Despite Petal opening region play with two losses, the Panthers still have a chance to turn their season around and keep their playoff hopes alive.
The second half of the Panthers’ schedule is much more favorable; however, it will be by no means easy as they will have to knock off Brandon to kickstart the good fortune.
If Petal can beat Brandon, the Panthers will face struggling Northwest Rankin and Terry teams, as they combine to hold a 2-8 record. Between those games, the Panthers will also have to face Meridian and Warren Central, which hold a combined record of 7-5, yet both teams have shown that they are more than capable of being beat.
“I think our goals are still there and obtainable,” Petal coach Allen Glenn said. “That’s something we are obviously fighting for, which is to keep ourselves in the hunt for the playoffs. I definitely think that’s something to work towards, but I think we are slowly getting better each week offensively. Defensively we have to make a few adjustments and changes. I think offensively, we have made some strides, and hopefully, we are able to continue that.”
Brandon opened the season with straight losses against Oxford and Madison Central. Yet the Bulldogs have rattled off three straight wins, which featured them outscoring opponents 102-60. Last week, Brandon defeated Warren Central 38-20.
“I think Brandon is really talented,” Glenn said. “They have really good skill players. Their defense brings a ton of pressure on you. That’s one thing that we have to look at from an offensive standpoint is how much pressure they point on you. On offense, they do a good job of staying on schedule. They stay in front of the chains and have really got it going the last couple of weeks. I think Brandon is playing as good of football as anybody right now.”
Brandon’s offense features sophomore quarterback Landon Varnes, who has thrown for 854 yards, eight touchdowns, two interceptions and has completed 56% of his passes.
“I think (Varnes) is doing a great job,” Glenn said. “I don’t think they are asking him to do a ton, but he is doing what defenses are giving him. I think that’s a testament to him and (Brandon coach Sam Williams) and his staff as well. I think they are doing a good job of bringing him along. He’s got some good skill guys to get it to as well, so that helps.”
Varnes’ top target is Devin Thigpen, who has hauled in a team-leading 24 catches, 366 yards and six touchdowns. At running back, Brandon switches between Jarvis Dur, who has totaled 353 yards and five touchdowns, and Nate Blount IV, who has run for 485 yards and three touchdowns.
“It seems like Brandon always has that one wideout that’s a special kid,” Glenn said. (Thigpen) is definitely one of those guys. He has a great skill set. I think he is a tough matchup as well. I think he presents a lot of practices that a lot of high school kids struggle to match up with. I feel like we’ll have to do some things to help out in that area.
“They are an up-tempo team. They get in multiple formations and do it really fast. That’s going to be one thing that we do a better job of getting lined up to their tempo and play at the same pace that they play at. We have to be aligned correctly pre-snap.”
According to Glenn, one of the key parts of Brandon’s turnaround success is its defense. The Bulldogs are an aggressive defense that brings constant pressure, which has racked up 22 tackles for loss and 11 sacks this season.
“I think they are very physical, fast and just a good defense,” Glenn said. “But you never know where that pressure is coming from. They bring pressure from different areas and places on the field. It’s hard to ever get a beat for when and where he brings it from in that regard. We know they will bring pressure, but it’s a matter of figuring out where that pressure is coming from.
“We have to control some of the things that we should be able to control. We have got to shore up our areas in the kicking game. We can’t give people points in the kicking game. We have to take care of the football. You can’t give teams extra opportunities.”
