Antioch High School Panthers determined to stay on top

The sting of that defeat didn’t last long. Just two days after the loss, players were back in the weight room preparing for the dawn of a new season that starts later this month.

“It’s exciting,” said head coach John Lucido. "The kids are ready to go. It’s going to be an exciting year.”

Returning players: Harris returns for what promises to be an explosive season for the Panthers. The 6-foot-3, 228-pound senior averaged 228 yards a game and rushed for 2,744 yards last year.

Making things even more exciting for the Panthers, the squad will feature two additional backs this year in returner Omari Harris and newcomer Dalaan Green, effectively creating a three-headed monster for opposing defenses, said head coach John Lucido.

The trio will be bolstered by the return of offensive linemen Justin Kennard, Neel Sahota and Saia Fetuu.

While Harris and company will get plenty of attention in the backfield, the Panthers will also return wide receivers Issac Freytes and Antione Tanner as well as tight end Iuni Mauga. Freytes pulled in 12 catches for 200 yards last season, which was good enough for third on the team.

Defensively, returners Timmy Dorsey and Sir Forbes are poised to anchor the defensive line, while Omari and Cameron Nathan will stabilize the linebacking corps.

Tanner, a first-team all-league safety, will join with Isaiah Dunn, Najee and Mauga to carry the secondary. Dunn and Tanner each snatched three interceptions to lead the team last year.

New Players: Sophomore quarterback Willem Karnthong, who appeared in one game for the Panthers last season, will take over the starting role this season.

“Willem is doing a really good job for being so young,” Lucido said. “He’s very confident, very poised in the pocket and is a really good athlete. He can run and throw.”

Green, who also appeared in only one game for the Panthers last season, will compliment the two Harrises in the backfield this season.

“Running the ball is going to dictate our success this season,” Lucido said. “We have really good running backs, and not just Najee.”

Defensively, Vinny Ballardo and Koby Williams will shore up the Panthers’ linebacking corps that lost all-league first team linebacker Kobie Beltram to graduation.

Outlook: The Panthers' historic run last season means they enter the year in the unfamiliar position of being the team to beat.

The squad will take on the added burden as a powerful squad on offense that is expected to have more speed and athleticism at all positions, Lucido said. To that end, expect the offense to add more jet sweeps and misdirection plays to their arsenal, which is sure to feature a heavy dose of superstar Harris.

Antioch’s non-league schedule should have them battle-tested by the time league play commences.

Looming in week five of the preseason is De La Salle, the defending state champions in the Open Division. The road to that battle won’t be easy, either. Antioch has lined up dates with 2015 Central Coast Section runner-up Milpitas and semifinalist Palo Alto; North Coast Section Division III semifinalist Rancho Cotate; and NCS Division I playoff team San Leandro.

The Panthers open play at home against Lincoln (Stockton), which bowed out against Cosumnes Oaks in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs last year.

“We just have to take it one day at a time and get better every day,” Lucido said. "We can’t overlook any team.”