bexar County.
Americans are beginning to get their Covid-19 stimulus checks this week. The house voted passed a 2 trillion dollar relief plan, according to The New York Times. The Senate has already passed this bill with a 96-0 vote, according to CBS News. President Donald Trump has said that the relief plan will provide health care workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak and for American families and businesses. Since then, two house members have tested positive for the coronavirus. This plan, the largest in U.S. history, would grant each American $1,200 or $2,400 to each couple. For every child, the amount given to each individual or couple would increase by $500. However, the amount will decrease if the individual’s income is greater than $75,000. $367 billion goes to loans for small businesses. $150 billion goes to state and local governments, and $130 billion goes to hospitals. $500 billion will go in loans to larger industries, and the rest will go towards things such as passenger airlines, aviation contractors, and election security grants.
  The Coronavirus (or more formally known as COVID-19) is a branch of a typical coronavirus which comes from animals. It began in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, China. According to WorldOMeter, as of April 15, 2020, the total number of coronavirus cases stands at 2,083,432, with a total of 510,451 recoveries and 134,619 deaths within that total. Also according to WorldOMeter, the United States passed China and Italy with the most coronavirus cases; the U.S. currently has 644,000 total cases, 48,708 recoveries, and 28,529 deaths.

INFO GATHERED BEFORE SPRING BREAK
  According to CNN, on Monday, March 2nd, 2019, a woman, who had previously tested negative, twice, for the virus had been released from quarantine. She was later tested, after visiting North Star Mall, as tested positive. In an interview, Mayor Nirenberg said, “I find it totally unacceptable that CDC would release a patient prior to releasing all test results and potentially expose the public to this harm,” he said. “Local health professionals, in whom I have the utmost confidence, are working very hard to prevent the spread of this virus here in San Antonio, and we simply cannot have a screw-up like this from our federal partners.” The woman, who was an evacuee from Wuhan, along with 91 others, had reportedly sat by herself at a food court. North Star Mall will be deeply cleansed to remove any germs left from the woman. She came into contact with at least sixteen people. Two of them were ruled at medium-risk of contracting the virus, and the other fourteen were listed at low risk. Very scary news for the city of San Antonio. According to The Texas Tribune, as of March 5th, 2020, 12 people in Texas have tested positive for COVID-19; 1 in Houston and 11 in San Antonio.
  There are new coronavirus cases daily in the United States; according to U.S. and World Report News, as of March 5th, 2020, a total of 149 cases in the U.S. According to that same source, Mike Pence, the United States Vice President, announced the 10th death due to the Coronavirus. Pence later said at a meeting with diagnostic labs at the White House, “We all grieve the loss of American lives,” he said. “Word this morning from the [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] is that one more American has expired and their family has our condolences.” CNN announced earlier on March 5th that the Senate voted to pay billions of dollars to the U.S. government’s response to the Coronavirus. The vote read 96-1, with Senator Rand Paul the only one to not agree. 7.8 billion will go to address the outbreak and 500 million will go to manual spending to fund a telegraph program to try to expand access to health services for seniors.
In news around the world, Italy’s death total has now reached 148. According to Aljazeera, 41 deaths were reported by Italy on March 5th. 22 regions of Italy have been infected. Also in Europe, the United Kingdom reported their first death from the Coronavirus on the 5th as well. The Palestinian government confirmed the seventh case. WorldOMeter has reported 98,051 cases, 3,356 deaths, and 54,135 recoveries. Of those cases, 80,430 are in China, 6,088 are in South Korea, 3,858 are in Italy, 3,513 are Iran, and the rest of the cases are spread throughout the rest of the world.

Sports

Basketball playoffs results

by Diego Hernandez 

In the 2020 6A district playoffs, both girls and boys varsity basketball faced off numerous schools ending with nail-biting ends to their season. Boys as well as girls ended in their second round for area with a tight loss of 57-58 against Judson in the fourth quarter. Girls finished strong through halftime, but cut short at 28-44 against Judson. Sophomore varsity player, Mia Thompson, shares that the reason for the girls success and placement is due to their sense of family.

   “I feel as a team and sisterhood we grew this season and earned it by putting in the work together,” Thompson said. 

  Along with a sense of family, another basis for a team’s success consists of the intensity and performance skills taught by the head or assistant coaching staff. The girls lost to Judson Monday, February 24, and boys to Judson Friday, February 28th, excelling the pre-made season schedule. Junior Adam Benhayoune, states that his team’s success comes from his coach.

Carleigh Wenzel takes the ball back down the court.

Photo by Chris Reid.

  “I think it’s the coaching, if you line us up against any team in the district without our coaching we wouldn’t be who we are,” Benhayoune said. 

  In the past, both teams have achieved playoff level and have been known to other competing schools as a higher calibrator performing team. However, these reasons do not mean a student should not try to join their ranks, senior Gabriel Thompson shares his advice for incoming freshman or students who wish to try out,

  “High school is going to be hard and overwhelming, don’t go crazy stressing out you need to prove to yourself you can do it,” Thompson said.

  One possible relief on potential athletes can be found outside of school in the leagues or training sessions offered for the given sport. Basketball training can be found in the AU league or the KEY center for Basketball located in downtown San Antonio. Senior Victoria Adeniran informs of her pre-highschool training.

  “I play AU, and I also attend college camps in the summers, they have really helped me out and given me the confidence to perform as well as I do with high school.”

 With the growth from high school ball, these athletes obtain skills that can be used after graduation, possibly college or ault league.Senior Brandon Pearson shares his goals beyond high school.

  “I’ve played on teams and I’ve been very grateful for all that they’ve taught and given me, but now i’ll be moving on directly to Northwest Vista.”  

  Playoffs began for the girls varsity on February 17, against Roosevelt high school with a 58-35 win, leading to a 73-55 win versus Clemens and ending against Judson with a loss of 28-44. Boys began Tuesday, February 25, with a win against Roosevelt 63-62 and ending with a loss also to Judson high school 57-58 on Friday, February 28

Sports

Swim wins District Championship

By Diego Hernandez

The swim team advanced to District on January 24-25, 2020, both girls and boys swim achieved high honors in their events, becoming district champions by over 100 points in each division. The boys 400 Free Relay set a new school record surpassing the 2017 time of 1:36:84. The girls also won first place in the 400 medley relay, starting off finals in a sweep of both events. The Panthers were recognized for several achievements including sophomore Taylor Labella named Girls-Swimmer-of-the-Meet, and senior Carter Miranda named Boys-Diver-of-the-Meet. Also recognized Swim coach Nick Haidin named Coach-of-the-Meet, and Diving coach Barbara Rios named Diving-Coach-of-the-Meet, as well as NISD Diving Coach. They moved on to Region on January 31 and February 1. 

 District women’s results were: In the girls 400 relay, Paige Bourquin, Theresa Nguyen, Sydney White, and Taylor Labella won first with a time of 1:57.82. In the 200 yard free Kamryn Kreipe won second place with a time of 2:05.62 and Alex Kerzic won fifth place 2:10.48 and Paige Bourquin won sixth place with a time of 2:13.69. In the 200 yard individual medley Theresa Nguyen won second place with a time of 2:30.21, taking fifth place Josephine Vander Sys with a time of 2:43.10. In the 50-Yard Freestyle Taylor Labella won first place with a time of 25.74 followed by third place Sydney White 26.43 and fourth place Rhiannon Ramones 27.07, and Krista Hughes won fifth place 27.08. In the 100yrd fly Sydney White won third with a time of 26.43, Rhiannon Ramones won fourth place with 27.07 and Krista Hughes won fifth with 27.08. In the 100-Yard Freestyle first place Taylor Labella won with a time of 56.05, third place Alex Kerzic 58.96, fifth place sophomore Dakota Kidder 59.88, and sixth place sophomore was Alexandria Quintanilla with a time of 1:02.17. In the 500-Yard Freestyle students won two places: fourth place senior Hannah Lozano 5:54.89 and fifth place freshman Haley Hibbetts 6:06.8.
In the 100-Yard Backstroke Paige Bourquin won with a time of 1:03.27, second place was Hannah Lozano 1:05.80,  third place senior Abby Budzinski with a time of 1:08.50, and fourth place Haley Hibbetts at 1:08.94.
The 100-Yard Breaststroke event winner was Kamryn Kreipe with a time of 1:15.62, second place was Theresa Nguyen at 1:15.98, and sixth place junior Kayla Pratt at 1:21.81. In the 400-Yard Freestyle Relay the Panthers won first place with the team skills of Kamryn Kreipe, Rhiannon Ramones, Paige Bourquin, Alex Kerzic with a time of 3:55.51. 

In the men’s categories: 

In the 200-Yard Freestyle first place senior Wes Halstead with a time of 1:54.54, second place senior Donovan Tajbakhsh at 1:55.27, fourth place senior Ean Price at 1:58.90. In the 200-Yard IM first place senior John Blough at 2:07.61, second place senior Justin Medina at 2:14.78; third place freshman Kekoa Velez at 2:18.56. In the 50-Yard Freestyle second place sophomore Garrett English with a time of 22.24, fifth place junior Brayden Caldwell at 23.89, sixth place senior William Terrill at 24.22. In the Diving events first place senior Carter Miranda with a score 416.50, second place sophomore Eric Rios with a score 361.80, fourth place freshman Jason Drileck with a score 239.95. In the 100-Yard Butterfly second place senior John Blough with a time of 56.71, fourth place senior James Dalton at 1:02.47. In the 100-Yard Freestyle second place sophomore Garrett English 49.82, fifth place senior Donovan Tajbakhsh 52.30 sixth place junior Sebastian Flores 54.30. In the 500 yrd Freestyle first place senior Wes Halstead 5:21.38, second place senior Justin Medina  5:27.35, third place freshman Dario Olmo 5:35.98, sixth place senior Nicholas Roodettes 6:3.48. In the 100-Yard Backstroke first place senior Ean Price 1:00.07, third place freshman Andrew Wasmus 1:03.31, fifth place senior James Dalton 1:07.11 In the 100 Yard Breaststroke first place junior Brayden Caldwell 1:03.79, second place senior William Terrill 1:05.23, fourth place junior Bodee Lunt 1:07.97, fifth place freshman Kekoa Velez 1:09.24. In the 400-Yard Freestyle Relay first place seniors Donovan Tajbakhsh, Wes Halstead, John Blough, and sophomore Garrett English with a time of 3:25.76. Men’s team took first place with a score of 229.

News

Debate heads to State

Salma Valadez Design Editor

Senior Jackson Salmon qualified for Congressional debate and competes at the UIL State competition at University of Texas in Austin today. Salmon is in Debate 2 and was active on the team last year.  Coach Jones-Rickman prepared Salmon and the team for the Congressional debate event category after coaching for 3 years at O’Connor and several years at Taft High School. Salmon is one of four qualifiers for all of NISD, two students from Taft HS and one from Brandeis.  The city of San Antonio only had 7 students qualify total, 1 from NEISD and two students from BASIS.

 

Sports

Football heading into 2019 season

Diego Hernandez and Kace Schermerhorn

The lights of Farris stadium are shining bright once again as the football team faces off against the Taft Raiders. Senior David Dodd lead the Panthers to a 45-14 victory. Dodd stated that a drive for his success is his relationship with his father.

“My dad has always put myself before him, and seeing the late nights he works or how early he gets up in the morning is just inspiring,” Dodd said.

Injury is something that deprives several football players in every kind of league, but Dodd shares that he is unafraid of injury during a game. In many games played

by the team, especially this year, risks of ACL tears and physical injury are factors. The atmosphere that is created by the fans and intensity of the game drives fear out of the minds of the players.

“That doesn’t even really cross your mind when you’re playing the game. If you were to get a twisted ankle you wouldn’t feel it till the next day,” Dodd said.

As a member of the senior class, Logan Parr has experienced four years of high school football, facing off against many opponents. Parr shared his experiences in football on and off the field.

“I’ve been able to talk to a lot of really good people; there were a lot of nights where I would spend two hours after practice talking to coaches, and it can be hard to balance that,” Parr said.

Being a rare case, he achieved varsity football his freshmen year as an offensive lineman. Parr revealed the identity of his most admired coach, this coach being offensive line coordinator Bob Weeks.

“Coach Weeks has been there for me ever since my freshman year. When I was on varsity he really helped me through tough times,” Parr said.

Running back Zion Taylor says that he is very involved with the football team. Being a starter, he shares why he chose football as opposed to any other sport.

“I like the environment. You get to interact with your teammates, and it’s more of a family to me,” Taylor said.

Taylor stated that his mother was the reason he initially went into the sport. She had put him in a league when he was eight, and he has continued to play all they way to varsity.

“When I was eight my mom asked me to join this team. I did and just went from there,” Taylor said.

The Panthers have a lot of expectations going into the 2019 season, finishing first in the division 28-6A with a 10-1 record in 2018.

They plan on repeating their undefeated district season, and hope to make the playoffs again, as they have done in the past few years.

On September 13th, Coach Males- ky led yet another victory against the Warren Warriors with a score of 35-21 after defeating the Holmes Huskies on September 7th with a score of 38-0.

The Panthers kicked off the season against the Steele Knights on August 30th. However, the Knights beat the Panthers 43-31 for the first time since the 2016 season.